LOVE REACHES OUT - Love In Action

Caring for All God’s Creatures

Scripture: Matthew 10:29 Charity: SPCA Response: How do we look after God's creatures?

Theme: God shows love for His creation and so should we.

Aim:  Children will be able to connect the Bible’s mandates to care for animals with their own behaviour.  Children will become familiar with the SPCA and “Five Freedoms” of standards in order to learn how to care for all of God’s creatures.

A note about “Caring for God’s Creatures” Because it is not as common to focus on animals in our study and application of the Bible, one might wonder why we would include animals in a biblical curriculum on Love in Action (social justice). First of all, the bible references the treatment of animals many times as an indicator of Godly behavior. Secondly, lack of compassion for animals is often an indicator of future lack of compassion for humans.

1. Biblical Treatment of Animals: While God gave animals to humans for food, clothing and beasts of burden, (Genesis 1:28,29) God also demonstrated compassion for animals and administered rules for ethical treatment of God’s creatures. Matthew 10:29 “Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But not one of them falls to the ground outside your Father’s care.” Proverbs 12:10-12 “A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” When observance of the Sabbath was mandated, God’s creatures were included in that rest period. 2. Indicators of future behavior: “Children who abuse animals are sending out clear warning signs that they pose a risk to themselves as well as to others. The National School Safety Council, the US Department of Education, the American Psychological Association, and the National Crime Prevention Council agree that animal cruelty is a warning sign for at-risk youth.” (Randour, M.L. (2004) “Experts agree that early prevention and treatment of animal cruelty is the key to stopping the cycle of violence, because as aggressive children get older, they are less responsive to therapeutic intervention.” (Kazdin, A.E. (1995)

Materials needed:  A Biblical costume similar to that which David (or a shepherd) would have worn (or)  A male puppet or doll (or)  A photocopy of pictures of David found in the appendix One Photocopy of each of the following found in the appendix:  Prayer of Saint Francis (appendix - this may be printed on A3 if possible)  Prayer of Saint Francis (appendix- printed as a small card to be taken home)  Scripture Cards  Five Freedom cards (A4)  Five Freedoms poster (optional)

Time in Church/School Chapel Service If you meet in a large-group setting (such as church or school “chapel”) as well as a smaller group (children’s ministry programme/”Sunday School”, introduce the founding of the SPCA.

Begin with this question:

“What would you do if I brought a donkey into church today? (wait for responses) Do you think it would get people’s attention?”

A man named Richard Martin did just that in a courtroom in 1822. He discovered that another man named Bill Burns was caught beating his donkey. This trial was the first time in recorded history that someone was legally punished for .

Richard Martin was not just a government official, he was also a Christian man.

On the 18th of June in 1824, he got together with some other men who also believed that serving God included looking after his creatures. In a coffee house in London on that day, they formed the first Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. (SPCA). You might be surprised to know that one of the founding members was . Does anyone know what he’s famous for? The abolition (ending) of slavery - If none of the children can guess, ask the adults for help...or try giving this silly multiple choice: ask them to put their thumbs up when you come to the right answer: a) The invention of jelly beans. b) Winning the Boston Marathon. c) Helping to get rid of human slavery. d) Wearing mismatched socks.

Now the SPCA has chapters all over the world, including in New Zealand. They work to keep animals safe, healthy and happy: just as God intended!

Sing together: “The Prayer of Saint Francis” The lyrics and tune can be found at: https://youtu.be/ihhvm6eLWZI

Time in "Sunday School" or Classroom:

Opening Prayer and Greeting Time: As each child enters, greet and welcome him or her by name. Introduce anyone who is new to the group. Let the children know that today we are going to be talking about animals and ask if anyone has a pet or pets? What are their names? (“My name is Melinda and I have two fish. Their names are Bubbles and Slick.”)

Introduce the prayer attributed to St. Francis:

“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy.

O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.”

