MAY 2014 Chrissy Tatum Williamson, Editor Courtney Young Hickman, Contributing Writer TEENTEXT GRADES 9-12 is published by The Educational Center www.educationalcenter.org ~ 704.375.1161
TeenText Grades 6-8 and TeenText Grades 9-12 May 2014 Week of May 4 May 11 May 18 May 25 Lectionary Selection Luke 24: 13-35 (CEB) John 10: 1-10 (NRSV) John 14: 8-14 (CEB) Acts 17: 22-30 (CEB) Courtney Young Hickman CONTRIBUTING WRITER of TeenText Grades 6-8 and TeenText Grades 9-12 is Director of Youth Ministries at Grace United Methodist Church in Wilmington, North Carolina. Courtney is a graduate of Wake Forest University Divinity School (MDiv). She welcomes your thoughts and comments at: courtney@educationalcenter.org Chrissy Tatum Williamson EDITOR of TeenText Grades 6-8 and TeenText Grades 9-12 is currently the Minister of Faith Formation at Myers Park Baptist Church located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Previously, she was their Youth Minister. Chrissy holds a Masters in Arts and Theology from Union Theological Seminary in NYC, and a MDiv from Wake Forest University School of Divinity. You can reach Chrissy at: chrissy@educationalcenter.org Each monthly issue of TeenText is filled with background about the weekly scriptures, a series of provocative questions that encourage the youth to respond and share, activities centered around the text, and supplemental media which digs deeper into the story by exploring other dimensions through the use of song lyrics, poetry, visual art, and movie clips. For more information contact: info@educationalcenter.org or visit: www.educationalcenter.org
TEENTEXT Grades 9-12 May 4, 2014 Third Sunday of Easter I. WHAT YOU WILL NEED Bible Candle and matches Paper Pens, pencils, and/or markers Computer + web access (for YouTube videos and to enlarge art/images) II. TODAY s TEXT: Luke 24: 13-35 (CEB) On that same day, two disciples were traveling to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking to each other about everything that had happened. While they were discussing these things, Jesus himself arrived and joined them on their journey. They were prevented from recognizing him. He said to them, What are you talking about as you walk along? They stopped, their faces downcast. The one named Cleopas replied, Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who is unaware of the things that have taken place there over the last few days? He said to them, What things? They said to him, The things about Jesus of Nazareth. Because of his powerful deeds and words, he was recognized by God and all the people as a prophet. But our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the one who would redeem Israel. All these things happened three days ago. But there s more: Some women from our group have left us stunned. They went to the tomb early this morning and didn t find his body. They came to us saying that they had even seen a vision of angels who told them he is alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women said. They didn t see him. Then Jesus said to them, You foolish people! Your dull minds keep you from believing all that the prophets talked about. Wasn t it necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and then enter into his glory? Then he interpreted for them the 1 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
things written about himself in all the scriptures, starting with Moses and going through all the Prophets. When they came to Emmaus, he acted as if he was going on ahead. But they urged him, saying, Stay with us. It s nearly evening, and the day is almost over. So he went in to stay with them. After he took his seat at the table with them, he took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he disappeared from their sight. They said to each other, Weren t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and when he explained the scriptures for us? They got up right then and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying to each other, The Lord really has risen! He appeared to Simon! Then the two disciples described what had happened along the road and how Jesus was made known to them as he broke the bread. III. BACKGROUND Undoubtedly, we can see our reflection in any of these narrative mirrors. The text bids us to look deeply at ourselves; the road leading away from the holy city is ours. The soles of our shoes know the brokenhearted steps of a road away from an unrecognized resurrection. - Shannon Michael Pater, Luke 24:13-35, Pastoral Perspective, in Feasting on the Word, Year A Vol 2. Liturgically speaking, today s text finds us still within the celebratory season of Easter. We are recounting the story of the resurrection and basking in the joy of the good news; Christ is risen! The story of the disciples on the road to Emmaus is found only in Luke s Gospel. As the disciples walk along the road, Luke informs us that the disciples could not see who Jesus was until he broke the bread at the dinner table. In that moment, their eyes were opened and they recognized him. What was it that kept their eyes closed for so much of this story? How could they not recognize the risen Christ walking along side them? IV. SUGGESTED QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES Remember, these are only suggestions. The most effective questions and activities the ones that help participants connect their story with God s story each week are often those that are based on your personal knowledge of the participants and where they are. Listen carefully to their responses; ask follow-up questions that help them reflect on the text and their lives, right now, right where they are. GO DEEP (What s happening in the story?) 1. Who was traveling to Emmaus? What were they talking about? Who appears to them as they are walking? What do you think kept them from being able to recognize who it was? 2 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
