God's Covenant with His Chosen People

Transcription

1 Slavery God's Covenant with His Chosen People A. Read and discuss Exodus Chapters 1 and 2 with your teacher before answering 'True' or 'False' to the following statement: Statement True False 1 The new Pharaoh of Egypt was so pleased with the Hebrews that he wanted to reward them. 2 The Hebrews were increasing in number. 3 Pharaoh passed a law which declared that all new-born males (both Hebrew and Egyptian) were to be killed. 4 The name 'Moses' means 'drawn out.' 5 His family came from the tribe of Benjamin. 6 Moses was hidden for four months by his mother. 7 Pharaoh's daughter heard him cry as the baby lay in a basket by the river. 8 The name of this river was the 'Euphrates.' 9 The Egyptian princess adopted the baby. 10 Moses' real aunt became his nurse. 11 Moses' sister had been watching what had happened. 12 Moses went to live in the palace and received a Hebrew education. B. You are the editor of the 'Daily Israeli'. Design and write articles for the front page of your paper recording the events surrounding the birth of Moses. You could include for example interviews with an Israelite slave about his conditions, Moses' sister, Pharaoh's daughter etc. Also add maps, drawings and other visual aids. 1

2 Slavery C. Re-read Exodus 2:11-25 which records Moses' sudden departure to Midian. Answer the questions below. 1. Why do you think that Moses realised that the Hebrew slave was 'one of his own people'? (verse 11) 2. What do the Hebrew's words concerning the Egyptian's murder tell us about sin? (verse 14). 3. What does Moses' interference in the Midianite women's plight suggest about him? 4. Is the name 'Gershom' significant? Give a reason for your answer. 5. Why do you think God chose Moses to be the Hebrews' saviour? 6. Although Moses was a murderer, God was still able to use him in a mighty way. What can we learn from this? 7. Can you think of anyone else in the Bible who committed a similar sin, but was important in preparing the way for another Saviour, Jesus Christ? (If stuck, 2 Samuel ch. 11 and 12 may help.) D. Discussion Read Hebrews Chapter 11: How is Moses regarded by the apostle Paul in this letter? What lessons can the modern Christian learn from this? E. Taking It Further With other members of your class, design a wall frieze outlining the story of Moses from his birth until God calls him to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. 2

3 Passover A. Read Exodus 12 : 1-36 and answer the following questions:- 1. What was the last plague? Why do you think it moved Pharaoh to let the Israelites leave Egypt? 2. How was the Passover month shown to be important to Jews? 3. What would determine the size of lamb to be used for the Passover meal? 4. What kind of lamb was to be used? 5. When was the lamb to be killed? 6. What was to be done with the blood? 7. Write out a menu for the Passover meal. 8. What instructions were given for eating the Passover food? 9. How were the people to eat the meal? 10. What does this suggest to you? 11. Explain how the Feast of the Passover got its name. 12. What was the outcome of the last plague in the battle of wills between Pharaoh and the Children of Israel? 13. Why do you think there was so much haste about their departure? (v12). In what way was the Feast of the Passover to be remembered? (See vs. 17) B. Taking it Further 1. Make a mime or drama of the preparation by a Jewish family for the Passover. 2. Write a letter as a thirteen year old Jewish child to a Gentile friend describing Passover as celebrated by your family. 3. Make an interview for a TV or radio programme in the house of a Jewish family celebrating Passover with special reference to explaining the importance of Exodus 12 : Make a wall frieze illustrating the main events in Exodus How would you have felt taking part in the first Passover? 5

4 Passover C. Linking to today 1. In what way was the Feast of the Passover to be remembered? (see vs. 17) 2. Which Christian special days are kept in a similar way? 3. Exodus 12 : 26 makes special reference to children questioning the reasons for celebrating Passover. Why do you think this is? 4. How could (a) parents (b) schools (c) the church instruct young people about religious festivals in a positive way? 5. What is the point of keeping religious festivals? D. Taking it Further 5. a) Copy out and illustrate John the Baptist's description of Jesus from John 1:29; b) In what ways was Jesus like the Passover lamb? 6. What similarities can you find between Jews keeping Passover and Christians having Holy Communion? 7. Explain the symbolism of blood to Jews at Passover and to Christians at Easter. E. Discussion 1. Why do you think that so many detailed instructions were given for the feast of the Passover? 2. What do you think about the following statement: "Christmas and Easter holidays are no longer 'Holy Days' "? 6

