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God’s Blueprint: Builders of the Faith: Introduction

This study unit is designed for ages 7-9. For children ages 6 and under, see The House That God Built. For youth ages 10-12, see My Church, Our Home.

What's Inside:

This educational program was designed to be used in a modular fashion, using 'station centers' that the youth rotate to. This allows for the youth to move about at the conclusion of the activity at each station. By dividing the youth into different groups each day, it facilitates the youth getting to know one another. 'Station centers' however, do require more staff, at least one at each station, ideally two.

This program was designed for youth ages 7-9, but is appropriate for pre-teens. Make adjustments to the craft portion allowing more creative input from the youth and more age appropriate props, explanations, questions, and discussion starters. An adaptation would be something as easy as making a concrete block from mortar rather than using a cinder block, or using and building real tools.

The first day begins with an introductory session, briefing the youth on the week's schedule and how the rotation system works. Be creative when dividing the youth into groups each day, using techniques that may also serve as icebreakers.

Some stations require preparation, such as pre-made crafts or visuals. The index includes extra time games/activities that may be used for the youth that complete the station activity early. It is beneficial to have one extra-time activity per station. The index also includes music, pictures of the finished craft, and craft supply order sources.

 

Daily procedure

Gather time activity:

  • singing with music directory [10-15 minutes]

General opening:

  • opening prayer by facilitator of day
  • announcements
  • review theme of day
  • review goals/objectives of day
  • facilitator opening (may include large group activity)

Sessions:

  • break into stations
  • facilitator summary (review lessons of the day and tie into previous day)
  • closing prayer

Facilitator responsibilities:

  • open and close sessions
  • timekeeper--when bell rings, participants will rotate to next station; keep on time schedule
  • rotate to stations for assistance
  • take pictures

 

Daily schedule

Day 1 Introduction of theme

  • review daily procedure
  • review schedule of the week
  • divide into groups
  • ID bracelets
  • backpack activity - picture on circle, laminate, attach to backpack
  • take picture of each participant to use in session IV

Day 2 Builders of the person

Day 3 Builders of the home

Day 4 Builders of the church

Day 5 Builders of the community

  • candle light ceremony

 

Introductory Lesson

Overall objective:

God is the Master Builder and by the power of the Holy Spirit we are to utilize all the tools, materials and gifts we have through ourselves, our home, our church, and our community to build the best Orthodox Christians we can be.

Lesson objective:

At the completion of this week the student will recognize the relationship of a builder using tools designed specifically for the purpose of building or creating fixtures to Orthodox Christians using tools of our faith for the purpose of building our faith in order to obtain salvation.

Materials:

  • woodworking tools: hammer, screwdriver, nails, screws, level, drill, saw, chisel, ladder
  • Christian tools: Bible, prayer book, prayer rope, cross, icon, candle

Procedure:

  • Hold up each wood working tool. Allow the children to name and explain how a builder would use each tool.
  • Explain that we use tools to build or fix things. With the right tools, we can make wonderful things. As Orthodox Christians we also have tools. They are different than carpenter's tools by that are tools nonetheless. These tools help us to become better Christians. I have with me today some of the Christian tools we will be talking about this week.
  • Instructor holds-up each Christian tool.
  • Allow the children to name and tell how a Christian would use each tool. We have many more tools we can use but we just can't see them. Can anyone name some of them? (commandments, prayers, sacraments)

When we use our tools that God gave us it pleases God. Close your eyes and visualize a builder who has just started building a house. At first all you see is dirt. If you live in Florida, the next thing you might see is the builder using a cement truck to pour concrete for the slab. Then a hammer and nails are used to from the house. Next, the outside walls and the roof are added. The builder then uses many tools to complete work on the inside of the house. Next, the outside walls and roof are added. The builder then uses many tools to complete work on the inside of the house. Until the house is complete. Just like a builder, we also start with tools to build our faith. When we are born our parents take us to church to be baptized and chrismated. This is one of our first tools. THen we learn to talk and are taught prayers. This is another tool. We begin listening to God's Word and hearing Scripture. Slowly, all through our lives we use our Christian tools to keep building our faith. We are to keep building our faith during our entire life until we will hopefully be rewarded with life everlasting in the Kingdom of Heaven.

This week we are going to be builders. You will receive a tool apron to wear just like builders wear and you will be given some tools. They are not necessarily the same tools a builder of homes would use but tools that will help us build our faith.

So tonight go to bed early because tomorrow construction begins!