January 2008 - We are wonderfully made!

Note to Parents:  In this lesson, we will be looking at three scripture verses that teach us how God personally made us in His image.  Family members will each make their own snowflake, onto which will be written their unique strengths, talents and gifts.  The goal is that each person in the family can celebrate their uniqueness and think about ways to use it for the glory of God.  Enjoy! 

Introduction:  When God created the world, He made an amazing variety of creation.  Did you know there are over 5,000 types of ladybugs in the world?  Everywhere we look, we can see variety in God’s creation.  Just look at something as small as a snowflake.  Scientists believe that no two snowflakes are alike.  Isn’t that amazing? If God would take such care in the creation of something as small and fleeting as a snowflake, just imagine the care that went into creating you – His child.  God has made each of us in a special way.  We are going to make snowflakes for each person in our family and then we will read some scriptures to learn more about how God made us unique and special.

Part 1:  The Craft-  Family Snowflakes 

                                Materials Needed:

·         A piece of 8x8 paper or cardstock for each family member plus one extra

·         Scissors

·         Pens or markers

·         String

·         Tape

Step 1:  Make paper snowflakes:

·         Give each person a piece of paper to create a snowflake.

·          Fold the paper into a triangle three times, creating a small triangle. 

·         Cut out a design in the triangle, being careful not to cut all the way across a fold as you will end up with two or more snowflakes!  Do not cut away too much as you need room to write on your snowflake.

Step 2:   Discuss your snowflakes. 

       ·     When everyone is finished, open your snowflakes together and  compare the different designs

·         Discuss how the different designs reflect how each member of your family is unique.

    Step 3:  Personalizing the snowflakes - 

·         Write your name on your snowflake.  Write down 3-5 things that make you unique/special.  (Note to parents of younger children.  Ask your child questions such as “What do you like to do?”  “What are you good at?”  write down their answers for them – whatever they are!)

·         When everyone has finished, designate one person to be the writer for the next step.  This person should collect all of the snowflakes.  One at a time, read what each family member wrote on their snowflake, then as a family, add to their snowflake, listing all the things that make that person special.  This could include characteristics, strengths, passions, talents or just things you love about them. 

Part 2:  Scripture and Discussion: Read each of the scriptures listed below and then discuss the listed questions.

Step 1:   Readings:           
                                Genesis 1:27 – God creates man

                                Psalm 139:13-14a – I am wonderfully made

                                1 Corinthians 12: 14-21 One body, many parts

Step 2:  Discussion Questions: 

1.       In Genesis we read that God created us “in His own image”.  What does that mean? 

2.       In Psalms we read that God intimately knows each of us.  He put us together in our mother’s womb.  Knowing that God personally made you how do you feel about yourself?  What about characteristics or parts of you which you wish were different?

3.       In Corinthians, Paul wrote that each one of us is part of the body of Christ.  Are all parts of the body important?  Why do we need variety in the body, why can’t everyone just be the same?

4.       We have read that God created us and it is His plan that we be unique.  God created us to glorify Him.  Take a moment to look at what is written on your snowflake.  How can you use all the special and unique gifts God has given you to serve Him?

(Parents – you will need to help younger children with this.  Look for simple and concrete suggestions such as:  “Lisa you wrote that you love to sing, you worship God with your voice when you sing praise songs.”  Or “Matthew you wrote that you love Mommy, it makes God very happy when you love others and obey Mommy and Daddy.”)

Step 3:  Key Verse:  “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalm 139:14a 

Using your extra sheet of paper, write out this verse.  Say the verse a few times together as a family. 

Part 3:  Prayer

Take time to pray as a family.  Remembering to thank God for each person in your family and asking God to help you to serve Him through your unique gifts.  If you wish, you can follow the prayer below.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you for this time together.  Thank you Lord for your Word, that teaches us that we are wonderfully and fearfully made.   We praise you Lord for each person in our family.  We know that you want each person in our family to be unique and special.  We thank you Lord for all the wonderful gifts you have given each of us.  Help us to find ways to use those gifts to serve and worship you.  In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

Part 4: Conclusion

Hang each of your family’s snowflakes and the Key Verse in a place where you will see it regularly.  One suggestion would be to hang it on the back of the door that you use most frequently, so that as you leave the house, you are reminded to celebrate your uniqueness and use it for God’s glory.