Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23, Luke 2:21-40
- Students will learn what the inside of the Temple looked like and how the various items in the Temple were used during Jesus’ time.
- Students will participate in an activity helping them better understand the Temple and its functions.
- Students will learn that not all elderly people are as healthy as Simeon and Anna.
- Students will participate in a service project that help elderly people suffering from dementia.
Guiding Question: How does caring for those with dementia demonstrate God’s love?
Materials: fabric pot holders, placemats, or tote bags, items to attach to fabric pot holders, placemats, or tote bags: ribbons, string of beads, buttons, textured fabrics, pom-poms, fabric glue, hot glue gun
Procedure: Review the scripture above with the students. Explain to the students that not all elderly people are as healthy as Simeon and Anna. Ask the students what health problems may arise as people grow older. Explain dementia, the effects it has on the elderly, and how to help those who suffer from it. Discuss how serving those with dementia would show God’s love.
Introduce the service project. Have the students create items for those with dementia to “fiddle” with. Explain to the students how these items will help those with dementia stay calm. Use fabric glue or a hot glue gun to glue on ribbons, string of beads, textured fabrics, pom-poms, etc. to your choice of fabric pot holders, placemats, or tote bags. Deliver the finished products to an assisted living home or hospital and if possible, bring the students with you. (Contact a facility prior to know how many items will need to be made.)
Additional Questions: How can the students care for the elderly in their community?
Supplemental Activity: Have the students come up with ideas for how to care for the elderly in their community through service projects. After students come up with their ideas, let the students vote on 1-2 ideas to implement together.