Moses accepts God s call

Transcription

1 Session 6 Fall 2018 Junior Youth Moses accepts God s call EXODUS 4 prepare PRAYER God of persistent love, transform my doubt, my fear, and my no into your yes. Amen. PURPOSE STATEMENT To imagine responding to God s call STORY SUMMARY God gave Moses three signs so that the people would believe he was sent by God. Moses still asked God to send someone else. God promised that Moses brother Aaron would do the talking. With staff in hand, Moses and his family returned to Egypt. Moses and Aaron assembled the elders of the Israelites; they explained God s message and showed God s signs of power. The people believed and worshiped God. teaching tips for junior youth Moses questions about God s choice of a messenger (him) and Moses ability to answer God s call mirror our own insecurities. Junior youth, especially, are likely to resonate with Moses hesitancy. Listen for times when youth mention that they felt unsure, overwhelmed, or ill-prepared for something they had been asked to do. You can be someone who reminds them that they are capable, called, and in the process of becoming equipped. God is always trying to provide the encouragement we need to follow God s ways, and you help give that encouragement a powerful voice. Decide which Explore activities you will do, and check Supplies and To do throughout the session to see what needs to be prepared. You will need a walking stick, preferably a wooden one, for use during Share the story and Send. 36 / 6 Moses accepts God s call October 7, 2018

2 dig deeper by Andrea Saner A reluctant prophet Exodus 4:1 20 continues the call of Moses story from chapter 3. Moses has two more questions for God before relinquishing his resistance and heading out to Egypt. The story invites us to reflect on what God is calling us to do and how we can overcome our resistance through trust in God. It also suggests a criterion for discerning between true and false prophets: true prophets do not speak their own perspective, nor are they in the work of prophecy for their own gain. Rather, the humility of prophets is demonstrated in their reluctance to take on the job (Isaiah 6; Jeremiah 1:4 10). Points of resistance Moses third question (Exodus 4:1) suggests his belief that the Israelites may not do three things: they may not trust him, listen to him, or believe that the Lord has appeared to him. That Moses imagines the Hebrews might not believe him is surely understandable: God has never defeated an imperial power before; why should the Israelites believe someone who says God is about to do that now? At the same time, Moses questions the assurance that God has given him. God has declared that the Israelites will heed Moses (3:18), but still Moses doubts that they will. Moses does not yet trust God as he will need to in order to accomplish God s mission in Egypt. Though Moses question has to do with the Israelites, God directs the answer to the messenger, not the people. God gives Moses several signs, which serve to convince Moses and to persuade the Egyptians and Pharaoh, who will resist God s deliverance of his people: the staff that becomes a snake, the leprous (and subsequently healed) hand, and the water turning to blood; the first and third of these anticipate the start of the plague narratives (7:8 24). Moses fourth point of resistance is not a question but a statement about his lack of speaking ability. Again, God seeks to reorient Moses focus away from his own abilities to God s power and presence with him: Who gives GENESIS EXODUS 34 speech to mortals?... Now go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you are to speak (4:11 12). A timid start The book of Deuteronomy heralds Moses as the greatest prophet that ever lived, because he spoke with God face to face and accomplished God s wonders among the people in bringing them out from Egypt (Deuteronomy 34:10 12). However, this prophet s career has a timid start. After assurances that God will be with Moses and will equip Moses with the words to say, after God s declaration of God s name and nature to Moses, and after the three signs, Moses finally simply pleads for God to send someone else (Exodus 4:13). These are the last words of Moses in the scene. Moses final resistance provides the context for God to offer yet more support to Moses, in the form of Aaron. God will speak to Moses, who will speak to Aaron, who will relay the word of God to the people. As one who receives the word of another and relays it to the people, Aaron will function as a kind of prophet for Moses (4:16; 7:1). God will provide We learn as we read beyond Exodus 4:17 that Moses does go to Egypt, but we are not given an account of Moses change of mind from hoping God will send another to, finally, beginning the journey himself. What is he thinking? Does Aaron reassure him? Does he finally learn to trust God, or does he simply feel that he has no choice? Is he still reluctant, upon arriving in Egypt, or has he enthusiastically embraced God s call? The text leaves open these questions and more. But the story is clear that God has truly called Moses and that God will be with him and will give him the words to speak. God will provide everything that Moses needs. Exodus 4 / 37

3 Shine Songbook and CD Annual Shine Songbooks CD player Candle Matches or lighter resource pack Words to live by poster (Exodus 20) media connections United Church of Christ Bible study for discernment (stories of call; for teacher nurture) Be the One: Six True Stories of Teens Overcoming Hardship with Hope by Byron Pitts Story board to Kendall Payne s Modern Day Moses by A & R Henderson (YouTube) My name is Paikea Apirana scene from Whale Rider for depiction of a leader who has trouble speaking during a big task (YouTube) gather BUILD COMMUNITY To introduce the theme of being capable, called, and equipped, divide into pairs or groups to play a game that reveals hidden (and random) talents. Announce a category, such as The tallest. Each group must choose the person they think will win the category, giving their team one point. Only after each group has made their choice do you unveil the rest of the category the tallest thumb. Check to see who wins this revised category! More ideas: Fastest... alphabet song singer; Smallest... shoe size; Longest... fingernail; Best... coin spinner; Brightest... shirt wearer. If you have a smaller group, play as one big group. WORSHIP TOGETHER Light a candle as a symbol of God s presence with us at all times. Sing or listen to We Are Called (track 13, page 21). SPIRITUAL PRACTICE Invite youth to close their eyes and settle into silence. Say: Take a few moments to observe your breathing. Notice how the air moves in and out of your body. (Pause.) As you breathe in, match your breath with the phrase Creator, you call. As you breathe out, match your breath with the phrase... and we answer. Allow an extended time for youth to repeat this breathing in and out several times; continue speaking the words aloud quietly with your own breathing if the youth need this to help them stay on track. Conclude the time by saying amen. words to live by teaching tip Direct attention to the Words to live by poster, and note that the commandments begin with a statement of who God is and what God has done for the Israelites. The first commandment reminds the Israelites and us to put first things first. Ask youth: What does that mean for you? What can get in the way of putting God first? Conclude the discussion by reading the passage in unison. When leading guided prayer, give plenty of time for people to settle into stillness and at least ten to fifteen seconds of silence whenever a pause is indicated. As youth practice setting aside the brain clutter, they get more comfortable with silence and increase their ability to listen for divine guidance. 38 / 6 Moses accepts God s call October 7, 2018

