Summary of Today s Story

Transcription

1 LESSON 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Summary of Today s Story Matthew 3 begins with the proclamation of John the Baptist, who baptizes Jesus to fulfill all righteousness. The voice from heaven lovingly proclaims Jesus as my Son, my Beloved. Jesus then goes into the wilderness where he fasts for forty days and is tempted by the devil to abandon God and follow Satan and his own desires. After John is arrested, Jesus begins preaching in Galilee and summons his first disciples: Peter, Andrew, James and John. Key Concepts Disciple Vulnerability Courage Where You ll Find Today s Story In the Bible We recommend the New Revised Standard Version Bible. Matthew 3 4, especially: Matthew 3:13-17 ( Jesus is baptized) Matthew 4:1-11 ( Jesus is tempted) Matthew 4:18-22 ( Jesus calls his first disciples) In Our Sunday Lectionary Today s story is told in church on the following Sundays: Baptism of Jesus: Year A: First Sunday after Epiphany Beginning of Jesus ministry and calling of disciples: Year A: Third Sunday after Epiphany Temptation of Jesus: Year A: First Sunday in Lent

2 2 Lesson 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 Weaving Our Story with the Biblical Story Jesus was baptized by John, even though he is God s Son. He came down to us from heaven as fully human, and he identified with our humanity by doing what humans do, including being baptized just as we are baptized to become part of the household of God. Jesus lived as we do except without sin. Jesus was tempted by the devil but he did not give in. We, too, are tempted by the devil but we do give in. As St. Paul says, even though we want to do good, we do what we do not want to do, and we fail to do what we want to do. But Jesus, having been tempted without giving in, is both one with us in our humanity and one with God in God s perfection. Jesus reconciles us with God as we are unable to do ourselves through his own utter submission to God s will. And then Jesus accepts us and calls us to follow him: Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. If we follow Jesus, we can then work for him to bring others to the kingdom of God. The basic temptation is to fail or refuse to love God with our whole heart, at the risk of life, at the cost of wealth. All temptations are based on various ways of sinning against the Great Commandment to love God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. Those are the temptations that Jesus faced. And here Jesus shows himself to be the perfect lover of God. The Episcopal Thread The story of Jesus baptism is immediately followed by his journey to fast in the wilderness and then to his temptation by Satan. Episcopal tradition recognizes the human condition suggested by this order of events. In the Episcopal Church, when we are baptized, we do not promise never to sin again. We can never make that promise. Instead, we promise that when we do sin, we will repent and return to the Lord (BCP, p. 304). In this way, Episcopalians take a rather practical approach to sin. As hard as we may try to be perfect, we continue to sin. But we know we can repent, confess and are forgiven. Knowing that God will forgive us does not give us license to sin, but rather acknowledges our human condition and recognizes that God sent Jesus Christ, not to perfect us, but to reconcile and redeem us. Gathering Check-In Invite group members to sit comfortably, giving them an opportunity to visit with each other, establish friendships and build community. Relationships are an important dimension of Christian formation, so a few minutes of visiting will enrich their spiritual development. This is also the perfect time to check in with group members by asking them to share how they are feeling at the time or what kind of a week they had. Notice that in this story of Jesus baptism and at the beginning of his ministry, he is vulnerable, just as we are, to the cares of the world. Put yourself in Jesus place and feel his youth, his determination, his vulnerability, his openness to God and his courage in beginning his mission in Galilee.

