Lots of Cotton

Theme: God blesses us beyond our imagination.

Bible Verse: Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us. (Ephesians 3:20)

Materials Needed:

• Bag of cotton balls

• Small glasses

• Water

Bible Lesson

In our minds it is natural to assume that God’s power, though great, is limited. Since we often become weary, we therefore think God must likewise tire. Perhaps this is a hidden reason for assuming that the creation week actually must have covered a long period of time. However, God doesn’t need our help in this way. He could have completed his universe in a microsecond, drawing upon his infinite reserves of energy. Instead, the creation was accomplished in six literal days, exactly as the book of Genesis states. And God is still able to do more than we can ever ask or think. We should therefore be bold in our prayer requests. Through Christ, this limitless power of God is also within us. Ultimate victory for the Christian is a certainty.

Science Activity

We will illustrate what appears to be impossible. Show the listeners a small glass nearly filled with water, to within about ¼ inch of the top. On a table there also should be a large pile of fluffy cotton balls. Ask the audience to guess how many cotton balls can be added to the glass before water spills over the top. It appears that only two or three balls should completely fill the glass. However, the actual results are quite surprising. Many cotton balls can be added to the glass, one after another, and no water will spill. Instead, the water is totally absorbed by the cotton, which greatly shrinks in size. Press the cotton balls down firmly together with your fingers to make room for others. I was able to squeeze one hundred cotton balls into a small glass in this way. This large capacity for cotton balls is unexpected. Just as surprising are God’s abundant blessings that continue daily.

Many cotton balls can be added to a small glass of water that is almost full without spilling any of the liquid.

Science Explanation

Cotton fibers are largely made of cellulose, the main component of many plants. This complex carbohydrate has the formula (C6 H10 O5)n where n is a large number. The individual cotton fibers are about 1 inch long and only 10–20 microns (10–6 meter) in diameter. This is about ten times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. A fluffy cotton ball of fibers is mostly empty space. When compressed, its volume is greatly reduced. The water used in the activity is for visual effect, and it also helps hold the cotton together in a wadded form.

Cotton is the most universal fiber known, used worldwide for making cloth fabric. It is a marvelous gift from the Creator. After the lesson, the cotton balls can be spread out to dry for reuse. However, they will not resume their original fluffiness, even when thoroughly dry.