Stewardship of Creation Curriculum - Confirmation Lesson Plan


Stewardship of the Earth Jr. High Confirmation Michael Zurek Basic Concept The concept of this session is to discuss with Confirmation Students their ideas of what it means to participate in the “Stewardship of the Earth.” Students will have the opportunity to design a stole that communicates what it means to them to care for God’s creation. Objectives for the Session By the end of the session, learners will have had the chance to: 1. Share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas about how we, as Christians, can act out of our faith tradition and care for the environment. 2. Come to better understanding of what the Bible has to say about taking care of the world around us. 3. Design a stole to be worn the day of their confirmation that communicates their ideas on environmental stewardship. Background for the Teacher The subject of the environment has become a popular topic in our nation today. Most people would agree that taking care of the earth is a good thing. There are some people that believe that we are facing an environmental crisis because the greenhouse gases humans are producing. Their concern is that if nothing is done and humans continue to produce more and more greenhouse gases then the average global temperature will continue to rise. Scientists have theorized that if the average temperature continues to rise then this will cause a number of different environmental catastrophes, including: rising sea levels, the extinction of a number of species, and the migration of different diseases. (From the website www.webofcreation.org). There are also a number of other people who don’t believe that Global Warming is as big of crisis. While they do not deny that Global Warming is happening they believe that the earth has always warmed and cooled. They believe that it borders on “arrogance” to think that humans have the ability to affect the climate of the earth to the point of destruction. It is important to remember that there are two sides to every issue and there will be students in both camps (as well as on the fence) when talking about the environment. The purpose of this session is not to convince students to one side of the issue, rather it is to ask students their thoughts on how we can take care of God’s creation. Methods of Teaching and Learning You Will Use The method used for this topic will be the discussion method. This session is going to be taught as part of the Confirmation program at a church. It is important that the ideas that are expressed be those of the students. The leader of the session should let the students share their thoughts and concerns when it comes to the environment. Process of Teaching and Learning Three Step Model: (1) Beginning the session (5 Minutes): The session begins by asking students to read some scripture passages that deal with God’s creation. These readings can include: Romans 8:19, Isaiah 55:12-13, Psalm 96:12, Ezekiel: 34:17-18.(For more ideas on scripture passage visit www.webofcreation.org). Once all of the students have read their passages the leader should then proceed with a word of prayer. (2) Developing the session (15 Minutes): Although this is a discussion among the students it can sometimes be hard to get them engaged in the conversation. Begin the conversation by asking one of the students to read from Genesis 1:26-31 (the creation of humans). Once the student has finished reading ask the class their thoughts on the story. If you are having trouble getting the students to participate it might be helpful to ask some questions. 1. What day were the humans created on? 2. What does God say is the relation between humans and the earth? 3. What do you think it means when humans are told to “subdue” the earth? 4. Name some of the ways in which humans have cared for the earth. 5. Name some of the ways in which humans have harmed the earth. 6. Why do you think earth is sometimes referred to as “Mother Earth?” What images come to mind when you hear this name? 7. Do you think that humans have the ability to destroy the earth? 8. Name some changes that can be made right now in your life that would benefit the earth. 9. Why should we care about the earth? (3) Concluding the Session (30 Minutes): Ask the students to make a stole for the day of their Confirmation. On their stole ask them to create images that are important to their faith, including images that express what the term environmental stewardship means to them. The session concludes with a word of prayer. Room Set Up If weather permits the start of this session should be taught outside. When it comes time to make the stoles the class should be moved into a classroom. The classroom should be set up for an informal discussion. It is important for the students to be as comfortable a possible. Resources You will need to have enough undecorated stoles for the members of your confirmation students (it is suggested that you order/make more than the number of students you have to allow for mistakes). The stoles should be 4” wide and anywhere for 70 to 90 inches in length. You should also have “puffy paint” so that the students can personalize their stoles. Some suggestions for things to include on their stoles are; the date of their baptism, the date of their confirmation, symbols that are important to their faith and the stewardship of the earth. If you do not have the time or resources to make the stoles for the students you can order them from the following website: http://www.junice.com/constoles.htm.

