Continuing to draw out some of the main principles of the creation account. In this lesson we will look at;
· God as the initiator and sustainer of the created world.
· God as the creator of order out of chaos, light out of darkness.
· The unique place of humans in the created order and equality of all humans.
Requirements:
· Copy of an old Horoscope from a magazine or newspaper
· Scrap A5 paper for each student.
· 'Behind the Scenes' transparency set
· Matchbox car - preferably a replica of a well known model
· Bibles
Lesson:
· Review activity 1 and 2 from previous lesson.
GOD WAS THE INITIATOR IN FORMING OUR WORLD
GOD IS NOT IDENTICAL TO THE CREATED WORLD
Activity 3: Following the Stars or the Starmaker?
· Read out some (outdated) horoscope. Ask who reads the stars regularly and why they do so. Do they think it works? This is not a new practice.
· Point for consideration: Given the fact that God created the stars, surely we would be better off following the Creator, God, rather than the created objects, the stars.
· Discuss what other created object people worship. I.e. Sun, objects such as cars and money.
· Biblical Reference: Deuteronomy 5:15-19
· From this we can say that
GOD SHOULD NOT BE MADE SUBORDINATE TO THE CREATED ORDER
Activity 4: Making Order from Chaos
· With A5 paper, complete the activity from overhead. They must design a loungeroom setting using the items of furniture shown. Using overhead, get a student to place their design on the whiteboard.
· Discussion
·Was the lounge room of any use when it was disorganised?
·Would it have been any use if it had been left in a disorganised state?
·What needed to be done?
· The power and energy of the creative process is reflected in Genesis 1, where it can be seen that God brought order where there had been only chaos and introduced light where there had only been darkness.
· See Genesis1:2-3.
· This is the way God continues to work in this world through humans who are faithful to his cause. They express the desire of the Creator, the purpose of the coming of Jesus, and the way our lives and the world could be if we allowed God to work within us.
· From this was can say that
GOD CREATED ORDER FROM CHAOS
Activity 5: Made in God's Image
· Show the model car.
· Discussion
·What car is this toy car made in the likeness of?
·Is it a good representation of the original?
·Does it have the same capabilities as the original?
· Humans are made in god's image, not simply God's likeness. Unlike the matchbox car, we share some of the same capabilities as the car. It is important to note that we are made in the image of God. God is not made in our image. Many questions we ask about God are the wrong questions because we imagine God as someone in human image with human needs, desires and characteristics, such as sexuality.
· All humans are created in the same way; male and female, people of all races and colours. Therefore as we are all created in the image of God, no one is better than anyone else. we all have the same potential and should all be treated with equal dignity, since no person is more worthy than any other.
· Biblical Reference: Galatians 3:26-28. Our ultimate worth through Christ
· From this was can say that
GOD MADE HUMAN BEINGS IN GOD'S OWN IMAGE