Help participants associate biblical concepts with scientific discoveries in a fun way.
Activity
- Matching game: In this game, participants match biblical stories or principles with corresponding scientific facts (eg, matching the story of Noah’s Ark with the concept of animal habitats or ecosystems).
- Discussion: After the game, discuss how science can help us understand and appreciate the stories and principles from the Bible.
Below are the pairs of biblical stories or principles with corresponding scientific facts for the matching game. After matching, each pair can serve as a discussion starter to explore how science and faith can work together.
1. Creation story (Genesis 1-2)
Biblical concept: God created the heavens, the earth, and all living things in six days.
Scientific fact: The earth’s biosphere supports a vast diversity of life forms, all interconnected through ecosystems and food chains.
2. Noah’s Ark (Genesis 6-9)
Biblical concept: Noah preserved two of every kind of animal on the ark during the flood.
Scientific fact: Biodiversity is crucial for maintaining balanced ecosystems, where each species plays a specific role in the environment.
3. The Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32)
Biblical concept: The mustard seed, though small, grows into a large tree.
Scientific fact: Photosynthesis allows plants to grow from small seeds into large trees by converting sunlight into energy.
4.The Story of Elijah and the Ravens (1 Kings 17:1-6)
Biblical concept: Ravens fed Elijah in the wilderness, showing God’s provision.
Scientific fact: Birds such as ravens are known for their intelligence and problem-solving abilities, often using tools and adapting to various environments.
5. The Good Shepherd (John 10:1-18; Psalm 23)
Biblical concept: Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares for his flock, leading them to green pastures and still waters.
Scientific fact: Shepherds manage livestock by rotating grazing fields to ensure sustainable pasture growth and maintain healthy ecosystems.
6. Jonah and the Big Fish (Jonah 1-4)
Biblical concept: A large fish swallowed Jonah, showing God's control over nature.
Scientific fact: Marine biology studies the diverse life forms in the ocean, including large marine animals like whales, which play a vital role in the marine ecosystem.
7. Manna from Heaven (Exodus 16:4-31)
Biblical concept: God provided manna, a miraculous food, to the Israelites in the desert.
Scientific fact: Edible plants and natural food sources have sustained human civilisations for centuries, with botany studying how plants provide food, medicine, and materials.
8. The Ten Plagues (Exodus 7-12)
Biblical concept: God sent 10 plagues to Egypt, including turning the Nile to blood and swarms of locusts.
Scientific fact: Environmental science studies natural disasters and phenomena such as algal blooms (which can turn water red) and locust swarms, which affect ecosystems and agriculture.
9. The Sun Stands Still (Joshua 10:12-14)
Biblical concept: God made the sun stand still to help the Israelites win a battle.
Scientific fact: Astronomy studies the sun’s position in the sky, earth’s rotation, and the concept of day and night.
10. The Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-31)
Biblical concept: God parted the Red Sea to allow the Israelites to escape from Egypt.
Scientific fact: Oceanography studies tides, waves, and water movement, which affect the seas and oceans around the world.
Game instructions
- Preparation: Write each biblical concept and its corresponding scientific fact on separate cards.
- Playing the game: Shuffle the cards and spread them out face down. Students take turns flipping two cards, trying to find a matching pair (one biblical concept and one scientific fact).
- Winning: The player with the most matches at the end of the game wins.
- Discussion: After the game, discuss how each scientific fact helps us understand and appreciate the corresponding biblical story or principle. Encourage students to think about how science and faith complement each other.
This game will help students see the connection between the biblical stories they learn and the scientific principles that explain the natural world, fostering a deeper appreciation for both faith and science.