Sunday, November 12, 2017 Lesson #4-10 God Promises Justice and Righteousness Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24 3 rd -6 th Key Verse: The Point: Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amos 5:24 Amos reminds us to seek God, hate evil and serve others. Making Connections: Promises of Hope Bible Nuts & Bolts: Prophesy (Genre) Spiritual Practice: Prayer 1
Activities Supplies Explore justice issues in the world today. Optional: globe or world map Understand prophets as communicators for God. None Listen to Amos words that call for justice and engage in an optional science demonstration. Bibles Pray for justice around the world. World map Sticky notes Pencils Optional: Internet access and projection Use books to better understand justice and action. Books with social justice theme such as Early elementary reading: The Lorax, by Dr. Seus; Beatrice s Goat by Page Brier; Wangari s Trees of Peace, by Jeanette Winter; Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn Upper elementary reading: Sit In: How I Stood up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney 2
Discover some good news that the prophets foretold. Watch the streams of justice flowing down. Activity sheet #4-10.A Colored pencils Penny Eye dropper or small straw Small dish or cup of water Students continue their own Bible storybook. Bible Book page (found at end of lesson) Cardstock or plain paper Pens Markers or crayons Optional: three-ring binders, hole punch Mural paper Markers or crayons Tape 3
Background for Teachers Story Connections Last week we talked about Elijah and his encounter with God in the silence of the wilderness. That happened during the time of King Ahab in the northern kingdom (Israel). Today s story takes place about 100 years later, where we meet another prophet named Amos. Amos was a farmer and even denies at one point that he is a prophet. Yet he spoke the language of the prophets. He is from the southern kingdom (Judah) but he prophesies primarily in the northern kingdom where there are two main concerns: the worship of idols and oppression of the poor. Amos reminds the people repeatedly to trust in God alone and to treat one another with justice. Amos begins a series of stories that contain Promises of Hope. Story Summary: God Promises Justice and Righteousness In the northern kingdom of Israel, the people were oppressing the poor. This was a time of increased prosperity in the divided kingdom and produced a powerful upper class. Especially in Samaria, the rich and powerful were abusing their wealth and privilege. God loved the people and God wanted them to change (repent). Amos draws upon Deuteronomy s covenantal (promise) language and thought. God established a covenant with Israel and required that they live in accordance with it. When the commandments were not kept, Amos called for repentance. Amos spoke of God s rejection of the sacrifices and worship offered by God s people who were engaged in oppression. The Point Amos reminds us to seek God, hate evil and serve others. Through the prophet Amos, God called the people to act with justice. Amos role was to present God s case against Israel, the chosen people who were defying God s commandments. While Amos contains many words of judgment and wrath, it is also ripe with promise. We are left with no uncertainty that God s justice will prevail in the end, which is good news indeed. Bible Nuts and Bolts: Prophesy Reading Biblical books of prophesy can be challenging for children and adults alike. It deviates from the stories we typically focus on in the lectionary. Prophecy is not only about the future, but can also deal with an immediate situation. The words of Amos are very relevant to us today as we hear the admonition against oppression and immorality. Amos lets us know that God calls us away from consumerism and unfaithfulness, tying together the worship of the one true God with how we live our daily lives. Spiritual Practice: Prayer Prayer as a spiritual practice provides a powerful connection with God and God s word. There are many different ways to pray, and we will explore a variety of them in the coming weeks. Today students will participate in a prayer that involves movement. 4
Lesson #4-10 (3rd-6th) November 12, 2017 Lesson Plan Explore justice issues in the world today. You will need: Optional: globe or world map Before class: 1. Optional: if you have groups or individuals from your congregation who have been on short-term mission trips to far-away places, consider having them join you for today s class to help guide the discussion and share their experiences. During class: 1. I want to tell you the story about some people from the United States who visited another country called Haiti. Have you heard of Haiti before? Haiti is located just south of the United States. Using the map or globe, show them the small island that Haiti shares with the Dominican Republic. Haiti is a little bit famous because their country is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. There are a lot of people who live there who do not have many of the things we are used to having in the United States. 2. There is a church that sends some of their members to Haiti every year to visit a particular village there. The first time that they went, they were surprised by what they saw when they got there. Some of the things they noticed were: The houses that families lived in were just one room with no sinks, toilets, closets, hard floors, or carpets. They did not have TV s or computers. They did not have appliances like ovens, washers, microwaves, or water heaters. There was no electricity. 5