4 experience SHARE THE STORY Direct attention to the Exodus map from the resource pack and have a volunteer affix the staff symbol to the map between the symbol of the burning bush and Egypt, noting that in today s story, Moses accepts God s call and makes his way to Egypt. Turn to the Exodus 4 readers theater on pages of L.E.D., assign parts, and engage in the story together. Have a walking stick handy. REFLECT AND RESPOND Open Bibles to Exodus 4 as you reflect on the story together. Why do you think God was so determined to send Moses despite all his protesting? Why didn t God just move on to someone else? Who is your Aaron, the person who backs you up when you face difficult times? How does this person do this for you? Which of the signs that God offered do you find most impressive? If you had been Moses, what would it have taken for you to be reassured enough to accept God s call? If God called you for a big job like this, what would your excuses be? How might God respond to your excuses? PEACE NOTES teaching tip Invite youth with a variety of voices in gender, race, ability, age, and so on to participate in the readers theater. This helps youth see themselves in the story. Moses tried to get out of a big task that God gave him. Ask: When have you been asked to do something you didn t want to do, or didn t feel prepared to do? Share your own example, then invite youth to empathize, in litany fashion, using Moses words: O my Lord, please send someone else. Then ask: What helped you find peace in that situation? God didn t give Moses peace by fixing his speech problems. Instead, God recruited Moses brother Aaron to help. How do you imagine Moses felt once Aaron was on board? As a group, examine the Peace poster for any words or figures that could encourage us when we would rather say no to a task that intimidates or scares us. Moses accepts God s call Exodus 4 Bibles L.E.D. magazines Walking stick (preferably a wooden one) Tape resource pack Exodus map Exodus map symbol (staff) Peace poster Exodus 4 / 39

5 explore LINK Watch To This Day, a YouTube animation by Canadian poet Shane Koyczan. Koyczan wrote this poem in response to bullying he experienced as a child and teenager. Koyczan says, If you can t see anything beautiful about yourself, get a better mirror, look a little closer, stare a little longer. Could the same idea be related to why God called Moses to serve the people and didn t accept his excuses? Discuss. Tablet or device and Internet connection other ideas COLLABORATE Invite people from your community to participate in a call fair like a job fair where youth hear stories of being called. (Participants could include clergy, teachers, caregivers, scientists, artists, doctors, and others called beyond their professions volunteers, members on nonprofit boards, and so on). Moses relied on Aaron to do his public speaking. Have a three-legged race. Afterward, talk about ways the youth relied on each other. How do they depend on others in the church community? Whom do youth count on to encourage them and help them in difficult times? Moses explained why he couldn t respond to God s call. God answered each of Moses excuses. Have each youth select one of the Serving scenarios copied from page 90 of this guide. Each person will make excuses about why he or she can t do what is written on the paper. Excuse-makers may also explain why someone else could do it better. The rest of the group will respond by countering the excuse. Continue until everyone gets to participate in both roles. Serving scenarios (from Additional resources) LIVE IT Check out Overcoming obstacles on page 16 in L.E.D. to learn about people who, like Moses, overcame challenges to help others. Have youth discuss the questions there. Create an obstacle course in your space or outside and invite youth to reflect on the final question after or while moving through the course. Make it a prayerful activity, and ask God for help with obstacles faced as youth move through physical ones. L.E.D. magazines Objects to create an obstacle course 40 / 6 Moses accepts God s call October 7, 2018

6 bless PRAY Invite youth to close their eyes, then lead this prayer meditation, pausing in silence where indicated: When have you doubted yourself, feeling sure you were not up to the job? (Pause.) Is there someone who, like Moses brother Aaron, stepped in to help out? (Pause.) Let gratefulness rise in your heart for that person. (Pause.) Now think of a person or situation that needs you beside them when they are doubting themselves. (Pause.) Pray for this person or situation to feel God s love and encouragement. (Pause.) God, open our eyes to the companions you give us so that we might say yes with courage. Amen. leader s closing prayer SEND Invite everyone to form a circle. Hold the walking stick out to the person on your left, blessing him or her with these words: (name), you are beloved. You are called. You are able. Go in peace. Just as God was with Moses, God is with you and will teach you what to say and do. What if answering God s call is as simple as acknowledging and living into that reality? Loving, calling God, may my life become my response to you, my yes to you. Amen. Walking stick It s important to be yourself and to share yourself with your students. While their relationships with each other are important, their relationship with you is what keeps them coming back. Consistency is everything. This means that you need to be taking care of your own spiritual self, too, so that you can be grounded and centered for them. Kate Meacham Boston, Massachusetts Exodus 4 / 41