It Is Easy Being Green!: 60 Bible Stories & Crafts with the Earth in Mind
128
It Is Easy Being Green!: 60 Bible Stories & Crafts with the Earth in Mind
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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781426716058 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Abingdon Press |
| Publication date: | 04/01/2011 |
| Pages: | 128 |
| Product dimensions: | 8.10(w) x 10.80(h) x 0.40(d) |
About the Author
Read an Excerpt
It Is Easy Being Green
60 Bible Stories & Crafts With the Earth in Mind, Ages 6â"9
By LeeDell Stickler
Abingdon Press
Copyright © 2011 Abingdon PressAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4267-1605-8
CHAPTER 1
How It All Began
Bible Story
Genesis 1:1–2:4
Bible Verse
God saw everything he had made: it was supremely good.
Genesis 1:31, CEB
Green Message
God created the earth and all that is in it.
In the beginning there was a lot of space, a few rocks here and there, and globs of water—all with no particular place to go. God looked around at all the stuff and said, "Something should be done with all this stuff." So God whispered in the darkness and said, "Let there be light." In the time it took to speak the words, light appeared. "Hmm," said God. "This is good, but it's not finished yet."
God put a great dome in the middle of the waters. There was water above the dome and water below the dome. "This is good," said God, "but it's not finished yet."
So God put all the waters below the dome in one place. When this happened, dry land appeared. "This is good," said God, "but it's not finished yet."
God caused the dry land to grow plants of every kind, plants that could make seeds so that there would be more plants. There were big plants and little plants. There were plants with flowers and plants with fruits. "This is good," said God, "but I'm not finished yet."
God filled the sky with lights. These lights shone down on the earth. There were lights for the daytime and lights for the night. There were plants growing everywhere. "This is good," said God, "but it's not finished yet."
God put fish in the water and birds in the air. God put animals of every kind on the earth. "This is good," God said, "but I'm not finished yet. I need someone to take care of all that I have created."
So God created a man and a woman and told them, "This is my creation. You are in charge of it all."
God looked around at everything. Everything had a place. "This is not just good," said God. "This is supremely good." And then God rested.
Supplies:
clear 2-liter bottles
utility knife
masking tape
permanent marker
small pebbles
potting soil
sand
large containers, scoops
plastic sandwich bags
charcoal briquettes
mallet to crush charcoal
small plants, moss, rocks
decorative items
wooden craft sticks
spray bottle with water
Ahead of time:
• Place soil, sand, and pebbles in large containers with scoops.
• Prepare the soda bottles.
1. Remove the labels.
2. Draw a line around each bottle about eight inches up.
3. Cut along the line with a utility knife.
4. Cover the cut edges with tape.
HINT: Use the technique pictured on page 35 to make a level cutting line on the bottle. Stack books to raise a permanent marker to where the cut should be. Tape the marker in place, and then turn the bottle.
Group time:
• Read "How It All Began."
• Take a Creation walk (weather permitting). Observe the world around your church building. Even in a urban setting there are living things in abundance. Let the children collect rocks, sticks, and other decorative items for their terrarium.
• Have each child make a terrarium to have a better understanding of the interdependency of all things in God's Creation.
CREATION TERRARIUM
1. Place a layer of pebbles in the bottom half of the bottle, about one inch deep.
2. Add a layer of sand, about one half inch deep, on top of the pebbles.
3. Put two or three charcoal briquettes in a plastic bag. Pound until the charcoal is mostly small pieces. (Do not use match-light charcoal.) Add this on top of the sand.
4. Add a layer of potting soil, about two inches deep.
5. Add small plants, rocks, moss, and other decorative items. Use a wooden craft stick to make planting easier.
6. Mist the terrarium until the soil is moist but not wet.
7. To close the top of the terrarium, first place the top inside the bottom at an angle as shown. Then pull the top up until the taped edges meet.