3 3 Lesson 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 matches cross Prayer Materials: small table with cloth to cover it taper candle or one pillar candle After all group members have a few minutes of fellowship time, gather together for a simple opening prayer. Ask one of the members to light the candle while saying these words from Psalm 119:105: Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Explain that you are inviting the light of God to be with all of you. (You might consider posting this verse from Psalm 119 in the meeting room.) Invite the member who lit the candle to read this prayer: Dear Lord, Grant us wisdom that we might know what is right; grant us vision that we might see our right path; and grant us courage that we might follow your ways all of the days of our lives. This we ask in Jesus name. Amen. Carefully extinguish the candle. Telling the Story Set the scene: Before the group enters, set up some common temptations in plain sight: candy, hand-held video game, small toys, comic books, etc. Do not point them out to the youth; instead, watch how they react to these items. To start the session, ask why they think the items were there and whether or not they were drawn to them. You may read today s story aloud from a Bible, if you wish, but today s story can easily be told as a straight narrative in the present tense. Include Jesus encounter with John, God s voice identifying him as God s Son, the temptation in the wilderness and the calling of the disciples at the beginning of Jesus preaching and healing ministry. At this time you do not need to explain or discuss the story. This is the time to let the youth hear and absorb the story. Later, use the discussion or arts time to help the group members draw appropriate and meaningful connections between the story and their own lives. Selections from The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (New York: Macmillan, 1961) would be a great discussion starter. This classic book is a compilation of letters from Screwtape, a senior devil, to his student and junior tempter, Wormwood, who is assigned to tempt a man on earth. Teachers will need to guide the children in thinking about the temptations that we face.

4 4 Lesson 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 Activities: Arts, Crafts, Games, Drama, etc. Select one or more activities to supplement and enhance today s story. For each lesson, there are five suggested activities, one from each of the REACT categories. For a detailed explanation of REACT, see page 10 of the Introduction. All activities are meant to reinforce the concepts that were central to the day s lesson. Activities for This Week s Session Additional activity ideas can be found on pages 2-6 in the Appendix where we ve provided suggestions and directions for a variety of general activities that can be adapted to any lesson. Also included are outreach and service projects that can be done at any time.

5 5 Lesson 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 Weaving Our Faith Lesson Box Materials: 1 3" x 5" index card for the day s scribe pen or pencil a file box in which to store the cards Ask for a volunteer or assign a group member to act as scribe. Then, ask the group to articulate the most important lesson gleaned from the day s reading. As prompts, you might ask: Jesus found himself not only in a physical wilderness but in a spiritual wilderness. How did Jesus survive? Describe a modern-day apostle. Once the group has agreed on its wording, ask the scribe to write the lesson on the card, date it, and file it in the box. By the end of the year, you will have a wonderful and thorough summation of the lessons covered in the participants own words. Closing Prayer Before the group leaves, say a closing prayer to send them into the church worship service or back to their homes with God s love and blessing, for example. Dear God, we live in a world rife with evil and temptation and sometimes, we give in. We are, after all, only human. We give you thanks for your compassion and for your understanding of our weaknesses, and we thank you for accepting us again and again into your forgiving arms. In Jesus name, Amen. End the lesson with a dismissal that is used in church, such as: Let us bless the Lord. The youth respond: Thanks be to God.

6 WHAT, ME? TEMPTED? Participants interact and engage in a discussion about temptation. Materials: copies of the What, Me? Tempted? discussion sheet (p. 7), 1 per participant pencils or pens Directions: 1. Distribute a discussion sheet and pen or pencil to each group member. Have them work individually or as a group. 2. When group members have completed their sheets, regather and discuss their responses. This activity will need little or no prompting! 6 Lesson 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY

7 WHAT, ME? TEMPTED? DISCUSSION SHEET Even Jesus was tempted to do something that goes against God s will. And what about us what are we tempted to do? Rank these temptations from 0 (not at all) to 10 (very strong temptation), and then share with each other. Also, consider together what the Bible has to say about the topic. What tempts me? (Rank from 0 to 10): Take a candy bar from a store. Tease somebody when everyone else is doing it. Walk away from someone who is hurt, because somebody else will probably come along soon to help him. One-upping someone because you think you can do something better. Buy an expensive toy or gadget just because it s popular and everyone else seems to have one. Get even with someone who hurt you or made you mad. Lie to your parents. Cheat on a test or copy homework. Spread a rumor. Sleep really late. What tempts you most? Read the Bible: Can you think of what the Bible might say about these temptations? Look especially at Matthew 5 7, the Sermon on the Mount. 7 Lesson 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY CONTINUED

