Two art projects that demonstrate
how sin breaks or tears us and our relationships
and how God "restores" redeems us.

This project visually demonstrates how sin "tears" at us and leaves its mark on us, and why we need "restored." See the "alternate version" of this project at the end of this post that uses torn paper instead of glued paper and an image of Jesus to fix the restoration to.

Supplies List:

• White construction paper
• Strips of colored construction paper
• Quick drying glue sticks
• Blow dryer to hasten glue drying.
• Colored markers
  
  *Use construction paper instead of copy paper so that the glue "tears" the paper more easily.

First, have the group brainstorm a list of sins and write them on the board as they do. As they brainstorm different sins, comment and write the "kid version" of that sin. For example, "murder" is a sin, but have them also come up with a description of how kids "kill" another person with words or hate. "Stealing" is a sin, but encourage them to think not just of "stealing a thing" but stealing someone's happiness or stealing someone's sense of safety or self worth.

Take a piece of white construction paper and have kids write their name on it in large letters. They can also add a self-portrait and words like "good," "happiness," "reputation," "loving," "trusted."

Next, give them strips of other colors of construction paper (approx 2" x 4" each). Have them write various sins they brainstormed on several strips.

Now have them glue the strips to their white "name/portrait" paper as you talk. (Glue sticks are fine, but a quick drying glue is best.)

While you give the glue a few minutes to dry (and can hasten the drying by blowing air over it)...

Read the story of Adam and Eve.
Talk about their sin, and their attempts to hide it.

How do we try to hide our sins? (Blame, hiding, lying.)  Did God KNOW that Adam and Eve had sinned? Did he know where they were hiding?  Why did he WAIT to come looking for them and then call out their names?

But also talk about how, by doing good things, we often to try to make up for our sin or to be good enough for God, etc.  

Give each student one final strip of construction paper. Have them write the word "TRY TO HIDE MY SINS" on it and then paste it on top of all the other pasted strips of sin.

Does hiding your sins, trying to cover them up ever work? What's wrong with "hiding" your sins? God knows! God wants us to respect him and others by admitting our mistakes (confess), and seeking to put things back together (redeem, restore).

When you think the strips have "stuck enough" (by testing trying to pull one off), have students slowly tear off their "sin strips" one by one. If you let it dry long enough, this will also take off some of the white construction paper beneath it WITH the colored sin strips ---along with the words/image you drew on the white paper. This "disfiguring" of the white paper is the effect you're looking for and will now comment on.  Sin "disfigures" us. It tears at us and ruins who we are meant to be.

Ask your student to explain "how the story of Adam and Eve ends."   Some will think it ends with punishment, but notice that God make them clothing to cover their nakedness (their shame, their sinful selves), and then God goes with them into a difficult world.

Illustrate this point by having the students work to RESTORE their white construction paper drawing.  Have them scrape off some of the glue with a craft stick or similar object and re-draw/re-letter those things which have been 'torn off" by the sin strips.

Note that we won't have a perfect looking "restorations." Sin "leaves its mark" and is not forgotten --just forgiven. We need to remember the consequences of sin to avoid sinning.

Note that "restoration" is one of the reasons we follow Jesus -- to become better people, better servants, better friends, better children and better servants to those in need.

Have each student share their "restored" drawing.

To finish the project, have the students reglue the "sin strips" to the back of the construction paper so that they have a record of what they did and learned that they can take home.

Alternate Shorter "Torn ("Broken") Paper -- Restored Paper" Version

Instead of gluing strips of "sins" to a piece of construction paper, students will draw a self-portrait on a piece of construction paper, tear it into pieces, then restore it (using an image of Jesus

Have students draw a self-portrait on a piece of white construction paper, then write "positives" around their drawing, such as "trusted," "loved," "good reputation," "caring," "faithful," "unselfish." etc.  Use some of the ideas brainstormed (as described above).

Then read the Adam and Eve story discussing some of the points mentioned above. Emphasize how sin "BREAKS" (tears) our relationships with each other and with God. We "lose" trust when we do things that show us to be untrustworthy. We become "broken."  As you get to this "broken" part of the discussion, TEAR your self-portrait into pieces no smaller than "1" square.

Now distribute a handout with the face of Jesus on it (image attached). This will be the sheet of paper onto which students will REASSEMBLE (restore, repair, redeem) their self-portrait -- and then glue those pieces onto the image of Jesus. TIP:  Only glue one corner of their torn pieces to the page with Jesus on it. This lets them lift up the pieces of their self-portrait to see Jesus underneath!

Discuss how Jesus "restores" us --forgives, keeps being with us, doesn't abandon us. These are all things we need to do for each other as well --to take part in each other's restoration, help redeem each other, rebuilt trust, love, lives.

Attached is a printable image of Jesus from artist Richard Hook that you can print copies of and use in your art project. If you want something else, search the web.

These two projects have been updated by a member of the Rotation.org team!

