📖

God's Creatures in Our Care

Beginning The One and Only Ivan

Day 100of 180
Week 20of 36
30Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand biblical principles of animal stewardship

2

Explore how humans can care for God's creation

3

Develop empathy for animals through literary analysis

📖 Scripture Connection

Genesis 1:26

“God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'”

— Genesis 1:26 (WEB)

Explains human responsibility to care for animals as part of God's creation

📦 Materials Needed

  • The One and Only Ivan book
  • Drawing paper
  • Colored pencils/crayons
  • Bible
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Read Genesis 1:26 and discuss what 'dominion' means - caring for, not controlling harshly

💭 Review Question: What does it mean to take care of something God created?
2Teaching (10 min)

Explore Ivan's life and how proper animal care reflects God's love

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Animals have feelings and needs
  • God entrusts humans to care for creation
  • Compassion matters in how we treat all living things
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • How does Ivan feel in his small space?
  • What would good animal care look like?
  • How can we show God's love through caring for animals?
3Activity: Animal Habitat Design (10 min)
hands-on art

Students design a kind, loving habitat for an animal

📝 Instructions:
  1. Choose an animal
  2. Draw its ideal habitat
  3. Include elements that show care and respect
  4. Write 3 ways they would care for the animal
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Draw one animal in a good home

Challenge: Research actual conservation efforts

4Closing (5 min)

Share habitat designs and reflect on caring for God's creatures

📝 Review Questions:
  • What did you learn about animal care?
  • How can we show God's love to animals?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for creating all animals. Help us be kind caretakers of your wonderful creation.

Coming up: Next week, we'll continue exploring Ivan's story of hope

💎 Memory Verse

Proverbs 12:10

“A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”

— Proverbs 12:10 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Animal Care Charades

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Lesson teaches biblical stewardship through literature

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage empathy
  • Discuss responsible pet ownership
  • Help child see animals as valuable
🤔 Common Struggles:

Some children might struggle with understanding indirect care concepts

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Compassionate descriptions of animal needs

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Visit local animal shelter
  • Research endangered animal conservation
  • Create a pet care guide

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

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