For younger children, use just the first verse. The second verse may be added in later lessons, or used for children who need extension. You may want to consider printing this prayer as found in the appendix as we will be using it each week. If you have printed the smaller prayer cards, these may be taken home at the end of the lesson for the children to use in their daily prayer time.

Or you could use this version:

Dear God

As I live every day, Help me to be a channel for peace. May I bring love where there is hatred and healing where there is hurt; joy where there is sadness and hope where there is fear. I pray that I may always try to understand and comfort other people as well as seeking comfort and understanding from them. Wherever possible may I choose to be a light in the darkness a help in times of need and a caring, honest friend. May I be a great carer of your creation May justice, kindness, and peace flow through our hearts forever.

Amen (said by all)

It’s time to open the bible: Exploring the word What does the Bible say about Caring for God’s Creatures?

Animal welfare is mentioned in many places throughout the Bible. To make these concepts easier for children to grasp, we have chosen to use the person of David to characterize someone who treats God’s creatures in a compassionate and responsible manner. It is safe to assume David would have been a good example because his protection of his flock not only enabled him to face Goliath, but also shows that he was willing to risk his life to ensure the safety creatures put under his care. Because he was a “man after God’s own heart” he would have observed the many laws concerning animal welfare that God laid out in Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Proverbs. David’s dedication to his animal flock later served him well when he became king and was required to care for a human “flock.”

Three ways to tell the story: 1. Dress up as David or ask someone to dress up as David to come in as a “special guest.” 2. Use a puppet or male doll to tell the story. 3. Show pictures (see appendix) of David while telling the story.

The Story:

Hi! My name is David. I had lots of older brothers who were big and handsome, but I had been chosen to look after my father’s sheep.

What do you think my sheep needed to survive? (Listen to and encourage children’s suggestions here...it will get them thinking about the Five Freedoms: food, shelter, medical attention, exercise, love and understanding)

Sometimes, while I was out in the field, a lion or a bear would try to carry off one of the sheep. I had to fight it off. It was scary, but I knew God was with me and wanted me to look after his creatures.

Later, I learned that God’s people were under attack. I went to the battlefield and saw a giant called Goliath. (Give me a “thumbs up” if you have heard of this story?) I knew that God had prepared me for this moment. After I fought Goliath and won, everyone was surprised because I was so small. But God knew I could do it with His help.

After a few years, God’s people chose me to be their king. I looked after the people of my kingdom in much the same way I looked after my sheep. Can you think of what my people might have needed to live happy and healthy lives? (Again, listen to any suggestions the children might have at this point.)

Introduction of Modern Charity: SPCA

Ask: In our story, David talked about the things that animals (sheep) need to survive. Can you remember what some of those things are?

(Write the children’s suggestions on a white board or poster)

New Zealand has a special group or charity that looks after animals and makes sure that they are getting what they need. Does anyone know what that group is called?

SPCA – Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (See poster in appendix)

The SPCA has several different offices all over New Zealand to help people care for their animals and to help animals who are in trouble. The SPCA has several jobs: Prevent Cruelty to Animals Rescue animals who are in danger Seek justice for animals who have been abused (find consequences for people who are mean to animals) Help bring back animals to health Provide shelter for unwanted or injured animals and find good homes for them Teach people how to look after animals properly and explain what happens if they don’t

Exploring the work of the SPCA through Game:

A few years ago, a law was passed to help people understand what was needed to be a good caretaker of animals. The SPCA has called this the “FIVE FREEDOMS”

Earlier, you told me what was needed to keep animals and people healthy and happy. Let’s see if we came close to the FIVE FREEDOMS.

(Use the cards from the appendix to introduce the freedoms one at a time and find the suggestion made by the children that matches it.)

Freedom from hunger and thirst (food and water) Freedom from discomfort (shelter) Freedom from pain, injury and disease (medical care) Freedom to express normal behaviour (exercise) Freedom from fear and distress (love and understanding)

To review these Five Freedoms, we’re going to play a game.

