Called to Care for the World
IN T HIS A C T IV IT Y, the participants explore the value
of caring and how God asks us to care for the people and the world around us.
MAT ERIALS N EEDED
TIME REQUIRED: 20 MINUTES | INTENDED FOR GRADES 3-5
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» A blank CD » Downloadable audio clips of a variety of sounds (animals, transportation, nature, etc.) found at GRSites.com » A CD player » Download several audio clips and burn them onto a blank CD
Activity Steps P L AY T H E S O UNDS for the participants, and ask them to identify the sounds. Then talk
through some of the ways the young people may care for the things they have identified. CONTINUE WITH THE FOLLOWING comments, pausing for a few seconds between each one:
» Close your eyes. It’s time to imagine. Don’t make a noise or even whisper. Be as silent as you can, and think back . . . way, way back. Think back to the beginning of time. » Imagine the sounds of the world before God switched the light on. Imagine the sounds of the world before God said, “It’s time for the sun.” Try to imagine the design God might have drawn before God began creation. » Now listen to what God said as God was making this beautiful world: “Let there be light!
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» Let there be day. Let there be a sun to shine. Let there be sky and land and sea and creatures to run over the earth, and fish to swim in the seas, and birds to sing for joy.” » God said it, and so it happened just the way God wanted. God made the first man and the first woman, to look after the world and to care for one another, and to love God.
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» You may open your eyes. INVITE A VOLUNTEER to act out the following sound effects one at a time. Encourage the
participants to repeat the sounds. » “Ow!” cough, cough » Sniff, sniff, “I’m so unhappy!” » “Oi! Where’s the water gone?” » “Oh no! It’s dark in here . . . ” » “Please, I haven’t got enough . . . ” » “Hold on! I need help here!” A S K T HE PA RT IC IPA NT S to think about the sounds they have just made. What kinds of prob-
lems might these sounds represent? illness? unhappiness? environmental damage? INV IT E T H E PA RT IC IPA NT S to once again close their eyes. Then proceed with the following
comments, pausing for a few seconds between each: » Think about how the world has changed over time. What happened? Why did the world stop being the beautiful place God designed? When did the world first start sounding unhappy, like those sounds we just heard? » Raise your hand if you think humans had anything to do with it. Do you think it was because we didn’t act the way God wanted us to act? Maybe we weren’t caring enough . . . Maybe we were greedy and used the world badly so that the rich got richer and the poor got poorer. » I wonder if we took too many of the world’s good things, making it grow sick . . . When did that start? Was it yesterday, or last month, or many years before? » It doesn’t have to be this way, because that is not how God wants it. What might we do to change this situation? What else might we be able to do? Whom might we be able to help? » Take a moment to pray for our world, for those we sometimes turn our backs on. Pray that God will give us the courage and grace to care for our world and all the people in it.
Permission to reproduce is granted. © 2011 World Vision, Inc.
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About World Vision W O R L D V IS IO N is a Christian humanitarian organization
dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. Motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ, World Vision serves alongside the poor and oppressed as a demonstration of God’s unconditional love for all people. We see a world where each child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. And we know this can be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way. That’s how World Vision is unique: We bring 60 years of experience in three key areas needed to help children and families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across many areas of expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for children’s physical, social, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Partnering with World Vision provides tangible ways to honor God and put faith into action. By working, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families who are struggling to overcome poverty. To find out more about how you can help, visit www.worldvision.org.
About World Vision Resources E NDING GL O B A L PO V ERT Y and injustice begins with education:
understanding the magnitude and causes of poverty, its impact on human dignity, and our connection to those in need around the world. World Vision Resources is the publishing ministry of World Vision. World Vision Resources educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to respond, and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world.
For more information about our resources, contact: World Vision Resources Mail Stop 321 P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063-9716 Fax: 253-815-3340 wvresources@worldvision.org www.worldvisionresources.com
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