HINT: If the container becomes foggy, open the cap and let the excess moisture evaporate.
CHAPTER 2In God Image
Bible Story
Genesis 1:27-31
Bible Verse
God created humanity in God's own image.
Genesis 1:27, CEB
Green Message
God created us to reflect God's image in the world.
On the day that God created human beings, God had thought long and hard. There were fish in all the waters. There were birds in the air. There were all kinds of living creatures on the land doing just what living creatures are supposed to do.
"But there are no living things who can enjoy all that I have put on the earth," God said. "There are no creatures who can stop and enjoy a sunset or a new snowfall. There are no creatures who can marvel at an icicle or a new flower. There are no living things who can think or dream or plan for the future. There are no living things who can imagine or create. There are no living things who know the difference between right and wrong."
So on the sixth day of Creation, God made human beings, male and female. God did not make them like the fish or the birds. God did not make them like the animals who walked on the earth. God made them in God's own image, and God blessed them.
God made human beings who came in different sizes and shapes. God made human beings who came in different colors. God made human beings who had different likes and dislikes. God made human beings who could do different things.
God made artists and musicians. God made planners and builders. God made writers and readers. God made preachers and teachers. God made runners and walkers. God made baseball players and computer operators. God made cake bakers and farmers. And God made YOU (point to one of the children) and YOU (point to another child) and YOU and YOU and YOU! (Continue pointing until you have pointed at each of the children.)
God filled the world with people—all made in the image of God.
And that is why, boys and girls, on the very last day of Creation, God was very pleased. There were people who could enjoy and marvel and wonder and create and dream and imagine and praise God for everything. Amen.
Supplies
old CD jewel cases
small craft mirrors
craft glue or glue gun
tape
scissors
pencils
scrapbook paper or colored paper
photographs
Ahead of time:
• Take close-up photographs of each of the children in the group. Print them out prior to the session.
• Trace the oval pattern below onto lightweight cardboard to use as a pattern.
Group time:
• Talk about the days of Creation and what God created on each day.
Day 1—day and night
Day 2—the sky
Day 3—the earth and the sea
Day 4—plants
Day 5—fish and birds
Day 6—animals and human beings
• Ask: Why do you think God created human beings last?
• Pass around a mirror and let the children take turns looking at themselves.
• Explain that what they are looking at is called an "image."
• Read "In God's Image."
• Remind the children that while they are NOT God, they can
• Talk about what these qualities might be.
• Make the "Reflecting God's Image" picture frame and mirror as a reminder to reflect God's image in the world.
"REFLECTING GOD'S IMAGE" FRAME
1. Open the jewel case and remove the paper insert and the molded plastic piece into which the CD fits.
2. Trace the paper insert onto colored paper to make a rectangle that will fit inside the jewel case. Cut out the rectangle.
3. Trace the oval pattern onto the center of the rectangle. Cut the oval out.
4. Tape the photograph to the back side of the paper rectangle, centered on the opening.
5. Slip the sheet of paper and photograph into the jewel case as shown here.
6. Decorate the outside of the frame with small craft mirrors.
CHAPTER 3The New Caretakers
Bible Story
Psalm 8
Bible Verse
You let us rule everything your hands have made. Psalm 8:6, CEV
Green Message
We should treat God's creation with respect.
In the very beginning, there was God. From out of the rocks, and water, and a whole bunch of emptiness, God created a world. It was a beautiful world, filled with beautiful things. Then God created human beings—male and female. God blessed them. Then God gave them a job.
"Look around you, I made everything that you see," God said, "and everything that you see now belongs to you. Take care of it for me. Have children. Live in every place that can be lived in. But remember, you are in charge. You are in charge of the Sky, the Sea, and the Earth. You are in charge of the plants, the fish, the birds and the animals. You will take care of what I have created."
The human beings were worried. "How can we be in charge of such a big place? We are small and weak. We are not powerful like you are. There is so much to take care of. What happens if we make a mistake?" they asked.