5 Rules The Ten Commandments A. Discussion Revise Exodus 20 : 1-17 and in groups of 4 or 5 discuss the following questions, keeping notes of your group's answers so that your spokesperson can report back to the class:- 1. What do you understand by the word 'worship'? 2. What is meant by 'other gods'? 3. What does our use of God's name tell about our relationship with Him? 4. What is involved in keeping God's day holy? 5. a) Set out the arguments usually given for and against keeping Sunday special. b) Prepare a class debate on the topic, 'Shops should remain open on Sundays' from each of the following people's point of view: 6. How may we honour our parents? 7. Explain how murder could be committed without a person deliberately setting out to kill. 8. What parts of family life are upset when adultery is part of it? 9. Apart from losing a possession, what else happens when something is stolen? 10. How does telling lies spoil a relationship? 11. How may covetousness upset a person's health and well-being? 12. Suggest how society's life could be improved by keeping the ten commandments. 13. Which of the ten do you consider to be most important? Why? - a shop owner - a shop assistant - a trade union man - the family of the shop assistant - the shop's customers - residents in the shopping street B. Now write answers to the following questions:- 1. How did Jesus group the Ten Commandments? (See Matt.22:37-39) 2. Some say the commandments tell us how to love God and our neighbour. Others say that they show us our duty to God and neighbour. Is there a difference? How do you see it? 3. Rewrite the Ten Commandments in a shorter, more positive form. 10

6 Rules C. Taking it Further 1. In groups, prepare a news report on what would happen (i) in Northern Ireland and (ii) on a world scale if everyone kept the Ten Commandments. Put together a news report covering each commandment to make a TV news item with mime, drama or interview as a background to the report. 2. Make a collage from magazine cuttings on the themes of:- other gods, parents, adultery, stealing and Sundays. Look up Psalm 119 : Does the writer see keeping God's commands as a loving response or as a duty? How do you know? D. Discussion Statement A: 'God is a spoilsport' Statement B: 'God's laws are to protect us and give us a good quality of life' Say which of the above two statements you agree with and why. 11

7 The Call of Moses A. Study Exodus Chapter 3 with your teacher before answering the questions below:- 1. Where was Moses when God called him? 2. What was his father-in-law's occupation? 3. In what form did God appear to Moses? 4. Why did God instruct him to remove his shoes? 5. What name did God call Himself? 6. State the task God had in mind for Moses. 7. Give Moses' first reaction. 8. How did God assure Moses that he would be with him? 9. With whom was Moses to make contact before embarking on this important mission? 10. How would God persuade the stubborn Pharaoh to let His people leave Egypt? B. Discussion 1. God called Moses in a special way. How do you think God calls people to serve Him today? 2. Moses was reluctant to obey God's call. Why do you think he would have been frightened to return to Egypt? 3. What can the modern Christian learn from Moses' experience? Do you think that a missionary or clergyman has to be a special kind of person? (Give reasons). 4. Think of four working people you know. How could their jobs be used to glorify God? 5. a) Rephrase the following words to form a verse from the New Testament. 3 YOU WORK DO AS MEN WORKING NOT AT WHATEVER ALL WERE IT FOR HEART COLOSSIANS THOUGH WITH LORD V23 YOUR AND FOR THE CHAPTER YOU b) What does it teach Christians about their work, no matter what it is? 3

