Confirmation: The Exodus

To download and print this lesson click here:  DOWNLOAD

Work through the confirmation Lesson below.  Do the best you can on your own.  If you need help, or if you get stuck send me an email, (revrichm@gmail.com), text or call me (610-401-5602).  When you're done, post your answers at the bottom.  When we meet next I will go over this and we'll do an exercise to have some fun with it.  

Moses and Pharaoh

My Faith Story

Ask yourself this Big Question: Why doesn't God fix all the injustice in the world?

God works through us to combat injustice just as God worked through Moses to combat injustice. Think about a time when you worked against injustice. Maybe you helped someone that was being teased or something like that.

What did you do? What was the experience like? How did you feel God's presence?

When we choose to fight injustice, we are choosing to do God's work in the world.

Open the Bible

Read Exodus 2:23–24. Make two lists on a piece of paper. Title one list "God" and the other "Pharaoh." As you read today's story, list the differences between these two leaders. Before you begin reading, write "deliverance" under God's name and "domination" under Pharaoh's name. Throughout your reading, continue to record the characteristics that were unique to each of them.

Exodus 5:1–9: Brickswithout Straw.

Questions:

• What did Moses and Aaron ask Pharaoh on behalf of God?

• How did Pharaoh respond?

• What did Pharaoh do to make life even more difficult for the slaves?

Exodus 6:1–9: TheIsraelites Doubt.

Questions:

• Why are God's people getting discouraged?

• How does Moses reassure them?

Exodus 7:14–12:32: ThePlagues.

Questions:

• Why was Pharaoh so stubborn?

• How did God eventually convince Pharaoh to let the people go?

• What would plagues look like today?

Exodus 12:33–42:Passover.

Question:

• How is Passover celebrated today?

• How did Jesus celebrate the Passover with his disciples?

Exodus 14:21–31: TheRed Sea.

• How do the Israelites escape?

• What do you think the celebration was like on the other side of the sea?

• When have you seen this kind of greatness in today's world?

FINAL OVERALL QUESTIONS:

• What do you think is the most dramatic part of Exodus 5–15?

• What is the weirdest part to you?

• Why do you think this story has been and remains such a source of hope for oppressed people?

Open the Catechism

Think about these two events in the Bible: "Noah and the Flood" and "The Red Sea."  Christians have long connected the stories of Noah and the flood and the people going through the Red Sea with baptism.  Why do you think that is?

Student Book page 305: Turn to the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and Luther's explanation. This of how the stories of Noah and the flood and the people going through the Red Sea relate well to the Sacrament of Holy Baptism.

Cartoon Connection

1. Which plague sounds like the grossest to you? Explain.

2. How does God work in the world today to overcome injustice?

3. Think about a place in the world today where God is acting to free people from some kind of burden or bondage.

Life Connection

Find out what your congregation is doing to work for peace and justice locally or internationally, or find a justice organization in your city. Pick an organization that interests you and find out how you can help. Make a pledge to your chosen organization, explaining how you will help out in the next month, two months, and beyond.

Word Scramble

Read the clues provided to help you unscramble the words.

1. AELEIIRST  __  __  __  __  __  __  __  __  __

2. RPHHAAO   __  __  __  __  __  __  __ 

3. SSEOM       __  __  __  __  __

4. GLUEASP   __  __  __  __  __  __  __ 

5. NNIRUGB    __  __  __  __  __  __  __ 

6. MIA              __  __  __ 

7. NAORA       __  __  __  __  __ 

8. EPELPO      __  __  __  __  __  __

1. Another name for one of God’s people.

2. Ruler in Egypt.

3. God chose him to free the slaves.

4. Ten terrible signs of God’s power.

5. God appeared to Moses in this kind of bush.

6. God’s name in Exodus 3:14.

7. Moses’ brother.

8. Let my ______ go!

Good Friday Scripture Readings

Instructions:  Each of the numbered texts will be artistically represented by a cross designed and decorated by one of the youth.  Each youth is asked to pick one of the numbers to use for their project.  Once you have picked the one you want, email me or comment in the blog below.  The scriptures will be assigned on a first come first serve basis.  The final two readings of Jesus' death and burial will need to read by two of the parents.  No crosses are needed for those.  Parents, you wish to read please email me and let me know.  revrichm@gmail.com  

Luke 22

1. Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39 He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. 40When he reached the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’ 41Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed,42‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.’ [[ 43Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. 44In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]] 45When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, 46and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.’