If you like having great choices like these two art projects...

We are non-profit, volunteer-led, and entirely supported by donations.

Ideas with Crayons

Here is a Crayon Art version of Neil's candy stained glass Cooking Workshop idea which was inspired by Cathy's broken cookie cooking idea found here at https://www.rotation.org/topic/...3#422528058762353003

Use broken crayons:
either to make new crayons (and then color with them)
or make stained glass (cross shape would work here).

Lots of ideas on the internet if this link quits working:
http://www.artistshelpingchild...sactivitieskids.html
And here is a particularly good stained glass format from that list:
http://teachart2.blogspot.com/...ed-glass-effect.html

As in Neil's candy idea, discussion would revolve around something good (a big crayon or a stained glass light catcher) coming from the broken thing.

Here is a short video of our "Adam and Eve in the Garden" Art project done in the style of Eric Carle, the popular children's author/illustrator (The Very Hungry Caterpillar).

For our lesson plan, we used the Writing Team's Adam and Eve Art Lesson.

Here's a video clips showing various "Eric Carle style" art projects...

The Team's lesson plan has lots of great instructions, teaching points, and options.

The tearing of the paper can be a metaphor for brokenness. The use of the torn paper to create something beautiful can be a metaphor for the goodness/restoration that God can bring out of our brokenness.

If you appreciate having MANY great resources to choose from like this one...

We are non-profit, volunteer-led, and entirely supported by donations.

The Adam and Eve Cooking Workshop has an "artsy" project that involves breaking and restoring lifesaver candies. Kind of like stained glass.

Go to: https://www.rotation.org/topic...3#422528058762353003

Create a classroom banner in the shape of a tree. Create and decorate "apples" and "leaves" as symbols to discuss right and wrong choices. Children will learn that they are responsible for the choices they make. They will learn that making good choices is a privilege that God gives us.

After reading the Bible story, have a conversation with students about the choices they have made recently. Encourage them to write down a good choice on a slip of paper that will be attached to a green felt leaf (green=go). Then have them write choices they made that did not have a good consequence on pieces of paper and attach them to red felt apples (red=bad/stop).

Papers with choices can be rolled up if the student does not want them to be public. The leaves and apples are attached to a large fabric tree banner (prepared in advance if time is short). Conclude the lesson with a discussion of redemption.

 For the full supply list and detailed construction instructions, as well as lesson teaching and discussion points, see the complete Writing Team Adam and Eve art lesson. (The lesson set summary page — listing all of the lessons available for this set — is open to the public. To access the lesson, become a Supporting Member today.)

Concept for an Art Project

Inspired by this multi-cultural depiction of Adam and Eve by artist Bruno Pasqualini

This screenshot of Pasqualini's "Adam and Eve" captures the truth of Genesis 2's Adam and Eve story. They were not African, Middle Eastern, or Caucasian -- they represent all of humanity, as much as they represent each of us. Painted in 1984 by Italian-born Australian artist Bruno Pasqualini, the full image is a bit too revealing for Sunday School, but this cropped version is enough to provoke discussion about "who really were Adam and Eve," "how many artists have depicted them as white (and why?)," and "what would a student's own attempt at painting THEMSELVES as Adam and Eve look like?

What would THEIR version of Pasqualini's painting look like if they put themselves in the story?

Would their painting of themselves as either Adam or Eve in the Garden help them see that...

• I am the one given blessings and boundaries by God.
• I am the one who puts God's blessings at risk by thinking I don't need God and can do what I please.
• I am the one who comes to my senses and realizes my shame.
• I am the one God comes looking for calling my name "in the evening breeze" -- even though surely God already knows what I've done and where I am hiding.
• I am the one God hopes will confess instead of blame.
• I am the one who experiences the consequences of my own sin and that of others.
• I am the one accompanied by the One who sewed my clothes to cover my shame, and walks with me even now through this wilderness.
• I am the one God sent Christ to forgive and save, and guide me back to the Garden of his Kingdom.

One of Sunday School's goals is to help students "see themselves" in these stories. In that respect, our depictions of Adam and Eve should look a lot like us!

On a related note, what's with all the "white" depictions of Adam and Eve? And what's the impact of that on how we see each other, especially people of color, in God's story?

There's also an important conversation to be had with older children and youth about how and WHY many in the past and present Church have depicted Jesus and the characters of the Bible as "white" or "European," when it is scientifically and demonstrably a fact that people living Palestine in ancient times did not look like the people of northern Europe. Such false depictions don't help with the problem of white supremacy and "race theory" that has plagued the Church and reared its ugly head in recent times.

And though we like to think we are above such thoughts, consider your own reaction or that of others to UN-traditional depictions of Jesus like these:

Art matters, reveals, reflects, teaches, and can change us. If you believe that, then it is important to discuss how we imagine Jesus and what our imaginations say about us, and about how we think of others.

I hope these images and ideas spur your creative lesson writing and teaching juices!