LOVE REACHES OUT - Love In Action
Caring for God’s creation
Scripture: Genesis 2, Colossians 1, Psalm 24:1
Charity: A Rocha
Response: What’s happening in our community?
How can we put love into action?
Theme:God is the creator and sustainer of the world and everything in it. It is our job to care for the world he has created for us. We are the guardians of his creation.
Aim:
· Children will hear the creation story and understand that God has given us this earth to CARE FOR it.
· Children will learn about the work that A Rocha does in New Zealand to promote caring for God’s creation.
· Children will plan their own activity to promote awareness of creation care and/or a way to care for creation in their own community/homes.
Materials needed:
· A Bible or Bible Storybook with your favourite version of the creation story. (Or print out the version in the appendix and use it to tell the story in storytelling fashion. Tips for storytelling included in appendix)
· Coloured tissue paper (for art or gift-wrapping)
· Chenille sticks (aka pipe cleaners)
· Computer and projector with internet access (optional)
Time in Church/School Chapel Service
If you meet together with all ages before you separate for your own age group teaching (e.g. at the beginning of the church service), this is a great time to share the Bible story.
Be sure your story includes these concepts:
Genesis 1:28 New International Version (NIV)
28God blessed them and said to them,“Be fruitful and increase in number;fill the earthand subdue it. Rule overthe fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Genesis 2:15 TheLordGod put the man in the Garden of Eden. He put him there to farm its land and take care of it.
If you use data projection in your church you may like to use the creation PPT story in the appendix of if not you can print the creation pictures as visual aids.
Your story might go something like this:
(Show pictures #1 and #2) When God created the earth, he made plants and rivers and oceans and mountains and many wonderful things. He also made animals and people. (Ask the children: Can you think of some things God has made?)
(Show picture #3) When God had finished making everything, God brought them to Adam to be named. He also put Adam and Eve in charge of everything! In Genesis 1:28 the Bible says,
“God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’ ”
In Genesis 2 it says: “The LORD God put the man in the Garden of Eden. He put him there to farm its land and take care of it.”
Ask the children: Do you think this means that we are the boss of everything?
Do we get to do whatever want with the earth?
Psalm 24:1 says “The earth is the LORD’s and everything in it.”
While reading/telling the story of God giving people “dominion” over the earth, begin forming a tissue paper butterfly (There are directions in the appendix). (If this is not your thing, feel free to make it ahead of time and bring it out as you are finishing the story.)
After finishing the story, say to the children, I’ve just finished making this butterfly/flower and I’m very proud of it. It’s a little bit fragile. Do you think one of you could hold it for me, please? You are in charge of that little butterfly until the end of church today. Do you think you can look after it? You can do whatever want with it while you have it, but I am going to need it back, please.
To the others: (Name of child holding butterfly) is in charge of my butterfly now. He/she may do with it as he/she pleases. How do you think I want it returned to me? How should he/she look after it?
It is the same with our earth. God gave us the earth to do with as we please, but when Jesus returns, we will need to “give it back” to Him. How should we look after it?
(Listen to responses, then pray.)
Thank you, God, that you made the earth so beautifully. Please guide us to look after it in a way that will make you smile. Help us to love your creation in the same way that you do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
Time in “Sunday School” or the classroom
Greeting time
As you begin your session, greet each child by name and introduce yourself. Gather together in a circle and ask each child to say his/her name and something for which he/she is grateful. “My name is Molly and I’m grateful for my cat.”
Remind them that God created (made possible) each of the things for which we are grateful (including Minecraft!). It is good to thank God for things that make us happy.
Prayer time
Say to the children: Today we are going to do “popcorn prayers.”
Have you ever listened to popcorn popping? Each kernel just pops when it is ready. That’s how we’re going to pray today. Think of one thing for which you are grateful. When we all begin to pray together (closing our eyes and bowing our heads), one person will say one thing that he/she is grateful for. Then, whenever you feel like it, say your one thing for which you are grateful. If you think of another thing, you may say it. What if two people pray at the same time??? It’s OKAY! That’s how popcorn works. Sometimes two or three kernels pop at the same time. Guess what? God can hear us no matter how many people are praying!!!
Check to make sure everyone understands, then open the prayer with a few brief words (Dear God, we give you thanks for lots of things.). When it seems everyone has “popped” or if it seems to be time to draw to a close, pray a few words of closing, (Dear God, We are all so very grateful. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN) to signal that prayer time is over.
It’s time to open the bible…
For young children you may like to get them to place their hands together in a prayer stance and then open them up to create an open book as you say together:
“It’s time (hands together in prayer pose), to open (hands unfold) the bible.
What does the Bible say about Caring for God’s Creation?
If you did not read the Bible verses in the church service, now is the time to do that part of the lesson. See “Time in Church” above. If you shared the story in church, then use this time to review.
Talking points:
F Does anyone remember what we talked about in the church earlier? (Listen to responses.)