Many of the children who went to school got only one meal each day the meal they were given at school. But a few years earlier, there was not even a school there so there were days the kids did not eat much at all. Most of the kids did not have shoes to wear. The nearest doctor was two towns away, and nobody in the town had a car. So going to the doctor meant walking for most of a day. 3. How do you feel when you hear about what life is like in this village in Haiti? [Sad, lucky to be me, discouraged, angry.] Would you say that this situation is fair or not fair? [Not fair.] Ask the students to explain as much as they can. 4. Ask the students if they can define what justice is. This is a difficult concept and most students are likely to refer back to the word fair. When things are unjust, people are not taken care of. They are not able to get their needs met no matter how hard they try. They are in tough situations that they are not responsible for creating. They are between a rock and a hard place. Justice, on the other hand, is acting in love for all people. It is showing love and caring for one another. 5. In today s story, we are going to hear about a time when God s chosen people were creating situations that were unjust for others and God send a prophet to tell them to change their ways. 6
Understand prophets as communicators for God. You will need: Nothing During class: 1. Some of the books in our Old Testament are known as books of prophecy. These books tell the stories of people called prophets. We talked about Elijah the prophet last week, and we are talking about the prophet Amos this week. I want to talk about what a prophet s job might be like. Can you help me think of a bad decision that a student your age might make? [Trying or using illegal drugs, stealing electronics, cheating on tests, etc.] Have the group agree on one bad decision they would like to use for the example together. 2. Let s call our student Bill. Bill has made a very bad decision. Now, I would like you to pretend that you are fortunetellers. Can you make some predictions about Bill s future based on this bad decision? What do you think will be going on with him in five or ten years? [He will be in jail, he will be addicted to drugs, he will have dropped out of school, he will be flunking his classes, or, possibly, he got away with it and is filthy rich!] Great! You guys understand that a fortune teller is going to make a guess about what is going to happen, but is not likely to try to change or affect that outcome. He just predicts it. 3. Now let s consider what a prophet s job might be and act as prophets. Prophets did sometimes tell of the future, but they did it as people who communicated God s word to God s people. They reminded people of God s commandments and promises. Prophets helped people to remember who they were and whose they were and become able to change their ways. We call this repentance. So if you were a prophet to Bill, what types of things might you say? [Remember, Bill, you are a child of God. You have been commanded not to lie or cheat or steal. Love your neighbor as yourself.] 4. Bill needs to hear some words that help him to see that what he is doing is wrong, to provide him some direction, and to remind him of 7
God s amazing love for him. Now we are ready to hear from a prophet named Amos. Listen to Amos words that call for justice and engage in an optional science demonstration. You will need: Bibles During class: 1. Invite students to turn to Amos 5:14-15. 2. Before we read these first couple of verses, I want to tell you a little bit about what is going on in the kingdom of Israel. The people who have a lot of money there are oppressing the poor. That means they are not making sure the poor are fed and cared for. They are not treating them fairly, with justice. The laws they are enforcing are not fair. Let s see what Amos has to say to the people. Invite a student to read the passage aloud. 3. What stands out to you? Accept all answers. I noticed at the beginning of verse 14, Amos says, Seek good and not evil. And at the beginning of verse 15 Amos says, Hate evil and love good. God is definitely calling for them to change their ways. Amos has a message to deliver that is important. 4. Have the students read verses 21-24. 5. Those are some strong words Amos is delivering. God says through Amos, I hate and I despise your festivals, assemblies and burnt offerings. We are going to have to be detectives to figure out what these angry words are all about. What did God s people do that was so awful? 6. Have students mark the pages they are on right now with a finger or scrap of paper and have a few kids turn to each of the following verses: a. Leviticus 23:1-2 b. Leviticus 23:37 c. Numbers 29:39 7. Ask for volunteers to read the verses aloud. Ask everyone to listen for 8
