Adult Object Lesson: November 4, 2012
Hearing, Obedience and the Commandments
Adult Object Lesson: Deuteronomy 6:1-9, Psalm 119:1-8, Hebrews 9:11-14, Mark 12:28-34
Today’s scriptures have a common theme. They are about listening and obeying. In fact, in today’s gospel, Jesus takes and passes a test!
Today’s object lesson is about following directions. Your congregation will take a test.
“Hear, O Israel! The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).
The Old Testament Lesson is called The Shema, the Hebrew word for Hear. It is the key Bible text in the Christian/Judaic scriptures.
The Psalm reassures us that there is happiness in following God’s ordinances.
The Epistle and the Gospel dance around the established authorities of scripture—the priests, scribes and Jesus.
Today’s Gospel follows a number of exchanges between various religious leaders who challenge Jesus. There seems to be some confusion among Jesus’ followers. In comes a scribe, a fellow who is used to being the “go to” guy when such questions arise.
Scribes were respected teachers, entrusted to copy and interpret scripture.
So, in this exchange, we have “dueling teachers.”
As we read today, we might be waiting for this scribe to get his comeuppance from Jesus, the great teacher.
That’s not what happens!
The tables are turned. This time Jesus is quizzed.
The question: What is the most important commandment?
We can be amused that Jesus passes the scribe’s test, but Jesus took him seriously. He could have answered, “How dare YOU question ME!” But Jesus embraced the moment. He enjoyed the exchange just as any good teacher might enjoy debating a worthy colleague.
Jesus’ answer assures the scribe that He has not departed from the traditional Jewish teachings. And so the scribe, who clearly knows his stuff, is neither embarrassed nor intimidated.
The following exercise is adapted from a “listening” exercise used with school children. There is no trick. It’s just seeing if you can follow directions. Educators claim that despite the simplicity, it is, in fact, a challenge. The only suggestion from teachers is to tell them you will not repeat a direction more than once. They have to LISTEN if they are to OBEY!
You might interweave this with your actual sermon.
Make sure there is a blank piece of paper and a pencil handed out to each worshiper before the sermon or with the bulletin.
Before the sermon. Instruct the congregation to fold their piece of paper in half lengthwise. Then ask them to open the folded piece of paper and fold it a second time crosswise. Again, have them unfold the paper. They should have a piece of paper that is neatly divided into four sections. Have them number the sections. 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Have them draw a roughly two-inch circle in the center where the folds cross.
Have them write inside the circle, ” I will love the Lord with all my”
Tell them to listen carefully in the sermon for further directions.
Interspersed in your sermon give the following directions.
In section 1, write HEART
In section 2, write SOUL
In section 3, write STRENGTH
In section 4, write MIND
Congratulate them for following your directions. Challenge them to follow the directions of the commandment.
Bonus question: What is the second most important commandment. (See if they were really listening!)