Bible Exploration - Workshop:        Temple          

 

Month:      Sept     Bible Theme:              Stewardship                         

 

Year (B):      1          Scripture:         Proverbs 30:24-28                           

 

Bible Memory Verse:           “Four things on earth are small, yet they    

are exceedingly wise:  the ants…the badgers…the locusts…the          

lizard.”  (Proverbs 30:24-28 <abbreviated>)        

 

Workshop

Concept

Teacher

1.      Temple

 

The ants that plan ahead.

 

2.      Video

 

The persistent lizard found in the king’s palace.

 

3.      Computer

 

The badger who makes his home in the rock (in Christ).

 

4.      Drama

 

The locusts who work together.

 

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES: 

·         Each center will ask, “Why are these small things wise?”

·         Explorers will better understand what it means to be a steward

·         Explorers will learn that even though they are “small” that they can help with church stewardship.

 

MATERIALS:

·         Ingredients for Stewardship cookies (see attached sheet)

·         Small pieces of paper (1/2 by 3 inches) and pens/fine tip markers

 

PLAN:

·         Welcome explorers and go over memory verse.

·         Discuss ants and stewardship (see attached sheet)

o        Make list of ways we can practice stewardship (planning ahead)

o        Write ideas legibly on small strips of paper

·         Go to kitchen and make stewardship cookies (for use in worship)

·         Close in prayer.  Ask God for the wisdom to plan ahead so we are better prepared for the hard times (the winters) in life.

 

ADAPTATIONS:

Children

Youth

·          

 

 

·          

 

 

Ants and Stewardship

 

This center will explore the meaning of stewardship and how the explorers can be stewards of God’s gifts to them. 

 

  1. To begin, write the word STEWARDSHIP on a blackboard or flip chart and ask the explorers to define the word.  Write all their ideas under the word. 
    1. Explore the word steward. 

                                                              i.      A steward is…(someone who is given the responsibility to care for something)

                                                            ii.      God has given us care of the earth and all that is in it.  We are stewards of (get their ideas, you may want to include…)

1.      The earth

2.      Our talents

3.      Our time

4.      Our money and other resources

5.      Our friendships, school, community, etc.

6.      The gospel

7.      Our church

    1. We do not earn God’s love or favor by being a steward.  A steward is one who responds to God’s love by taking care of all these things that God has given us.
  1. Discuss the ants who plan ahead.  They are small and have no strength (compared to us).  What makes them wise?  (They plan ahead).
    1. When you think of being a steward of this church do you ever feel small and not very strong?
    2. You have a lot to offer and we need your help!  We need to encourage other church members to plan ahead, so we can make it through the winter.

                                                              i.      Make a list of ways we can practice stewardship.

                                                            ii.      Write each idea on a small piece of paper, ideas such as…

1.      Pledge money to support work of church

2.      Offer to help with this program:______________

3.      Offer to teach a Bible exploration center: _________

4.      Join the choir/hand chime choir, etc.

5.      Offer to visit.

6.      Offer to help drive, run errand, do office work, etc.

7.      Pledge to regularly attend programs.

8.      Pledge to invite friends to programs.

9.      Pledge to recycle, study hard in school, etc.

    1. Make multiple copies of some of the ideas, if necessary, in order to have enough to make enough stewardship cookies to use in worship
  1. Go to kitchen and make stewardship cookies!

 

 

Stewardship Cookies

 

The ants were wise because they planned ahead.  The gathered their food in the summer so that they would be able to survive the winter.  Part of stewardship, in church as well in all of life, is to plan ahead as best we can in order to try and be prepared for lean times.

 

The goal of making stewardship cookies is to encourage all of the church members to plan ahead.  Rather than sitting back and waiting to be called on, we are encouraging members to look ahead and offer their gifts.

 

 

THE RECIPE

 

Ingredients:

·        2 large egg whites

·        Pinch of salt

·        2/3 cup sugar

·        ¼ teaspoon vanilla

·        1 cup flour

·        1 teaspoon instant tea powder

·        2 tablespoons water

·        6 tablespoons margarine, melted

 

Mix egg whites with salt and sugar.  Stir in, in this order:  vanilla, flour, tea, water, and margarine.  Mix will and chill thoroughly.  Place on greased cookie sheet in small amounts, flattening into 3-inch circles.  Bake at 350 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes, or until edges turn brown.  Quickly remove cookies from pan, place folded paper in center, bring edges up, and pinch together before cookie hardens.  Cool.

 

You may want to have ingredients already mixed and chilling or you may want to bake some cookies before hand with the stewardship ideas (your ideas or with suggestions listed above) already in them.  It is okay if some ideas are repetitive as the members will be given only one cookie each.  Your cookies can supplement what the explorers make if you do not think that they will have time to make enough cookies for each member to have one in worship.  You could also simply plan to give one cookie per family. 

 

Work with the worship committee and/or pastor to determine the best way to include the stewardship cookies in worship.  Also, they can be collected from different weeks and all handed out during one Sunday or they can be done each Sunday you have this center.  Having the explorers where little ant antennae as they pass out the stewardship cookies is optional…Have fun!