Two Sides

of a Coin: Rights
and Responsibilities
In t his a c t iv it y, the participants will understand
that with rights come responsibilities in families, schools,
communities, and nations.
time required: 20 minutes
INT E ND E D F O R G R A D E S 2 - 5
Mat er ial s

» newsprint
N eed ed

» one double-sided set of the handout titled “Two Sides of a Coin Graphic,”
one for each participant
» markers, colored pencils, or crayons, a few for each participant

Activity Steps
1 B e gi n w i t h a di sc ussio n about the difference between wants and needs. Explain how
needs are things to which we have a right in order to live a happy life.

2
Dis c us s t h e c o nc ept of responsibility. Explain that with rights come responsibilities.
Rights and responsibilities are like two sides of the same coin. You can’t have one without the
other. Ask:
» What is a responsibility?
» What does it mean to be responsible?
» If you have the right to learn in a classroom, what is your responsibility? [Possible
answer: You are responsible for doing your work and not disrupting the learning of
others.]
» If you have the right to shelter and a home, what is your responsibility? [Possible an-
swer: You have the responsibility to help take care of the home and do some chores.]

3 Inv i t e t h e pa rt ic ipa nt s to brainstorm a list of their rights, for example, the right to
shelter, the right to food, the right to medical care, the right to be treated fairly, the right to an

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 education, and so forth. Write these on the newsprint, which you have posted so all can see. Make
sure you have generated a long list.

4 P r o v i de t h e pa rt ic ipa nt s with a copy of the handout and a few crayons, markers, or

colored pencils. Explain that the graphic on the resource represents a coin. In the center of one
side of the coin, they are to write “ _______’s Rights” and in the center of the other side, “______’s
Responsibilities.” Participants should write their names in the blanks.

5 Ins t r uc t t he m t o c ho o se six rights from the list they generated. They should choose
the six that are most important to them and write them on the “Rights” side of the coin, one in

6
each segment. Allow a few minutes for them to complete this task.

N o w, a s k t he pa rt ic ipa nt s to turn over the resource and write a corresponding respon-

sibility for each right they listed. They can illustrate each item with a simple drawing or symbol,
and decorate the coin if desired.

7
ENGAGE THE PART ICIPANTS in a large-group discussion, inviting them to discuss why they
chose each right and responsibility and why these rights are important not only for them but for
children throughout the world. Be sure to include the following comments in your discussion:
» Every human being is created in the image of God and is given a mandate to participate
in God’s creation.
» God confirmed the value of each of us by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
» We do not have rights simply because we exist, but because God chose to give us value
and, therefore, rights.
» Allowing people to be what God intended them to be is the Christian basis for
respecting human rights.
» Respect for the rights of others is a duty to God.
» We are to treat all as if they belong to God.
» The Scriptures calls us to continually think of the rights of others.

8 C o n c l ude b y i nv it ing the participants to join you in prayer. Pray that each of the partici-
pants take seriously the responsibilities bestowed upon them. Pray that they recognize and appreci-
ate the rights and responsibilities they have been given. Pray for those children whose rights are not
respected. Pray that all countries would come to care for and respect all children.

Copyright © 2009 by World Vision Inc., Mail Stop 321, P.O. Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063-9716,
wvresources@worldvision.org. All rights reserved.

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Resource | Two Sides of a Coin

Permission to reproduce is granted. © 2009 by World Vision Inc.

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 About World Vision
W o rld Vis i o n i s a Christian relief, development, and advocacy organization dedicated to helping
children and their families break free from poverty. Our work is motivated by our faith in Jesus Christ. We
see a world where each child experiences “fullness of life” as described in John 10:10. And we know this can
be achieved only by addressing the problems of poverty and injustice in a holistic way. That’s how World
Vision is unique: We bring nearly 60 years of experience in three key areas needed to help children and
families thrive: emergency relief, long-term development, and advocacy. And we bring all of our skills across
many areas of expertise to each community we work in, enabling us to care for children’s physical, social,
emotional, and spiritual well-being.

W o rld Vis i o n R es o u r c e s educates Christians about global poverty, inspires them to social justice,
and equips them with innovative resources to make a difference in the world.

For more information about

our resources, contact:

World Vision Resources

www.worldvision.org
wvresources@worldvision.org

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