The Sun - Light and Power

Aim

To encourage children to think about God's love as powerful, comforting and always there

Bible Verses

Psalm 19 verses 1-4 and 6 (Living Bible)

Preparation

You will also need:

• suitable tape/CD to create a 'space' atmosphere, for example, Holst Planets Suite - Neptune
• a magnifying glass
• sunglasses

Health and Safety Warning

Please use discretion in how you tell the story. 'Mr Thompson' uses a magnifying glass to show the power of heat in the sun. The story could lead you naturally into talking about why bottles should not be dropped - especially in the countryside.

Focus Table

a globe, sunglasses, a plant, picture of a large sun.

Introduction

Begin with the reading from the Bible. (Adapted from the Living Bible Translation), creating a 'space' atmosphere by playing the tape/CD, and reading slowly and dramatically.

The heavens are telling the glory of God;
they are a marvellous display of His work.
Day and night they keep telling about God.
Without a sound or word,
silent in the skies,
their message reaches out to all the world.
The sun lives in the heavens
where God placed it.
The sun crosses the heavens
from end to end,
and nothing can hide from its heat.

(Let the music play on a bit longer and gradually decrease volume to silence. Pause.)

Reflection

Use the sun on the flip chart or OHP and write in or around it as you talk.

Say that because of the sun we have... daylight; warmth; green plants; food; life.

Introduce the idea that God's love for us is like the warm sunlight, comforting, powerful and everywhere.

Story (Leader) - Nadine learns something amazing

"Never, never, never look at the sun!" said Mr Thompson to his class before they went outside for a science lesson. "You really could damage your eyes if you do".

Everyone was very quiet. Jack immediately tried to squint at the sun through the window, but soon realised he was being watched!

"Let's go out and see why," said Mr Thompson, "Line up please."

As the class lined up at the door, Mr Thompson got a magnifying glass (show). He led the children outside and they all gathered round him on the grass. "Now watch carefully", he said. He arranged a little pile of dried leaves on a bare patch of ground, in the middle of the field.

Mr Thompson held the magnifying glass close to the leaves and waited. Everyone was still. After a minute or two, a small plume of grey whispy smoke started to rise up from the leaves, and they began to smoulder.

Mr Thompson quickly put the magnifying glass back into his pocket and kicked the leaves with his foot. The smoking stopped.

"How did it do that?" asked Nadine. "That was awesome!".

"Well, the sun's rays are SO hot, Nadine", he said, "and the magnifying glass bends them just a bit so they all hit the same point on the leaves...", "that its soon hot enough to burn it!" interrupted Jack.

"So now you know what the sun could do to your eyes! Never, never, never, look at the sun!" said Mr. Thompson, giving Jack a warning look.

Back in the classroom, they had to draw things the sun did, some may be good things some may be harmful.

Nadine drew a plant, which she coloured green, some trees which she coloured brown, a fire which was orange, a big grey cloud.. and a circle which she made blue (globe).

Then she drew some sunglasses. (Show these at appropriate points.) When she had finished she went to show her picture to Mr Thompson and explained to him why she had drawn them. Can you think what she might have said?

© Audrey Bomford

Write up the children's ideas. Some possible answers might be:

• Plant - growth
• Dry forest - no water
• fire - heat
• cloud - rain, evaporation
• globe - light and warmth so we can live
• sunglasses - holidays or sunbathing may be suggested, but explain to children that without light, we could not see and Nadine had drawn these glasses because she was thinking of people who were blind

Prayer

Thank you God that you made light.
Thank you for sunlight.
Thank you God for the warmth of the sun.
Thank you God for the power of the sun.
Thank you God that the sun makes things grow and gives life.
Thank you God that your love is like the sunshine.
Amen.

Song Suggestions

He gave me eyes so I could see: Someone's Singing Lord No 19 A & C Black Ltd.
I love the sun: Someone's Singing Lord No 12 A & C Black Ltd.
We praise you for the sun: Someone's Singing Lord No 13 A & C Black Ltd.
Power in the sun: Audrey Bomford

A Primary Vision resource provided by the Stockport Christians in Schools Trust