ULC Sacred Summer Adventure, Day Five - The Celebration of Life

Objective: By the end of this lesson, the students will appreciate the beauty and preciousness of life, reflect on their hopes, dreams, and goals, and celebrate the Universal Life Church and its principles.

Materials:

• Whiteboard or flipchart
• Markers
• Paper
• Pens or pencils
• Art supplies (crayons, colored pencils, etc.)
• Life wheel template (optional, can be created on the whiteboard or flipchart)

Introduction:

1. Begin by briefly recapping the previous day's lesson on the joy of service and its significance in the Universal Life Church.
2. Ask the students to reflect on the lessons they have learned throughout the Vacation Bible School.

Discussion - Celebrating Life:

1. Write the words "Celebration of Life" on the whiteboard or flipchart and ask the students what these words mean to them.
2. Engage the students in a discussion about the beauty and preciousness of life, encouraging them to share what they appreciate about their own lives and the world around them.
3. Discuss how the Universal Life Church principles of love, peace, and understanding can enhance and enrich our lives.

Activity - Create a Life Wheel:

1. Explain that the students will be creating a Life Wheel to represent their hopes, dreams, and goals.
2. Provide each student with a piece of paper and art supplies.
3. Optionally, create a Life Wheel template on the whiteboard or flipchart by drawing a large circle divided into sections representing different areas of life (e.g., family, friends, school, hobbies, personal growth).
4. Ask the students to reflect on each area and think about their hopes, dreams, and goals within each category.
5. Instruct the students to draw and write down their hopes, dreams, and goals within each section of the Life Wheel.
6. Encourage them to be creative and use colors or symbols that represent their aspirations.

Sharing and Reflection:

1. Give students an opportunity to share their Life Wheels with the group, explaining their hopes, dreams, and goals within each category.
2. As each student shares, encourage the class to offer words of encouragement and support.
3. Facilitate a discussion on the importance of setting goals, pursuing dreams, and finding fulfillment in life.

Celebration of the Universal Life:

1. Guide the students in a reflective activity, asking them to silently think about how the Universal Life Church principles have impacted their lives during the Vacation Bible School.
2. Encourage them to express gratitude for the lessons learned, the connections made, and the growth experienced.
3. Optionally, lead a closing prayer or moment of reflection to express gratitude and celebrate the Universal Life Church.

Conclusion:

1. Summarize the key points discussed during the lesson, emphasizing the beauty and preciousness of life and the importance of celebrating it.
2. Reinforce the idea that living each day to the fullest and aligning our actions with the Universal Life Church principles can bring fulfillment and happiness.
3. Encourage the students to carry the lessons learned during the Vacation Bible School into their daily lives, spreading love, peace, and understanding.

Note: Create an inclusive and respectful environment during the sharing and reflection activities, allowing students to share at their comfort level. Be mindful of any diversity within the group and foster an atmosphere of acceptance and appreciation for different perspectives.

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