Scripture: Leviticus 1-27
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn God gave the Israelites many laws.
- Students will learn the Law God gave Moses contain laws not just for religion, but laws that would be the rules for their society as well.
- Students will learn it was impossible for the people to keep all of these laws, so God already had a plan for Jesus to come to earth and die for our sins.
- Students will learn about Newton’s Laws and how they affect gravity.
Guiding Question: Why are the laws God set in place important?
Materials: Coin, index card, glass cup
Procedure: Review the purpose of Leviticus 1-27. Emphasize God’s commands for the scapegoat and sacrifices in chapter 16. Explain that Leviticus lists many detailed laws for the Israelites to follow. Many laws were focused on sacrifice. This was because sacrificing an animal was how the people showed they were sorry for their sins and the people were willing to rely on God. Explain that the laws were meant to keep people safe and for society to run well, just like laws are meant to today. We are not perfect so it is impossible for us to follow all laws all the time but that is why God sent Jesus to die for our sins.
Introduce the activity. Explain that God set up the way things work in the world. Discuss Newton’s Laws and how they affect understanding of gravity. Tell students they are going to do an experiment about Newton’s First Law of Inertia. You will place an index card on top of the glass cup with a penny on top of the index card. Move the index card and notice the penny doesn’t fall off. Then set it up again and flick the index card. The penny should fall into the cup. Explain how Newton’s first law plays into this with force and friction.
Resource: https://thehomeschoolscientist.com/newtons-first-law-experiment/
Additional Questions: How can students learn about Newton’s third law?
Supplemental Activity: Have students participate in an experiment about Newton’s third law: https://www.education.com/science-fair/article/newton-law-motion-action-reaction/