God s Good Creation Session 1 Genesis 1:1 31 Session Objective The young people will explore the purposes of God s creation as the session emphasizes three points: that God is creator of all living things, that God sees the creation as good, and that human beings are created in the image of God for God s purposes. Catechism Connection Question 15. What do you believe when you say that God is Maker of heaven and earth? A. First, that God called heaven and earth, with all that is in them, into being out of nothing. Second, that God rules and supports the creation in perfect wisdom, according to God s eternal purpose. Question 17. Why, then, did God create the world? A. God s creation of the world was an act of grace. God granted existence to the world simply in order to bless it. God created the world to reveal God s glory, to share the love and freedom at the heart of God s being, and to give us eternal life in fellowship with God. The Study Catechism: Confirmation Version Encounter Explore Express Engage the World Enhancements Session Overview 10 minutes Arrival Activity: Favorite Things Opening Activity: Opening Prayer Pose the Question 30 minutes Option A: What? How? Why? Option B: Creation Posters 25 minutes Option A: An Ancient View of the Earth Option B: God Is Good All the Time 10 minutes Option A: Each Day Option B: Spiritual Practice Closing Prayer Family Connections Connect to PC(USA) Web Site Worship Connection Art Project: Creation Banner Mission, Justice, and Peacemaking Connections Write a Song Session Question Why did God create the world? General Preparations This session includes many options. You will need to gather materials only for the options you choose. See the materials list at the beginning of each activity. Special Preparations Obtain a recording of Don Moen s song God Is Good All the Time and listen to it before the session. If you decide to play the recording during the session, try to provide the lyrics for your students. These can often be found on the Internet. Gather items to represent the days of creation if you choose Option B in Engage the World. Suggested items include a candle, a cup of water, a potted plant, symbols of a star and moon, a toy bird or fish, another toy animal, a doll, a small pillow. Where to Find Web Resources Use the following link to locate Web resources for the fall quarter: www.pcusa.org/webelieve/ faq/fall0814.htm. 1
Genesis 1:1 31 Spiritual Reflection for Leaders For some of you, this is your first week on the job as a teacher, leader, guide, and friend to younger youth. Welcome! What a wonderful gift you share when you choose to spend time with younger youth! Some of you are veterans to teaching and will know that every week with middle-school-age youth is an adventure. Working with younger youth can be one of the most renewing experiences in your spiritual life. Younger youth bring the honest questions of childhood, mixed with a healthy and refreshing degree of skepticism that keeps us searching not only for answers, but also for faithful ways to respond to God s word. At times, you may become discouraged or exhausted. At other times, you will find yourself in awe at the depth, insight, and pure faith that young people share with you. Cherish these moments! Although expressions of gratitude from youth may be infrequent, your presence and your faithful example will forever shape their lives of faith in ways you may not know for many years. Above all else, don t give up. The Spirit moves in mysterious ways. You may experience extreme lows and extreme highs while working with these youth. Remember that each young person is created in the image of God, and look for the good in each. In all things and in all people, God works for good. Understanding the Scripture Genesis is not only the first book of the Bible; it s also the starting point of our understanding of God. Although many people are familiar with the Genesis story of the six days of creation, many times we get trapped into thinking this is a story about how the world was created, rather than for what purpose. Endless discussion continues about the number or length of days, the order of creation, and the conflict between this story and the scientific evidence of evolution. These issues are not new or modern challenges of scriptural interpretation. In his Commentary on Genesis, John Calvin wrote that the book of Genesis was not meant to be read as a scientific description nor as an explanation of the world; reading it as such would actually distort its essential meaning. Even many adults struggle with the two creation accounts found in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2. The focus of this session is not a discussion about whether science or the Bible is right. As young people are moving from viewing the world concretely to more abstract patterns of thinking, today s question becomes an opportunity to introduce the difference between truth and facts. Truth is a perspective on life that can be communicated in various literary genres. Truth has its basis on fact, but there is a qualitative leap from the concrete facts to a nuanced conclusion. For example, we don t have to ask whether there really was a boy who cried wolf to grasp the truth in that fable. We all have read novels and seen movies that deeply moved us to new understanding of life, all the while knowing that the story was fictional. Likewise, the writers of Genesis used familiar concepts about the cosmos to communicate the truth of one God who is creator of all, and who created for divine purpose. The refrain And God saw that it was good after each section of the first creation account speaks more to the point in our discussion than to the factual number of days, or even the sequence of creation. The activities in this session are designed to reinforce the themes and message of the creation account: that there is one God; that God s word has creative power; that God orders creation; that God created human beings with special abilities, responsibilities, and relationship with God; and that God views creation as inherently and purposefully good. God called all created life not just human life good. Teaching Today s Session This is the first session of a new quarter. In many churches, today begins a new year for the educational programs, and so it may be your first week as leader of this group of young people. You may also have new members in the group, so during these first few weeks you will want to be intentional in meeting the young people, helping them to feel welcomed, and encouraging them to include each person in the group. If you take attendance or collect an offering, do these in your usual manner during the session. 2