"We will work together," God promised. "If you make mistakes, and you will, then I will help you fix them. I will always be there for you. There is nothing we cannot do if you pay attention and we work together."
So God placed human beings in charge of God's most wonderful creation. Most of the time human beings are mindful of their job. When they take good care of God's creation, everything goes smoothly.
But sometimes human beings get so busy doing other things, that they forget the job God gave them. They make mistakes. They are careless. They do not take good care of God's creation. That is when they remember what God told them, "There is nothing we can't do when we do it together."
Supplies
duct tape
paper clips
decorative items
pencils
scissors
craft glue
empty cereal boxes
Ahead of time:
• Photocopy the directions and diagram for each child.
• Disassemble the cereal boxes so that they are ready to work on.
Group time:
• Ask: Why is it important to care for God's Creation? What will happen if we don't respect what God has created?
• Point out that when we treat God's Creation with respect, then people say we are "walking gently on the earth."
• Read "The New Caretakers."
• Ask: What does God promise us as we take on our role as "caretakers?"
• Create the Walk Gently Sandals.
"WALK GENTLY" SANDALS
1. Open a cereal box out flat. (One cereal box will make a single pair of sandals.)
2. Trace around both of your shoes on the cereal box. (Ask a friend to help.)
3. Cut out two of each shoe (two right shoes, two left shoes).
4. Cut the extra cardboard into 1 1/2-inch strips. These will be the straps. Make as many straps as you want.
5. With the help of a friend, fit the straps over the foot and around to the back of each of the cardboard shoes. Tape with duct tape.
6. Glue the second shoe print to the first, sandwiching the ends of the straps between the two. Clip with paper clips until the glue dries.
7. Decorate with a variety of items: pompoms, silk flowers, silly faces, and so forth. (See some examples below.)
HINT: These sandals should be worn indoors as they may be slippery on certain surfaces.
CHAPTER 4Noah and the Flood
Bible Story
Genesis 6–9
Bible Verse
As long as the earth exists, seedtime and harvest, cold and hot, summer and autumn, day and night will not cease.
Genesis 8:22, CEB
Green Message
We can always depend on God's promises.
In the beginning, God created a wonderful world, filled with plants, birds, fish and animals of every sort. People of every sort lived in God's world. Everything was good. The people remembered God and thanked God for all the wonderful things God had given them. But after awhile, the people forgot about God. Only one man and his family remained faithful. His name was Noah.
One day God said to Noah, "Noah, I am not happy with the way things are on the earth. All the people mistreat one another and are wicked—all except for you and your family. I want to start all over again. I am going to send a great flood. I want you to build a boat—a very big boat."
So Noah, in a land far from the nearest sea, built a boat— a very big boat. God said to him, "Now, fill the boat with animals, two of every kind on the earth." Noah gathered the animals to go in his boat, two of every kind just as God had told him. There were so many animals that Noah lost count.
When the animals were inside, it began to rain. It rained and rained and rained. Then it rained some more. Soon water covered everything, even the tallest mountain. But Noah and his family and the animals were safe and dry.
After many days, God sent a wind to dry up the waters. Slowly the waters fell and dry land began to appear. One day Noah sent out a dove. When the dove returned, it was carrying a leafy twig. Noah knew that the earth was almost ready. When Noah sent out the dove a second time, the dove did not return. Noah knew that it was time to leave the boat.
Two by two the animals left the boat. Then Noah made a special offering to God, giving thanks for keeping them safe. Suddenly, up in the sky, a rainbow stretched from horizon to horizon. "This is a sign of my promise to you and all the earth," said God. "I will never again send a flood to destroy my creation." And to this day, God has kept that promise.
Supplies
paper towel tubes
aluminum foil
sunflower seeds
recycled magazines
glue sticks
tape
colored copy paper
scissors
mop or broom handle
Ahead of time:
• Tear aluminum foil into 30-inch sheets.
