SEASON AFTER PENTECOST SEASON OF CREATION

Transcription

1 SEASON AFTER PENTECOST SEASON OF CREATION Week 1: September 2, Planting Sunday Song of Solomon 2:8-13, & Psalm 104 Note to the Teacher The key emphasis in this Scripture (for this lesson primarily Psalm 104) is that God is the Creator and cares for creation. The Ice Breaker invites youth to express their own creativity (which will be expanded in the activity at the end). The Discussion encourages students to reflect on God as Creator and the purpose of creation. The Activity allows youth to play Creator as they create a brand new animal and share it with the rest of the group. Times are based on a 50-minute lesson period, but can be adjusted. Time Description of Activity 10 min 1. Ice Breaker Ask the students if you could create a brand new animal that mixed two actual animals together, what would you mix and why? If you ve got a whiteboard, consider asking them to draw it and have the other students guess before they explain what it is and why. 5 min 2. Read Scripture Our Scripture reading today will focus upon Psalm 104. Due to this being a longer Psalm, you might have one student read odd verses and another read even verses, or have different students read 5 verses at a time. Psalm 104 has much descriptive language about the different aspects of nature God has created. Read Psalm 104: min 3. Discussion What imagery about nature or creation stood out to you in Psalm 104? What do these verses say about God s connection to creation? The Protestant Reformer, Martin Luther wrote in the 16 th century, God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars. (The Green Bible I-103) Where in nature or creation do you experience God or see God revealed? Re-read Psalm 104: How does the writer of this Psalm respond to creation in verses 33 and 34? Did God have to create the earth or humanity? Why do you think God chose to create? What does it say about God that God chose to create humanity?

2 20 Min 4. Activity and Discussion: What If You Were the Creator? Take this lesson to the next level by getting students hands and imaginations involved using the activity What if You Were the Creator from the Youth Worker Collective: ( ): Imagine you got to be the Creator and could create a completely new animal. Get into groups of 2 or 3 students and get a sheet of paper and some markers or crayons. You have 10 minutes to 1) draw your new animal, 2) to list its characteristics, and 3) to give it a name. After all students have had time to create a new animal they will then share their creation briefly with the group. After all have shared ask one final question. The reality is that God is not only the Creator, but God also created something from nothing. What is the difference between God being able to create and your creation? (God could literally bring matter and creation into existence, while anything humanity creates is using the pieces of creation we have been given by God.) 50 min Close in the manner that is typical for you. Consider taking joys and concerns from the students, then asking for a volunteer to close in prayer. NEEDED RESOURCES: Sheets of paper (preferably larger if possible) - 1 for every 2 to 3 students Markers or crayons enough to distribute some to each group

3 Week 2: September 9, Mountain Sunday: Protection and Care Psalm 125 Note to the Teacher The key emphases this week (for this lesson Psalm 125 and Genesis 2) is that God has entrusted creation to humanity to be faithful stewards and caretakers. The Ice Breaker invites youth to think about their favorite outdoor place on earth. The Discussion encourages students to reflect on God s expectations of humanity as faithful creation. The Activity allows youth to create a set of guidelines for humanity if we are to take our responsibility as caretakers to heart. Times are based on a 50-minute lesson period, but can be adjusted. Time Description of Activity 10 min 1. Ice Breaker Ask the students What is your favorite outdoor place on earth? (It can be a vacation spot, or in their own backyard, just must be outside!) What is it about that place that makes it your favorite? What do you like to do there? 5 min 2. Read Scripture Our Scripture reading today will focus on Psalm 125 and Genesis 2:4-17. Psalm 125 is a short Psalm in part comparing the mountains around Jerusalem to God s care for the Israelites. Genesis 2 shares part of the original creation story. Read Psalm 125 How do verses 1 & 2 compare the mountains to God s relationship with humans? How long does verse 2 say God will care for God s people? Read Genesis 2: min 3. Discussion What does Genesis 2:15 say is humanity s responsibility for Creation? How do you feel humanity is doing in caring for Creation? Where is humanity doing a good or not so good job of caring for Creation? How do you think God feels about the state of the earth? Why do you think people are not more appreciative and careful with the resources of the earth? What do you think it would take for people to change their care of Creation? What do you think the earth will be like in 100 years? 20 Min 4. Activity and Discussion Taking Back the Earth! Take this lesson to the next level by getting students hands and imaginations involved using the activity Taking Back the Earth from the Youth Worker Collective ( )

4 50 min Close in the manner that is typical for you. Consider taking joys and concerns from the students, then asking for a volunteer to close in prayer. NEEDED RESOURCES: Whiteboard/chalkboard or a large sheet of paper Markers

