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Scripture: Genesis 3
Memory Verse: "Look deep into my heart, God, and find out everything I am thinking. Don't let me follow evil ways, but lead me in the way time has proven true."
Psalm 139:23-24 (CEV)
Concepts:
·
When we disobey God, it
hurts others and us.
·
Sometimes we want to hide
from God, but God always comes to look for us.
·
God judges us, but God also
helps us do better next time.
Objectives:
§
Using drama children will
learn the story of Adam and Eve.
§
Children will explore the
emotions such as fear, shame and redemption felt by Adam and Eve (and all
people when we disobey God) through discussion and acting.
Procedure:
Welcome and Introductions:
1.
Greet
the children and introduce yourself.
2.
Explain
to the class that they will be sculptors and will make statues of characters in
the Bible lesson using each other as clay. Tell them that each child will get a
turn to be both clay and sculptor.
Scripture/Bible Story:
1. Ask the students to use their Bibles to locate the scripture (Genesis 3). Make sure all the children are able to locate Genesis. Assist the children having trouble.
2. Once
all children have located the passage, read it together as a group. They may
take turns reading or you can read it to them. You may choose to use the rubber
snake (in the prop box) or an apple as a prop while reading.
3. God
has created a world which gives humans some freedom in choosing what they will
do, good or bad, eat the apple or leave it. Humans are not perfect and some
times choose the wrong thing to do. God judges us and will punish our
sinfulness but is also merciful with us and loves us. He made Adam and Eve work
hard for their living after they had sinned but he still loved them and
provided them with things they needed. Is this similar to how your parents
discipline you when you misbehave but they continue to love you?
4. Some
people believe that the story of Adam and Eve in the Bible is history that
tells us exactly how sin first came into the world. Some people believe that it
is not history but a story that shows how ancient people understood their
world. Whether it is, history or not, we learn from this story that God judges
and punishes sin but always shows concern and love for us.
5. Discuss
the passage, some suggested topics:
· How did Eve feel in Genesis 3:6? “The woman stared at the fruit. It looked beautiful and tasty…” Do you ever want something that doesn’t belong to you or want to do something that is against the rules? Eve may have felt (take suggestions) desire, guilt etc. Pretend the snake has offered you something you really want but your Mom told you can’t have, how would you react, what would your facial expressions be?
·
How do Adam and Eve feel right after eating the apple
in Genesis 3:7 “Right away they saw what they had done, and they realized they
were naked.” How do you feel after you realize you’ve made a big
mistake-perhaps you kicked the soccer ball in the house after being told not to
and broke something special (or other example).Take suggestions from the
children. Adam and Eve felt guilty and ashamed, they realized they had done
something wrong, felt naked and bad. They sewed leaves together to wear. What
would you do?
·
How do Adam and Eve feel when God comes to the garden
Genesis 3:8? “They were frightened and hid behind some trees.” They knew they
had disobeyed and were ashamed. Have you ever felt like that?
·
How do you think Adam and Eve felt after God had
punished them (take suggestions)? Sad, perhaps relieved that the punishment was
over and God still loved them?
6. Discuss
scenes/characters to sculpt (take suggestions) such as: Eve talking to the
snake, Adam/Eve hiding from God, Adam eating the apple, Adam/Eve leaving the
Garden of Eden, the winged creatures with flaming swords guarding the gate,
etc.
Application:
1. Divide the class into pairs. One child is the clay and the other is the sculptor. Have a few minutes to practice shaping the clay. The sculptor positions the arms, legs and facial expressions of the clay. The clay doesn’t move once shaped. Practice sculpting some positions such praying, running, eating, shooting a basketball etc.
2. Have a poster or white board with character scene suggestions: Eve eating an apple or offering the apple to Adam, Eve talking to the snake, Adam embarrassed at being found naked in the garden, the angel guarding Eden, etc.
3. Sculptors create a masterpiece using one the character suggestions. Statues freeze. Sculptors examine each other's work. Have each sculptor explain his work. It helps the children relax if the shepherds and leader also participate.
4. Provide props: costumes, leaves cut from paper for clothes (masking tape for attaching), real or artificial apples, etc.
5. Switch roles, now the clay is the sculptor and visa versa.
6. Depending on time used you may switch several times.
Reflection Time:
Ask
the shepherds to pass out the journals and pencils/markers. Suggestion: You may
wish to give the children a sticker or some memento to paste in their journal
as a reminder of the story or activity.
Prompts for journal writing: Draw or write about a time when you had the freedom to choose between
the right or wrong thing to do. What did you do and why? What happened next?
Prayer: Lead a prayer. Thank you God for looking for us when we do the wrong thing and helping us
learn how to do the right thing the next time. Thank you for loving us all the
time. Amen
Tidy and Dismissal: Ask children to help tidy
up. Place costumes/props back in box. Put
up carpet squares and bibles.
Teacher preparation in
advance:
1. Read the scripture passages and attend the Faith Quest Leaders Bible Study.
2. Prepare a closing prayer.
Supply List
·
poster, white
board etc to write on
·
props, apples,
snake, paper leaves, costumes, etc.
References
· Ritz, Randy L. Act It Out! Cincinnati, Ohio: The Standard Publishing Company, 1999.
· Notes supplied by Susan Mazzara for curriculum writers’ Bible study in March 2002