The marble that could not listen

Fictional teaching story · You are the main character

A boy holds a green marble while speaking with a teacher on the playground.

You are about to play a playground game. A friend gives you a shiny green marble. “Ask it to help you win,” your friend whispers. “It has special power.” You like the marble. But can a toy hear a prayer?

Start with what God says

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.Exodus 20:4 · King James Version · Opening verse of this commandment

Read the full commandment · Exodus 20:4–6 · KJV

Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

Choose the next part of the story

What will you do with the marble?

Pick a response. Discover what it changes. You can explore every choice.

Where the command is violated

The wrong turn

Giving an object divine power in your heart and worshipping it.

What obedience looks like

The faithful path

Enjoying a toy without praying to it or serving it as a god.

Understand the command

Take this with you

We can make and enjoy useful things. We must not make a thing into our god.

Your hands-on mission

Try it away from the screen

Draw something people make. Tell a grown-up why that thing is not God and cannot receive your worship.

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