2. The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; 48but Jesus said to him, ‘Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?’ 49When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, ‘Lord, should we strike with the sword?’50Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51But Jesus said, ‘No more of this!’ And he touched his ear and healed him. 52Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, ‘Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? 53When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!’

3. Peter Denies Jesus54 Then they seized him and led him away, bringing him into the high priest’s house. But Peter was following at a distance. 55When they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat among them. 56Then a servant-girl, seeing him in the firelight, stared at him and said, ‘This man also was with him.’ 57But he denied it, saying, ‘Woman, I do not know him.’ 58A little later someone else, on seeing him, said, ‘You also are one of them.’ But Peter said, ‘Man, I am not!’ 59Then about an hour later yet another kept insisting, ‘Surely this man also was with him; for he is a Galilean.’ 60But Peter said, ‘Man, I do not know what you are talking about!’ At that moment, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed. 61The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.’ 62And he went out and wept bitterly.


4. Jesus before the Council63 Now the men who were holding Jesus began to mock him and beat him; 64they also blindfolded him and kept asking him, ‘Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?’ 65They kept heaping many other insults on him.66 When day came, the assembly of the elders of the people, both chief priests and scribes, gathered together, and they brought him to their council. 67They said, ‘If you are the Messiah, tell us.’ He replied, ‘If I tell you, you will not believe; 68and if I question you, you will not answer. 69But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.’ 70All of them asked, ‘Are you, then, the Son of God?’ He said to them, ‘You say that I am.’ 71Then they said, ‘What further testimony do we need? We have heard it ourselves from his own lips!’

Luke 23
5. Jesus before Pilate & Herod
1Then the assembly rose as a body and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2They began to accuse him, saying, ‘We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding us to pay taxes to the emperor, and saying that he himself is the Messiah, a king.’ 3Then Pilate asked him, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ He answered, ‘You say so.’ 4Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, ‘I find no basis for an accusation against this man.’ 5But they were insistent and said, ‘He stirs up the people by teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to this place.’ 6 When Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7And when he learned that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him off to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time. 8When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see him perform some sign. 9He questioned him at some length, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11Even Herod with his soldiers treated him with contempt and mocked him; then he put an elegant robe on him, and sent him back to Pilate. 12That same day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other; before this they had been enemies.

6. Jesus Sentenced to Death13 Pilate then called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people, 14and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was perverting the people; and here I have examined him in your presence and have not found this man guilty of any of your charges against him.15Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Indeed, he has done nothing to deserve death. 16I will therefore have him flogged and release him.’
18 Then they all shouted out together, ‘Away with this fellow! Release Barabbas for us!’ 19(This was a man who had been put in prison for an insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder.) 20Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them again; 21but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify, crucify him!’ 22A third time he said to them, ‘Why, what evil has he done? I have found in him no ground for the sentence of death; I will therefore have him flogged and then release him.’ 23But they kept urgently demanding with loud shouts that he should be crucified; and their voices prevailed. 24So Pilate gave his verdict that their demand should be granted. 25He released the man they asked for, the one who had been put in prison for insurrection and murder, and he handed Jesus over as they wished.

7. The Crucifixion of Jesus26 As they led him away, they seized a man, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him, and made him carry it behind Jesus. 27A great number of the people followed him, and among them were women who were beating their breasts and wailing for him. 28But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29For the days are surely coming when they will say, “Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.”30Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us”; and to the hills, “Cover us.” 31For if they do this when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?’  32 Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. 33When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. [[ 34Then Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.’]] And they cast lots to divide his clothing.35And the people stood by, watching; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, ‘He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!’ 36The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, 37and saying, ‘If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!’ 38There was also an inscription over him, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’  39 One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, ‘Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ 40But the other rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.’ 42Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ 43He replied, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.’

