Be able to find Psalm 8 in the Old Testament of the Bible. Know that David wrote Psalm 8; that Psalm 8 is a psalm of worship and praise Discuss that God has created the whole world (universe) and humankind. Understand God took care when creating the world and each person in it. We are important to God because we are part of God's creation.
PREPARATION
Materials List
Bibles CD of Praise music [Optional] CD Player [Optional] Cups [Optional] Juice [Optional] Napkins Plates
Cooking Ingredients/Supplies
Baking soda Buttermilk Eggs Flour, all purpose and whole wheat Honey Salt
Baking equipment and supplies such as bowls, cookie sheets, measuring cups and spoons Parchment paper Kitchen and oven
Advance Preparation
Read through entire lesson, especially the cooking portion.
Read Psalm 8. Pray for understanding
Review a class list of students. Pray for each child by name (or for children in general if you do not have a class list).
Class Room Set-Up:
If possible, set up kitchen stations to accommodate 3-4 children each
Estimate the baking supplies needed which will depend on the number of children expected.
Set out bowls, baking sheets, ingredients and measuring spoons as desired.
To save time, pre-measure ingredients or pre-mix the dough.
Open -- Introduction (5 minutes)
Introduce yourself. Be sure each of the children know you, and each other. Welcome any visitors. Explain that in today’s class you will be cooking. Ask each child to share his/her favorite food to cook (not eat).
Dig -- Main Content (10 Minutes)
Direct the class to open their Bibles to Psalm 8. Be sure to help young or new students with finding this Psalm. Generally discuss the Psalms with the class:
Where do we find the Psalms? (Old Testament) Who wrote many of the Psalms? (David) Who wrote this Psalm? (David) How do we know? (Reference the heading on the Psalm; point it out to the children)
Ask for 9 volunteers to read aloud to the class. Let them stand in front of the class or at their seats. Count off from 1 to 9. Explain that the child is who is number 1 should read Psalm 8:1, child who is number 2 should read Psalm 8:2 and so forth.
Instruct the readers to read clearly and slowly. Instruct the children who are listening to close their eyes and listen carefully (model this yourself by closing your eyes). Listen as Psalm 8 is read aloud.
Ask the students to share with the class the parts of this Psalm that they really like. If the discussion allows it, emphasize the following teaching points:
God has created the whole world (universe) and all humankind.
God took care when creating the world and people.
We are important to God because we are part of God's creation.
If these teaching points do not come out in the discussion, then discuss the following:
What does verse 3 tell us about God? (He created the heavens, moon, and stars. He did this personally “the work of your fingers.” God put everything in its place – the stars, moon, earth, oceans. God had a plan for how everything should be made and put together – He made sure this plan was followed.
Read verses 4-6, and tell me what you think God thinks about people? (He cares for us (verse 4); God has crowned us with glory and honor (verse 5) – an awesome idea… ask the kids if they ever thought about being crowned and being special like that; God has put humans in charge of everything that was created (verse 6). Is humankind in charge of some things or all things? Verse 6 says that “everything is under his feet.”
What should our response be to God? (verse 2 implies that we should praise God; also, God wants us to take good care of each other and creation).
End the discussion with a prayer of thanksgiving – that God has created each of us and the entire world. We are so special and loved by God.
Cooking Activity (30-40 Minutes)
Explain that the students will be making Wheat Soda Biscuits. Review the ingredients and the instructions for the recipe.
Wheat Soda Bread
Ingredients
2 cups whole wheat flour ½ cup all purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1¼ cup lowfat buttermilk 1 large egg 3 tablespoons honey
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375º. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
In large bowl, combine flour, salt, and soda.
In medium bowl, whisk together buttermilk, egg, and honey.
Make well in center of flour mixture and pour in liquid mixture. Stir until ingredients are evenly moistened. Do not overmix.
On lightly floured surface, shape dough in biscuit-sized pieces. Place on prepared baking sheet. Bake about 15 minutes (watch closely), or until nicely browned.
Cool on rack as time will allow.
Guide the students as they prepare the dough.
As they work, guide the conversation. As the dough is shaped by the children recall Psalm 8:3 “the works of your hands”. As they mix the dough, ask the kids if God needed flour to make the world the way we need it to make our biscuits (No, God needed nothing.) Emphasize that the Bible tells us God's hands shaped the world, just like they are shaping the biscuits.
Allow 10 minutes to make and shape the dough, if several ingredients are pre-measured for the kids.
The biscuits take 10-15 minutes to bake. While they are baking, have kids help you clean up dishes, set out honey in small bowls, and so forth. Play some praiseful, psalm-based music during this time, if desired.
The last 5-10 minutes should be spent enjoying the biscuits and honey.
ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS
Any cooking activity where the kids have to use their hands to prepare/shape the food is fine to use for this lesson. Point is that they are shaping the food, just like God shaped creation.
Adaptation - Younger Children
For younger (preschool) children, consider having the soda bread dough prepared in advance, and/or using frozen bread dough to make something like cinnamon buns.
Another cute adaptation -- use store-purchased sugar cookie dough; roll out; each child place hand on rolled-out dough while an adult cuts (traces) around the hand. Bake and decorate with "creation-like" decorations (stars, moons, animal crackers). If you chose this option, bake the hand cookies first; while the cookies bake and cool, do your Bible story; decorate with icing and decorations after the Bible story.
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