(15 minutes, moderate set-up)
Students will use various art supplies to create a new and unique work of art.
(15 minutes, moderate set-up)
Before the lesson, gather several art supplies, such as colored paper, crayons, markers, pens, modeling clay, magazines, tape, and glue.
Ask: What is the first recorded action that God completed in the Bible? (Answer: According to Genesis 1:1, He created.) Then instruct students to use the art supplies to express God’s creation as creatively as possible in five minutes. Encourage them to work alone and be unique. Tell them that they can draw a picture, make a model, write a song or poem, or express themselves in any other creative way that they want.
After five minutes, allow them to share their works of art. Then explain that just as the students have made a unique creation, so God created the entire universe. Ask: How would you feel if I destroyed one of your creations? Allow students to respond. Then ask: What are some ways that we can hurt God’s creation today? (littering, wastefulness, pollution, being unkind) Does it make sense to praise God for His creation and destroy it at the same time? Allow students to respond.
Next, ask: What is the crown of God’s creation? (humanity) What are some ways that we can hurt people, including ourselves? (gossiping, greed, addictions; eating disorders, self injury) As Christians, how do we respond to people around us who are hurting? Challenge students to identify ways that they can minister to broken people in their community and the world at large. Then ask them to think about how they can become personally involved in organizations and events that bring hope to those who are hurting.