2. How do they retell the events to Jesus? What kinds of emotions are present in their words? What do you think the disciples were feeling? What about Jesus? 3. What is Jesus doing when they finally recognize him? Why is this significant? What does he say is keeping them from believing? How do the disciples respond? BE REAL (What connections can you make between the story and the world around you?) 1. This passage reminds us that it took a divine revelation for Jesus earliest followers to believe. Do you think this is still true today? Where and how do you think divine revelation happens? 2. Do you think it was easy for these early disciples to come to a place of believe in Jesus? In the resurrection? Or do you think it is easier for people to come to a place of faith and belief today? Why or why not? LET GO (Be open to discovering how this story is happening in your own life.) 1. What is your experience with divine revelation? How has Jesus been revealed to you? Is this just a one-time experience or a recurring event? 2. How do you understand the story about the disciples not recognizing Jesus? What was keeping them from knowing who he was? Was it just his physical appearance that looked different? Or was it something in the disciples hearts and minds that caused the confusion? 3. Do you think your mind (or as Jesus says dull mind ) causes you to struggle with belief in Jesus? In the resurrection? How so? How do you reconcile your heart with your mind? V. SUGGESTED LINKS TO OTHER MEDIA RESOURCES A note about links: when TeenText goes to press all links are live and in working order. Links sometimes move or are renamed. If a link does not work for you try entering the search terms in Google. In keeping with the theme that things are not always as they appear, this film clip is from The Truman Show. Jim Carrey s character Truman does not realize his whole life has been a TV series. The place he lives is in fact a big studio with hidden cameras everywhere, and all his friends and people around him, are actors who play their roles in the most popular TVseries in the world: The Truman Show. Truman thinks that he is an ordinary man with an ordinary life and has no idea about how he is exploited. Until one day he finds out everything. http://www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/truman-show/worlds-end 3 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
This week s background quotes Shannon Michael Pater we see our reflection in any of these narrative mirrors. Activity: What do you see of this story when you look in the mirror? Draw or paint your image: VI. BETWEEN SUNDAYS The stories we learn from the Bible are not only helpful to us at church, but they also can help us live our lives each day. Consider the following question to see how this week s text might be challenging them to live differently as they go about their normal routines (school / sports / social events): How might God be calling you to reconcile what you know with your mind and what you know with your heart? What does this mean for you this week? 4 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
TEENTEXT Grades 9-12 May 11, 2014 Fourth Sunday of Easter I. WHAT YOU WILL NEED Bible Candle and matches Paper Pens, pencils, and/or markers Computer + web access (for YouTube videos and to enlarge art/images) II. TODAY s TEXT: John 10: 1-10 (NRSV) Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers. Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 1 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
III. BACKGROUND This Johannine text has been used throughout history to support a very exclusive understanding of Jesus and of God s salvation. For the purposes of today s lesson, let s choose to focus on the two characters, the thief and the shepherd. Who is the thief and how is the thief identified? What are some of the differences of the characteristics of the shepherd and the thief? Think about the many poor choices we have all made in our lives, leading to our own peril. What were we following after that led us to make those poor choices? Who were the leaders and what were their motivations in leading us down the not-so-straight-and-narrow path? Jesus says that the good shepherd, the one who brings life, will protect us and we will know it when we hear the shepherd s voice. Which voice are you listening to? That of the good shepherd? Or that of the thief? IV. SUGGESTED QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES Remember, these are only suggestions. The most effective questions and activities the ones that help participants connect their story with God s story each week are often those that are based on your personal knowledge of the participants and where they are. Listen carefully to their responses; ask follow-up questions that help them reflect on the text and their lives, right now, right where they are. GO DEEP (What s happening in the story?) 1. There are two characters in this story - the thief and the shepherd. Focus on the shepherd - How is he identified? How do the sheep know him? How do they respond to him? 2. What about the thief? How is he identified? How do the sheep respond to him? How is he similar to/different from the shepherd? 3. Do you they disciples seem to understand his analogy? How does he further explain to them who he is? How does Jesus identify himself? How do you think his disciples heard this? 4. How do you understand Jesus saying he is the gate? How does this color your reading of the other characters? If Jesus is the gate, how do you understand the shepherd? BE REAL (What connections can you make between the story and the world around you?) 1. How do you understand the some other way that Jesus references? What are the other ways you see people seeking happiness/love/acceptance? 2. Do you see people in your community and school being led astray? Who/what are they following? 2 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
3. Who are the thieves/robbers in your world? What characteristics do they have in common with those in the text? LET GO (Be open to discovering how this story is happening in your own life.) 1. Who do you identify with in this passage? Do you find yourself in the leaders or the sheep? 2. In the various aspects of your life who are you following? Is it more than one person/thing? Who is following you? 3. How can you tell the difference between the shepherd s voice and a stranger s voice? What does this mean to you? V. SUGGESTED LINKS TO OTHER MEDIA RESOURCES A note about links: when TeenText goes to press all links are live and in working order. Links sometimes move or are renamed. If a link does not work for you try entering the search terms in Google. This week s text main characters are the shepherd and the thief. But there is also the character of the gate. Discuss the intersection where they all meet. Shepherd Intersection Thief Gate 3 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
