第一课 起初神创造天地

经文：创世记一章1-2节，以赛亚书十四章12-15节 目标：

• 认识是神为我们创造了天地

• 认识神起初美丽的创造因为撒但骄傲背叛了神而变成空虚混沌，渊面黑暗

• 学习谦让

诗歌：是谁造天空 背经：神阻挡骄傲的人，赐恩给谦卑的人。（彼得前书五5章5节下） God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. (1 Peter 5:5) 课程内容： 1.认识神是创造者（the creator） 小朋友们，今天早上我们来到这个教室，大家告诉我，你们看到了什么？（凳子、桌子、墙上的图画等等）。很好，大家看到这么多东西。那么大家知道这是哪里来的吗？对，我已经听到你的答案了:“凳子、桌子是木匠(carpenter)做的。至于墙上挂的图画，是叔叔阿姨们买的。” 那么，当你在一个阳光普照的日子跟家人和朋友一起到郊外游玩时，你看见林中的树、田野的草和天上的云，它们又是谁造的呢？是木匠、泥匠或是画家吗？“不！”我已听见你说：“他们怎么行！”也许你们当中有人会说：“是神造的。” 　 你回答的不错，这些美丽的东西都是神造的。这些树木、绿草、溪水、云彩，并不是无缘无故就出现在那里的。曾经有一段时间，这些东西是不存在的。但这一切都是神创造的。 2. 认识神起初美丽的创造因为撒但骄傲背叛了神而变成空虚混沌，渊面黑暗 (To know that God’s great creation became earth without form and an empty waste and darkness over the face of the deep because Satan became proud and betrayed God.) 　 神美好的创造故事可以在圣经的第一页读到：“起初神创造天地。”很久很久以前，神创造了天和地。 但是，奇怪的是，圣经第一句说“起初神创造天地”之后，却接上了一个很不美好的景象，“地是空虚混沌，渊面黑暗”(The earth has existed waste and void, and darkness is on the face of the deep)。神的创造应当是十分美丽的，看看我们头顶的天空，看看路旁的青草、树木，我们怎么会想到，神起初的创造之后地却是空虚混沌，渊面黑暗呢？小朋友们，你们是怎么想的呢？ 其实啊，圣经告诉我们神最开始创造了一个世界是美好而有次序(ordered)的，神也创造了许多的天使，其中有一个最美丽，最有智慧的天使长(archangle)，他是“明亮之星”(Day Star)，也是“早晨之子”(son of the morning)，神把他放在圣山上神的宝座之下，和神最亲近，神也让他做首领管理一切受造之物(all the creature)。可是后来这个天使长却因为自己的美丽和地位骄傲(proud)起来，想要与神一样，于是就背叛(betray)了神，还有三分之一的天使和地上的活物也跟着他背叛了神。神就大大发怒，审判(judge)了这一切，从此那个美好的世界完全改了样子，就变成了刚才我们所提到的景象，空虚混沌，渊面黑暗，多么荒凉啊！ 3.认识骄傲的可怕 小朋友们，骄傲是不是很可怕呢？现在我们知道，在很久很久以前，神有一个原始的创造，是美好而有次序的，撒但原本是其中最美丽最有智慧的天使长。但因为他骄傲，背叛了神，就让自己被神审判，也使那个美好的世界被破坏而荒凉了，这是多么严重的事啊！圣经上说，神阻挡骄傲的人，赐恩给谦卑的人。所以我们千万不能因为觉得自己比别人好就骄傲，要学习每件事上谦让(humble)。 应用与操练——如何在你的孩子心中注入谦卑