8 I SAW IT IN THE MOVIES: GOOD VS. EVIL Group members talk about the heroes and villains in their favorite movies, as well as the temptations the heroes face, the character traits that help them fight those temptations, and how the problems are resolved. Materials: copies of the I Saw it in the Movies worksheet (p. 9), 1 per participant pens and pencils optional: DVD player, TV, movie Preparation: Make copies of I Saw it in the Movies worksheet (p. 9). Optional: Find the DVD of one or more of the movies named on the worksheet. Directions: 1. Explain that in this activity, participants will talk about their favorite movies, heroes and villains in the context of temptation. 2. Start by handing out the worksheet. Ask group members to work individually or in pairs to fill in as much information as they can. If they are not familiar with the movies named, tell them to fill in other movies or TV shows that fit the format. 3. Allow about minutes for this exercise. 4. When group members are done, open up the session for discussion. Possible questions include: What do our heroes have in common? What do our villains have in common? What are some of the temptations our heroes face? What types of promises are made by our villains? Where do our heroes find the strength to fight such temptations? What inspires them? fuels them? Note: The Copyright Act permits the display of excerpts from copyright-protected movies when used in the course of face-to-face teaching activities by a non-profit educational institution, and if made using a lawfully made copy of the movie. Although we believe that your use of these film clips in Weaving God s Promises for Youth will comply with those provisions of the Copyright Act, all copyright issues relating to use of such film clips are solely your responsibility and neither Morehouse Education Resources nor any of its distribution partners have any liability to you if your use is found not to comply. 8 Lesson 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY

9 I SAW IT IN THE MOVIES MOVIE HERO(ES) VILLAIN(S) TEMPTATIONS RESOLUTION STAR WARS* HARRY POTTER** LORD OF THE RINGS*** Who did you root for? Why? *Star Wars (Lucasfilm Ltd./20th Century Fox: Los Angeles, CA, 1977) **Harry Potter (Warner Brothers Entertainment: Burbank, CA, 2001) ***Lord of the Rings (New Line Cinema/ Warner Brothers Entertainment: Burbank, CA, 2001) 9 Lesson 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY CONTINUED

10 SO YOU WANT TO BE A DISCIPLE: A JOB INTERVIEW Participants examine why the disciples chose to go with Jesus. What character traits and skills did they possess? What did they have to learn? What did they have to be willing to do? Materials: poster board markers video camera Preparation: Set up tables and chairs as interview stations Directions: 1. First, talk a bit with the group about what a disciple is: What does the word disciple mean? (a follower, a messenger, a missionary, etc.) What does a disciple have to do? 2. Now reread aloud Matthew 4: Ask: How did Jesus call the disciples? What do we know about them? How did Jesus know they would make good disciples? 3. Explain to the group that they will be writing questions they would have asked the disciples before they were hired. Ask volunteers to be interviewers and potential disciples; these participants will be videotaped. 4. Help interviewers come up with possible questions, for example: Why do you want to be a disciple? Where do you see yourself in five years? How do you feel about speaking in public? Are you willing to travel? What are the three qualities you have that will make you a good disciple? 5. Invite group members to add other questions they d like to ask or be asked. 6. Once the group has decided on the list of questions, seat the actors at the interview station. One (or more) will ask the questions; one (or more) will answer. Close: Play the video. Ask the group as a whole to decide which of the interviewees (if more than one) they would hire, and why. 10 Lesson 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY

