The Toronto Catholic District School Board Course: Grade 10 Religion Christ and Culture Date/Lesson Number: Lesson 5 Unit: Profession of Faith Lesson Topic: God s Revelation through Prophecy Focus Question: The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the scope of God s revelation in the Old Testament through Prophecy. Instructional Objective(s): 1) Students will learn that God reveals himself by words and actions through the events of history. 2) Students will learn that God revealed himself to the prophets. New Evangelization Essential Element(s): Key Element I: Knowledge of the Faith: What We Believe Key Element VI: Evangelization and Apostolic Life: How We, as Individuals and Community, Live in Service to the World Key Vocabulary: Prophet Prophecy Key Scriptural Passage(s): Genesis 20:7 Exodus 7:1 1 Samuel 9:9 1 Kings 5:8. Key Catechism Reference(s): CCC 702, CCC 64, CCC 218
Key People: Samuel Internet Link(s): www.vatican.va www.cccb.ca Materials required: 1) Sacred Scripture (NRSV) 2) Student Work Sheet 1 Prayer Learned or reviewed: Gracious God, You have spoken through the prophets. Grant that like them we too may grow to know you in a more personal way. Open our eyes to the injustices in our world. May our hearts first desire be always to serve you in our brothers and sisters, especially the most vulnerable among them. Amen. Step by step procedures: Task 1: The Prophets Share the following with the class: The underlying premise of the Bible is that God has spoken. However, God's revelation of Himself did not come all at once. There was a progression to its unveiling. Each of these revelations brought a little more understanding of God to humanity. Having revealed Himself to the Patriarch and Kings of Israel, God then revealed Himself to human beings through the prophets. Share the following article from the Catechism of the Catholic Church with the class: Through the prophets, God forms his people in the hope of salvation, in the expectation of a new and everlasting covenant intended for all, to be written on their hearts. The prophets proclaim a radical redemption of the People of God, purification from all their infidelities, a salvation which will include all the nations. (CCC 64)
As a class, discuss the following: What is a prophet? After allowing time for students to share their answers with the class, underline the following: Definition: Prophet: The Hebrew word for prophet nabi means to summon, announce, or call. Within this context, a prophet is a person who speaks out on God s behalf. Prophet s reveal God s will. There are different designations for a prophet in the Old Testament. In small groups (2 to 3) ask students to read the following passages from Scripture: Genesis 20:7; Exodus 7:1; 1 Samuel 9:9; 1 Kings 5:8. With the help of the biblical texts, students should answer the following question: What word designates the prophet? Who does the term refer to? Students should record their findings on Student Worksheet 1. As a class, review some of the points raised in the small group discussions. After allowing time for students to share their answers with the class, underline the following: Genesis 20:7- This is the first time the word prophet is used in the Old Testament. Exodus 7:1- Although Moses is often referred to as the greatest of the prophets of Israel (Moses acts as a prophet, even though he is not called so until the Book of Deuteronomy 18:15; 34:10), God appoints his brother Aaron to be a prophet for Moses. The passage underlines that a prophet s ministry is not done in isolation, but requires help and support from the community, 1 Samuel 9:9- Underlines that the word prophet is used interchangeably with the word seer. 1 Kings 5:8- In this passage the phrase man of God is used to describe the prophet Elisha. Allow students time to update Student Worksheet 1. (15 minutes)
Task 2: Prophecy Share the following with the class: The message of the prophet is often referred to as prophecy As a class discuss the following: What is prophecy? After allowing time for students to share their answers with the class, underline the following: Definition: Prophecy: Prophecy is the declaration of God s will, whether in the past, present, or the future. In small groups (2 to 3) ask students to read the following passages from Scripture: Numbers 22:22-40; Isaiah 6:1-8; Jeremiah 1:4-19. With the help of the biblical texts, students should answer the following questions: Who did God reveal Himself to? How did God reveal himself? What was God s message? Students should record their findings on Student Worksheet 1.2.2 As a class, review some of the points raised in the small group discussions. Share the following passage from Scripture with the class: [Prophets] were "holy men of God who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21). The Holy Spirit breathing into the mind of the prophet illumined his mind and pervaded his thoughts. The prophet s inspiration consisted in the fullness of the influence of the Holy Spirit enabling him to accomplish his work. Share the following with the class: Although the prophets that spoke to the people of Israel did so at different times and places, their messages share a common theme. As a class, discuss the following: Examples Scripture What is the essential message of the prophet? What did their message reveal about God and God s will?
After allowing time for students to share their answers with the class, underline the following: The prophet s job was to call the people back to God and to the truth of God. It involved warning them of the consequences of their actions. Essentially, it was a call to repentance. At times it was also a message of God's plan for the future of His Kingdom. The prophets were men through whom God spoke His message of love for sinners, and warned them of the consequences of their sins. Allow students time to update Student Worksheet 1. Share the following article from the Catechism of the Catholic Church with the class: In the course of its history, Israel was able to discover that God had only one reason to reveal himself to them, a single motive for choosing them among all peoples as his special possession: his sheer gratuitous love. And thanks to the prophets Israel understood that it was again out of that love that God never stopped saving them and pardoning their unfaithfulness and sins. (CCC 218) (25 minutes) Assessment Assignment: Read the following passages from scripture: i. Acts of God: Deuteronomy 26:22; Joshua 24:1-18; Psalm 78, 105, 136 ii. The Word of the Covenant: Exodus 3:1-17; 6:2-8; 19:1-25 iii. The prophetic vocation: Jeremiah 1:4-10; Isaiah 6:1-13; Ezekiel 1-2 How are the historical events of the Old Testament related to revelation? Thought Provoker Did you know that Jeremiah was the only prophet who wanted to be a prophet? Alternate Assignment: Write a 250-300 word journal entry that addresses the following: How is God calling you to speak with a prophetic voice? To what misperceptions, misrepresentations, or injustices have your eyes been opened? How can you use your voice to educate others in order to lay the groundwork for a just and lasting peace in your family/school/community/world?
Adaptations (for students with learning disabilities): Listen to the song Crazy by Simple Plan. Reread the lyrics. Answer the following questions: What social injustices does this song address? How is this song prophetic? Extensions (for gifted students): As Catholic Christians we are called to be prophets of the times. For this assignment: 1. Select a prophet of the Old Testament that is of interest to you. 2. Write an article for your school newspaper, keeping in mind the following questions: a. What issue(s) and/or question(s) does this prophet raise? b. How is the prophet s message relevant today? c. How is God inviting you and your school community to answer the prophet s call?
Name: Date: Unit: Profession of Faith Lesson Topic: God s Revelation in the Old Testament Student Work Sheet 1 Instructions: Complete the following questions, throughout the course of today s lesson. 1a) Definition- Prophet: 1b) Read the following passages from Scripture: Genesis 20:7; Exodus 7:1; 1 Samuel 9:9; 1 Kings 5:8. 1c) What word designates the prophet? 1d) Who does the term refer to? 2a) Definition- Prophecy: 3a) Read the following passages from Scripture: Numbers 22:22-40; Isaiah 6:1-8; Jeremiah 1:4-19.
3b) Who did God reveal Himself to? 3c) How did God reveal himself? 3d) What was God s message? 4a) How did God speak to the prophets? 5a) What is the essential message of the prophet? 5b) What did their message reveal about God and God s will?