Works of Art Around Us and Within Us
Read Ephesians 2:10.
Introduction
Our goal is to explore and interpret the world around us through the arts, and to discover how God created us as His masterpiece.
Program Idea
Alphabet Photography
This project requires a little creative, and for the women to pay attention to the world around them. Invite the women to look for items that are in the shape of letters. For example, the hands of a clock might form the letter “L,” or the handle on a mug might look like the letter “D.” For example go to Pinterest and search on “alphabet in nature.” When the women see a letter, ask them to take a picture using their phone.
Show the video from this site that gives further explanations:
https://www.theschoolofphotography.com/tutorials/alphabet-photography.
Use this concept to form one of the following words about what God says about us as His work of art:
- Handiwork (Eph 2:10, NIV)
- Workmanship (Eph 2:10, ESV)
- Masterpiece (Eph 2:10, NLT)
- Chosen (1 Peter 2:9)
- Friend of God (John 15:15)
- Daughter (Galatians 3:26)
- A New Creation (Eph 4:22-24)
- Loved (John 3:16)
Tips for the project
- If you have a large group, consider choosing one of the larger words or phrases and have them work as a team, and use a shorter word if you have a smaller group.
- You can search for letters by going on a walk through your neighborhood, going on a fieldtrip, or just looking around your corps building.
- When they are finished, printing the pictures in black and white, which will help make the composition read more like a word and less like a photo.
Origin of the Alphabet
For information on the origin of the alphabet visit this site: https://www.daytranslations.com/blog/origin-english-alphabet.
Work of Art
When was the last time you stopped for a moment to take in the beauty around you? In the busyness of our lives, it’s so easy to block out the world around us as we focus on our to-do lists. It’s almost as if we are wearing blinders. Just stop for a moment and be still. Think, can you hear the birds chirping in the trees, the gentle coolness of the wind, the magnificent array of colors in a sunset? What a shame it would be to pass them by. Today we are reminded to step back and take some time to notice the works of art around us and within us.
Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) tells us this, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.” When you look in the mirror, do you see God’s masterpiece? We look at the world around us and recognize that God made everything for a purpose, but do we believe that about ourselves? He says it right there in His Word, that He made us as a beautiful work of art, and that He has a plan and a purpose for our lives.
Occasionally I find myself watching the birds outside my window. They are always so beautiful and delicate. It’s incredible to see them search for food and to hear their songs. Someday, I could see myself really getting into bird watching and learning all about the different kinds of birds. Through watching them I see God’s grace and creativity through His creation.
I am reminded of the scripture, Matthew 6:26. “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” It is easy for us see the beauty of such a beautiful animal, but sometimes it’s difficult to see the same in ourselves. God tells us that we are so much more valuable than the birds. God made us as His masterpiece, and He loves us so much that He sent His Son to die for us. He gave us the gift of Salvation, but He also gave us a beautiful world to live in until the day that we will join Him in heaven.
My hope for all of us is that we take a moment to see the beauty around us, in nature, in others around us, and in ourselves. We are truly His work of art.