• Photocopy the rainstick end caps on colored copy paper.
• Tear colorful pages from recycled magazines.
Group time:
• Make the rainsticks.
• Read "Noah and the Flood." When the time comes for the rain to fall, let the children turn their rainsticks over and over.
• Ask: How does God's special promise make you feel?
• Remind the children that God's promises are reliable.
RAINSTICK
1. Fold a sheet of aluminum foil over and over until it is about 1/2 inch wide. Then coil it around a broomstick or mop handle to make a spiral. (See photo.)
2. Cut out the Bible verse circles. Cut flaps around each circle, stopping at the inside circle as shown.
3. Place one end cap over the end of a paper towel tube. Tape the flaps down as shown.
4. Insert the aluminum foil spiral into the tube. Then add a half cup of sunflower seeds.
5. Add the second end cap, sealing the tube.
6. Cut colorful magazine pages into 6-inch strips of various widths.
7. Glue the strips around the tube, overlapping as you work your way down.
CHAPTER 5A Time for Everything
Bible Story
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Bible Verse
God makes everything happen at the right time.
Ecclesiastes 3:11, CEV
Green Message
In God's creation, there is a plan for everything.
Refrain: Everything on earth has a time and a season. God makes everything happen at the right time.
There is a time to be born.... And a time to grow up. There is a time to learn.... And a time to use what we have learned. There is a time to try...And a time to fail ... And a time to try again. (Refrain)
There is a time for spring and summer ... And a time for fall and winter. There is a time to plant seeds ... And a time to harvest that which we have planted. There is a time to work very hard ... And a time to rest from our work. (Refrain)
There is a time to dance and sing ... And a time to sleep. There is a time to be with friends ... And a time to be by yourself. There is a time to have angry feelings ... And a time to feel love. (Refrain)
There is a time to be happy.... And a time to be sad. There is a time to fight.... And a time to make up. There is a time to speak out ... And a time to keep quiet. (Refrain)
There is a time to live ... And a time to die. (Refrain)
God has made everything suitable for its time. That is God's gift to us. Thank you, God.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from It Is Easy Being Green by LeeDell Stickler. Copyright © 2011 Abingdon Press. Excerpted by permission of Abingdon Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
Table of Contents
Contents
OLD TESTAMENT STORIES,How It All Began,
In God's Image,
The New Caretakers,
Noah and the Flood,
A Time for Everything,
Sharing the Land,
Two Brothers,
Joseph's Bad Day,
Joseph and the King,
A Baby in a Basket,
A Call From God,
Let My People Go!,
Are We There Yet?,
God's Top Ten,
The Walls of Jericho,
Deborah Fights for God,
Ruth's New Family,
Hannah's Prayer,
Samuel! Samuel!,
A King for Israel,
God Chooses David,
David Praises God,
Solomon, the Wise King,
Elijah's Promise,
Jars and Jars of Oil,
A Burning Faith,
Daniel's Dilemma,
Courage of a Queen,
Jonah Learns a Lesson,
Micah's Promise,
The Peaceful Kingdom,
NEW TESTAMENT STORIES,
And the Angel Said,
One Special Night,
Follow That Star!,
Jesus and the Elders,
Hope for the Hopeless,
Follow Me,
A Boy's Lunch,
Be Still!,
Blind Bartimaeus,
Martha and Mary,
Four Friends,
Who Is My Neighbor?,
The Loving Father,
Two Builders,
Don't Worry!,
The Golden Rule,
Teach Us to Pray,
Hosanna!,
Remember Me,
Jesus Asks for Help,
Peter's Rooster,
Jesus Is Alive!,
On the Emmaus Road,
With Us Always,
Dancing for Joy,
A Heart of Fire,
C-H-R-I-S-T-I-A-N,
A Daring Escape,
I Believe!,
Get Up and Go!,
Scripture Index,