Blessed Are You. Focus on Luke 6: n PREPARING FOR THE SESSION. WHAT is important to know? WHERE is God in these words?

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1 February 17, 2019 Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany Jer.17:5 10 Ps. 1 1 Cor. 15:12 20 Luke 6:17 26 Goal for the Session Tweens will compare kingdom values with culture s values and consider what Jesus words about blessing and curse mean today. n PREPARING FOR THE SESSION Focus on Luke 6:17 26 WHAT is important to know? From Exegetical Perspective, Gay L. Byron Jesus focuses his eyes (ophthalmoi) on the disciples after the healing excursion in verses The reference to eyes in this passage (v. 20) should not be glossed over as insignificant. It is not so much that the people are able to see God in this encounter with Jesus. The subtle undercurrent and the word of hope in this passage is how the disciples (and presumably all those would-be followers of Jesus) are seen by God! So the raising of the eyes by Jesus is a symbolic metaphor for the watchful eyes of God, who is ultimately responsible for the blessings and curses that are at the heart of this sermon. WHERE is God in these words? From Theological Perspective, David L. Ostendorf This is the raw, unvarnished, faith-rattling declaration of the realm of God. The realm of God rests among those who have nothing but God. Jesus Sermon on the Plain these wondrous yet stark beatitudes jar us out of our faithful complacency. The God Jesus speaks of is not always the God we proclaim. Our human inclination is to fit God into our own small definitions, cultures, and places. But God is always breaking down the barriers we construct to keep God in or out. Here, once again, God is calling us back. SO WHAT does this mean for our lives? From Pastoral Perspective, Howard K. Gregory The sermon seems to be addressed not to the people in general who have gathered around him, but to the disciples to the church. Pastorally this highlights the fact that the very nature of the sermon, the values and ethics that it expresses, are apparently not intended to be a moral code binding on the society in its widest sense. Rather, it is for those who have made a commitment to follow Christ. At the same time, the fulfillment of the demands of this sermon will not be the outcome of personal effort and resources, but of divine grace. The good news is that our fulfillment of the demands of the sermon is the enabling work of the gift of grace, the gift of the Spirit. NOW WHAT is God s word calling us to do? From Homiletical Perspective, Peter Eaton [Jesus] is speaking not just on the plain, but plainly. We can trust Jesus to be absolutely on the level with us every step of the way, telling us the truth of our lives as he sees us. We hear this truth only through our participation in a community the community of lifelong partnerships and families, the community of the eucharistic fellowship, the community of those who pray and discuss the Scriptures together, the community of service, the community of mutually committed members. 1

2 FOCUS SCRIPTURE Luke 6:17 26 YOU WILL NEED green cloth white batterypowered candle old magazines to cut up scissors newsprint or markerboard markers copies of Resource Sheet 1 markers or crayons Bibles map of Palestine in Jesus time Color Pack 22, 30, 32 Singing the Feast, ; CD player For Responding option 1: plain paper, markers option 2: Color Pack 23, 24, scissors, Bibles option 3: copies of Resource Sheet 2, pencils Focus on Your Teaching Tweens place more emphasis on what their peers value or reject than when they were younger. As they find groups of friends, they become aware of traits they value such as athletic or academic talent or willingness to take risks. They may notice that the values Jesus teaches are quite different than the values lifted up by society in general. Help tweens explore all these values in light of Scripture. Be aware of the different ways that tweens may hear Jesus words, depending on their life experiences. Tweens who have experienced poverty, hunger, rejection, or loss may find the words of Jesus sermon comforting, while others may not. Lord, help me to hear and speak your word as I teach this session. Amen. n LEADING THE SESSION GATHERING Before the session, bring a map of Palestine in Jesus time in a study Bible or Bible atlas. If you are using Responding option 2, cut apart the pictures on Color Pack 23 and 24. Greet tweens as they arrive. Ask them to look through magazines and cut out a couple of advertisements. When everyone has arrived, gather the group by singing Shalom Havarim (Color Pack 30, track 14 on Singing the Feast, ), and invite them to arrange the green fabric in the center of your space and place the candle and Color Pack 22 on it. Light the candle, welcoming Jesus in your midst. Pray aloud: Dear God, thank you for bringing us together today to learn about you and the values of your kingdom. Bless our time together, and open our hearts to your Word. Amen. Form pairs and have each one choose an ad. Ask pairs to identify what the ad places value on (what it says is important). Encourage them to go beyond the obvious for example, an ad that values shampoo and clean hair might also value beauty, attractiveness, or being approved by others. Ask pairs to show their ad and name the values they think are endorsed in it. Start a list of Things the World Values on newsprint or the board. Say that the Bible reading today explores what God values. Shalom Havarim Shalom, havarim! Shalom, havarim! Shalom, shalom; Lehitraot, lehitraot, shalom, shalom. 2