similarities. What did you hear? Listen to all answers. Make sure they pick up on the idea that God commanded them to join in festivals and assemblies, to offer burnt offerings and grain offerings. These commands come right from the Torah. Why, then, is Amos message saying that God hates and despises the very thing that God commanded? Allow students to ponder this question for a while. Suggest they look back at verses 14-15. God hates their worship because they are not acting with justice. 8. God is angry that God s people are forgetting to care for one another. They are disregarding God s call for justice, and that is something that God will not allow 9
or tolerate. Worshipping God includes caring for our neighbor. Worship is empty when justice is ignored. Pray for justice around the world. You will need: World map Sticky notes Pencils Optional: Internet access and projection During class: 1. At the beginning of our time together today, we talked about some families in Haiti and how they live. We already talked about the fact that these situations can make us feel sad and uncomfortable. They can make us feel lucky to be us, yet unlucky to live in a world where these types of situations exist for people. Amos spoke to the people who created some difficult and unjust situations and demanded that they change, that they repent. What do you think the people in Haiti need for justice? [Homes or shelter, food, peace.] 2. God calls us to love and care for one another by serving each other. It is easy to serve those people that are near us. What types of things do you do to serve your family and friends? [Help with chores around the house, celebrate birthdays, cheer people up when they are down, help younger siblings with homework, etc.] 3. We are pretty good at serving the people that are near us because we understand their needs and we are around when they ask for help. But think about the people of Haiti again. They live far away and are in situations that are very different from our own. How might God be calling us to serve them? [Pray for them, give money to the organizations that help them. volunteer to go on mission trips to get to know them and share God s love with them directly, etc.] 10
4. One thing we can do for people who are far away is to pray for them. It may not seem like much, but prayer is very powerful. Let s take a moment to look at this map (or projection) of the world. What kinds of prayers can we offer for the needs of people in different countries? Help students with suggestions: food and water, peace, energy, housing, jobs, etc. 5. I want each of you to take at least one sticky note, and write a prayer for a particular part of the world. When you are done writing, bring that note up to the wall and stick in on the country you chose. 6. Close together with prayer: Lord, there is so much hurt and injustice in the world. Sometimes we feel to small and too far away to help. But we know that you love and care for all of your people, so we lift our prayers to you. Be with people who need justice, food and water, shelter, and peace. Send people to care for them. Amen. 11
Use books to better understand justice and action. You will need: Book with a social justice theme, such as: Early elementary reading level: The Lorax by Dr. Seuss Beatrice s Goat by Page McBrier Wangari s Trees of Peace: A True Story from Africa by Jeanette Winter Sam and the Lucky Money by Karen Chinn Upper elementary reading level: Sit In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney Grandmama s Pride by Becky Birtha Four Feet, Two Sandals by Karen Lynn Williams & Khadra Mohammed Before class: 1. Check out one of the above books from a local library, if possible or select a book you are aware of that touches on social justice and God s call to God s people to foster justice in the world. During class: 1. Gather the students around you to read one of the books together. At the end, ask the follow questions: What was happening in this book that was not fair or just? What did the people do to make things better? Do you think there are things you can do to make the world better, similar to what happened in the story? 2. Amos reminds God s people that God has made some wonderful promises to them and that they are God s special people. That means that they, too, should do what God asks, including obeying God s command to love one another. God s love for us is so strong and so big that it moves us to share it with others through prayer and working towards justice in the world. 12
