The Prophet Experiment

To help the children experience what it means to be a prophet by challenging them to take a visual stand for something in which they believe.

The children will create and then wear for one week a ?Prophet Button? to give them an experience of speaking out for those suffering from some injustice.

• Chalkboard or flip chart
• Art supplies (construction paper, scissors, glue, markers)
• Plastic lids from 16-ounce soft margarine containers (one per child)
• Safety pins
• Tape

• As a group, answer and discuss the following questions (or brainstorm with the children some of the injustices they see in their own lives): If God were to send your country a prophet, what do you think the message would be? If God were to send your neighborhood a prophet, what do you think the message would be? If God were to send you personally a prophet, what do you think the message would be?
• If necessary, suggest some of the following examples:

-homelessness and lack of decent of housing

- killing the unborn (abortion) or the sick and elderly (euthanasia)

- children being put down or ridiculed at school

- families unable to afford adequate health care

- people choosing dishonesty and greed over the welfare of others

- environmental issues, such as polluted air and water, the destruction of wetlands and natural resources

• List on the chalkboard what the children think is God's message concerning these different injustices.
• Individually or with a partner, ask the children to write a short slogan that expresses God's message about one of the injustices mentioned. (Examples: ?All Life is Precious!? or ?Respect Creation?Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!?)
• Once the children have decided on their prophetic statement, tell them that they will each create a ?Prophet Button? to wear every day during the coming week.
• Using the plastic lids as templates, cut a circle out of the construction paper.
• Trim it to be just large enough to fit inside the plastic lid.
• Tell each child to write his or her slogan clearly on his or her paper circle, using a dark marker.
• Glue the paper circle inside the plastic lid and securely tape a safety pin to the back of the lid.
• Ask the children to wear their ?Prophet Buttons? every day for a week and to make note of any reactions that they get from other people.
• Be prepared to discuss their experience the next time your group meets.

Art/Space Smart, People Smart, Self Smart, Word Smart

The children could be asked to keep a journal of their experiences.

The children might need some preparation for how to handle any negative comments or reactions that they receive during the week.

If there are children in your group with special needs (physical, visual, hearing, language, or behavioral disabilities), adapt the activity accordingly.