God Gives Us Creative Gifts: Art in the Bible

Materials Needed

• Child-safe crayons, colored pencils, or washable markers
• White paper or construction paper
• Optional: cardboard, craft sticks, yarn, stickers, or paper shapes
• Glue and child-safe scissors
• A Bible or children’s Bible
• Optional: a small basket or box for an art-tool “treasure hunt”
• Wipes or a washable table covering

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, the child will be able to:

• Tell one way art was used in the Bible.
• Name at least two colors, shapes, or materials used in an artwork.
• Create an artwork inspired by a Bible story.
• Explain one choice they made in their artwork.

Success Criteria

I can:

• Listen to a Bible art story.
• Use colors, shapes, or materials to make art.
• Tell someone what my artwork means.

Introduction: The Art Detective

Time: 5 minutes

Show the child the art supplies and ask:

• “What can we make with these supplies?”
• “What is your favorite color?”
• “Do you think people in Bible times made art?”

Say:

“Today we will learn about a very special artist in the Bible. Then we will make our own art to show something beautiful and important.”

Bible Connection: Bezalel, a Skilled Artist

Time: 5–7 minutes

Read a short, child-friendly selection from Exodus 31:1–5 or tell the story in simple words:

“God chose a man named Bezalel to help make beautiful things for the special meeting place, called the tabernacle. Bezalel could work with gold, silver, bronze, wood, and cloth. God gave him special skills to make and decorate things.”

Explain:

“Bezalel was an artist and a builder. He used his hands and his imagination. The Bible teaches that creative skills are gifts we can use to help others and show love.”

Talk Together

• “What kinds of things did Bezalel make?”
• “What tools might an artist use?”
• “What kind of art do you enjoy making?”

Body: I Do, We Do, You Do

I Do: Teacher or Adult Demonstration

Time: 5 minutes

Make a simple example of Bible-inspired art. For example, draw a colorful tent to represent the tabernacle, or make a pattern with shapes and colors.

Think aloud:

• “First, I choose what I want to show.”
• “Next, I choose my colors.”
• “Now I add shapes and patterns.”
• “I can explain that my picture shows a special place where people worshiped God.”

Emphasize that there is no single “right” artwork. Art can look different because each person has different ideas.

We Do: Color and Shape Experiment

Time: 5 minutes

Invite the child to help make a shared pattern on a piece of paper.

1. Choose one shape, such as a circle, triangle, or square.
2. Choose two or three colors.
3. Make a repeating pattern together, such as red-blue-red-blue.
4. Add lines, dots, or swirls.

Ask:

• “What shape should we use next?”
• “What color would look good beside this one?”
• “How does the pattern change when we add a new color?”

You Do: Create Bible-Inspired Art

Time: 15–20 minutes

Let the child choose one project:

Choice A: A Colorful Tabernacle

Draw or build a special tent using paper, shapes, colors, and patterns. Add people, trees, or animals if desired.

Choice B: Bezalel’s Art Workshop

Draw Bezalel making something beautiful. The child may add pretend tools, wood, cloth, shiny objects, or decorations.

Choice C: A Thankful Art Design

Create a picture or pattern showing something the child is thankful for. Encourage the child to use colors and shapes to show feelings.

As the child works, ask open-ended questions:

• “What are you making?”
• “Why did you choose that color?”
• “What part are you most proud of?”
• “What would you like to add next?”

Give specific encouragement:

• “You used three different shapes.”
• “You kept trying when the paper moved.”
• “You explained your idea clearly.”

Movement Break: Make an Artist Statue

Time: 3 minutes

Call out an art-making action and invite the child to pretend:

• “Pretend to paint a giant wall.”
• “Pretend to hammer wood.”
• “Pretend to weave colorful cloth.”
• “Freeze like a statue!”

Formative Assessment: Quick Checks

During the lesson, check understanding by asking:

• “Who was Bezalel?”
• “What did Bezalel use his skills to make?”
• “Show me one shape in your artwork.”
• “Tell me one color you chose.”

Listen for whether the child can connect Bezalel with art, building, decorating, or making beautiful things.

Summative Assessment: Art Show and Tell

Time: 5 minutes

Invite the child to present the finished artwork to a family member, stuffed animal, or small group. Use these sentence starters:

• “My artwork shows __________.”
• “I used the color __________ because __________.”
• “My favorite part is __________.”

Simple assessment checklist:

• The child listened to or participated in the Bible story.
• The child used at least two colors, shapes, or materials.
• The child created an original artwork.
• The child explained one part of the artwork.

Differentiation and Adaptations

For a Child Who Needs More Support

• Offer only two or three art materials at a time.
• Provide simple shapes to trace or glue.
• Use the sentence frame: “I made a __________.”
• Let the child dictate an explanation while the adult writes it down.
• Allow extra time and focus on effort rather than a finished product.

For a Child Ready for More Challenge

• Invite the child to create a repeating pattern.
• Ask the child to design a new object for Bezalel’s workshop.
• Encourage the child to use three or more materials.
• Ask the child to tell a beginning, middle, and end for the artwork’s story.

Flexible Learning Options

• Use crayons and paper for a simple homeschool activity.
• Set up art stations for a classroom or small group.
• Use digital drawing tools if physical supplies are unavailable.
• Replace cutting and gluing with tearing paper or arranging objects for children who need easier fine-motor activities.

Conclusion: Tell What We Learned

Time: 3–5 minutes

Review the lesson by saying:

“Today we learned about Bezalel. He used his creative skills to make beautiful and important things. We also used our own creative skills to make art.”

Ask the child:

• “What did we learn about Bezalel?”
• “What did you make?”
• “What colors or shapes did you use?”
• “How can we use our creative gifts to help or encourage someone?”

End with a short prayer or reflection:

“Thank You, God, for giving us creative ideas and helping us make beautiful things. Help us use our gifts with kindness. Amen.”

Optional Follow-Up Activity

Create a family or classroom “gallery.” Display the artwork and invite the child to give each piece a title. Revisit the artwork later and ask, “What do you remember about making this?”