• 教导孩子成为一个服侍人的人

• 鼓励孩子承认错误

• 教导孩子有同情心

• 教导孩子满足于自我成就的喜悦，而非凌驾于他人之上的优越感

• 绝不容忍孩子们有失礼的态度与言语

• 鼓励孩子虚心受教，乐于学习

附录：How to instill humility in your children (By Pat Williams, Author, Souls of Steel) 1. Teach them to be servants. If kids see themselves as servants of God and others, they will naturally develop an attitude of humility. Serve their family (setting up the table before dining, cleaning up after meals, doing the laundry, helping loading stuff after shopping) Serve one another Serve the homeless Serve the younger children (babysitting the toddlers, comforting the younger kids, playing with them) 2. Encourage children to admit mistakes. One way to encourage the kids to admit mistakes is by showing mercy when they confess their sins and errors. Tell them over and over again that, when they fail or sin, they can always be forgiven and accepted. A confession will always make life easier for them than a cover-up or a lie. Kids who feel they can safely go to their parents with the awful truth are much less likely to be dishonest and defensive. Another way to encourage kids to admit mistakes is to set an example by admitting our own errors. When we as parents say to our kids,” I was wrong, please forgive me,” we are actually magnified in their eyes. 3. Teach kids to demonstrate empathy toward others. Because humility is essentially a matter of considering the needs and feelings of others, children need to learn sensitivity to the feelings of others. "The neediest of students are the ones who made me really dig deep into my soul. It's the students who are life's 'throw-aways,' the 'unlovable kids,' who inspire me and bring out my empathy for others. I don't believe a person can have true character without empathy for all of humankind. The person of true character will do good to others—not to be recognized, but simply because it's the right thing to do.” "I use cooperative learning to bring out my students' empathy for each other. I teach my students how to help the child who is struggling, how to befriend the unlovable child, how to bring out the best in others around them. Again and again, my students discover it feels good to do good to others. Instead of bribing kids with candy and tokens, we should motivate kids to seek that inner incentive and warm feeling of doing good to others. That intrinsic reward is so much more valuable than a material incentive.” “If we can influence young people to become caring and compassionate, we will give a wonderful gift to the world." 4. Teach young people to take satisfaction rather than pride in their accomplishments. When children perform well or achieve a goal, it's good for them to feel that warm glow of joy that comes from a job well done. But let them know that arrogant or disrespectful behavior is not permitted. When kids excel in academics, sports, music, or some other endeavor, monitor their attitude and behavior. Be alert to signals that they feel superior or look down upon their peers. Encourage good sportsmanship. Help them understand that people of great character acknowledge the achievements of others; only small-minded people engage in smack talk and put-downs. Encourage your kids to use their abilities to serve God and help others. Teach them to enjoy the feeling of a job well done and to thank God for His gifts of talent, strength, and health which make it possible for us to achieve our goals. Everything we have is a gift. We can't take credit for a gift; we can only be grateful to the Giver. Example: “Look, that’s a great job you did on your science fair project. You deserved to win the prize. Now, this is how you handle it in class tomorrow…Let’s practice saying, “Thanks!” “I like the way my friend, Matt, did his project, too.” “I don’t think I could have won without the help of my teacher.” 5. Set a zero-tolerance policy toward disrespectful attitudes and talk. Children should never be permitted to behave rudely or use profane language. Train them to speak and behave respectfully from an early age. Make it clear that you will listen to your kids and consider any complaint or object they may have—as long as it is stated respectfully. When children correct their tone and show they can discuss disagreements in a respectful way, affirm their maturity and character. Let them know that you notice their character growth, and you are proud of the way they conducted themselves, despite the disagreement. 6. Encourage kids to be teachable and coachable. Our kids need to be willing learners. No matter how much they think they know, they can always grow and improve. First, when you teach or coach your kids, be positive. Kids respond to positive coaching, but they resent yelling, shaming, and belittling. If they come to know you as a positive and encouraging parent-coach, they will be more likely to listen and follow your instruction. We sometimes forget how children view the world. If we expect too much of them or treat them harshly, we'll shame them and undermine their confidence. Second, be a good role model. Your kids are watching every move you make. If they detect hypocrisy in your life, they'll use it as an excuse to disregard what you say. As someone has said, our children will become what we are—so we'd better start becoming what we want them to be. Third, praise effort, not results. If a child is only affirmed when he succeeds, he'll become fearful of failure. When a child feels affirmed even when he tries and fails, he has more confidence to take risks and go out on a limb for you. So when your child fails, don't let your disappointment show. Always say, "Great effort! Way to hustle! I'm proud of you!" Fourth, treat your child as a unique personality. Every child is an individual, and the kind of coaching that works with one child may not work with another. Train each child according to his or her unique needs.

#儿童教育