The Death of Jesus44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45while the sun’s light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said this, he breathed his last. 47When the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God and said, ‘Certainly this man was innocent.’ 48And when all the crowds who had gathered there for this spectacle saw what had taken place, they returned home, beating their breasts. 49But all his acquaintances, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

The Burial of Jesus50 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, 51had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. 52This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. 54It was the day of Preparation, and the sabbath was beginning.55The women who had come with him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56Then they returned, and prepared spices and ointments.

Confirmation: Joseph

To download and print this lesson click here:  DOWNLOAD

Work through the confirmation Lesson below.  Do the best you can on your own.  If you need help, or if you get stuck send me an email, (revrichm@gmail.com), text or call me (610-401-5602).  When you're done, post your answers at the bottom.  When we meet next I will go over this and we'll do an exercise to have some fun with it.  

Joseph

My Faith Story

Ask yourself the Big Question: Why should I trust God?

Think about the people you are growing up with—neighbors, friends, and schoolmates. Reflect on major world events that have occurred during your lifetime. As you think about these events, search for your favorite stories of God bringing good from evil. When have you seen this happen? Why should you believe that God is at work in the world despite all the bad things that happen?

Open the Bible

The Joseph story begins in Genesis 37 and continues through chapter 50, the end of the book of Genesis. Read Genesis 37 in two parts—verses 1–11 for the story of Joseph's dreams and verses 12–36 for the story of how Joseph was sold into slavery. The stories of Joseph continue two themes about God found in early Genesis stories: (1) God protects the leader who trusts in God, and (2) God's guidance is mysterious and can turn human expectations upside down.

Q: Why were Joseph's brothers jealous of him?

A: Their father favored Joseph who was the second youngest brother. Joseph was a dreamer, and his two dreams that suggested the brothers would bow down to him angered the brothers. In addition, the special coat probably suggested to the sons that Jacob was going to make Joseph his heir.

Q: What did the brothers' hatred of Joseph drive them to do?

A: They sold him into slavery and then told their father that Joseph had been killed.

Read Again Genesis 37:5–11. Do you think the dreams were a prophecy of what was to come? What other examples do we have of God speaking through dreams in biblical times? Does God speak through dreams today?

Joseph being sold into slavery and ending up in Egypt was a part of God's plan to save the people. It gives a foretaste of the beginning of Exodus, in which Pharaoh enslaves God's chosen people. As time allows, read all or selected parts of the account of Joseph's life in Egypt in Genesis 39–50. The story of seduction and false accusation in Chapter 39 brings disgrace to Joseph. The key thing is that Joseph continues to trust God, and God continues to remain faithful to Joseph, even in the tough times.

Read Genesis 39:2. God is at work through faithful people even when those people find themselves in difficult situations. God's presence in a person's life is a powerful thing. Can you describe how God is present in your life?

As you can discover from reading Genesis 40–41, Joseph's gift of dream interpretation is not only uncanny, it's practical. He goes from prison to the palace when his prophecy about famine and crops saves the economy and the people of Egypt. And Joseph's reliance on God earns rewards, freedom, and status for himself. Yet Joseph does not take the credit; instead, he gives the glory to God.

Q: Why did God use the chain of events related to Joseph to get Joseph's family to Egypt, the land where their ancestors would eventually become slaves?

A: In Egypt they were protected from the many wars being fought in Canaan. In Egypt they grew from a small family to a nation of several million people.

Read Genesis 50:20, a passage from the close of the Joseph story.

Q: What do you think the words "God intended it for good" mean?

A: God continued to act in the Joseph story, but in a different manner from the previous stories of Genesis, such as Noah's ark and Sarah and Abraham. God's ways were more hidden to Joseph's family, but they were just as life-changing as ever.

Joseph shows us a new way of relating to God through indirect communication, more like the prayer and trust we depend on to communicate with God. Joseph is vulnerable and rejected, yet he trusts God, and through him God saves many people. Forgiveness is key in this story and becomes the turning point for reuniting the chosen family. That same turning point is ours today. Jesus frees us by forgiving our sins. When have you felt really free?

Open the Catechism

Think about this question: "When did God finish creating the world?"

Student Book page 299: Read the first article of the Apostles' Creed and its meaning.

Read again the meaning from the phrase "In addition, God daily. . ." through the end.

