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# “Green with Envy?” A Short Devotional with an Experiment
- URL: https://thepulse.org/en/green-with-envy-devotional-with-experiment/
- Published: 2024-03-26T16:25:21.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-22T09:18:20.000Z
- Description: An experiment on the destructive power of envy and jealousy, with a deeper look at the story of Cain and Abel and verses from Proverbs.
- Author: Esther Penner
- Tags: Lessons, #age-teens, #topic-relationships, #age-children, #lessons-method-experiment, #bible-genesis, #bible-proverbs, #lessons-bible-ot, #lessons-duration-medium, #lessons-setting-plenary, #lessons-setting-small-group, #target-educators, #target-leaders, #target-parents, #context-youth-night, #context-home, #context-school

💡

****Tip:** You can shorten the devotional by using fewer questions.

## Preparing the experiment

Watch [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAV9NBb2PVg&ref=thepulse.org) of the experiment you’re going to do.

Jealousy: kids’ science experiment and Bible object lesson (Jennifer Jolene)

**What you need for the experiment:**

- A baking sheet or tray with a rim
- A drinking glass
- A few tablespoons of baking soda
- Objects that represent people (for example LEGO figures, chess pieces, game pieces)
- A separate glass
- Vinegar
- A few drops of green food coloring

## Running the experiment

⏱ 5 minutes

👉

Place the drinking glass in the middle of the baking sheet and put a few tablespoons of baking soda in it.

Today we’re doing a little experiment. This glass here in the middle represents our heart.

👉

Place the game pieces, LEGO figures and so on around the glass.

These figures stand for the people in our lives.

👉

Fill a separate glass with vinegar and add a few drops of green food coloring.

The green liquid in this glass stands for envy and jealousy.

❓

****What would you say envy or jealousy is? How do we recognize envy and jealousy?** (When we think badly of others because they have something we want.)

Let’s see what happens when envy and jealousy get into our heart.

👉

Pour the green liquid (vinegar with food coloring) into the glass with the baking soda. Keep pouring until it foams over the glass and reaches the other objects on the tray.

Look what happens when I let envy and jealousy into my heart.

## Going deeper

ℹ️

You can go deeper with the story of Cain and Abel and a few verses from Proverbs. It’s up to you whether you use both Bible blocks or just one.

### Block 1: Cain and Abel

⏱ 15 minutes

📖 Read [Genesis 4:1-10](https://www.bible.com/bible/111/GEN.4.1-10.NIV?ref=thepulse.org) (or retell the story of Cain and Abel to make clear how destructive envy and jealousy can be. Explain how Cain’s envy of Abel led him to kill Abel.)

❓

****Why do you think God was pleased with Abel’s offering but not with Cain’s?** (Cain didn’t bring the best he had; Abel gave from the heart.)

❓

****How do you think Cain felt when his offering wasn’t accepted?** (Disappointed, angry, envious.)

❓

****What could Cain have done differently instead of killing Abel?** (Talk to God or Abel, be honest about his feelings, change his attitude or perspective.)

❓

****What do we learn from the story of Cain and Abel about the consequences of envy and jealousy?** (They can lead to very bad decisions.)

❓

****Have you ever been in situations where you were envious of someone? How did you handle it?**

👉

Share a situation in which you were envious or jealous of a person and how that had a negative effect on you and/or the person and your relationship.

### Block 2: Proverbs

⏱ 7 minutes

📖 Read [Proverbs 14:30](https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PRO.14.30.NIV?ref=thepulse.org)

❓

****What do you think that means?** (Being content is healthy, but envy can eat us up inside.)

📖 Read [Proverbs 27:4](https://www.bible.com/bible/111/PRO.27.4.NIV?ref=thepulse.org)

❓

****How is jealousy described compared to anger and fury?** (Jealousy is more destructive than anger.)

❓

****Would you agree? Why or why not?** (Jealousy can have deeper roots and is harder to overcome, because it usually plays out inside over a longer period of time. It eats away at us.)

## Application

⏱ 8 minutes

❓

****Can you name situations where it’s hard not to be envious and jealous? How can you think positively in situations like that?** (When friends get better grades or receive cool gifts: remember what you have yourself and be thankful.)

❓

****Why do you think that matters?** (It makes us happier and healthier.)

❓

****How can you encourage each other and others to be thankful?** (Name them out loud, and point out each other’s strengths.)

*English version: September 2026*