God s Good Creation ncounter Arrival Activity: Favorite Things Newsprint, markers, masking tape Post eight sheets of newsprint around your meeting space, and place several markers with each sheet. Use the list in the sidebar and write each of the statements on a separate sheet of newsprint. As students arrive, welcome them and call their attention to the newsprint sheets that are displayed around the room. Invite each student to read the newsprint headings and use a marker to record a response on each sheet. Then he or she may have a seat while others in the class arrive. Opening Activity: Opening Prayer Ask each student to select one of the newsprint sheets and stand next to it. More than one student may stand next to a sheet, but each sheet should have at least one student standing by it. Ask the students to pick one item from the list. Then tell them you will begin an opening prayer, and ask each person to give thanks for the item he or she chose from the list. Use an opening prayer like the one in the sidebar. Pose the Question: Why did God create the world? Large piece of poster board, marker Write today s question on the poster board and display it where everyone can see it. Tell the group that throughout the year you will be focusing on questions that have been submitted by young people from across the country. Today, you are beginning at the beginning, trying to understand God s reason or purpose for creating. Use the Conversation Starters to begin discussion around the session s main question. Allow time for the youth to ponder and respond to the questions. Accept and affirm all answers. Help your students understand your role as a leader by saying something like the following: My job is not to tell you what to believe as we answer these questions. I ll help you search the Bible for guidance to your answers. I ll show you how other Christians have answered the questions. In FAQ: Faithfully Asking Questions you ll work on finding answers for yourselves. Let s begin looking for answers in the Bible. Session 1 Arrival Activity List The most beautiful place on earth is... My favorite kind of animal is... My favorite book is... My favorite food is... My best friend is... My favorite song is... My favorite article of clothing is... My best subject in school is... Opening Prayer We thank you, God, for our favorite things. We thank you for making us in your image, and for giving us sight, sound, touch, smell, and taste. Hear our prayer of thanks for these, some of our favorite things.... (Invite the students to say the items they chose.) Let everyone say, Amen at the close of the prayer. Teaching Note Throughout the year, as you lead We Believe, write the weekly question where all students can read it. You might even consider designating a special area of the room where you can keep all the questions posted throughout the year. This can be an important reference throughout the session, to help you refocus the group. It can also be a helpful reminder throughout the year of the questions you have addressed. xplore Option A: What? How? Why? Bibles, newsprint, marker Write the Scripture selections that are listed in the sidebar on newsprint, and display the list where all students can read it. On another sheet of newsprint make three columns titled What, How, and Why. 3
Genesis 1:1 31 Pose the Question Why did God create the world? Have you ever asked this question in your mind or to others? How have you answered this question for yourself? What difference does it make to us what we believe about creation? What? How? Why? What do you notice about the order in which things were created? Why might God have created in a particular order? What are some of the phrases you hear repeated several times in these passages? What could it mean to repeat these same phrases throughout the chapter? Does this Scripture reading seem more like a scientific explanation of creation or a faith story? Why? Genesis 1:1 31 Day 1 1:1 5 (light/darkness) Day 2 1:6 10 (waters/dome of the sky) Day 3 1:9 13 (seas/dry land/ vegetation) Day 4 1:14 23 (day/night, sea creatures/birds of the sky) Day 5 1:24 25 (wild animals/ creeping things of the earth/cattle) Day 6 1:26 31 (humankind in God s image/male/female) Give each person a Bible. Ask for six volunteers who will read Genesis 1:1 31 out loud. Have each volunteer read one of the designated passages from Genesis 1:1 13. Invite the other youth to follow along in their Bibles while the passages are read. After the reading, use the for discussion. Tell the group that writings or stories often answer multiple questions. Beginning with the What category, ask the young people to look over the passages that were just read and suggest words or phrases that fall into the What category. Give at least one example to help the youth in their thinking. Write their responses under the corresponding headings. ( What responses might include light, sky, vegetation, animals. ) Acknowledge all answers, thanking each person for his or her input. Continue in this manner, asking the youth to suggest words or phrases for the How and Why columns. The Why responses might be the most difficult to answer. Help students think of why God might have created the various elements of creation by considering what use or purpose these elements provide in our world. (For example, the sun provides light and heat.) Option B: Creation Posters Bibles, six sheets of newsprint, a variety of magazines that can be cut apart, scissors, glue sticks, markers Assign each of the six days of creation to a student or group of students. Ask all of the students to read Genesis 1:1 31, then assign a Scripture passage for each day of creation. Give each grouping (or student) a piece of newsprint, magazines, scissors, markers, and glue sticks. Instruct the young people to design a poster for their assigned day of creation. Invite them to cut out pictures or words from magazines that represent the things created on their assigned day of creation. Ask them to add words or phrases from the Scripture that describe God s opinion of the things that God created. Invite the students to show and describe their posters to the whole group. Then use the for discussion. xpress Option A: An Ancient View of the Earth Newsprint and markers; or photocopies of An Ancient View of the Earth (Web Resource) Draw the image found on An Ancient View of the Earth (Web Resource) or make photocopies of the Web Resource for each student. Explain that this is one view of the world that people had before telescopes, satellites, and modern space exploration. People didn t realize that the earth was round. It appeared flat. Ask: What similarities and what differences do you see in this image and what we now know of the earth and the universe? 4