3 EXPLORING Ask tweens to turn to Luke 6:17 26 in their Bibles. Show a map of Palestine in Jesus time and ask volunteers to locate Jerusalem, Tyre, and Sidon, which are mentioned in verse 17. Notice that these towns are far apart, and imagine how the coastal towns might have been different from towns like Jerusalem or Nazareth. Consider how Jesus was teaching about what is important in God s kingdom to people who lived in different ways and had different daily experiences. Ask two volunteers to read aloud verses 17 26, alternating verses. Ask the other learners to listen for words that are repeated in this passage. After the reading, ask: P What words are repeated in these verses? Assure tweens that the Holy Spirit gives Christians the strength and the gifts to follow Jesus teaching, and that God s gift of forgiveness makes it possible for us to try and try again as we live out the values of God s kingdom. These gifts are promised to all who trust in God. EASY PREP Write blessed are you and woe to you on the newsprint or markerboard used in Gathering. Invite tweens to name values they heard in the passage what Jesus says is important. P Who are the four groups about whom Jesus says blessed are you? P Who are the four groups about whom Jesus says woe to you? P What links do you see between these blessings and woes and the list of values made in Gathering? Distribute copies of Resource Sheet 1 (Blessed). Ask volunteers to read aloud the information. Discuss: P Do you think Jesus meant these teachings just for Christians (for people who follow him)? Why or why not? P Today, how might experiences of feeling rejected, or sad, or in need of something bring a person closer to God? P Today, how might having a lot of friends, or money, or an easy life tempt a person to move away from God? Read aloud this quotation from David L. Ostendorf: The realm of God rests among those who have nothing but God. P What might it mean to have nothing but God? How is this good news for Christians today? RESPONDING Mark the activities you will use: 1. Advertising Kingdom Values Tweens will express their ideas about living according to God s values as they create advertisements. Look back at the ads discussed in Gathering. Ask: If you were to make an ad (either a print ad or TV commercial) to promote the values of the kingdom of God that Jesus teaches, what would it look like? Form pairs or groups of three to develop a print ad or skit commercial promoting the values in the focus scripture. After seven or eight minutes, ask each group to show or perform its ad. After viewing the ads, discuss: What is the biggest challenge in encouraging people to follow Jesus kingdom values today? 3

4 Be ready to tell about times you have seen these blessings enacted in your own life or have seen examples of them in the lives of others. 2. Blessed Are As they complete a matching exercise, tweens will discuss the meaning of Jesus teaching about God s kingdom. Form two teams. Ask for a volunteer from each team to come to the front of the room. Explain that you will hold up a picture with a red border (from Color Pack 23) that suggests the first part of one of the blessing verses in Luke 6: Players then choose a picture with a blue border (from Color Pack 24) that completes the verse. Team members are welcome to call out suggestions. When the match has been chosen, read the corresponding verse from Luke 6:20-23 and ask: Why do you think this is the blessing Jesus promised? After the tweens ponder the blessing, continue until all four photos with red borders have been used. Invite students to tell about a time when they may have seen God s blessings provided in one of these ways. : >> 3. Confession of Woes Tweens will pray for forgiveness when they fall short of following Jesus teachings. Distribute copies of Resource Sheet 2 (Confession of Woes) and pencils. Ask a volunteer to read aloud the verses on the sheet. Brainstorm as a group about ways to summarize what Jesus is saying and how this might be communicated with Christians today. Take a few moments for pairs to write a prayer of confession, naming ways that we participate in things that run counter to the ways of God s kingdom. Gather in a circle around the candle and invite pairs to pray their prayers aloud. After all the prayers, speak a word of God s love and forgiveness: If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). God s peace and love will remain with us forever. Amen. Let Us Love One Another Let us love one another. God is love and loves us all. One that knows not love knows not God above. So, beloved, let us love one another. Let us love our neighbors. God is love and loves us all. One that knows not love knows not God above. So, beloved, let us love one another. CLOSING Gather in a group around the candle, and light it if necessary. Sing Let Us Love One Another (Color Pack 32; track 11 on Singing the Feast, ). Ask tweens to tell one thing they have learned about following Jesus in today s session. Ask each person to think of one situation when Jesus might call us to follow, and to pray those aloud in a popcorn prayer. Pray aloud: Amazing God, thank you for making us your children and calling us to follow your Son, Jesus. Help us to be true to Jesus teachings when we are (invite tweens to speak their words here). Amen. Tell learners that you will pray for them this week and ask them to pray for you. 4

5 February 17, 2019 Tweens Resource Sheet 1 Blсs In Jesus time, most people believed that you could tell who was blessed by God by looking at what was happening in their lives. Most people believed that signs of being blessed by God included: Having plenty of money and material comforts; Being healthy, physically and mentally; Following the religious laws strictly; Worshiping regularly in the temple; Being male (not female); Being married (not single, divorced, or widowed); Having many healthy children (especially boys); Living to an old age. If these circumstances didn t apply to you, then it was assumed you were not blessed by God. Perhaps, even, that you were cursed. According to Jesus in Luke 6:17 26, who is blessed by God? 2018 Westminster John Knox Press

6 February 17, 2019 Tweens Resource Sheet 2 Confсsion of Woс 24 But it s trouble ahead if you think you have it made. What you have is all you ll ever get. 25 And it s trouble ahead if you re satisfied with yourself. Your self will not satisfy you for long. And it s trouble ahead if you think life s all fun and games. There s suffering to be met, and you re going to meet it. 26 There s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular. Luke 6:24 26, The Message Try as we may, we will always fall short when trying to live by God s values. When we do, we have God s invitation to confess our sin and Jesus promise of forgiveness and the chance to try again. In the space below, write your own prayer of confession: Dear God, Forgive us when we fail to live as you would have us live. When we, When we, When we, Open our eyes and our hearts to following Jesus more closely. Amen Westminster John Knox Press