How does this connect to the Joseph story?

God took care of Joseph through some very tough times. And Joseph served God's purposes. When we put our trust in God, God makes sure that what we do does some good for ourselves and others. God gets the job done.

Cartoon Connection

Do you think that by showing off his special coat, Joseph sent his brothers over the edge?

How did God intervene and use the brothers’ resentment of Joseph for good?

Life Connection

Joseph was really good at planning ahead. We can’t all have dreams that tell us what to do, but we can use our knowledge to plan ahead. When you get home, look at your calendar for the next week and make a daily to-do list of chores, assignments, and fun stuff you’ll get done in the next week. Keep to your schedule and report back on how you did at the next class.

True/False Quiz

Answer the following questions with “True” or “False.”

Look in Genesis for help.

1. Joseph and his brothers had the same mother (Genesis 35). T or F

2. Jacob refused to give special gifts to his son Joseph (Genesis 37). T or F

3. Joseph was Jacob’s favorite son (Genesis 37). T or F

4. Joseph’s brothers killed him (Genesis 37). T or F

5. Joseph was wrongly accused of having an affair with a rich man’s wife (Genesis 39). T or F

6. Joseph had the gift of interpreting dreams (Genesis 40). T or F

7. Joseph was unable to help Egypt prepare for a famine (Genesis 41). T or F

8. Joseph never saw his brothers after they sold him as a slave (Genesis 42). T or F

9. Joseph tested his brothers to see if they had changed (Genesis 44). T or F

10. Eventually, Jacob and his sons moved to Egypt (Genesis 46). T or F

Confirmation: Abraham

To download and print this lesson click here:  DOWNLOAD

Work through the confirmation Lesson below.  Do the best you can on your own.  If you need help, or if you get stuck send me an email, (revrichm@gmail.com), text or call me (610-401-5602).  When you're done, post your answers at the bottom.  When we meet next I will go over this and we'll do an exercise to have some fun with it.  

Abraham

My Faith Story

Big Question: Can I really trust God?

Think about your own faith story using the suggestion below or another way to share about how God has kept promises in your life.

Time is an important element of the story of Abraham, Sarah, and Hagar. God expected Abraham and Sarah to go without delay and then wait for years and years.  Consider the clock in your room and think about on how quickly or slowly life is passing you by. What makes time seem to fly by? What makes it seem to go slow? What does being on God's time mean and feel like to you?

Open the Bible

Open to Genesis 12:1–4a. Before you read it, consider these questions: What is God promising? What does God ask Abraham and family to do? What do they do? Then read the passage with those questions in mind. 

Continue with Genesis 12:10–20. This story may be completely new and unknown to you.  Why do you think this story is less popular than other stories about Abraham and Sarah. 

Continue with Genesis 15:1–16. What is God promising? What does God ask Abraham to do? What does Abraham do? How is this covenant like and unlike the one you read in Genesis 12?

Q.  How do Lutherans understand God's promise to Abraham?

A.  The key matter regarding God's promise to Abraham is not the location of the Promised Land or the bloodline of the promised descendants, instead, for Lutherans the key matter is summed in chapter 15:6: "And he [Abraham] believed the Lord; and the Lord reckoned it to him as righteousness."  Since this is the first instance in scripture that faith is commended, according to Luther, "This is therefore one of the foremost passages in all of scripture." How does Abraham "obtain righteousness" here?  "In this way," said Luther: "God speaks and Abraham believes what god is saying."   

Turn together to Genesis 17. What is God promising? What does God ask Abraham to do? What does Abraham do? How is this covenant like and unlike the ones you read in Genesis 12 and 15? 

Before you turn to Genesis 18, make believe that three strangers showed up at your door.   What kind of hospitality would you show them on such short notice?  Now read Genesis 18. What kind of hospitality did Abraham and Sarah show? 

Go back to Genesis 16 and 21:8–21, the story of Hagar and Ishmael.  This story reveals more about who Abraham and Sarah are as people. What promises does God make to Hagar? What does God do? What does Hagar do? How is this covenant like and unlike the covenants God made with Abraham and Sarah? 

