Companions with creation: Week three
Creation is a gift that we all get to use, enjoy, and share together
Genesis 1:25–31; 2:4–9
Story
Today's story looks at how God created the animals, people, and finally Adam and Eve.
Message
As you retell this section of the creation story, emphasize that all of creation is a gift that God has made purposefully for practicality and pleasure, and a gift that we partake in all together.
Some of these gifts are made evident in the Garden of Eden where God has placed Adam and Eve. The garden is teeming with good gifts - “trees that are pleasing to the eye and good for food”, animals, etc.”
I wonder what God as a gift-giver says about God's character? When you receive a gift, I wonder what you do with it?
Like any good gift, we are expected to take care of it, to help it maintain its best condition. The same is expected of Adam and Eve where God has asked them to enjoy and to nurture all life within the garden. Today, God invites us to be like Adam and Eve and love and care for the gifts of life around us. In doing so, we are a gift to those around us.
I wonder what good gifts God is inviting you (and your family) to look after and to love? I wonder if you know that you are a very good gift from God?
Games
Pass the Parcel
Purpose of this game, in relation to the message, is to emphasise sharing gifts and recognising that all gifts are from God.
In this game, all participants sit in a circle. The parcel contains a gift within many layers of wrapping and is passed around from person to person. If you wish, use music to keep time as the parcel is passed in the circle. In other words, the passing begins when the song is switched on and ends when the song is switched off. As soon as the music stops, the person holding the parcel removes the first layer of wrapping. The passing and unwrapping rhythm continues until the final layer is reached unveiling the surprise gift.
Typically, when Pass the Parcel is played, the person who reaches the gift gets to keep it for themselves. Given that this week's message reflects God as the ultimate creator who has gifted all things to us to delight in and to share with one another, it would be fitting to place an inclusive gift within the wrapping (i.e. something that everyone can eat or engage with together), suggesting that it could be shared among the group. Consider inviting the person opening the final layer to pass along the gift to someone else. If they choose not to, prompt them to ponder and reflect on how the parcel could better represent a gift from God.
Following the game, regroup the kids for a circle time discussion asking them how they felt playing the game. Did they feel excluded from getting the “good gift”? How did they feel having to pass along the “good gift”? What would they have done if they received the “good gift”? How would they feel if they didn't pass along the “good gift”? How would they feel if they did?
For deeper discussion: Do the kids agree that all good gifts come from God? What are some “good gifts” God has placed in our lives? Do we deserve these good gifts? Why do some people miss out on the “good gifts”? How do we care for the good gifts so that everyone can enjoy them?
Activities
Scavenger hunt
Purpose is to identify the gifts of creation all around us.
Instructions: Create a clue sheet marking different points around the property of the place where you meet. Put the kids into smallish sized teams (i.e. two or three) and send them out with the clue sheet and a container in which they can place the gifts they have found.
When time runs out or when one or two teams have completed the scavenger hunt, bring everyone back together. Ask for volunteers to speak to their favourite “gift” they found and then ask them to choose someone with whom they will share it.
Making a treat
Consider making a treat that can be gifted to your church's morning tea time for that morning or to other members of the community. Before beginning the treat making process, introduce the origin and production processes (including people involved) of each of the ingredients to the kids. Talk about the value of each ingredient and the value of each living thing that contributed to creating that ingredient into how we see it now.
Colouring pages
An ongoing activity.
Takeaway activities for families
Suggest families keep their eyes out for gifts of creation at home, on the way to school, at school, at a sports game, at the beach, etc. and name these gifts as they see them.
Food is one of the most delightful gifts from God. When you sit down for a meal as a family, thank God for the food before you and all the steps (and people) it took to get the food to your table. As you eat, practice mindfulness and notice the different flavours and textures of your food. Go around the table and share one thing you appreciate or are grateful for about the food you are eating. Take time to show love and support for one another while you appreciate the food that nourishes your bodies.
Decide with your family how you can give a gift to someone this week. Perhaps this means gifting your time or energy to serving in your local soup kitchen. Perhaps this means baking a treat for your next door neighbour. Perhaps this means sewing a string of bunting and gifting it to someone who has just moved house. Perhaps this means holding a special gift exchange with the people living in your house. Whatever gift you attempt, do so with respect and conscious concern for the people and land that was used to provide each element of your gift.
