NOTE: Horseshoe magnets and nails are usually available at most discount department stores. If you want to conduct the optional experiment, have your students gather around a table and take turns using the horseshoe magnet to carefully lift various sized nails. Ask students if they could feel the magnetic power as they lifted the nails.

A magnet is a very powerful object that uses magnetic forces to move objects either toward or against the force being used. The following video seems like a magic trick, but is actually the science of magnetic power.

Share this video with your students [1:34].
Flying magnet; Science not magic

Ask:

• What surprised you about this video? (Invite students to share. Most students will be most surprised that the wooden dowel with magnets attached seemed to fly or levitate and that even when the magnetic pull seemed to be broken up or was interrupted, the dowel continued to spin and float.)

• How powerful do you think this magnetic pull was? (Answers will vary. Students may mention that the magnetic pull was strong enough to work even when a piece of plexiglass was placed between it and the spinning object or when the object was put into a container or seemed to be forcibly intercepted; the magnet continued to control the spinning object.) 

There are many fascinating experiments that can be done with magnets due to the powerful magnetic force. A strong magnet can spin an apple because of the iron content in it and can pull actual iron particles out of an iron-fortified cereal. If your students show an interest and you have time, consider sharing the following clips. Otherwise, skip to the last paragraph in this step.

Optional video #1 [2:09].
Apple magnetism homemade experiment with neodymium magnets

Optional video #2 [1:23].
Extracting Iron from Cereal

• What other types of powerful forces do we see examples of on earth? (Answers will vary but may include answers that include hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, floods, solar power, wind power, splitting atoms, etc.)

A magnetic force is powerful, but it’s nothing compared to the power we are going to talk about today—the power of Christ. His power is unlike anything we have seen on earth. Jesus performed miracles that made people stop and watch His power in motion. Let’s learn more about Christ’s power and how, as believers, we can have His power in us.