Prophets foretell familiar stories. You will need: Bibles Activity Sheet #4.10-A Colored pencils Before class: 1. Make one copy of Activity Sheet #4.10.A for each small group of two to three students. During class: 1. We have already talked about what prophets do. They communicate for God. We also mentioned two of the prophets in the Bible. What were their names? [Elijah and Amos.] We know that prophets speak of the present and let people know that God is calling them to repent or change. They also speak of the future, sometimes with words of hope and promise and sometimes with words of anger and condemnation. It is very interesting to look at the words of prophets who are speaking of the future and then to look at passages later in the Bible when that future time arrives. 2. Divide the students into groups of 2-3. Distribute a copy of Activity Sheet #4.10.A to each small group. Give each group one of the following sets of verses: Isaiah 40:3 and Matthew 3:3-6, 11-12 (John the Baptist) Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:18-23 (Jesus birth) Micah 5:2 and Matthew 2: 4-6 (Jesus is born in Bethlehem) Zachariah 9:9 and Matthew 21:5 (Palm Sunday) Isaiah 53:5 and Luke 23:44-47 (Jesus death) 3. Have the students write the two Bible citations on their papers, then look them up and read them as a small group. Move between groups to help them with finding the passages and figure out what the passages refer to. It may be helpful to have them read more of the second passage from the New Testament, as these stories are likely to be familiar to most students. 4. Each group of students should create a very simple drawing or sketch of the story. 5. As time allows, encourage the groups to share their passages and sketches with one another. 6. It is very interesting for us to search through the prophets to discover so many ways that the prophets communicated the good news of Jesus centuries before he was even born. What wonderful news! 13
Prophets foretell familiar stories. You will need: Penny Eye dropper or small straw Small dish or cup of water Before class: 1. Optional: if desired, bring a penny and straw for each child to experiment with at the end of class. It would also be a great prop to send home to allow them to re-tell Amos words to their families. During class: 1. I want to show you an experiment to help you see what Amos was talking about. Place the penny on the table and have the kids gather around. Ask them not to touch the table. Put water in the pipette or small straw so you are able to release it in single drops. 2. We are going to talk about ways that we work for justice. Can you help me think of little ways that you and I can make sure that all people have what they need and are treated well and loved? For each one that is named, place a single drop of water on the penny. Some ideas include: Providing food for people who are hungry Having fair rules at schools, churches and in the government Including people who are different from us in our play, schools, and workplaces Caring for the sick Taking turns Sharing what we have toys Welcoming everyone into our churches and schools Sharing God s love with everyone not just the people like us Helping neighbors who have trouble getting their mail or walking their dog Making sure people have a place to sleep at night Treating one another kindly and with respect instead of fighting 3. As you continue adding drops, the water will create a dome. The surface tension holds it on the penny. Eventually, the surface tension will break as the pressure builds up and the water will flow off the penny. When this happens: We had a lot of water on a little penny and finally it was so much that it flowed down. Remember how Amos told the people Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream? God calls us to do all those little things that help create justice and, if we are all working together, those little bitty drops come and create a flowing stream. We know that God s justice will come about and we can be part of it! 14
Optional ongoing activity. You will need: Bible Book page (found at end of lesson) Cardstock or plain paper Pens Markers or crayons Optional: three-ring binders, hole punch Before class: 1. Make copies of this week s Bible Book page on cardstock or copy paper for each student. During class: 1. Hand out Bible Book pages. 2. What are some of the important things we have learned from today s story? [Answers will vary.] 3. On the bottom of your page, please write one or two important things that you have learned from the story today. In the middle of the page, draw a picture from the story or illustrate one of the important things you ve learned. Don t forget to put your name on the back of the page, please! 4. Optional: Collect and three-hole punch the pages, and put them in individual binders for each student to be kept at church until the end of the year. If you wish, you can investigate other options for binding the Bible books through a local print shop at the end of the year instead of using a three-ring binder. 15
