Art has the power to bring our imagination to life. When we use that art to engage with the scriptures, it can draw students deeply into the scriptures as they meet God with the full power of their imaginations, This hands-on activity helps students explore one of the most well known passages in the Bible through art. If you’d like a whole lesson on John 3:16-17, check out that lesson called “Recovery” here: https://umcyoungpeople.org/the-latest/preview/recovery

Supplies:

• Pastels, colored pencils, pencil, chalk
• Large white and black paper

Play music to help set up the quiet time needed to draw. Set up the art focus by just asking these questions, the art will be their answers:

• What does it mean to recover? What images come to mind when you hear that word?
• How would you illustrate John 3:16-17?
• What comes to mind when you think of what Jesus has done for you?

To help students get their imaginations going, consider asking them to close their eyes while you read John 3:16-17. Tell them to pay attention to the images their imagination produces as you read.

Give students time to explain their art to each other and hang it somewhere others can enjoy their visual expressions of this important passage.