By: Trustha Rembaka.
Mentioning
the names of villages in Gunungkidul that contain plant elements may sound
simple, right? This was the "Let’s Name It" game introduced by the
resource person to open the collaborative Bible study. At first, the teens
found it difficult, as they rarely think about such details. However, after a
moment’s reflection, they were able to name several, including Randukuning
(Kapok tree/silk cotton tree), Jatiayu (Teak wood), Gedangsari (Banana), Ngasem
(Tamarind), Karangmojo (Bael fruit), Kelor (Moringa), and others. In
Gunungkidul Regency, 548 out of 1,431 villages have names related to plants
(Harian Jogja, November 1, 2022). These discoveries remind us that human life
is actually “close” to nature and inseparable from it. People cannot live well
if the environment and nature are damaged.
In
the Bible study session, participants explored Genesis 1:28: “Be fruitful and
multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea,
the birds of the air, and every living creature that moves on the ground.” This
verse represents both the first blessing and the first mandate from God to
humanity. Two key points were highlighted: “subdue” (take charge), meaning to
control and manage, and “have dominion” (be responsible), meaning to exercise
care and stewardship. Thus, humans are entrusted with the responsibility to
oversee the earth and manage it wisely. If damage, pollution, or even
extinction occurs to any living creature, it shows that humanity has failed to
fulfill this divine mandate.
How can these practices be applied in daily life? The resource person gave an example from Kigali, the capital of Rwanda, through its Rwanda Clean Up Day program. The government is committed to making Rwanda a decent place to live, with a national community service program (Umuganda) held once a month on the last Saturday. Regulations have been issued banning single-use plastics, imposing fines for littering, and promoting modern waste management, recycling, composting, and digital waste collection systems. Rwanda also emphasizes good urban planning, city parks, green spaces, bicycle use, education, and a culture of cleanliness expressed in the slogan “Isuku Hose Ihera Kuri Njye” (Everywhere is clean, it starts with me). Cleanliness has become a source of national pride, and even the Rwandan church supports this movement by encouraging its congregation to participate in Umuganda. Church sermons highlight a faith that cares for creation, provide hygiene and logistical facilities, and promote tree planting.
At the end of the event, participants reviewed a release from Earth.com on the biggest environmental problems of 2025, which are closely connected to the lives of teens. These include food waste from leftovers, biodiversity loss, unmanaged plastic use, declining food and water security, and waste from used clothing and textiles. As a concrete step of action, the teens committed to caring more for the environment around them.
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Some
of the participants expressed their views. Disa said, "I learned something
new about the importance of protecting the earth. I have become more aware of
food waste, plastic use, fuel conservation, and air pollution. From now on, I
will use reusable items, take only the food I need, and walk more often to
maintain my health, save fuel, and reduce air pollution." Meanwhile, Danik
said, "I learned something new about how Rwanda, an African country,
protects nature. I realized that I hadn't been taking enough care of the
environment. Therefore, I am committed to starting to preserve the nature
around me."
Adolescence
is a period of character development, faith maturity, and growing
responsibility for future life. This model of Bible study represents a
breakthrough in fostering awareness of environmentally friendly behavior to
ensure the environment is sustained. In this way, teens can become caretakers
of nature within their communities. ***
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