Anna Morris Bible and the Environment December 20, 2013

VBS Curriculum: Digging Gods World

9:00am-12:00pm Opening Worship: 20min Bible Study: 20min Getting Crafty: 30min Snack Time: 20min Game Time: 30min Closing Worship: 20min Digging Gods World is a theme that centers around the earth itself, around soil and dirt. The idea is that dirt is such an important thing in Gods creation. Humans were formed from the dust of the ground, Jesus uses it to heal the blind, many of the foods God made for us are grown from the soil, and God asks that we look after and protect the earth God made for us. There are also so many things that were used in Biblical times that were made from the earth (Ex. clay for pots, jars, plates, etc.) Soil is all around us, so what better way to learn about an ever-present God, than by learning about Gods ever-present soil?

OPENING WORSHIP OUTLINE:

Gathering Songs (3) Prayer Song Days Theme! Song Prayer Closing Song Possible songs for VBS theme: Hippos (Creation Song) King of the Jungle (Creation Song) Every Move I Make Gonna Dance Be Still and Know

CLOSING WORSHIP OUTLINE

Gathering Songs (3) Overview of Day Song Announcements Closing Prayer Closing Song

Anna Morris Bible and the Environment December 20, 2013

DAY 1: CREATED
Opening Worship Bible Study Genesis 2:7-8 [T]hen the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being. And the Lord God planted a Garden in Eden, in the east; and there he put the man whom he had formed. Discussion Do you remember the creation story? What things were created? Sun, moon, day, night, land, water, plants, water animals, birds, land animals, HUMANS! Did you know there are two creation stories in the Bible? This is the second story. How were humans created? God breathed into the dust What do you think about God making humans from the ground? Getting Crafty Where does clay come from? The ground. Can you use the clay right out of the ground? No. Why not? It has rocks or twigs in it. What do you have to do with it in order to use it? You remove big rocks and twigs, then you have to add water or let water evaporate from it so it can be molded properly. Have you used clay before? What did you make? Invite the kids to take some clay and make whatever they would like. They can make bowls, animals, people, etc. (Use a clay that is baked, but do not bake the pieces yet.) In what ways is God similar to a potter? Do potters make all of their creations the same? Why? What if God made all of Gods creations the same? (We are all the same because God breathed life into all of us. But we are all different because God created us for different purposes.) Snack Time GAMES! Sheep, Sheep, Go to Sleep One person is chosen to be the Shepherd. Everyone else is a sheep. All of the sheep lay down on their backs, with their eyes open. The Shepherd goes around and tries to make the sheep smile with their teeth, or laugh, waking them up. The Shepherd cannot touch the sheep or drop things on the sheep. Once a sheep has been woken, that sheep helps wake up the other sheep in the same way. This game can be used to help visualize God breathing life into the dust. Similarly, the Shepherd is trying to bring life back into their sheep by making them laugh. Closing Worship

Anna Morris Bible and the Environment December 20, 2013

DAY 2: FED
Opening Worship Bible Study Genesis 1:29 God said, See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. Leviticus 19:9-10 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap to the very edges of your field, nor gather the gleanings of your harvest. You shall not strip your vineyard bare, or gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard; you shall leave them for the poor and the alien; I am the Lord your God. Discussion What were the things that God gave us for food? Plants with seeds, trees with fruit, etc. What happens in the Leviticus verses? What does it mean to glean? Finding the last of the grain, or crop Why did God ask that the farmers not harvest all of the food in their fields? So that the poor people and the people from other places would also have food. God was making sure that all people would have access to food. God was also allowing the poor the chance to take care of themselves, rather than being given food directly. (Gives the poor a sense of pride in their efforts.) People in Israel still do this today, allowing others to gather olives and other crops that were not harvested. Getting Crafty What were some of the things that God created for us to eat? Plants, fruits, etc. What are some of the things that you eat every day? Cereal, milk, pizza, etc. Where do we get those foods? They are made with other foods. What things might go into making bread? Water, flour, eggs, etc. Some of these ingredients can be grown (wheat into flour). Others come from other animals. We are making bread! Donating some of the bread to Our Saviors Shelter (to connect helping those in need.) Snack Time GAMES! Scavenger Hunt Create a scavenger hunt where the kids look for images of things God created for us. Have clues on where to look, and find them all for a special treat! This can be used to illustrate the idea of gleaning from a field. Searching for the food to survive and thrive. Closing Worship

Anna Morris Bible and the Environment December 20, 2013

DAY 3: REWORKED
Opening Worship Bible Study Isaiah 64:8 Yet, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Jeremiah 18:1-6 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord; Come, go down to the potters house, and there I will let you hear my words. So I went down to the potters house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potters hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as this potter has done? says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potters hand, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel. Discussion What happens in the story from Jeremiah? What happened to the first vessel? The potter reworked it until he was happy with it. (verse 6) What might this story say about us? (If we are clay and God is the potter?) That God will help make us better. God will not give up if we make mistakes, God will try again. What are some things that keep us from being the vessel God wants us to be? Anger, jealousy, being mean to others, etc. Getting Crafty We are working with clay again! What happens after you create a basic pot or bowl in pottery? What more may it need? You can add designs, handles, etc. Are there things that can ruin a piece of pottery? Cracking, not holding its shape, getting hit by something, etc. Does this mean the piece cannot be fixed? No, you can add water and reform the lump of clay and make something again, or something new. What do you do after you have made your piece? Dry it out and fire it! Today, take the time to look at your piece of work again. Are there things you would like to change? Do you want to make something new? Do you want to add to the piece? Feel free! Snack Time