Stewardship of the Earth
Jr. High Confirmation
Michael Zurek

Basic Concept

The concept of this session is to discuss with Confirmation Students their ideas of what it means to participate in the “Stewardship of the Earth.” Students will have the opportunity to design a stole that communicates what it means to them to care for God’s creation.

Objectives for the Session

By the end of the session, learners will have had the chance to:

1. Share their thoughts, concerns, and ideas about how we, as Christians, can act out of our faith tradition and care for the environment.

2. Come to better understanding of what the Bible has to say about taking care of the world around us.

3. Design a stole to be worn the day of their confirmation that communicates their ideas on environmental stewardship.

Background for the Teacher

The subject of the environment has become a popular topic in our nation today. Most people would agree that taking care of the earth is a good thing. There are some people that believe that we are facing an environmental crisis because the greenhouse gases humans are producing. Their concern is that if nothing is done and humans continue to produce more and more greenhouse gases then the average global temperature will continue to rise. Scientists have theorized that if the average temperature continues to rise then this will cause a number of different environmental catastrophes, including: rising sea levels, the extinction of a number of species, and the migration of different diseases. (From the website www.webofcreation.org).

There are also a number of other people who don’t believe that Global Warming is as big of crisis. While they do not deny that Global Warming is happening they believe that the earth has always warmed and cooled. They believe that it borders on “arrogance” to think that humans have the ability to affect the climate of the earth to the point of destruction.

It is important to remember that there are two sides to every issue and there will be students in both camps (as well as on the fence) when talking about the environment. The purpose of this session is not to convince students to one side of the issue, rather it is to ask students their thoughts on how we can take care of God’s creation.

Methods of Teaching and Learning You Will Use

The method used for this topic will be the discussion method. This session is going to be taught as part of the Confirmation program at a church. It is important that the ideas that are expressed be those of the students. The leader of the session should let the students share their thoughts and concerns when it comes to the environment.

Process of Teaching and Learning

Three Step Model:

(1) Beginning the session (5 Minutes):

The session begins by asking students to read some scripture passages that deal with God’s creation. These readings can include: Romans 8:19, Isaiah 55:12-13, Psalm 96:12, Ezekiel: 34:17-18.(For more ideas on scripture passage visit www.webofcreation.org). Once all of the students have read their passages the leader should then proceed with a word of prayer.

(2) Developing the session (15 Minutes):

Although this is a discussion among the students it can sometimes be hard to get them engaged in the conversation. Begin the conversation by asking one of the students to read from Genesis 1:26-31 (the creation of humans). Once the student has finished reading ask the class their thoughts on the story. If you are having trouble getting the students to participate it might be helpful to ask some questions.

1. What day were the humans created on?

2. What does God say is the relation between humans and the earth?

3. What do you think it means when humans are told to “subdue” the earth?

4. Name some of the ways in which humans have cared for the earth.

5. Name some of the ways in which humans have harmed the earth.

6. Why do you think earth is sometimes referred to as “Mother Earth?” What images come to mind when you hear this name?

7. Do you think that humans have the ability to destroy the earth?

8. Name some changes that can be made right now in your life that would benefit the earth.

9. Why should we care about the earth?

(3) Concluding the Session (30 Minutes):

Ask the students to make a stole for the day of their Confirmation. On their stole ask them to create images that are important to their faith, including images that express what the term environmental stewardship means to them.

The session concludes with a word of prayer.

Room Set Up

If weather permits the start of this session should be taught outside. When it comes time to make the stoles the class should be moved into a classroom. The classroom should be set up for an informal discussion. It is important for the students to be as comfortable a possible.

Resources

You will need to have enough undecorated stoles for the members of your confirmation students (it is suggested that you order/make more than the number of students you have to allow for mistakes). The stoles should be 4” wide and anywhere for 70 to 90 inches in length.

You should also have “puffy paint” so that the students can personalize their stoles. Some suggestions for things to include on their stoles are; the date of their baptism, the date of their confirmation, symbols that are important to their faith and the stewardship of the earth.

If you do not have the time or resources to make the stoles for the students you can order them from the following website: http://www.junice.com/constoles.htm.