Exploring Noah's Ark, the Flood & Creation Workshops
As Answers in Genesis celebrated their one-year-anniversary of the Ark Encounter (with over a million visitors in their first year) and ten years of the Creation Museum (with three million visitors), inspired by their bold witness, we set out to arrange holiday day-programmes for children and their parents, focussing on Exploring Noah's Ark, the Flood and God's Creation.
On the 7th of July (7/7), the first anniversary of the opening of the Ark Encounter – timed to emphasise Genesis 7:7 – we hosted the Noah's Ark and the Flood Workshop. Using the Ark Encounter as a springboard, we explained the true account of the Flood, as found in the Bible, and how the evidence we see today (such as the fossil records all over the world) and other geological proof of this account and therefore also of the accuracy of the Bible. Because of many fairy-tale-like flood and Ark stories in children's story books, many atheists deem the Bible as ridiculous and believe that the Ark could never have floated, nor could it have survived the Flood.
As the Ark Encounter shows, the Biblical Ark did float and had enough space for all the animal kinds, as well as Noah's family to live reasonably comfortably during the cataclysmic Flood. The Flood illustrates the Holiness of God, His wrath against sin and coming Judgement of God – this time by fire and not by water. The Ark of Noah points to His love, mercy and gracious provision of Redemption. As Noah and his family had to enter through the door of the Ark to be saved from God's judgement, so we have to enter through Jesus Who is “the Door” to Heaven.
Then, on the 14th of July we hosted the Exploring Creation and the Creation Museum Day. We focussed specifically on Creation versus Evolution with the goal of equipping the children and adults, to withstand humanist attacks and effectively defend the Faith. Genesis and the Creation account forms the foundation for the whole Bible. If your foundation is not strong, the rest of the building will collapse. We therefore taught the children to correctly understand the Creation account, as well as some of the evidence we have of Creation being the best account of the beginning of the earth, as well as how real science defies evolution.
These were fun and creative days of learning while completing arts, crafts, games and competitions. The programme consisted of a variety of photo-rich presentations, arts and crafts, competitions, songs, films and games. The children could make their own crafts of the Ark, God’s Rainbow and the 6 days of Creation. We sang songs and watched films like Dinosaurs, Genesis and the Gospel, Incredible Creatures that Defy Evolution and God of Wonders documentaries.
While the day mainly focussed on children, we had a separate programme for adults too, presenting the same information in much more detail as to inform and equip parents. God has entrusted the children to their parents to educate. Parents have a great responsibility of teaching their children the Truths of God and bringing them up in the fear of the Lord. “And these Words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9
The purpose for these day programmes were firstly to share the Gospel with the children. Secondly, to awaken a desire in them to know God personally and study His Word diligently. And thirdly, to equip them with the necessary information to withstand the attacks of the world so they can persevere to the end and be effective witnesses for Christ to their friends and neighbours.
We hope to offer many more programmes like these, which have proven to be very successful. Many children and parents asked if we do this regularly and when they can come again. Both parents and children enjoyed the days and learned many new things.
This is some of the feedback we received following our workshops:
“Very educational.”; “I would love to share this with churches and schools. Nice day!”; “Wonderful! I would love to get involved.”
We are open to run Creation Conferences for children and adults or Creation, Ark and Flood Workshops for children, at your School, Church or Holiday Club.
Please contact us if you are eager to host such an event: tershia@christianlibertybooks.co.za; 021-689-7478.
Please also visit the following informative and reliable websites:
www.arkencounter.com www.creationmuseum.org
www.answersingenesis.org www.christianlibertybooks.co.za
Also see:
The Ark Encounter
The Creation Museum Celebrates 10 Years and 3 Million Guests
You can listen to some of the presentations and question and answer discussions on our SermonAudio link:
Exploring the Ark Encounter
Technology in the Ancient World
The Door of the Ark & the Door of Scripture
Will Animals be in Heaven?
Our next programme for Home Educators is a Guided Tour of the Genadendal Mission and Museum (25 July 2017).
CHRISTIAN LIBERTY BOOKS
admin@christianlibertybooks.co.za
www.christianlibertybooks.co.za
021-689-7478