(Before the lesson, print out the Five Freedom and scripture cards from the appendix)

Place the Five Freedom cards around the room in distinct areas on the floor. You may want to “frame” them using a hula hoop, jump rope, or piece of yarn or string. ***To liven up this lesson, you may want to accompany the “Freedom” cards with a physical symbol to represent that freedom: #1: A food and/or water bowl #2: A small dog house or animal bed #3: A first aid kit #4: A dog lead or something to represent grass #5: A Heart or a soft toy for cuddles

Distribute the scripture cards so that each child or pairs of children have a card. (If you have a multi-age class, it is best to pair readers with non-readers. If you have a younger group, use the scripture cards with pictures and go through the cards together, reading them aloud. Find “homes” for them as a group.)

Ask the students to read their cards and think about which of the five freedoms would apply to this scripture. They should go and put their cards into the “frame” (or nearby) the freedom. (Some scriptures describe more than one freedom, and so will be repeated. If a child/group sees that their scripture is already there, they should try and think of a different freedom that it would fit.)

When they’ve finished, walk around as a group and read the freedom and the corresponding scriptures. Make adjustments as necessary, but leave room for interpretation. If it seems to fit, then it’s okay if the result is not the same as outlined in the lesson. (The number of the intended matching “freedom” is printed in the bottom corner of the scripture card.)

Talk about why the scripture fits with that freedom.

Love in Action: Forming and Planning our Response:

Now that we know what it means to look after God’s creatures, how can we share this with others in our community?

(Listen and record the children’s ideas.)

Here are some suggestions: 1. If we have pets of our own, we can make sure that we are providing them with the Five Freedoms. 2. We can help others know about the Five Freedoms and the importance of showing compassion to animals in our care. Make a poster of the Five Freedoms and ask to display it in our classroom, church, homes or community centre. 3. Hold a mini fund-raiser (bake sale, mufti or pajama day) to raise money for your local SPCA. 4. Participate in your local SPCA “Cupcake Day.” See http://www.spcacupcakeday.co.nz/ for details.

Responding in Prayer:

One of the ways that David was able to be such a good shepherd of his sheep and his people was that he regularly talked to God. What do you think we could talk to God about today to help us become good caretakers for His creatures? (Listen to and record the children’s suggestions.) Ask if anyone would like to pray out loud to close our session this week. If the children are shy about this, you could break it up and ask them to each take a scripture or a “freedom” card. When it is their turn, they can read out (or talk about the picture) their card as a prayer.

Example: “Freedom from Fear and distress” Dear God, please help us to be kind to animals so they do not have to be afraid.

If you are short on time and/or if your group is not familiar with praying aloud, finish by repeating the prayer of St. Francis together.

Send each child home with a copy of the Five Freedoms poster along with the corresponding scriptures.

More on the Founding of the SPCA (or RSPCA)

On Wednesday 16 June 1824 a meeting was convened in Old Slaughter’s Coffee House in St. Martin’s Lane, London. The meeting had been called by Reverend Arthur Broome (1779-1837) for the purpose of creating what he called a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). Present at that meeting were various Christian luminaries including Thomas MP, Sir James Mackintosh MP, William Wilberforce MP, Richard Martin MP, and . Arthur Broomewas appointed as the SPCA’s first Secretary, a position that on paper he officially held until 27 February 1828.

At the first meeting on 16 June 1824 there were twenty-two men who formed two different committees within the SPCA. One committee had as its brief the responsibility for arranging the publication of material (including sermons). The publications were meant to persuade the body politic to shift in its attitudes about the abuse of animals. The second committee was concerned with finding ways to monitor the actual conduct of people on the streets, at the London abbatoir, and in professions such as coachmen where animals were used in hard-labour.

Excerpt from: http://animalsmattertogod.com/2012/06/16/reverend-arthur-broome- founder-of-rspca-part-one/