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Creativity in Scripture

The Character of God• God created the heaven and the earth. (See Gen-

esis 1:1.)

• God sent a variety of plagues so the Egyptians would know that He is the Lord. (See Exodus 7:15–17; 10:1–2.)

• When Jesus was pressed by the crowd at the lake of Gennesaret, He creatively solved the problem by preaching from a boat. (See Luke 5:1–3.)

• Jesus used everyday things to reveal heavenly truths. (See Luke 8:4–15; 13:6; 20:19–26; Matthew 5:13–6.)

• When the disciples needed money to pay taxes, Jesus told them to look for a coin in the mouth of a fish. (See Matthew 17:24–27.)

• The Holy Spirit has creative ways of moving people. (See Acts 8:26–40.)

God, the Creator of the universe, is the ultimate source of creativity. There are no problems that He cannot solve. God gives people creative instructions, ideas, and talents to solve problems, to demonstrate His power, and to bring Him glory. For example:

• Noah was instructed how to build a massive ark to save men and animals from the worldwide flood. (See Genesis 6:13–20.)

• Moses’ rod was used to show God’s power when the Israelites saw no way to escape the Egyptians. (See Exodus 14:16.)

• Bezaleel’s creativity came from the Lord, Who filled him with wisdom, understanding, knowledge, and skill—skills with precious metals, stones, wood and fabric. His skills and creativity were outworkings of his wisdom, and he used his creativity to serve the Lord. (See Exodus 35:30–36:1.)

• God’s creative battle plan brought the defeat of the strong city of Jericho. (See Joshua 6:1–27.)

• Gideon used lamps, pitchers, and trumpets to defeat the Midianites. (See Judges 7:16–22.)

• Esther prepared a banquet for the king in order to plead for the lives of her people. (See Esther 5:4–8.)

• A young David defeated the giant with a sling and a smooth stone. (See I Samuel 17:40–50.)

• In order to avoid using axes or hammers on the temple construction site, the stones had to be made offsite and transported. (See I Kings 6:7.)

• Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs. (See I Kings 4:30, 32.)

What a creative God we serve! When we see no possible solutions to our problems, do we ask God for His perspective? Do we go to Him first rather than look for answers on the internet or in science and technology? Have we purposed to give Him glory as we pursue education and as we learn skills or trades? He desires us to call out to Him, ask for His wisdom, and praise Him for making all things possible. (See Jeremiah 33:2–3; James 1:5; Philippians 4:13; and Matthew 19:26.)

The Character of GodCan you connect the four dots below with two straight lines that do not intersect?

(Solution on next page)

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Creativity in My Life• Genesis 50:20—Do I ask God to show me the good

He is working in each situation?

• Psalm 121:2—Have I reflected on the awesome creativity of God in creation and gone to Him for ideas when I need a solution?

• Proverbs 6:6—What creative ideas can I glean from learning about and watching God’s creatures? (See also Proverbs 30:25–28.)

• Psalm 119:97–104—Do I meditate on God’s law to help me see life from God’s perspective?

Key ConceptsCreativity is not an inborn talent that a person either has or does not have. Creativity is a learned skill that we acquire as we yield to the Lord. Here are a few things the Lord may lay on your heart to do as He develops creativity in your life:

• Take time to envision, build, and create. This could be practiced with Legos™ or building blocks, or in woodworking, gardening, baking, sewing, snow creations, or artwork.

• Brainstorm as a family in planning or solving problems. Encourage everyone to contribute. Listen to each suggestion, because ideas stimulate

other ideas. Focus on the creative process instead of evaluating each idea.

• Try something new and different. Do your school work outside. Trade chores with a brother or sister for a day. Meet new people and ask about their experiences. Notice what someone else’s life is like. Value new perspectives and discuss them as a family in light of God’s perspective.

• Consider a “fast” from electronics, TV, and video games, and replace these things with family reading, hands-on projects, and outdoor activities.

• Try to find several ways to solve the same problem. Having a variety of solutions gives you the option of choosing the best one.

Most people unconsciously draw a box around the four dots and can connect the dots only with intersecting lines, such as what you see below:

The only way to connect the dots without intersecting lines is to “think outside the box.” Ask God to give you His thoughts in order to help you solve problems and break out of assumptions that limit creativity.

Creativity Test Solution:

“By the WORD of the LORD were the HEAVENS made”

—Psalm 33:6

Creativity in Scripture (continued)

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Creativity Memory Verse

Romans 12:2“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.”

Memory Verse Game: Pop UpsWrite sections of the verse on separate pieces of paper. Mix up the papers and then distribute them to the children. As you quote the verse, the child with the corresponding words on his paper “pops up” and says those words with you. The child then quickly sits down and the person with the next section “pops up” in time to say those words with you. When the entire verse has been quoted, instruct the children to trade papers and play again. For younger non-readers, tell them what words are on their paper so they know when to stand and say their part of the verse.

Doers of the WordHave the children write about a time they were able to apply this verse in their lives. For example: “I was thinking bad thoughts toward our neighbor who didn’t seem to like our family. I asked God to renew my mind and help me see His perspective on her grumpiness. He showed me that she might be lonely. Mom and I took her some cookies, and we got to know her. Meeting her totally changed my perspective of her. I now view her as a friend.”

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Creativity in the Lives of Four Friends

1. Because their friend could not walk, what method did the four friends use to bring him to Jesus? “And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four” (Mark 2:3). What problem is our family facing for which we need a creative solution?