5 Week 3: September 16, Sky Sunday: Dominion and Exploitation Psalm 19 Note to the Teacher The key emphases for this week (for this lesson Psalm 19 and Genesis 1) is that God is the Creator and has given humanity made in God s image the opportunity to share in the dominion of creation. The Ice Breaker invites youth to reflect on where they are thankful for creation. The Discussion encourages students to reflect on the Genesis 1 creation story, to see God s true focus in that story and what it means to be made in the image of God. The Activity allows youth to share in an activity where they will think about aspects of the earth and about how well they feel humanity is appropriately honoring God with it. Times are based on a 50-minute lesson period, but can be adjusted. Time Description of Activity 10 min 1. Ice Breaker Ask the students Take a moment to think: What is something in creation you have been thankful for in the last week? Now, tell a story about that thing. Where did you experience it? How did it make you feel? Who else was with you? 5 min 2. Read Scripture Our Scripture reading today will focus upon Psalm 19:1-4a and Genesis 1:1-5 with a special focus on how Genesis 1:1-5 is more the story of who the Creator is and why God created the earth, rather than Genesis explaining the exact process God used to bring forth Creation. Help students to see that the creation story perhaps most seeks to answer Who? (God) and Why? (to express love outwardly by entering a loving relationship with humanity, making humans in God s own image.) God could have made Genesis 1 a 100 volume science book explaining exactly how Creation was made; but that doesn t seem to be God s true purpose or focus in Genesis. Read Psalm 19:1-4a What do these verses say about the heavens God has created? Read Genesis 1: min 3. Discussion Who created God? What existed before God created the heavens and earth? You are likely familiar with the story of Genesis 1, day by day it shares the story of God being the Creator of Creation. In school when you learned to write a story or a paper you learned that stories often try to answer questions such as Who, What, When, Where, Why and How? Which of these questions do you feel like Genesis 1 is most trying to answer? What does it mean to be made in God s image as it states in 1:27?

6 As humans were made in God s image, they were entrusted with having dominion over as well as caring for the earth. Where is the line between appropriately using something and exploiting it for your own purposes? 20 Min 4. Activity and Discussion If the Earth Was Made of Playdough Take this lesson to the next level by getting students hands and imaginations involved using the activity If the Earth Was Made of Playdough from the Youthworker Collective: ( ): 50 min Close in the manner that is typical for you. Consider taking joys and concerns from the students, then asking for a volunteer to close in prayer. NEEDED RESOURCES: One small can of play-dough for each small group you ll break your group into for the activity

7 Week 4 September 23, Harvest Sunday: Trees and Fruits Psalm 1 Note to the Teacher The key emphasis for this week (for this lesson Psalm 1) is that God has connected humanity to the land, that the resources the earth provides are essential for humanity and cultivated by humanity. The Ice Breaker invites youth to share their favorite season of the year. The Discussion encourages students to reflect on Psalm 1 and how humanity interacts in ways that may be considered either blessed or wicked. The Activity allows youth to be creative as they make an artistic creation of a tree, thinking how trees have roots, and so Christians must decide where to put their roots. Times are based on a 50-minute lesson period, but can be adjusted. Time Description of Activity 10 min 1. Ice Breaker Ask the students What is your favorite season (winter, spring, summer, fall) of the year? What can you do in that season you can t do in others? What is your least favorite season? 5 min 2. Read Scripture Our Scripture reading today will focus upon Psalm 1 and Luke 6:43-45 with a special focus on how God compares the blessed and the wicked to a tree planted by streams of water yielding fruit. Read Psalm 1 (just 6 total verses) 15 min 3. Discussion What does Psalm 1 say about the distinction between the blessed person and the wicked? Why do you think the blessed are compared to a tree in verse 3? How does modern society define blessedness? How is this similar or different than how the Bible describes blessedness? How do many successful people in modern society view the resources of the earth? Read Luke 6:43-45 What do these verses say is the way to recognize what type of tree a tree is? What kind of fruit should a follower of God produce in their life? 20 Min 4. Activity and Discussion See a Tree, Be a Tree! Take this lesson to the next level by getting student s hands and imaginations involved using the activity See a Tree, Be a Tree from the Youth Worker Collective ( Close in the manner that is typical for you. Consider taking joys/concerns from the students, then asking for a volunteer to close in prayer.

8 50 min NEEDED RESOURCES: A sheet of paper for every student Crayons/markers to draw

9 Week 5 September 30, Blessing all Creatures: Bring It! Psalm 124 Note to the Teacher There are a couple of emphases for this week (for this lesson Psalm 124 and Romans 8). The first is that God s act of creation is a blessing. Second, humanity is called to see creation as a blessing, to return thanks for the blessing, and seek to bless others with the gift of creation. The Ice Breaker invites youth to share how they might respond if a stranger asks for a blessing. The Discussion encourages students to reflect on Psalm 124 and Romans 8 and ponder how creation is meant to be a blessing to all people. The Activity challenges youth to think about what they would be willing to sacrifice of the blessings in their life do others might be blessed. Times are based on a 50-minute lesson period, but can be adjusted. Time Description of Activity 10 min 1. Ice Breaker Ask the students If a complete stranger came up to you and asked you for some money what would you do (assuming you do have some money on you)? How would the way they were dressed affect your decision? How would it change if they were an acquaintance (not a good friend) rather than a complete stranger? 5 min 2. Read Scripture Our Scripture reading today will focus upon Psalm 124 and Romans 8:19-23 with a special focus in Psalm 124 of thanking God for our blessings and in Romans 8 of thinking about how humanity all lives together on a shared earth. Read Psalm 124 (just 8 total verses) 15 min 3. Discussion Why in verse 1 did Israel feel that God was on their side? Verse 8 says our help is in God, the maker of heaven and earth how does seeing God as your Creator change how you think about all things that have been created? Read Romans 8:19-23 If Christians see the earth as a gift from God, how might that change how we share the blessings of those resources with those who have less? Why do some people have less resources than others? What would you be willing to sacrifice to make sure that someone else who was in need had their basic needs met? 20 Min 4. Activity and Discussion Give it Away! Take this lesson to the next level by getting student s hands and imaginations involved using the activity Give it Away from the Youthwoker Collective (

10 50 min Close in the manner that is typical for you. Consider taking joys/concerns from the students, then asking for a volunteer to close in prayer. NEEDED RESOURCES: A sheet of paper for each student A pen/pencil for each student