Verses 7-9 of this week s text read: So again Jesus said to them, Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. Below is a historical rendering of a sheepfold during the time of John. Notice that the shepherd positions himself in front of the gate, almost becoming part of the gate. What does a gate allow or make possible? What does it prevent or hinder? Why do you think the artist decided to put Jesus where he did. Watch this clip from the documentary film, Inside Job: http://www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/inside-job/bigger-more-powerful-banks Who are the leaders and who is following them? Are the leaders displaying characteristics of the shepherd or of the thief? VI. BETWEEN SUNDAYS The stories we learn from the Bible are not only helpful to us at church, but they also can help us live our lives each day. Consider the following question to see how this week s text might be challenging them to live differently as they go about their normal routines (school / sports / social events): Who is following you? (Undoubtedly someone is.) How are you being a shepherd to those people? 4 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
TEENTEXT Grades 9-12 May 18, 2014 Fifth Sunday of Easter I. WHAT YOU WILL NEED Bible Candle and matches Paper Pens, pencils, and/or markers Computer + web access (for YouTube videos and to enlarge art/images) II. TODAY s TEXT: John 14: 8-14 (CEB) Don t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. My Father s house has room to spare. If that weren t the case, would I have told you that I m going to prepare a place for you? When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too. You know the way to the place I m going. Thomas asked, Lord, we don t know where you are going. How can we know the way? Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you have really known me, you will also know the Father. From now on you know him and have seen him. Philip said, Lord, show us the Father; that will be enough for us. Jesus replied, Don t you know me, Philip, even after I have been with you all this time? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, Show us the Father? Don t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I have spoken to you I don t speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me does his works. Trust me when I say that I am the Father and the Father is in me, or at least believe on account of the works themselves. I assure you that whoever believes in me will do the works that I do. They will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father can be glorified in the Son. When you as me for anything in my name, I will do it. 1 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
III. BACKGROUND Again the Johannine themes pop up, see and believe. John, true to form, is concerned that the disciples believe in what he has shown them, how he has lived among them. In Jesus lived revelation of God, Jesus exhorts the disciples to have faith in God, the Abba. These verses begin Jesus farewell discourse in the Gospel of John. Jesus is preparing his disciples for life without him. They are standing in the liminal space between what they have known (life following Jesus) and what they have never known (life in the way of Jesus, but without him). In some ways the disciples are in a similar place to the adolescents in your group. Everything is changing, everything is about to change, everything will change. The disciples want some assurance that everything will be alright. Jesus, in his own way, is giving them this assurance. IV. SUGGESTED QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES Remember, these are only suggestions. The most effective questions and activities the ones that help participants connect their story with God s story each week are often those that are based on your personal knowledge of the participants and where they are. Listen carefully to their responses; ask follow-up questions that help them reflect on the text and their lives, right now, right where they are. GO DEEP (What s happening in the story?) 1. Who is Jesus speaking to? What kinds of questions are they asking him? How do you think they were feeling here? 2. Who are the disciples interested in seeing? How does Jesus respond to their requests? 3. What does Jesus say about his relationship with the Father? How might the disciples have heard this? 4. How does Jesus tell them they are to know and believe in God? Who else does he say will do such works? BE REAL (What connections can you make between the story and the world around you?) 1. Jesus says the disciples are to know and believe God through the works God has done in Jesus and that whomever believes in him will also do these works. Do you see such works happening today? Where do you see them in the world around you? 2. Jesus says that the disciples and those who believe in will do works even greater than his. Where have you seen greater works in scripture? Throughout history? 3. How do you see the church (in your community or at large) spreading the story of Jesus and God? Through 2 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
LET GO (Be open to discovering how this story is happening in your own life.) 1. Jesus knows the end is near and that the disciples were headed for a big change - life without him. When have you experienced major changes in your life? How has your faith helped during these times? 2. Were the disciples ever really without Jesus? Are you? 3. Does this passage help inform your understanding of the Trinity? How so? V. SUGGESTED LINKS TO OTHER MEDIA RESOURCES A note about links: when TeenText goes to press all links are live and in working order. Links sometimes move or are renamed. If a link does not work for you try entering the search terms in Google. Is there a difference between believing something exists and believing in something? How would you describe this nuance? 3 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
