The Earth

is the Lord’s
In t his a c t iv it y, the participants explore what the
Scriptures say about water.
t i m e r e q u i r e d 3 0 to 4 0 m i n u t e s
i n t e n d e d fo r g r a d e s 9 - 1 2

» five sheets of newsprint

Mat er ial s

» markers, one for each participant, plus one extra

N eed ed

» a roll of masking tape

» Bibles, one for each participant
» index cards, eight for each participant
» three or four rolls of clear tape

Note: Using multiple sheets of newsprint, create a large mural on one of the walls in your meeting space. On
the top of the mural, write the following: “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”

Activity Steps
1 B e gin b y a s k ing the participants to share their responses to the following questions:
» In what ways is water the basis for all life?

» How do we as humans sometimes show a lack of respect for water?

2
Allow for several responses before continuing.

S h a r e t he f o l l o wing k ey po int s:
» Water is the cradle and source of life, and one of the most potent bearers of cultural and
religious meanings. Life, in all its forms, is impossible without water. Water is a precondition
for life—a given, a gift.

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 » Water is viewed by many faiths and cultures as a sacred element symbolizing life. To Chris-
tians, baptism with water symbolizes the cleansing of sins and the gift of eternal life in
Christ.

» The theme of water is integral to the telling of our story of faith. Water can symbolize many
things for Christians: God’s care and concern, God’s provision, God’s Word, God’s salva-
tion. Though there is no mystical or magical power in water, it stands as a symbol for these
things.

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» In the Scriptures, we hear time and time again about the importance of water.

Div id e t he l a r ge gr o up into small groups of four or five. Distribute a Bible, eight index
cards, and a marker to each participant. Now ask the small groups to conduct a Bible search
to find Scripture verses that refer to water. Point out that there are over 700 uses of the word
“water” in the Bible, so they should not have too difficult a time locating a few. If you like, you can
designate certain books of the Bible for each small group to explore.

Tell the small groups that as their members find relevant Scripture passages, they should note them
in large print on their index cards, one passage to each card. Then on the backs of the cards, they
should offer brief summaries of the verses. Each group member should to try to come up with four
(no more) different Scripture passages so that each small group has between 16 and 20 different
passages when all the members are done. The group members may want to share their passage
cites aloud as they write them down so the other members are aware of the cites that have already
been listed. Share the following examples with the participants to get them going:
» In Genesis 1:20, we read of the first mention of life, and this life comes from water.

» In Isaiah 43:19, the hopes of the prophets were expressed through the promise that rivers
will spring up in the desert.

» In Revelations 22:1, it is revealed that in a new heaven and a new earth there will be a “river

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of the water of life, as clear as crystal.”

I nv it e t h e s m a ll gr o ups to report their findings to the large group by mentioning the

Scripture passages they found and providing a quick summary of each. As they do so, ask them
to tape their index cards onto the mural you have created on the wall, with the Scripture citations

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facing out.

N o w a s k t h e s ma ll gr o ups to take some time to discuss what they have learned about
the scarcity and sanctity of water. As they share, they should note each learning on an index card.
Tell the groups to come up with no more than three learnings for each group member.

6 I nv it e t h e s m a ll gr o ups to report back to the large group their learnings as noted on

their index cards. As they do so, ask them to tape the cards onto the mural.

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W h il e t he y are still in their small groups, ask that each participant take his or her final index
card and write a prayer that focuses on the issue of water. It can be a prayer of thanksgiving for
the water we have, a prayer for those who do not have water, a prayer for safe water, and so forth.
The prayer does not have to be lengthy or fancy; simple and heartfelt is fine.

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8 C o n c l ud e the activity by gathering the prayer cards and then inviting the participants to pray
with you. Use a few of the prayers noted on the cards.

Copyright © 2008 by World Vision Resources, Mail Stop 321, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716
wvresources@worldvision.org. All rights reserved.

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 About World Vision
W o rld V i s i o n i s a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to helping
children and their families break free from poverty. Our work is motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ. We
see a world where each child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. And we know this can
be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way. That’s how World
Vision is unique: We bring nearly sixty years of experience in three key areas needed to help children and
families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across
many areas of expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for children’s physical, social,
emotional, and spiritual well-being.

W o rld V i s i o n R es o u r c e s educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to social justice,
and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world. By developing biblically-based
materials for educators and ministry leaders on the causes and consequences of global poverty, World Vision
Resources supports the organizational mandate to move the church in the United States to more fully embrace
its biblical responsibility to serve the poor.

For more information about

our resources, contact:

World Vision Resources

www.worldvision.org
wvresources@worldvision.org

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