Session 11: Rules, Rules, Rules

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Part of Amazing Grace, 6th Grade: Exploring Right and Wrong

In This Section

Introduction
From Amazing Grace

Rules are not necessarily sacred, principles are. — Franklin D. Roosevelt Session 11 explores the role of rules in people’s lives, sixth-graders’ as well as others. The session is the third of four sessions based on the theme of spiritual development. At first glance, rules seem a simple matter.
Session-at-a-Glance
From Amazing Grace

ACTIVITY MINUTES Opening 5 Activity 1: A Spiritual Moment in Art 10 Activity 2: Your Own Commandments 17 Activity 3: Story and Discussion – Two Monks 10 Activity 4: Ethics Play 15 Faith in Action: Changing Rules 30 Closing 3 Alternate Activity 1: Life and Death Role-Plays 30 Alternate Activity 2:…
Spiritual Preparation
From Amazing Grace

In the days before you present this session, explore the role of art in your own spiritual life. Is it deeply meaningful to you? Examine the visual art in your home and workplace. Did you choose art to decorate your space? Do you feel a spiritual connection with any of the art?…
Opening for Session 11, Rules, Rules, Rules
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Conundrum Corner poster/banner A ruler Chalice and matches Optional: Newsprint, markers and tape Optional: Recording of “Amazing Grace” and music player Optional: Nametags and markers Optional: Decorative cloth for Conundrum Corner Preparation for…
Activity 1: A Spiritual Moment in Art
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Copy of art that depicts Moses and the Ten Commandments Picture of Earth viewed from space Copy of other art that feels spiritual Preparation for Activity Locate and copy art of Moses and the Ten Commandments, a satellite- or astronaut-view of Eart…
Activity 2: Your Own Commandments
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 17 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Inexpensive wooden rulers for each participant Permanent fine-point markers or other instruments for writing on the rulers Preparation for Activity Decide on your approach to the activity and adjust the session if your…
Activity 3: Story and Discussion - Two Monks
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story 1, “Two Monks” Preparation for Activity Read the story. Photocopy Story 1, “Two Monks,” one for each participant. Description of Activity Participants consider what happens when two rules conflict with each other….
Activity 4: Ethics Play
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Two dice (extra large, if possible) of different colors Ethics Play role nametags Ethics Play Scenarios (Session 1, Leader Resources 2-7)….
Closing
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Copies of Taking It Home Preparation for Activity Create a handout from Taking It Home that is specific to the activities used in this session. Description of Activity Briefly summarize what you have done in this session. Hand out any Taking It Home…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Amazing Grace

Meet with your co-leaders after the session to reflect on how it went. How was your mix of discussion and action? Have you successfully found ways to involve all youth fully in your sessions despite any limitations they might have? Have youth accepted and become engaged with Faith in Action? Is…
Faith In Action: Changing Rules
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 30 minutes Materials for Activity Poster board and washable markers Or Letter-writing supplies: paper, pens, envelopes, and stamps Names and addresses of state or national legislators Preparation for Activity Decide on your approach to this activity. If you choose the specific-rule…
Alternate Activity 1: Life and Death Role Plays
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 30 minutes Description of Activity Youth role-play situations involving living things that people often feel free to kill. Remind the group that one of the Ten Commandments says, in biblical language, “Thou shalt not kill.” What does this mean? Does it mean that people should never…
Alternate Activity 2: What Can You Control?
From Amazing Grace

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers and tape Optional for higher-energy approach: Large paper outline of a human figure, sticky notes, and pencils or pens Preparation for Activity Decide on the best approach for your group. Post blank newsprint. Description of…
Taking It Home: Rules, Rules, Rules
From Amazing Grace

Rules are not necessarily sacred, principles are. — Franklin D. Roosevelt IN TODAY’S SESSION… We talked about the story of Moses and the Ten Commandments and saw art related to it. We thought about whether art sometimes makes us feel spiritual, and then about some unwritten rules in our lives.
Two Monks

Jessica York

From Amazing Grace

A Zen Buddhist tale, retold by Jessica York. Two monks set out on a journey, one young, the other older and wiser. It was after the rains and the road was very muddy. At one point in their journey, they encountered a young woman standing before a large mud puddle….
Find Out More
From Amazing Grace

Art Unframed shows great works of art, including http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Moses-Holding-the-Ten-Commandments-Poster… with the Ten Commandments by Phillipe de Champaigne; http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/NYG/30956~El-Vendedor-de-A… Vendedor De Alcatraces (Seller of Alcatraces) by…