This text s theme is about change and believing in a better place. In this clip from the documentary Waiting for Superman the filmmakers present their conclusion that in order to make education better for all, you must have teachers who are open to change. Watch this clip and discuss some of the risk and some of the promise of change. http://www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/waiting-for-superman/changing-teachers VI. BETWEEN SUNDAYS The stories we learn from the Bible are not only helpful to us at church, but they also can help us live our lives each day. Consider the following question to see how this week s text might be challenging them to live differently as they go about their normal routines (school / sports / social events): How is God calling you to proclaim God through works, not just your words? 4 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
TEENTEXT Grades 9-12 May 25, 2014 Sixth Sunday of Easter I. WHAT YOU WILL NEED Bible Candle and matches Paper Pens, pencils, and/or markers Computer + web access (for YouTube videos and to enlarge art/images) II. TODAY s TEXT: Acts 17: 22-30 (CEB) Paul stood up in the middle of the council on Mars Hill and said, People of Athens, I see that you are very religious in every way. As I was walking through town and carefully observing your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: To an unknown God. What you worship as unknown, I now proclaim to you. God, who made the world and everything in it, is Lord of heaven and earth. He doesn t live in temples made with human hands. Nor is God served by human hands, as though he needed something, since he is the one who gives life, breath, and everything else. From one person God created every human nation to live on the whole earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands. God made the nations so they would seek him, perhaps even reach out to him and find him. In fact, God isn t far away from any of us. In God we live, move, and exist. As some of your own poets said, We are his offspring. Therefore, as God s offspring, we have no need to imagine that the divine being is like a gold, silver, or stone image made by human skill and thought. 30 God overlooks ignorance of these things in times past, but now directs everyone everywhere to change their hearts and lives. 1 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
III. BACKGROUND In today s text, Paul is speaking to the people of Athens, probably in the marketplace. He approaches the Athenians not with stories and examples of his own life, but with observations from his time in Athens. (He meets the people where they are) He has noticed that there are lots of objects of worship around; and one, in particular, has caught his attention. It has the following inscription, To an unknown God. Paul seizes this opportunity to preach his message about God identifying his God, the God of Jesus, as the God the Athenians do not know, the God who created and the God who encompasses all things. IV. SUGGESTED QUESTIONS AND ACTIVITIES Remember, these are only suggestions. The most effective questions and activities the ones that help participants connect their story with God s story each week are often those that are based on your personal knowledge of the participants and where they are. Listen carefully to their responses; ask follow-up questions that help them reflect on the text and their lives, right now, right where they are. GO DEEP (What s happening in the story?) 1. Who is Paul speaking to here? What is the first thing he says about them? Why might he think this? 2. What is Paul doing in Athens? What does he find as he does this? 3. Who does Paul assume the unknown God is? How do you think the Athenians reacted to this? 4. What does Paul say about the Athenians ignorance? Why do you think he says it is no longer overlooked? BE REAL (What connections can you make between the story and the world around you?) 1. Paul points out that God doesn t live in temples made with human hands. Where does God live? 2. Are there places in our country and around the world where God is unknown? 3. How do you think Christians are to respond to these places? What can we learn from Paul? 4. Do you think God overlooks their ignorance? LET GO (Be open to discovering how this story is happening in your own life.) 1. What does it mean to you to be God s offspring? 2. Think about all the characteristics of a baby/child in relation to a parent. How is your relationship with God like that of a parent/child? 2 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
3. Paul says, as God s offspring, we don t need to imagine that God looks like something else. What do you think he means by this? How do we see/know God as God s offspring? 4. Paul contrasts and unknown God with a God who is known and accessible. How have you experienced this in your own life? V. SUGGESTED LINKS TO OTHER MEDIA RESOURCES A note about links: when TeenText goes to press all links are live and in working order. Links sometimes move or are renamed. If a link does not work for you try entering the search terms in Google. This week s text explores the notion of what God looks like that there is no need to imagine that the divine being is like gold, silver, or stone image In other words, God is not just found in the temple, or at the altar. In the painting below by Michelangelo, God is depicted as a large powerful man with flowing robes and grey hair with a beard. Is this your image of God? How do we come up with images of God? What do our images of God reveal about ourselves? Detail from Michelangelo s The creation of the Sun, Moon and Planets 3 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
Here are some examples of three very different altars. When you close your eyes, what do you see as your altar? Draw, paint or make a collage of your own personal altar. 4 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org
This week s text explores the idea of God as parent. What does it mean to be an offspring? What does it mean to be a parent? In this clip from the film Imagine That, Eddie Murphy s character Evan is not comfortable with the notion of parenthood. http://www.wingclips.com/movie-clips/imagine-that/bad-father VI. BETWEEN SUNDAYS The stories we learn from the Bible are not only helpful to us at church, but they also can help us live our lives each day. Consider the following question to see how this week s text might be challenging them to live differently as they go about their normal routines (school / sports / social events): How is God calling you to proclaim that God is known and accessible to those who don t know? 5 The Educational Center 1801 East 5th Street, Suite 210, Charlotte, NC 28204 ~ www.educationalcenter.org