Mrs. Becker's First Miracle

I was planning to teach my 7th graders about John 2--Jesus' first miracle at Cana. I had this vision of doing something with a visual aide--like put a bunch of kool-aid in the bottom of a glass and then pour water in. I wondered how I could make the appearance of water to wine so the students would get the effect of the miracle.

Then I talked to my friend, the Chemistry teacher! She got me all hooked up with the right recipe=
A pitcher full of water and add some sodium hydroxide (NaOH)--a BASE
An empty wine glass with an unnoticable amount of phenolpthalien--an INDICATOR
Another empty wine glass with a bit more hydrochloric acid (HCl)--an ACID
I got a major chemistry lesson for my Bible class prep!

I was so nervous that someone would drink my "water" and I was nervous about my miracle--I didn't know if it would really work out! After we studied John 2 and observed all the important info I pulled out my pitcher and wine glasses. I said, "This will help you visualize it--they poured the water and it became wine!" I poured the water + Base into the Indicator and the glass filled with purple water. 'AHH!!" I got just the reaction I wanted. A miracle! =)

7th graders said, "How did you do that?!" or "You used food coloring" but I said, "this here is clear, and you didn't see anything in this glass did you?" They were puzzled. I let them ponder it for a while and they asked me all about it. Then I said, "You know, this isn't in the Bible, but Jesus is so amazing, He can even turn wine back into water!" Then I poured what was in the wine glass into the acid glass and it all turned clear again. They were really amazed by this--I was hoping many would put their faith in Jesus right then and there!

We had such a wonderful discussion about the miracle and about chemistry. I let them solve the mystery and finally told them how I did it. I know they will definitely not forget Jesus' first miracle!
P.S. I have pictures but they won't load--sorry