Once a month, we offer an environment for our middle school and high school students to just "be".
Just today, a junior high boy in Oklahoma took his own life in a busy and crowded school hallway. My heart aches for him and for the moments when he didn't or couldn't find respite.
I go into the service tonight with renewed appreciation for what we can give, if we are willing to do some things to help make space. I can't do it alone either. I'm excited to have Emily Johnson, a Christian, an art teacher, a mother, and friend helping us with ideas. And Annette Santana, another mom of six, to put the ideas in motion this afternoon.
I was inspired by the journaling techniques mentioned in the article, "Windows and Words" in the Immerse Journal. We got some old window sashes and some with glass still in them to suspend over our art samples. We hope that they realize that each one of them look through the window differently, and experience things differently, but ALL of us experience the same truths that bind us together in love.
Emily came up with some great ideas. And Annette and Emily, as I type this are putting the supplies together for everyone to experience them. We have a great team. I'm thankful for our leaders.
Here are the stations for this month. Feel free to comment if you have questions.
Art Prayer #1:
Material: Watercolor and black permanent markers (Also need water cups, paint brushes, white card stock and a place to lay the painting so they can dry)
Focus: Thankfulness
Verse: Psalm 50:14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God.
Quote: "True thankfulness is not based on circumstances, but on the realization that Christ rescued us from Death." Renaut Van Der Riet
- Students will first write the verse about thankfulness in any kind of creative lettering, adding doodles with various lines and shapes (using permanent marker).
- Next they will begin to list all the things that come to their mind that they are thankful for.
- The list can surround the verse, be scattered around the page, or listed in any creative fashion
- For this short time they will forget all hurts, worries, or fears and focus on what is good in their lives.
- They should know that nothing is too small to be thankful for, even the small things in our lives, just write it all.
- Finally they will use the watercolor paint to add color to the work with a LIGHT WASH (this means not too much paint, mostly water)
Art Prayer #2:
Material: Markers (Also need white card stock, middle schoolers love to use sharpies if this is possible, if not, skinny markers would be great to go with the thick ones)
Focus: Worship
Verse: Psalm 35:10 With every bone in my body, I will praise him.
- Students will write "God" in the center of the page, using creative letters and doodling
- Think about a color scheme (warm colors or cool colors; black, red, and white; or all one color)
- All around "God" list the attributes of God.
- i.e. healer, redeemer, king of the universe, faithful, good father, always there, loving, forgiving, patient, protector...
- As you list them, doodle around them, write thoughts about each particular attribute and allow yourself to rest in his greatness
- For example: Good Father: You take care of me. You hold me in your hand. You know me by my name. I am yours.
Art Prayer #3:
Material: Pieces of scrapbook paper and glue (Also need white card stock, markers, and a place to lay these out to dry)
Focus: Faith
Verse: Romans 4 I believe in a God who brings the dead back to life and creates new things out of nothing. I am fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.
- First, think about what this verse means.
- How does it apply to you personally?
- Read it again.
- How does it apply to your family and friends? to your school? to our country? to the world?
- What can God "bring back to life" or "create from nothing?"
- Students will write the word "Faith" using torn pieces of scrapbook paper.
- As they tear and glue they should think about this verse, allowing it to sink into their spirit and asking God to write it on their hearts.
- They may also begin to thank God for ways that they know he will be faithful in their lives or ways he has been faithful in their lives.
- Write the verse at the bottom of the page to help them remember. Underline:Fully Convinced.
Stations #4, #5, & #6
- Rest- Pillows (Matthew 11:28)
- Receive- Water (John 7:37-38)
- Represent - Paper, praying for those who mistreat you (Matthew 5:44)
If you would like the PDF instructions to stations 4,5, & 6, please leave a comment with your e-mail address and I'll send them to you right away.
I'll let you know how it goes.
