God's world

To think about our responsibility for the world.

by David Bennie

Suitable for Whole School (Pri)

Aims

To think about our responsibility for the world.

Preparation and materials

• The Bible passage is Genesis 1.26 (see section 2).

Assembly

1. How do we see God around us today?
   
   Responses might be: with our imagination – not until we die – by thinking about him – in our dreams.
   
   You could add: by prayer – by looking at the natural world – in the actions of good people – as we love and care for people in need – by reading God’s word, the Bible.
2. What is the first book of the Bible called?
   
   The first chapters of the Bible tell us that God created the world, and he created men and women and took care of them. What does this show about God?
   
   In the first chapter of the Bible we are told this: ‘Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth’ (Genesis 1.26).
   
   God has charged us with looking after his world.
3. Who here has a pet? (Show of hands)
   What pet do you have?
   Who looks after your pet?
   You love your pets, I expect?
   God wants us to look after our pets and love them.
4. God wants us to care for the whole of his creation, that is, for the whole world.
   He wants us to care for one another, for our pets, the places where we live, our school, everywhere.

Time for reflection

Think about your answer to these questions.

How can you show care today:

–  when you are inside school (pause)
–  when you are playing in the playground  (pause)
–  when you are at home and with your family (pause)
–  when you are playing outside  (pause)
–  when you are in the community, in shops, in the park?

(Pause)

Prayer
Thank you, Lord, that you created such a beautiful place for us to live.
We pray, Lord, that we may live out
the trust you put in us to look after your world for you.
Help us to love and care for those around us
both near and distant.
Amen.

Song/music

‘He’s got the whole world, in His hand’ (Come and Praise, 19)