F I wonder how God feels about the way humans are treating the earth? (Children don’t need to answer this time, let them wonder along with you.)
F I wonder how God feels about the way we treat the earth?
F I wonder how God feels about the way that I am treating the earth/his creation?
F Does…….. still have my butterfly? How is it getting along? Are you looking after it?
Exploring the word
Through craft:
I’m going to give you each an opportunity to make your own butterfly.
Using the craft instructions from the appendix for this lesson, guide the children through the steps to make a tissue paper butterfly.
This should be very quick as the main activity is yet to come!
Through game:
Once the butterflies have been made, divide the class in half and line them up in two lines facing one another. Each person should be across from someone else. If there is an odd number, stand across from the student who is holding your butterfly from the Bible lesson. Instruct the children to switch creations with the person directly across from them.
Once this is done, ask EVERYONE to sit down. Explain: We are now going to play a couple of games. Your job is to play the game to the best of your ability, but you MUST look after the other person’s creation.
NOTE: If you are short on time, one game is sufficient.
See the appendix for this lesson to teach the children “Habitat Hop” (similar to the “Islands” game played in the “People on the Fringe” lesson), and leapfrog.
Once you have played the game(s), gather back together and instruct the children to continue to look after their friend’s creation.
Introduction to a Modern Charity: A Rocha Aotearoa
A Rocha is an international Christian organization whose catch phrase is “Conservation and Hope.” If you visit the international website at www.arocha.org/en/, you will find lots of information on programmes around the world led by A Rocha. At www.arocha.org.nz you can find out about all kinds of projects happening around New Zealand.
(See the appendix for this lesson if you are curious about A Rocha and want to know more.)
If you have internet and access to a computer in your classroom, I highly recommend visiting one or both of these websites with your class. They are very kid friendly and have lots of great photographs. Children will be able to see for themselves the type of work that Christians are doing to look after God’s Creation.
If you don’t have internet access, visit the website(s) and print off two or three projects that are happening near you – or simply projects that interest you. If you are able to print the photos in colour...all the better! Give these pages to your students to peruse and discover. Confident readers should be paired with less confident readers and encouraged to work together.
Whether you have perused the website together as a class or worked with paper in small groups; after you’ve looked a few different projects ask your students what kind of work A Rocha does around New Zealand. Use a white board or poster paper to list their responses.
The following information was copied from http://www.arocha.org.nz/about-us/
We now have 1 full time and two part time staff and a network of of remarkable volunteers that all love our beautiful landscape & wildlife. We work hard to protect and look after these ecosystems in our local communities.
Together we want to see ecosystems restored and communities all across New Zealand actively caring for the earth.
Our Mission:
To protect and restore the environment through community-based conservation projects, research, and education.
We’re committed to the5 commitmentscentral to all A Rocha projects around the world and these are our specific goals:
§ Hands-on conservation:protecting and restoring natural ecosystems and the people, plants and animals that depend on them.
§ Community-building:encouraging a community response to local environmental needs and a culture of genuine partnership, care and support.
§ Environmental education:inspiring and empowering people with conservation knowledge and skills, and encouraging the church to adopt creation care as an integral part of the Christian life.
§ Research and monitoring:studying natural ecosystems to foster knowledge and love of them, to enable informed conservation action.
Love in Action: Forming and Planning our Response
There are several A Rocha groups around New Zealand. You may even find a group near you!!! In which case, you may want to find out what is happening and offer your class a chance to join in. Or perhaps you have been inspired by another group from somewhere else. The children in your church/school could inspire the adults to join them in forming a community group that looks after one or more aspect of God’s creation!
NOW, have a look at the creations the children have been caring for. Ask them to hand them back to their owners.
Discuss:
Did they do a good job?
Was it a big responsibility?
Was it hard?
Sometimes, we get busy with other things and we forget to look after God’s Creation – but we must always remember that while we may “rule” over God’s earth, He is the creator, the sustainer, and the savior of this planet and everything in it. (Colossians 1)
Hopefully, your class now has a plan in place to begin looking after some aspect of God’s creation. They may take home their creations to remind them to look after God’s creation.
Responding in Prayer:
If you have been using the Prayer of St. Francis, refer to the poster in your classroom. If you haven’t yet used it, print it from the appendix and introduce/discuss the first part together. Then pray as a group.
Dear God
As I live every day,
Help me to be a channel for peace.
May I bring love where there is hatred
and healing where there is hurt;
joy where there is sadness
and hope where there is fear.
I pray that I may always try
to understand and comfort other people as well as seeking comfort and understanding from them.
Wherever possible
may I choose to be
a light in the darkness
a help in times of need
and a caring, honest friend.
May I be a great carer of your creation
May justice, kindness, and peace
flow through our hearts forever.
Amen (said by all)
Optional: Look up the sung version of this prayer and sing it together!
This clip on YouTube features the Dragon School singing a version of the prayer very similar to the version we have been praying.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFyDpc4r2zY