## Lesson Plan: Human Beings Share in God's Creation Activities
### Grade Level: Junior Secondary 1
#### Objective:
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to:
1. Understand the concept of humans sharing in God's creation.
2. Identify ways in which humans participate in creation activities.
3. Appreciate the responsibility of stewardship entrusted to humanity by God.
#### Materials:
- Bibles
- Whiteboard and markers
- Notebook and pencils
- Projector and computer (if available)
- Copies of relevant scripture passages (Genesis 1:26-28, Psalms 8:3-8)
#### Lesson Duration:
45 minutes
### Lesson Outline:
#### Introduction (5 minutes)
1. **Opening Prayer:** Begin with a short prayer asking for guidance and understanding.
- "Dear God, as we study your Word today, help us to understand how we share in your creation. Guide our thoughts and discussions. Amen."
2. **Icebreaker Question:** Ask students to think about something they created or made recently (a drawing, a craft, a story) and how they felt about their creation. Give 2-3 students a chance to share.
#### Presentation/Teaching (15 minutes)
1. **Lecture and Discussion:**
- **Definition and Importance:**
- Explain that, according to the Bible, humans are part of God's creation and play a role in maintaining and enriching it.
- Discuss how God created the world and everything in it, and then created humans to take care of it (Genesis 1:26-28).
- **Reading Scriptures:**
- Read Genesis 1:26-28: "Then God said, ‘Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky...'"
- Ask students to note how humans are given dominion over creation.
- Read Psalms 8:3-8: "When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them...?"
- Highlight the special role and responsibility humans have in creation.
2. **Open Discussion:**
- Ask students how they think they can participate in God’s creation activities today. Write their ideas on the whiteboard. For example:
- Gardening or farming
- Recycling and protecting the environment
- Creating art and music
- Helping and caring for others
- Inventing solutions to problems
#### Activity (15 minutes)
1. **Group Activity:**
- Divide the class into small groups, and assign each group a task to brainstorm how they can positively impact God’s creation in their community. Examples:
- Reducing waste
- Planting trees
- Acts of kindness
- Raising awareness about environmental care
- After 10 minutes, each group will present their ideas to the class.
#### Conclusion (5 minutes)
1. **Summarize Key Points:**
- Reiterate that humans are created in the image of God and given the responsibility to care for and manage God's creation.
- Emphasize that each individual has a part to play in sharing in God's creation activities.
2. **Closing Prayer:**
- "Dear Lord, thank you for making us part of your wonderful creation. Help us to take our responsibilities seriously and to make a positive impact in the world around us. Guide us to be good stewards of your gifts. Amen."
#### Homework Assignment:
- **Reflection Essay:** Ask students to write a short essay (1-2 paragraphs) on how they plan to contribute to God’s creation activities in their daily lives.
- **Scripture Memorization:** Assign students to memorize Genesis 1:27-28.
#### Assessment:
- Participation in group discussions and activities.
- Quality and thoughtfulness of the homework essay.
- Ability to recite the assigned scripture from memory in later classes.
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This lesson plan is designed to engage Junior Secondary 1 students actively and thoughtfully in understanding their role and responsibility in God’s creation. It combines scripture study, practical activities, and personal reflection to foster a deeper appreciation of stewardship and community involvement.