Scripture: Genesis 24
Learning Objectives:
- Students will review the story of Isaac and Rebekah.
- Students will learn Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac.
- Students will learn God wants our marriages to be strong and godly.
- Students will participate in an activity to help missionaries support strong, godly marriages in the mission field.
Guiding Question: How can you help missionaries encourage new Christians to have strong, godly marriages?
Materials: well printed decorative scripture on quality paper (test to make sure the ink doesn’t run when decoupage glue is brushed over it), small canvases (preferably easy to hang on the wall), decoupage glue, paint brushes, dishes to pour decoupage glue into if needed
Procedure: Review the story of Abraham focusing especially when he sent his servant to find a wife for Isaac. Discuss with students the idea marriage is important to God and He wants our marriages to be strong and godly. Share with students how some missionaries are serving in cultures which do not encourage or support these strong, godly marriages. If possible, contact a missionary and have them share photos and stories from their efforts to encourage marriages where they serve. (Be sure to contact them ahead of time to confirm this craft will help their ministry and the best way to transport it to them.)
Discuss with students the verse or verse you have printed from the Bible about godly love and marriage. You may want to have several options of scriptures or everyone can create identical canvases. Give each student a scripture, a small canvas and a paint brush. Several students can share one bottle of decoupage glue. (Check instructions to determine how much glue you will need.) Have students thoroughly brush the canvas with decoupage glue. Have them center the scripture on the canvas and smooth it out so there are no air bubbles. Let the paper and glue dry a bit, so it doesn’t slide around when applying the top layers of decoupage glue. Have students apply two thin layer of decoupage glue. The entire canvas should be covered. It will take at least 24 hours for the finished canvases to dry completely.
Additional Questions:
- In what other ways can you help these missionaries in the mission field?
Supplemental Activity: Have more advanced students interview the missionaries your project is helping. What challenges do they face on the mission field? In what other ways can your class help them spread the Gospel? Have the students report their findings to the class. If possible, encourage the students to plan and lead their own service project for this mission effort.