8 The Call of Moses C. The burning bush is a symbol of a particular Christian denomination in Ireland. Which one is it? Why do you think this symbol was chosen? Optional Activity Write a brief report on that Church's beliefs and practices. (A visit from a member of its clergy may be useful). D. Imagine that you are Moses. Write your diary entry for the day on which God called you to lead His people out of their miserable slavery in Egypt. Describe your feelings and fears for the safety of your family. E. Taking it Further Discuss the following in groups and report your answers back to your teacher:- (i) There do not seem to be many visions of God today. Why do you think this is so? (ii) In what other ways does God reveal Himself to people in the late twentieth century? (iii) Jesus' arrival on earth meant that God no longer had to speak to men as He did in the Old Testament. Think of two other events that allowed God to reveal Himself to mankind in other ways. (iv) God can still speak to people as He did in Bible times. In what special circumstances might this happen? 4

9 The Red Sea A. Read Exodus Ch.14 and answer the following questions:- 1. What would Pharaoh think had happened to the Israelites? 2. Why would Pharaoh follow them? 3. What two results did God want from Pharaoh s pursuit of the Israelites? 4. Why were the Israelites so afraid? 5. What do the comments in vs.11 and 12 tell us about the Israelites? 6. What did God tell Moses to do next? 7. How did the angel of God protect and guide the Israelites? 8. How did the Lord cause the sea to go back? 9. How did this whole incident end up for Pharaoh - what were his losses? 10. What does Hebrews 11:29 say about the crossing of the Red Sea? 7

10 The Red Sea B. Taking it Further 1. Why would the Exodus be an accurate title for this passage? 2. What did this incident teach the Israelites about :- a) Moses? b) God? 3. Describe Moses faith at the time? 4. Who were the two parties in the Old Covenant? 5. How did the crossing of the Red Sea strengthen the bonds of the Covenant for the Israelites? 6. Fill in the blanks using the words below (there are more words than you need):- Through... God delivered the... from Through Jesus God delivered CROSS POWER THE CHURCH OF JESUS FAITH FROM ISRAELITES ARMY PHARAOH S MOSES US SIN 7. Explain how some Christians see a close comparison between the Red Sea crossing and the waters of baptism. 8. Either Write a letter from a Jewish child after crossing the Red Sea to an Egyptian child that he/she had become friendly with while in Egypt. Desribe your feelings and thoughts about the event and then write a reply that the Egyptian might have sent. Or Write a conversation between an Israelite believer and a doubter at the time of the incident about this miracle. 8

11 The Red Sea C. Discussion 1. Does God only want certain nations/people to worship Him? (see Ex.14: 4). 2. Some people say that the opening of the Red Sea was a 'fluke' or a freak of nature and nothing to do with God. From the passage, say how their argument is flawed. (Look for several points). 3. Who was to blame for the annihilation of the Egyptian army and economy? 4. Does disobedience to God always have as serious consequences today? D. Design a wordsquare with twelve key words from this story and give it to your neighbour to do while you attempt to do his/hers. Don't give him/her the hidden words. 9

12 Prayer A. Introduction: (i) Describe a time when someone thanked you for doing a good job or paid you a compliment; also describe how you felt. (ii) Copy out and complete this sentence: 'The 3 things I find hardest about praying are ' If we understand prayer as communication with God, then the book of Exodus from chapter 3 could be said to be one long prayer between Moses and God. B. Look up Exodus 3:11-12 and 5:22-6:1 How did Moses feel in each situation and what was God's reply? Praise is said to be the highest form of worship. It can be split into thanking God for what He is and for what He has done. C. Look up the following verses in Exodus 15 Write the appropriate statement in the correct column:- Verse Praising God for what He has done Praising God for who He is a 6b

13 Prayer Christian meditation is a form of silent prayer in which a person concentrates all his/her attention on God and thinks about Him or a Bible passage. D. Read Exodus 24: Describe this event in the life of Moses in your own words. E. The writer of Deuteronomy spoke of the special relationship between God and Moses in Deut. 34:10. Copy out the verse and explain it in your own words. F. Discussion: (i) What lessons may be learnt about prayer from the example of Moses? (ii) Would any of these lessons help to solve the 3 difficulties you mentioned at the start of this lesson (Section A (ii) )? G. Find 12 words associated with God in Exodus chapter 15 in the following wordsearch. M W A D O G Y A L I A M E A G L S U R R J F R R O T F A R O E O E H R H C I Y N S A G O T L O R D E T O N I E R E E A W I G A S T A R L E A C F 13