Treasure in Polystyrene Cups

An example of active learning
by Mark Tittley
Based on a concept from Get Real: Making Core Christian Beliefs Relevant to Teenagers, by Mike Nappa, Amy Nappa and Michael Warden (Group Publishing, 1996. ISBN 1-55945-708-2, 175pp).

Break young people into pairs. Have youth tell their partner what they think is the most valuable thing in their life. Allow youth to share with the large group. Give each person a coin (ie. 20c piece). Tell youth that the coin represents everything they think is valuable. Because it is their treasure - because it is so valuable - instruct them to put it in a container to protect it. Hand each person a polystyrene cup. Then have them decorate the outside of the cup using pens and crayons. Let people vote for which is the best cup.
Take the best one and destroy it (without warning, just smash it with your hand).
Be prepared for shock-horror response.

Ask:

• Does the cup make the treasure anymore valuable?
• Was the treasure any less valuable after the cup was smashed?
• What kind of treasure is inside each of you?

Have youth read 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 - we are like clay jars; or polystyrene cups - the real value is what is insire the cup and not the cup itself. What is this treasure? It is that people are created in God's Image (Genesis 1:26-27; Psalm 8:4-8; James 3:9). We are not products of random chance. We are created beings with dignity, value and responsibility. It is the image of God gives us value (Matt 10:29-31; 25:34-40). We are treasure because of the image of God.

God thinks we are special.

E-mail Mark Tittley directly at: mark.t@pixie.co.za