God s Good Creation Explain that people try to understand the world in terms of what they know and what they can see. Since they cannot see God, people throughout history have relied on their senses and their minds to explain their understanding of God. Option B: Song: God Is Good All the Time Music player, recording of the song God Is Good All the Time, 1 lyrics for the song God Is Good All the Time (optional) Play the song God Is Good All the Time. Invite the students to listen closely to the lyrics and tell them you will ask them to talk about the lyrics after the song is played. If you are able to locate the lyrics to the song, please make them available to the students. Following the playing of the song, use Coversation Starters for discussion. Teach the group a chant that is based on the song. Repeat the chant several times. Leader: God is good Participants: All the time! Leader: All the time Participants: God is good! ngage the World Option A: Each Day Photocopies of Family Connections (Web Resource) To encourage the young people s thinking about creation through the week, give each person a copy of Family Connections (Web Resource). Read aloud the directions for using the Each Day chart on the resource and encourage the young people to take a moment each day to notice a different part of God s creation. They may record what they notice on the chart, to reflect on God s creation each day of the week. Invite the students to also use the questions on that resource to reflect on this session with their parents or friends. Option B: Spiritual Practice Objects to represent the days of creation (see sidebar on page 6) Gather objects to represent the days of creation and set them in the center of your meeting space. Form a circle around the gathered objects. Invite each person to name at least one thing in creation that is considered good. Point to the items that are in the center of the circle and ask the group to reflect on how each item is good. Challenge them to consider what life would be like without each of the items and encourage them to share their thoughts. Session 1 Creation Posters What do you think about the words or phrases that were added to the poster? What do those words or phrases tell you about God s purpose for creating? An Ancient View of the Earth Now that we know that the earth is a planet within a wider universe, how does this knowledge change our view of the creation story? What from this story do we know is accurate? What from this story do we know is not accurate? What from this story can we hold onto as truth? What does the creation story tell us that we can affirm in faith? What is the difference between the role of science and the role of faith in describing and explaining creation? How can we believe both in scientific explanations about creation and the biblical creation stories? God Is Good All the Time What questions do you have about God when you hear this song? When are times that we forget God s goodness? How do we respond to personal and world crises when we forget God s goodness? How might personal or world actions be different if everyone always remembered that God saw everything that he had made, and called it good? 1. God Is Good All the Time, by Paul Overstreet and Don Moen, 1995. 5
Genesis 1:1 31 Objects to Represent the Days of Creation Day 1: candle Day 2: cup of water Day 3: potted plant Day 4: star and moon symbols Day 5: toy fish or bird Day 6: other toy animals, dolls Day 7: small pillow Closing Prayer Form a circle in your meeting space. Ask the young people to think about one thing in the natural world for which they are thankful. Invite each individual to name that item aloud, and instruct the group to respond to each person s contribution by saying, And God saw that it was good. nhancements Family Connections Print a copy of Family Connections (Web Resource) for each student. Invite the students to ask family members or friends the questions that are on that resource. You can also e-mail the resource to your students or their parents. Go to www.pcusa.org/webelieve/faq/sample.htm. Connect to the PC(USA) Web Site Throughout the year, We Believe will focus on The Study Catechism: Confirmation Version of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The confirmation version, along with the full version and other catechism resources, is available online through the PC(USA) Web site: www. pcusa.theologyandworship/confession/catechism.htm. You can bookmark the site for reference throughout the year. Worship Connection Using your church s hymnal, search for hymns about creation. Consult the topical and Scripture indexes in the hymnal, if these are available. Some suggested hymns are listed on the FAQ Web Resource site, www.pcusa.org/webelieve/faq/fall0814.htm. If a piano is available, invite a student volunteer to play the melody of each hymn. The class may select a favorite hymn to be used during a worship service. Talk with your pastor or invite a student volunteer to request using the selected hymn in a Sunday service. Art Project: Creation Banner Make a banner of the six days of creation, with symbols representing what was created on each day. You will find the directions for making a banner on the FAQ Web Resource site, www.pcusa.org/webelieve/faq/ sample.htm. Write a Song Invite the group to write new words for the Seven Days of Creation to the tune The Twelve Days of Christmas. Mission, Justice, and Peacemaking Connections Consider using the Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study (Louisville: Witherspoon Press, 2009) each Sunday. Invite participants to locate the readings for the day and share one highlight of the church s work in the world. 6