Tapestry of Faith: Riddle and Mystery: A Program on the Big Questions for Grade 6

Alternate Activity 4: Thinking of Cats

Activity time: 15 minutes

Materials for Activity

Preparation for Activity

  • Make a copy of Leader Resource 2 for each small group of three or four youth.

Description of Activity

This activity helps youth understand how beliefs about big questions can help shape responses to daily events.

Tell the group they are going to look at beliefs and cats. Divide participants into groups of three or four. Give each group a pencil and a copy of Leader Resource 2. Say that the groups will meet separately and to consider answers to the "Cat Questions" on Leader Resource 2. They can use the pencil to make notes on the page if they wish, but they do not have to write whole answers. They will share their thoughts in a few minutes when the groups get back together.

Give the groups seven or eight minutes to answer the questions. If some finish very quickly, encourage them to think again and see if they can find some alternate ideas.

Bring the groups together to share their ideas. How did having new "religious" ideas change what they thought about the cat? How would the ideas change their actions? How do they think ancient people decided that cats were divine or reincarnated humans? How have they decided in their own lives what to believe about cats?