As you continue through Genesis, note that the "sister" trick Abraham pulled on the pharaoh in chapter 12 is repeated in chapter 20. What is going on, here?

Read Genesis 21:1–7. What did God do? What did Abraham and Sarah do?  Did Abraham and Sarah "deserve" such favor from God? What does it mean that God loved them, and kept God's promise to them despite all their human imperfections?

Open the Catechism

Here We Stand Student Book page 306: Read through Luther's description of confession. What does God promise? What are we trusting God to do?  make a list of your own confessions. These are not to be shared with the class, or on this blog, but if you wish to talk privately with me about anything you feel like confessing please contact me.  What is the purpose of making confession? How does it provide comfort and relief? Is there anyone in the world who doesn't have any sins to confess?

Here We Stand Student Book page 176: Comparative Religions

Judaism, Christianity, and Islam trace roots back to Abraham. What are some of the similarities and differences between these three religions?

Here We Stand Student Book page 45: Five Facts about Life in Old Testament Times

Which of these five facts surprised you the most? 

Which do you think you’d have the hardest time adapting to?

Here We Stand Student Book page 96: A Brief History of God’s Covenant with the People

What kinds of covenants can you think of that exist between people? 

How are these like and unlike God’s covenants with God’s people?

Cartoon Connection

What makes the story of Sarah, Hagar, and Abraham seem real
to you?
How do you feel about Hagar’s banishment to the wilderness?
What makes human relationships so complicated?

Life Connection

God promised Abraham that his descendants would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5). Draw a small star on your hand.  Every time you see it this week, remember that God keeps promises.

Quiz

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The name Abraham means . . .

     a. man with a thousand sheep.

     b. father of many. 

     c. one who waits patiently.

     d. There is no meaning to this name.

2. The name Sarah means . . .

     a. a person everyone likes.

     b. noble shepherdess.

     c. princess (of a nation).

     d. perfect wife and mother.

3. Waterproof tents used by Abraham and his people were made of . . .

     a. coarse goat hair. 

     b. Gore-Tex™.

     c. cashmere.

     d. duck feathers.

4. The name Isaac means . . .

     a. he laughed. 

     b. he cried.

     c. he scowled.

     d. he lived.

5. Abraham got Pharaoh and Abimelech into trouble by saying that Sarah was his . . .

     a. wife.

     b. sister. 

     c. very good friend.

     d. sister-in-law.

True or False Questions

6. All families experience conflict. 

7. The heroes of the Bible are nearly perfect. 

8. Hagar is the mother of Isaac. 

Word Search

9.  God established a _________________________with Abraham and Sarah.

10.  Abraham and Sarah's response when God said they would have a child was________________.

11.  Abraham's son with Hagar was named_______________________.

12.  Hagar was Sarah's_____________________________.

13.  Abraham's son with Sarah was named ___________________________.

14.  The name Isaac means "he___________________________.

15.  In Genesis 15 Abraham made an _______________________ to God.

16.  God always keeps God's _______________________.

Confirmation: The Flood

To download and print this lesson click here:  DOWNLOAD

Work through the confirmation Lesson below.  Do the best you can on your own.  If you need help, or if you get stuck send me an email, (revrichm@gmail.com), text or call me (610-401-5602).  When you're done, post your answers at the bottom.  When we meet next I will go over this and we'll do an exercise to have some fun with it.  

The Flood

My Faith Story

The Big Question: What does an old covenant have to do with me?

The word covenant translates roughly to "promise." In more legal terms, a covenant is similar to a contract—if you do this, I promise to do that.  Think of the concept of covenant/promise as it relates to keeping (or breaking) a confidence, such as, "Promise not to tell anyone."    Friendship is often contingent on promise-keeping.  God's promise to Noah helps us understand how God keeps a promise unconditionally, even when humans cannot live by the rules and maintain faithfulness to God.

Open the Bible

Noah "walked with God" (Genesis 6:9) before the flood. However, God was very displeased with the wickedness of the rest of humankind (Genesis 6:5, 11–13). God found Noah's family to be the only righteous people left in creation. 

