Scripture: John 9:13-41
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn God cares about our problems.
- Students will learn the vast majority of illness and disabilities from birth are not the result of the sin of the person who has them. They are the result of the curse placed an Adam and Eve that all mankind must die.
- Students will learn nothing is impossible for God if it is within His will.
- Students will learn the science behind optical illusions and will be able to create their own.
Guiding Question: How are optical illusions created? How does God make powerful things happen in our lives when they feel impossible?
Materials: Printed optical illusion tests, pencils, colored pencils, white paper
Procedure: Review the story of the A Blind Man Healed from the scripture above. Emphasize how God was able to do the impossible and heal the man from blindness. Explain that even when we don’t understand things going on in our lives or feel powerless in our struggles, God is powerful and can do the impossible if it is according to His will. Ask the students if they have ever heard of optical illusions before, If so, how would they explain what it is? Do they feel difficult to understand sometimes?
Explain to the students that an optical illusion uses color, light, and patterns to create an image that our brain does not fully understand. What our eyes see is trying to be processed by our brain and our perception can be tricked and not match the reality of the image. (Reference: https://www.optics4kids.org/illusions)
Have optical illusions printed out to have the kids attempt to figure out and/or explain to you. Once the students are finished with the tests, tell the students they are going to get a chance to create an optical illusion. Explain that creating an optical illusions is like creating a 3D picture. Show examples of 3D shapes if needed. Begin modeling how to create an optical illusion from the links below and then have the students create their own.
Printable optical illusions:
Create Optical Illusions:
Additional Questions: How can optical illusions be better understood through self creation?
Supplemental Activity: Have students research different optical illusions and how to create them. Have each students create a different one and share with a partner. The partner must explain how they think the illusion was made and what causes the illusion in the image.