resourceType: Art Extra
storyName: Lazarus
learnerLevel: Grades 5-6
Optical Forever Art
Kids create an optical illusion art piece as they remember, “live now, live forever.”

Spark Resources:
None

Supplies:
White paper
Scissors
Rulers
Pens or pencils
Markers
Glue
Construction paper

Set Up:
Cut white paper into 7-inch (18 cm) squares, one per kid.

Instructions:
Like Lazarus, we can beat death with Jesus’ help. If we believe in Jesus, we can live forever with God. Today, you’ll make a piece of optical art that looks like it goes on forever to remind you of what Jesus can do for us.

1. Provide each kid with a 7-inch (18 cm) square piece of paper. 
2. Show kids how to use a ruler to make a diagonal line connecting two opposite corners of the square, then another diagonal line connecting the remaining two opposite corners, forming an “X” where the two lines intersect in the middle of the square.
3.  Direct the kids to use a ruler and markers to draw progressively smaller squares (starting at the outer edges and woring toward the center), using the “X” lines as corners. The technique is most effective if each kid chooses one color for the entire project. Invite each kid to use his or her favorite color.
4. Once they’re finished drawing in their squares, ask the kids if they see a hallway that goes on forever in the picture. Some kids may see the top of a pyramid. Coach them to try to look at the picture the other way around, as if it’s travelling into the center rather than building outward or upward toward the center. 
5. Invite the kids to choose a piece of construction paper on which they can mount their artwork. Direct them to write on the bottom of the construction paper: “With Jesus, I live forever.”

Lazarus beat death with Jesus’ help, and so can we. With Jesus, we can live forever with God. Live now, live forever!

If you have less time . . .
Provide a copy of the template example for each kid. Direct kids to color every other square with a color of their choice to make a cool multicolor project. 

If you have more time . . .
Encourage kids to work together using chart paper to create a large optical illusion for the door to the room. Then, invite them to cut out letters to spell out on the door: “Live now, live forever.”