  

Read Genesis 9:8–11. After keeping Noah, his family, and the animals safe during the flood, God made a covenant.  A covenant is a promise between two unequal parties. God made a promise to Noah and his descendants to never destroy the earth again. There is no mention of Noah's part in this covenant. As is always the case with God's grace, the promise does not depend on anything humans do. God cared enough about Noah and his family, and all humanity that was to come after them, to give them good news for the future.

Read Genesis 9:13 about the rainbow.   Remember, unlike us today, the biblical people lived outside. No one would miss spotting a rainbow! This verse states that the rainbow would be a sign. Throughout the Bible God gives signs to people to help them remember who God is.  Can you think of some other images from nature that God used to teach people in the Bible?  

Open the Catechism

Student Book page 299: Read the first article of The Apostles' Creed. This part of the Creed states what we believe about God the creator.  God promises to care for us and for all of creation.   How does God care for us through other people, giving us what we need, protecting us each day, and enabling us to believe in God as our continuous creator.

Student Book pages 96–97: Read the introduction of "A Brief History of God's Covenant with the People" and the first selection "Covenant with Noah."  God's covenant with Noah was really a promise with all people who would follow him. In that one covenant, God's grace was given to all humankind.

Student Book page 111: Check out the "Noah's Ark" text and illustration. That's one BIG ARK!  

How many feet are there in a cubit. Then measure the height, width, and length of your bedroom (in cubits) and determine how many rooms that size would fit into the ark. Remember that just like the rules and formulas of math, there are rules for humans to follow in order to live together. Fortunately, there is God's unconditional love and mercy that we need when we have trouble living by the rules.

Cartoon Connection
Why is this a couple's cruise?

The cruise promises to be 40 days.  Is that promise too good to be true?
Would 40 days together on a boat be a good thing or a bad thing for your family?  Why? or Why not?

Life Connection

"I promise..." is something we say and hear a lot.  But many people take promises lightly and think nothing of breaking them.  Think of a time when someone broke a promise with you.  How did that make you feel?  In the next week, make an important promise to a friend or family member.  Make a point of keeping it.  How do kept promises make you feel? 

Quiz

Multiple Choice Questions

1. The point of the flood was to . . .

     a. show the effects of global warming.

     b. restore God's creation. 

     c. sell more arks.

     d. freshen up creation.

2. God chose to save Noah because . . .

     a. he already had a lot of pets.

     b. Noah "walked with God." 

     c. he was the best carpenter God could find.

     d. he had a large family that could repopulate the earth.

3. God decided not to destroy the world again with a flood because . . .

     a. people are imperfect and will always need rules and love. 

     b. another 40 days and nights of rain was too much to bear.

     c. new generations of people would be more God-fearing.

     d. it's not possible with people spread out in so many places.

4. A cubit is a measure of the distance roughly equal to . . .

     a. your ear to your big toe.

     b. your molars to your front teeth.

     c. your knee to your ankle.

     d. your elbow to your fingertip. 

True or False Questions

5. God told Noah to find a pair of every animal with the exception of the snake because it was cursed by God.

6. God's judgment returned creation to the watery chaos out of which it first arose.

7. The ark was built of gopher wood, a hardwood that no longer exists.

8. Mount Ararat, where some scholars say the ark probably landed, is in the country of Italy.

Use Genesis 6-9 to help you unscramble these words:

9.   IBWRAON

Reminds God not to flood the earth again.

10.  NNETCAVO

God made this with Noah

11.  RYFOT

It rained this many days and nights.

12.  MLSBASEEL

God considered Noah the last_________man on earth.

13.  SEWENCKIDS

God sent the flood because humankind was this.

14.  BTSICU

The ark was measured in these.

15.  GTIHE

This is how many people were on the ark.

16.  EIOVL

The dove came back with this leaf.

In Your Own Words

17.  God spared Noah and his family during the flood, but what happens to them after the flood? Read Genesis 9:18–28.

18.  The flood did not rid the world of sin, but it cleansed the world and allowed God and humanity a fresh start.   How can God's covenant keep you positive when you realize that you will always be a sinner?

19.  Besides the rainbow in this story, what other signs can you think of in Old Testament and New Testament stories?

20.  God didn't just save humans. Animals were included on the ark, too. What does God's commitment to saving animals mean for us?