Anna Morris Bible and the Environment December 20, 2013 GAMES! Ships and Sailors This is a game similar to Simon Says. One person is the caller, and some commands are: Ships: Walk left Captains Son: Make 3 Person Lifeboat: 3 Sailors: Walk right muscle moves people in a line, singing Captains Coming: Hold Captains Daughter: Row, Row, Row Your Salute (Until At Ease Twirl Hair Boat is called) Jellyfish: Lay on back, 4 Person Dinner: 4 Hit the Deck: Lay on the arms and legs wiggling people in a square Floor in the air pretending to eat Choose only a couple commands to start, then as they kids are comfortable with them, you can add more! Or make up your own! This game reminds us that things can be reworked and recreated until they we are happy with them, like the potter does with the vessel he is making. (Ex. If you dont like a command, dont use it! Or make up new ones for fun!) Closing Worship

DAY 4: CALLED
Opening Worship Bible Study Genesis 1:26 & 28 Then God said, Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth. God blessed them, and God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth. Discussion What is God calling us to do? To have dominion over the earth. What does dominion mean? What about subdue? Are we being told that we can do whatever we want to creation, or are we being given the responsibility to care for it? What are some ways we can take care of creation? Does your family recycle? Have a compost pile? Donate clothes or other used items so they can be used again? Talk about Bridging.

Anna Morris Bible and the Environment December 20, 2013 Getting Crafty What does God call us to do? Take care of the earth. What are some ways we can take care of the earth? Recycle, plant trees, compost, etc. Has anyone done any gardening before? What things did you do in the garden? Pull weeds, trim plants, plant flowers, etc. What are some things that are necessary to grow flowers? Water, sunlight, soil. How might planting a garden be answering a call to care for creation? Plants clean the air, they bring beauty to creation. We are repotting some flowers that you can bring home, or that we can plant at church. We need to have good dark soil that is rich in nutrients and minerals, food for the plants. This will help them grow. What do you know about soil? What about composting? It is made up of leaves, grasses, etc. Fruits and vegetables can also decompose through composting. Compost is a mix of soil, leaves, fruits and vegetable matter, etc. It heats up and breaks down into rich soil. Snack Time GAMES! Blob Tag Like many other variations of tag, this is a running game. One person starts as it and they tag other people as they run. Once you have been tagged, you link arms with the person who is it, creating a blob of people (all of whom can tag, but the must stay linked.) Once you have 5 or more people linked together, the blob can split into two groups (2 person and 3 person). The blobs run around until everyone is tagged. As God commanded that we multiply and care for creation, so our tagger is multiplying. The others who have not been tagged are like creation that is not being cared for. Eventually all of creation will be within the blob (and well cared for.) Closing Worship

Anna Morris Bible and the Environment December 20, 2013

DAY 5: SENT
Opening Worship Bible Study 2 Corinthians 4:6-11 For it is God who said, Let light shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we life, we are always being given up to death for Jesus sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. Discussion What do you think of when you hear treasure? What do you think God sees as treasure? Does your view of treasure match Gods view of treasure? What kind of treasure might God be talking about in 2 Corinthians? Jesus, love, etc. Why is this treasure kept in clay jars? (Clay jars were used to hold many important things: water, oil, food, etc. But they are also very fragile.) What happens if you drop a clay jar? It breaks, cannot hold things anymore. How might we be similar to these clay jars? What might we have that can be shared with others? Love, the light of God, the love of Jesus, etc. How do we share these treasures? Is it sometimes hard to share? The last verses can be confusing We need to remember that we are always being reworked by God, and Jesus death is part of that. We are able to be who we are because of Jesus death, and his death allows us to shine and share our treasure with others. Getting Crafty We are finishing up the pieces we worked on on Day 3. (They are already baked.) They can be painted, have little decorations glued on, etc. Were people always able to go to Target or Kohls to get things? No they had to make jars and pots. After clay pieces have been fired in a kiln, what might be done with them? Painting them, decorating them. What might they have been used for? Jars for oils or water, plates and bowls for food, lamps, etc. What happens if a jar falls off a table? It breaks Does this mean people in Jesus time stopped using clay jars? No. If we are creations to God, the way pottery is to a potter, do you think God would stop using us if we were fragile and/or broken? No. God would help mend us and still use us.

Anna Morris Bible and the Environment December 20, 2013 Snack Time GAMES! Hide and Seek This is the traditional game. One child is chosen to be the seeker, while the rest of the group goes and hides. Once found, one has to help the seeker find the rest of the group. The last person found gets to be the next seeker. The seeker is like the treasure in a clay jar from the Bible Study. They have love and Gods light to share, and as they find someone, they are also filled with that treasure. They in turn go to share with the next person, etc. etc. until everyone is found and the treasure shared with everyone. Closing Worship