11 THE POETRY OF MATTHEW S WORDS: WRITING HAIKUS AND CINQUAINS Group members will write haiku and cinquain poems based on the writing of Matthew. Materials: copies of the What Is a Haiku? worksheet (p. 12) and What Is a Cinquain? worksheet (p. 13), 1 per participant 2 sheets of poster board pens and pencils colored pencils, markers notepaper tape or poster putty Preparation: Make copies of the worksheets (pp ) for all group members. Copy the sample haikus onto one sheet of poster board and the sample the cinquain on the other (as they appear on pp ). Post this poetry on the wall in the meeting space. Directions: 1. Explain to group members that they will be writing one or more poems based on some aspect of the day s reading from Matthew: Jesus baptism 40 days and nights in the wilderness choosing the first apostles 2. Also explain that they may focus on specific events; however, they may choose instead to write about one particular image that speaks to them (the fishing nets, the wild animals, John the Baptist, the hardships in the wilderness, etc.). Close: Post the finished poems in the meeting room or on the group s bulletin board so the entire congregation may enjoy them. 11 Lesson 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY

12 WHAT IS A HAIKU? A haiku is a 3-line poem with a specific number of syllables (not words). In the 1st line, there are 5 syllables; line 2 has 7 syllables; line 3 has 5 syllables. For this reason, you must choose your words carefully. Most often, a haiku is about nature, but you can write a haiku about any topic. Look at the two examples below. After each line, in parentheses, is the syllable count for that line. Notice that you can make the syllable count exact, but close is good enough! Come and follow me, (5) And you shall fish for their souls; (7) Apostles of God. (5) God s voice came to me (5) Across the broad open waters. (8) Can I do what God asks? (6) 12 Lesson 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY CONTINUED

13 WHAT IS A CINQUAIN? A cinquain is a 5-line poem, again with a specific number of syllables. For this style, the syllable count must be exact for each line: Line 1 2 syllables Line 2 4 syllables Line 3 6 syllables Line 4 8 syllables Line 5 2 syllables Look at the example below. After each line, in parentheses, is the syllable count for that line. Satan (2) Tempted the Lord (4) In the bleak wilderness, (6) But goodness prevailed yet again: (8) Jesus. (2) 13 Lesson 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY CONTINUED

14 WHAT DO I DO? ADVISING TEENS ON TEMPTATION Group members try their hand at sharing advice on how to deal with everyday temptations. This will be done in the form of an advice column for the church newsletter or website. Materials: copies of the What Do I Do? worksheet (p. 15), 1 per participant pens and pencils poster board tape, tacks or poster putty markers Preparation: Make copies of the What Do I Do? worksheet (p. 15). Post the blank poster board on the wall. Directions: 1. Explain to the group that they will be responsible for a new advice column for the newsletter/website. The focus of the column will be how to deal with temptation. 2. If group members wish, they may solicit questions from kids in the church and from their friends. If necessary, they may have to write scenarios themselves and offer advice. 3. As a trial run, have participants read the scenarios on the worksheet. Then, open up a discussion on how they would advise the person asking for help. 4. Once the discussion is finished, explain that you will need the following: a name for the column an announcement of the new feature writers editors the first 2 or 3 questions and answers! Close: Arrange with the church newsletter editor, the church webmaster and/or the rector to run this as a regular feature. 14 Lesson 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY

15 WHAT DO I DO? SAMPLE SCENARIOS What advice would you offer these people? #1) Dear Angel s Answers, My parents told me that I have too many video games and that I am not allowed to buy more. But I have earned enough allowance on my own to buy the one I really want. If I can get it without their knowing, should I? #2) Dear Angel s Answers, My dorky little brother knows how much I hate spiders. So, the other night, he put one under my blankets and scared me so bad that I couldn t sleep. I want so bad to get back at him (he is soooooo scared of ghosts ). I have the perfect plan. Am I wrong in wanting to scare him back? #3) Dear Angel s Answers, My best friend in the world just cut her hair and dyed it bright red! Yuck! Everyone is looking at her weird because that s how she looks. But she thinks she looks okay and is thrilled with her new hairstyle. I ve always been honest with her. Should I tell her what everyone is saying? Should I tell her the truth? 15 Lesson 17 JESUS BAPTISM AND EARLY YEARS Weaving Our Faith, YEAR 1 ACTIVITY CONTINUED