Scripture: Leviticus 8-10
Learning Objectives:
- Students will review the role of priests and the importance of obeying God’s directions for sacrifices.
- Students will learn elements of a news story and practice writing their own.
Guiding Questions:
What is the importance of stories in newspapers and how are they written?
What aspects of the events in Leviticus 8-10 would make it an important news story? Why?
Materials: paper, pencils, examples of newspapers, optional: copies of a template with two-column sections and a place for a picture with caption (to look like a news article).
Procedure: Review the story of the Aaron as priest and his sons, Nahab and Abihu. Focus on the contrast between God being pleased by Aaron’s sacrifice in Leviticus 9 with the disobedience of his sons in Leviticus 10. Explain the role of priests’ sacrifices and the importance of obeying God’s directions for the important role. In the story explain that we have an example of positive news and negative news. Explain that when important things happen in a community, they are written in newspapers so that others can be aware of events and learn from others’ experiences.
Give students examples of news stories. You can use educational student magazines or community newspapers. Some local shops may offer free ones. (Note: Go through reading material before giving it to students to check that it is appropriate.) Look through them and discuss all the ways that a newspaper is different than a book or other reading material. Answer some of the following questions:
1. Why would someone read it?
2. How much time would it take to read?/ Would you have to read every word to use it?
3. How is the format different?
4. How do you think it impacts a community?
Ask students to share about common news stories they have heard or read.
Have students choose a small section from Leviticus 8-10. They will use it to write a news report. They will decide if they are sharing good news or warning of bad news through their story. They should include a catchy title, illustration for their photograph, and the story written like a news report. Let students share their stories with each other.
Additional Questions:
- What additional features are included in most newspapers besides stories?
- How do people work together to create a newspaper? Think about the different types of jobs that would be required to make it happen.
- Consider the sacrifice in the Old Testament. How do we sacrifice for God through how we live? What things can we give up for God? Do you see people doing this in the news?
Supplemental Activity: Students can work collaboratively to make a newspaper for your organization (school, camp, neighborhood, church, etc.) Have them choose stories that are relevant to their audience. They may need some adult guidance with choosing stories that address their readers’ interests. They can work with a partner on articles and even conduct interviews to learn more about the event. Then they can assemble their individual articles into one newspaper. Assign 1-2 student editors for the project. Discuss different roles that take place when creating a newspaper.