(The following is adapted from Object Lessons for children's Worship, by Mary Foxwell Loeks, published by Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, Michigan.)

1. Cut a large heart from one standard sized red poster board.
2. Prepare small pictures of a television set, stereo, magazines, rich foods, an angry person, a clock, or other items, which you wish to include as Starla's wrong choices. Magazine or catalog pictures may be helpful. (An angry girl can be found in Visualized Forward Steps Lesson, Characteristics of a Christian, The Beatitudes, and Lesson 1.)
3. Cut out small hearts from red construction paper to use as windows or doors.
4. Using a black marker, trace around the edge of a heart pattern to form the window or doorframes as indicated. Adjust the size or your windows to fit on your poster.
5. Arrange the pictures on the windows as desired. Tape or glue them inside the window frames.
6. Form a "hinge" on the back of the small red heart windows so they can be opened.
7. Cut out a heart the size of the signpost heart. On it write: "Jesus' House."
8. Prepare a sign from white construction paper. Write with a black marker the words, "Under New Management."
9. Have tape ready during the presentation so the windows can be taped open.

"Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (I Cor. 5:17)

Starla was a member of GMA. She had attended GMA for three years. She had passed her Maiden and Lady-in-Waiting and Lady steps with "flying colors." Then came the Princess step! The scriptures were longer and harder. She had enjoyed reading The Gleaner with its many stories and letters about the missionaries. She had memorized the first three sets of scriptures after studying the lessons. Then, her counselor assigned Hebrews 11: 7-25! The lesson was interesting, but she thought she just could not memorize those disconnected verses!

Something was wrong! She did not feel happy. Starla lived in a nice house. It was unusual. (Hold up the poster and place it in position so that it can be seen by everyone.) Starla had a "heart House."

One day as Starla was thinking about herself and her own problems that she just knew no one else had, a knock sounded on the door of her house. She called out, "Who is there?"

A voice said, "Starla, this is Jesus. I know you are having trouble keeping your "heart house" in order. I can help you if you will let Me. Let Me have control of your house. Give Me complete control and you won't have the problems you are now having. You'll even be able to memorize those verses for GMA that seem so difficult."

Starla was startled. Had she not given Jesus her heart a few years ago? Was it not enough to ask Jesus to forgive her sins and be her Savior? Then, she thought of her problems: her school grades had dropped a bit; she had been having some trouble with her friends. Some people whom she had thought were Christians were doing things she knew we displeasing to God. She had had enough troubles already; then, she started gaining some weight that made her feel ugly. Maybe she did need to give control of her "Heart House" to Jesus. He did say He could handle her problems for her. She had made a mess of things. So, she said, "OK, Jesus, take control!"

Jesus hung a new sign across the front door. The sign read, "Under New Management." He also replaced the name on the signpost. It no longer read "Starla's House," but "Jesus' House." (Attach the new sign)

Starla immediately opened up the attic room to Jesus. (Open the window to reveal money, which you have taped inside the window.) That room of her heart was not hard to give to Jesus. She had been taught that the tithe is the Lord's. She had no problem giving a tenth of her allowance to the Lord. She even was willing to give above her tithe, because she knew it pleased God for her to give offerings above the tenth of her income.

The next room was more difficult to let Jesus have. After some real thinking, even some praying, she gave Jesus control of the second room-food. (Open the window that reveals food.) Starla loved sodas, milkshakes, potato chips, and desserts. She realized suddenly that Jesus could help overcome the craving she had for those rich foods. It would take some real self-control every day, but she was willing to let Jesus have control of her eating habits.

Starla began to think about another room in her "Heart House." She never seemed to have time to do all she needed to do-her homework, her chores, her piano practice, and her Bible study. She thought, "Why can't I ever have time to do everything I need to do?" She decided to let Jesus have all her time-except for Saturdays. She thought surely that would be all right with Jesus. After all, she needed some time for herself. She liked to sleep late on Saturday. She just did not think Jesus would mind. After all, she was maturing into a teenager. Jesus was patient with Starla. He reminded her sometimes that their agreement was for Him to have complete control. Finally, one Saturday, she awoke early. She suddenly realized that she needed to give all of her time to Jesus, even her Saturdays. (Open the window to reveal the clock.)

The next room was Starla's temper. Oh, how her little sister could bug her! She would not stay out of her closet or her dresser. She got angry every time she discovered that her sister had prowled in her belongings. She thought to herself, "Jesus, You don't really want this room, do You? Wouldn't it be better if I just kept it al locked up?"

Jesus patiently said, "No, Starla, I need all your heart." So, Starla opened that window, too. (Reveal the picture of the angry girl.) The Scripture tells us to make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts (Rom. 13:14).

Jesus indicated that He wanted to occupy another room in Starla's "Heart House" --her pastime. That was her closet! No one dared enter into her private closet. She could not give up her television, her stereo, or her magazines. Every girl has to have those things. Her friends would call her "weirdo". Those were the things that directly affected what she thought about--the food for her mind. That was just too hard to give up. Jesus, nevertheless, insisted on occupying the closet, too. (Open window revealing the television, and other pastime items.) Jesus reminded Starla that He could fill her spare time with many good books, Christian magazines, Christian music, and many other things. Jesus would see to it that she soon would not even miss her favorite television programs. Starla immediately thought of the time she would then have to memorize and meditate on her GMA scriptures. She was glad she gave up her closet to Jesus.

There was on last room. It contained some of Starla's favorite things-her softball glove, her swimsuit and skies, her bicycle (or other activities you may wish to use). She knew if she gave up this room, Jesus would want to share her special possessions. Jesus did not say much about opening this door, but His very presence in the rest of the house was enough to make Starla uncomfortable every time she engaged in her favorite activities. She knew what she had to do-she had to let Jesus have them, too. She finally gave up and opened that last room up to Jesus. (Open the last window, revealing activity pictures.)

You, too, have a "heart House." Some of your rooms may even be like Starla's: some may be different. Whatever they are, Jesus wants control of all of them. He will never break down the doors. You have to open them up to Jesus. Let Jesus have control of your "Heart House."

Even Paul had to struggle to let Jesus really have control of his heart. Read in Romans 7:15-25 about the struggle he had. Then, read in Romans 8:18-39 about how he learned to live expectantly. His conclusion in verses 38 and 39 sums up his assurance that it is best to let Jesus have complete control. If Paul could give Jesus complete control, so can you.

(NOTE: Ask the girls to bow their heads and close their eyes. Offer an invitation, first to salvation, then, to giving Jesus complete control.)

A PRAYER REMINDER: Give each girl a signpost made from construction paper. Ask her to put it in a conspicuous place in her room as a reminder to let Jesus have complete control of her "Heart House."