Before ending class, make a point to come together to pray. Use the following or say your own prayer. Allow any students who would like to include a petition to do so at the appropriate time. Dear God, You sent Amos and the other prophets to remind your people to love and care for one another as you love and care for us. Help us to see injustice in the world and bring your love and good word to people in need, including (have any students who expressed a desire join in here). We know your justice will one day roll down like waters. Amen. 16
Activity Sheet #4-10A Lesson #4-10 (3rd-6th) November 12, 2017 Prophet Scan Prophets foretell familiar stories. First Passage: Second Passage: 17
Bible Book Lesson #4-10 (3rd-6th) November 12, 2017 God Promises Justice and Righteousness Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24 I learned: 19
The Story @ Home 3 rd -6 th Living the Word: Teaching Kids God s Story Narrative Lectionary, Year 4 (2017-2018) Last Week Lesson #4-10 Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24 Our final week of the Called by God unit focused on the story of Elijah s call in the wilderness, and God s provision for Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-18). This Week This week we begin a new unit, looking at God s promises. Even in difficult times, God remains with and protects God s people. Story Summary In the northern kingdom of Israel, the people were oppressing the poor. This was a time of increased prosperity in the divided kingdom and produced a powerful upper class. Especially in Samaria, the rich and powerful were abusing their wealth and privilege. God loved the people and God wanted them to change (repent). Amos draws upon Deuteronomy s covenantal (promise) language and thought. God established a covenant with Israel and required that they live in accordance with it. When the commandments were not kept, Amos called for repentance. Amos spoke of God s rejection of the sacrifices and worship offered by God s people who were engaged in oppression. Practice: Prayer Prayer as a spiritual practice provides a powerful connection with God and God s word. There are many different ways to pray, and we will explore a variety of them in the coming weeks. This week, try to find one time each day to share prayer concerns and pray together as a family. The Point Amos reminds us to seek God, hate evil and serve others. Bible Nuts & Bolts Prophesy Reading Biblical books of prophesy can be challenging for children and adults alike. It deviates from the stories we typically focus on in the lectionary. Prophecy is not only about the future, but can also deal with an immediate situation. The words of Amos are very relevant to us today as we hear the admonition against oppression and immorality. Amos lets us know that God calls us away from consumerism and unfaithfulness, tying together the worship of the one true God with how we live our daily lives. Next Week Next week, we read the story of the prophet Isaiah, who foretells the birth of Jesus hundreds of years before the event.
Family Discussions @ HOME Lesson #4-10 Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24 Use the questions below or other questions you think of to discuss today s Scripture reading (listed above) with your family. In what way does this text speak to our theme of Promises of Hope? What does this scripture have to do with our lives today? What part of this scripture is the most interesting to you? Why? Family Devotions As you hear and study these stories each week, consider what God has to say to you and your family. What is God s message to us? How should we respond? Sunday Read Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24 God promises justice and righteousness. Share a snack with someone in your family and enjoy the feelings that come with sharing and loving one another. Monday Read Micah 2:1-13 Micah sends a warning and a promise. God promises to be with us in the midst of difficulty. Share a time that you noticed God being with you and helping you. Tuesday Read Micah 5:2-5 Micah tells of a Savior from Bethlehem. Share your favorite thing about Christmas. Wednesday Read Hosea 1:1, 14:1-9 Hosea gives assurance of forgiveness. Work together to create a phrase to use when someone asks for or receives forgiveness. Thursday Read Isaiah 6:1-13 The prophet Isaiah is called. Seraphs are like angels. Draw a picture or describe what you think angels look like. Friday Read 2 Kings 19:1-7 Hezekiah consults Isaiah. Who do you go to when you are seeking wisdom? Saturday Read 2 Kings 19: 14-28 Isaiah prophesies to Hezekiah. Pray together for God to guide you in your decisions this week.