BCIC Creativity Sample by Institute in Basic Life Principles

Creativity

Approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

ROMANS 12:2

FOUR FRIENDS FIND A WAY

“And when they could not come nigh unto him [Jesus] for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was.”

MARK 2:4

BIBLICAL CHARACTER ILLUSTRATED CURRICULUM Illustrated in Scripture, Illustrated in Life SPIRITUAL GIFT: Exhorter

2 Introduction

2 How to Use This Curriculum

3 Goals and Objectives

4 Character Quality Overview

5 Creativity in Scripture

6 Lesson 1: Think His Thoughts

7 Bible Story: God Reveals a New Way to Peter

8 Memory Verse: Romans 12:2

9 Activity: New Perspective Relay Race

10 Lesson 2: See Opportunities Instead of Obstacles

11 Bible Story: Paul Sees an Opportunity in Athens

12 Memory Verse: II Corinthians 12:9

13 Activity: God Reveals New Ideas

14 Lesson 3: Keep Trying

15 Bible Story: Four Friends Find a Way

16 Memory Verse: Philippians 3:14

17 Activity: Solve the Riddle

18 Lesson 4: Use My Talents for Good

19 Bible Story: Apollos Speaks Out for Christ

20 Memory Verse: Ecclesiastes 9:10

21 Activity: Word Search

22 Additional Resources

22 Creativity GEMs

23 Journal and GEM Mine

24 Hymn Sheet Music: “All Creatures of Our God and King”

26 Hymn History: “All Creatures of Our God and King” by Saint Francis of Assisi

27 Explaining Salvation to a Child

28 Reproducible Coloring Pages

32 Recommended Resources

Biblical Character Illustrated Curriculum

Illustrated in Scripture

“The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple” (Psalm 19:7b). Biblical character is illustrated in this curriculum through both artwork and lessons from the lives of people in God’s Word. We most often benefit from the positive examples of faithful men and women. “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). There were also people in the Bible who are representations of poor character, and we can learn from their lives as well. “Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted” (I Corinthians 10:6). We would be wise to learn from the testimonies God has given us in Scripture.

Illustrated in Life

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Hearing the Word of God causes us to grow in faith. This curriculum offers many practical applications of God’s Word to everyday life. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). As God enables us to act in faith, our lives as believers will illustrate His character to others.

The character of God is illustrated in Scripture. May it also be illustrated in our lives.

Character Quality Overview

What Is Creativity?

Read aloud and discuss what creativity means and how it applies to life.

The operational definition of creativity is “approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective.” Perspective is a point of view or way of looking at an object, an idea, or a situation. Each person has a unique way of viewing circumstances. When you focus only on your own perspective, your understanding will be limited. Many problems can be resolved by looking at them differently. Understanding and inspiration often come as you ask God or others for ideas, consider times you did this before, and search for wisdom. Creativity does not always mean having a new idea, but it may mean applying what you already know in a different way. The creative person thinks of ways to improve results and produce excellent work. He is excited when his ideas benefit others.

The opposite of creativity is underachievement. An underachieving person does less than he could or should. Remaining in his comfort zone, he misses opportunities to grow. Apathy may cause him to rush through an assignment because he doesn’t care about the quality. He may not realize how his lack of effort impacts others and saps their energy. He exerts little effort to find a way around obstacles. His poor work may result from laziness, feelings of inadequacy, or a fear of failure.

Underachievement may also be due to insufficient knowledge, limited perspective, or a lack of inspiration. However, a person can develop his creativity and be more productive as he seeks knowledge and wisdom.

God is the first and greatest Creator. (See Revelation 10:6.) He created the entire universe from nothing! Since you are made in God’s image, He has given you creative capabilities. How can you cultivate thinking innovatively? One way is to discover God’s creativity in nature. For example, a Swiss engineer found his dog covered in cockleburs. He studied the prickly seeds under a microscope and then developed a material called Velcro. Another example of creative inspiration from nature was when an Italian company produced a better ice pick by studying the beak of a woodpecker! Other ways to increase your creativity are to read, brainstorm, and discuss ideas with others. You can expand your critical thinking by asking various questions such as: “What is a more efficient way to do this?” or “How can I apply this concept in different scenarios?”

As you develop and incorporate creativity in your life, you can refine ideas, meet needs, and accomplish tasks for the glory of our Creator God!

A creative person will look for alternate routes when he comes to what may seem to be a dead end. Underachievement is demonstrated by giving up at a dead end.

Creativity in Scripture

As you read and study God’s Word, you will see Who He is! Be willing to be changed by Him so Christ can be seen through your life and others will glorify God.

The Character of God

We see examples of creativity in God’s character in the following ways:

• God created heaven and earth from nothing and later formed man from the dust of the ground.

(See Genesis 1:1–2, 2:7.)

• God used a variety of plagues to demonstrate His power to the resistant Egyptian pharaoh.

(See Exodus 7:15–17, 10:1–2.)

