Older Student Option: New Nature

(5-7 minutes, easy set-up)
Preview “New Nature” on page 5 of the Rootedstudent book OR download the activity sheet. If you would prefer a more active game to help break the ice and get students interacting with each other, then check out the option for younger students above.

If student books are open, then instruct everyone to close them. Ask for a show of hands as to who knows for sure what the image is on page 5 of the student book. Then ask: If I guaranteed a valuable prize for anyone who could perfectly reproduce the unusual image right now with their eyes closed, who thinks they could do it? Pair students up, assigning one person to draw and the other to help.

Instruct the person drawing to close his or her eyes (or put a blindfold over them), then instruct the helper to open the other person’s student book to page 5. Have the helper place a pen in the other person’s hand and guide his hand to the page. Now say: Those who are drawing have one minute to reproduce the image on the page without looking at it. After one minute, stop students and say: If you’re drawing, keep your eyes closed. Helpers can now provide instructions without touching your hand or pen. (For example: “Draw a straight line to the left.”)

Finally, ask: What is the only thing that would make it possible to trace or draw this picture? (Answer: opening their eyes) Clarify that even if some people might have done a little better, everyone’s drawing was a mess and far from perfect. Further emphasize that no matter how much somebody tried to tell another person what to do, only opening a person’s eyes would enable him or her to see the unique image. Say: Over these next few lessons, we’ll see that God is refashioning everything to perfectly reflect His character. Today we’ll see that no amount of being told what to do, guessing, or trying our best will ever result in anything but a mess. Through His Word, God wants to open our eyes to a surprising reality and an invaluable reward.