2. When they arrived at the house where Jesus was but could not get through the crowd, what creative solution did they employ? “And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay” (Mark 2:4). What obstacle is preventing you from achieving a goal? Have you asked God for a creative solution?

3. What did Jesus see in the men that motivated their creativity? “When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5). What motivates you to be creative?

4. What were the scribes thinking? “But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:6–7). Do you make assumptions as the scribes did, or do you ask God for His perspective on the situations before you?

5. What was Jesus’ perspective on the man’s need? “But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house” (Mark 2:10–11). As you read Scripture, do you seek to find God’s perspective on a need or situation you may have?

6. How did the people respond to seeing something new and unfamiliar? “And im-mediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion” (Mark 2:12). Have you purposed to use your cre-ativity to bring glory to God?

Read Mark 2:1–12 as a family, and answerthe following questions:

Four Friends Find a Way to Jesus“And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof

where he was” (Mark 2:4a).

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Creativity is approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective

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Creativity Activity

Enjoy meditating and thinking about the words of the memory verse and the definition of Creativity as you find and highlight them in the word search below. The underlined words are hidden horizontally, vertically, diagonally, and backwards.

Word Search

“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 is approaching a need, a task, or an idea from a new perspective

*If finding the underlined words is too difficult or frustrating for your child, assign only a couple words to find—such as “God” and “and.” Younger children could point to the ABC’s. Older children may enjoy the extra challenge of finding all the words instead of only the underlined words.

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Creativity Craft

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __To discover the craft title, fill in the blanks with the underlined letters in the paragraph below.

Introduction:Read to the children: “This month we are asking the Lord to develop creativity in our lives. What a privilege to respond to the work He is doing to change us into the image of His Son! Today we are going to practice looking at things from a new perspective. Looking at a situation or problem from a different perspective helps us to understand people, find solutions, and improve results. God is the source of creativity, and as we listen to His leading and view life from His perspective, He will build creativity into our lives.”

Supplies:A few sheets of paper per child, markers/pencils or crayons, whiteboard.

Craft Instructions:Hand each child 2–3 sheets of paper and markers. Instruct the children to copy the basic shapes onto their papers that you draw on the whiteboard. Draw a triangle on the whiteboard and then wait for them to draw the same on their papers. Repeat with any simple shape or combination of two shapes per paper. (See example illustrations below.)

Read to the children: “I am going to separate you into different areas to work alone. Use your markers to draw a picture using the shapes on your papers.” Send the children to work on their art. This could be in different rooms or corners of the room—just far enough apart so they cannot see each other’s work. When the children are finished, gather together and let them show their artwork. Read to the children: “Everyone had the same shapes, but look how differently the pictures came out! Each of you had a creative, unique perspective on the same shapes. Similarly, everyone’s different ideas can help us come up with solutions to problems we face every day. If you are having difficulty making something or trying to make a job go faster or finding an easier way to do something, ask God and others for their ideas to give you a new, creative perspective.”

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“All Creatures of Our God and King”Hymn History of

It was a sweltering day. The Italian summer sun streamed fiercely over tan grasses and the dark green of wizened olive trees. A middle-aged man sat quietly, listening to the wind in the trees and the singing of birds and feeling the warmth of the sun—but his sight was quickly failing. He had contracted trachoma, a painful eye infection which in those days so long ago often brought blindness.

With shaking quill, the solitary man slowly penned in his language a creative record of the joy in his soul:

“All creatures of our God and King, Lift up your voice and with us sing,

Alleluia! Alleluia! Thou burning sun with golden beam, Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

O praise Him! O praise Him! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!”

The man was Giovanni Bernardone. Born more than 800 years ago and raised in a wealthy family, he experienced an indulgent life until age twenty-five, when he dramatically changed his ways and dedicated his life to God. He left the rich inheritance that was his due and chose to live a simple life of self-denial. What a change it was to leave a life of opulence to one of wearing simple tunics, eating plain foods, and living with only the bare necessities. Also known as Francis of Assisi, he spent his days preaching and tenderly helping the poor of Italy.

Francis creatively used examples from the world surrounding him to praise His Lord, acknowledging the fact that all creation does give glory to its Maker. Not only is God’s

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Hymn History of “All Creatures of Our God and King” page 2

amazing creativity shown in the bewildering variety and diversity of the animal kingdom, but it is also highlighted in the crucial exactitude and mutual dependence between the sun, moon, and earth. They all indeed praise Him! Notice the acknowledgement of the Trinity in the final verse, as it concludes:

“Let all things their Creator bless, And worship Him in humbleness,

O Praise Him, Alleluia! Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son

And praise the Spirit, Three in One.”

In his latter days, with his declining health and deteriorating eyesight, Francis lived peacefully just outside the Italian village of Assisi. He passed away in October of 1226 A.D., the year after writing this hymn.

The English translation we are familiar with did not come into being until sometime around 1900, when an English rector named William Draper translated it for a children’s choir festival. Translating a hymn requires a great deal of creativity—the translator must find the right words, ones which convey the original writer’s meaning, while also making them rhyme! Tribute to Mr. Draper’s success in this area is found in this hymn’s continued popularity, more than a hundred years later.

May we, as Francis of Assisi, be inspired by God’s creation and join in singing His praise. May we creatively seek ways to express and proclaim praises to our Lord, as He is worthy of all praise!

Bibliography:• Osbeck, Kenneth W., 101 Hymn Stories, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, 1982.• Stuber, Stanley I., The Illustrated Bible And Church Handbook, Galahad Books, New York City, 1966.• Reynolds, William J., Hymns of Our Faith, Broadman Press, Nashville, 1964.

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