• God makes a way to bring life in the most unlikely situations.

(See Isaiah 43:19.)

• Jesus, when pressed by the crowd at the lake, innovatively solved the problem by preaching from a nearby boat.

(See Luke 5:1–3.)

• Jesus used everyday objects to creatively reveal Heavenly truths.

(See Matthew 5:13–16, Luke 12:6–7.)

• Christ’s renovations result in new things.

(See II Corinthians 5:17.)

• The Holy Spirit guides believers in His will, sometimes in unexpected ways.

(See Acts 8:38–40.)

CREATIVITY KEY VERSE

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” ROMANS 12:2

Creativity in My Life

Now let’s examine some ways God wants us to live out creativity daily.

• Why did God create me?

(See Colossians 1:16, Revelation 4:11.)

• What should be the purpose of my creative expression?

(See I Corinthians 10:31–33.)

• How can I learn to see things from a new viewpoint?

(See Psalm 73:16–17, 119:18, 97–100; Proverbs 1:5.)

• How can I guard my mind so that my creative thinking does not result in an idea or action not pleasing to God?

(See Psalm 119:11, Ecclesiastes 12:1.)

• What perspective might I glean from observing the awesome creativity of God?

(See Psalm 19:1–2, Proverbs 30:25–28.)

• Why does God give people multiple perspectives and gifts?

(See Ephesians 4:11–14.)

• How can I use my abilities for good?

(See I Peter 4:10–11.)

Keep Trying

Did you know that the Wright brothers experimented with more than 200 different designs of wings for their flying machines before discovering ones that worked? Thomas Edison tried 1,000 times before he successfully created a working light bulb. Inventors constantly try different ways to reach their goals. Whether you are learning to tie your shoelaces, play a sport, or write a story, you may need to try more than once before you succeed. Patiently invest time and effort to reach your goal. Rather than giving up in defeat, pause, and then approach the situation from a new perspective. If necessary, take a break—go for a walk or play an instrument—to help you think more clearly. The Bible says: “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).

CREATIVITY

Approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective

INTRODUCTION 3

GOD ENABLES ME TO

Four Friends Find a Way

BIBLE STORY

Four Friends Find a Way

Jesusministered publicly for three years and showed what the Kingdom of God looked like on earth. Early in His ministry, Jesus taught in synagogues throughout Galilee. People were amazed by His wisdom and miracles. Once, while Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, He cast out an unclean spirit from a man! Another time, Jesus was visiting the home of two disciples and cured Peter’s motherinlaw, who had a fever. Jesus healed many people who came to Him with diseases. News of these miracles spread quickly, and people thronged to see and hear Jesus. Soon, He could no longer enter the cities without multitudes of people

pressing about Him. Consequently, Jesus chose to teach in desert places, where the people would come to see and hear Him. One day, Jesus visited a house in the city of Capernaum. As soon as people heard that He was there, they hastily crowded into the house and around the door. Who would also come to see Jesus that day and why? What would they do when they realized that they could not enter the house due to so many people? What creative idea would God give them, and how would their perseverance be rewarded?

Let’s read the Bible story in Luke 5:17–26 and then discuss the following questions.

1. Who was sitting nearby as Jesus taught in the house? Did their presence prevent Jesus from teaching and healing? (See Luke 5:17.)

Should you allow what others think to affect your obedience to God? What matters more than gaining others’ approval? (See Psalm 118:6.)

2. Why was one man in need of Jesus’ healing? (See Luke 5:18.) What obstacles were in his way? (See Mark 2:1–2.)

What difficulties or challenges have you encountered in your schoolwork, chores, or projects?

3. How many of the paralyzed man’s friends helped bring him to Jesus? (See Mark 2:3.)

In what ways can you welcome others’ help when you need it, rather than insist on trying by yourself? (See Ecclesiastes 4:9–12.)

4. When the friends were unable to enter at the door, what was their creative idea? (See Luke 5:19.) How have you creatively approached a regular or difficult task?

5. What did Jesus observe about the man’s four friends? (See Luke 5:20a.)

What actions or words demonstrate that you have faith that God is able to help you?

6. What did Jesus say to the ill man and to the religious leaders? (See Luke 5:20b, 23–24.)

What does Jesus offer to meet your spiritual need? (See Colossians 1:14.) How might you help someone both spiritually and physically?

7. Did the four friends achieve their goal when they tried a new approach? What happened?

(See Luke 5:24–25.)

Describe a time when God gave you success as you tried a new way to do something.

8. Who gave glory to God for this miracle?

(See Luke 5:25–26.)

Who deserves the credit when you come up with creative ideas and find success?

(See John 15:5.)

LESSON 3 Keep Trying

Revealing the character of Christ through the stories in His Word.

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Biblical Character Illustrated Curriculum

Discover this unique tool that uses the stories in Scripture to illuminate character qualities God wants to develop in the lives of His people. This curriculum contains multiple ways to teach character to kids and give them a vision for building character through faith in Christ!