“Let’s Make A Deal”

Have you ever watched the game show…“Let’s Make A Deal”…and were you able to pick the right curtain with the big prize of the day behind it?  The show’s debut was December 30, 1963 on NBC and it was hosted by Monty Hall.  After the first episode the show took off and was viewed for years in countless homes across America.  Because of its popularity in the U.S., broadcasters in Europe and Asia soon began producing their own versions of the game and airing on local TV stations hosted by local actors. 

Have you ever watched the game show…“Let’s Make A Deal”…and were you able to pick the right curtain with the big prize of the day behind it?  The show’s debut was December 30, 1963 on NBC and it was hosted by Monty Hall.  After the first episode the show took off and was viewed for years in countless homes across America.  Because of its popularity in the U.S., broadcasters in Europe and Asia soon began producing their own versions of the game and airing on local TV stations hosted by local actors. 

Making the “right decision” was the name of the game and every contestant wanted to make that “right decision,” so that they would end up with grand prize of the day. The audiences consisted of people from all different backgrounds, cultures, and walks of life that came with a trinket of little or no value in order to barter with Monty Hall.  In order to catch his attention and be picked, many people would dress up in outrageous costumes and hats in hopes that they would be selected to play the game and get a chance to “make a deal.” 

 One of the main goals of the show was to get people to make quick decisions, which often affected the outcome, either good or bad.  Many of the contestants made great deals; however, many did not make such great deals and they often ended up with junk, like broken furniture, baskets of dirty laundry, or sometimes even junk cars. 

 The Christian walk can be that way at times.  When we make wrong decisions and do not follow, listen, or fear God, we can end up with junk or even worse.  Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed due to a city’s “wrong decision” to live lives of immorality (Genesis 19:1-29).  Lot’s wife made a “wrong decision” and was turned into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:25).  Pharaoh made a “wrong decision” and he and his entire army was drowned in the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13-31).  The city of Jericho was destroyed in battle due to a “wrong decision” (Joshua 6:1-27).  All of these stories are reminders of the importance of making the “right decision.” The most basic of right decisions is obedience to God’s Word, which the Holy Spirit enables us to do.  In “Let’s Make a Deal” the right decision was as much a product of chance as anything.  In our Christian walk the “right decision” is always a product of the leading of the Holy Spirit through the knowledge of God’s Word and prayer.  

 As children’s ministry leaders don’t forget the importance of teaching children what the Bible says about every issue and the appropriate way, God’s way, of dealing with those issues.  Teaching children to make Spirit led ‘right decisions” should be a part of your children’s ministry program.   Choosing Bible curriculum that will help children build a strong godly character is one way to effectively help them make “right decisions.” 

 As a child matures in their faith with the appropriate support and godly teaching, they will learn the importance of making decisions according to God’s Word and not according to what their peers or the world dictates.  Teaching children the importance of making decisions according to God’s Word is the key to the grand prize.  God is the Real Deal…and a close relationship with Him is the grand prize…and that’s the prize I desire.