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Object Lessons for Adults

Adult Object Lesson: Luke 20:27-38

dreamgirlIn Search of “Happily Ever After”

Today 2×2 presents a story about hopes and dreams which highlight some of the points of Jesus’ teaching in  Luke 20:27-38 and Paul’s advice in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5,13-17.

The topic is the afterlife. There was great disagreement between two major groups of Jews. The Pharisees believed in the afterlife and the Sadducees weren’t so sure.

The Sadducees liked to pass the time of day asking questions. They answered their questions with more questions almost to the point we can almost hear some little voice in the crowd saying “What was the first question?” The Sadducees were the opinion editors of their day.

Jesus was used to the temple banter. He had been taking part in it since he was 12. He was all too familiar with the rhetorical patterns designed to trick you into questioning the accepted.

In Jesus’ day, society was structured so that childless widows had a support system. A brother-in-law would marry and care for them. That system would last as long as there was a supply of brothers-in-law.

Here is a story to help us think about their questions that Luke’s account frames in a culture we no longer practice.

The Story of Paula and Petra

There were once two little girls who lived in the same village at the same time. They might have been the best of friends if their families had not been so very different.

Paula was the daughter of well-to-do parents. Her father was a rich business man and bestowed the finest gifts of clothing and jewelry on his beloved daughter. Her mother kept a fine home with many well-appointed rooms surrounding a beautiful courtyard. Her mother had plenty of household help. Paula’s every need was readily attended. She ate the best foods and slept in a beautiful bedroom in sheets of the softest silk.

Petra, on the other hand, slept on the bare floor of run-down home. Her parents sent her to work during the day. Petra scrubbed, swept and mended for a rich family much like Paula’s. When she finished work, she scavenged through the streets for food and came home to parents who were constantly arguing. She would sneak into her room and curl up in a corner, hoping her parents did not notice her return. If they did, she might be drawn into the argument. A beating would surely follow.

Both Paula and Petra were typical girls in that both dreamed of one day growing up and marrying. Both girls imagined their ideal husbands. Paula wanted to marry a handsome, rich man, just like her father. They would build a house and fill it with rich things and many children. Their home would be built on a foundation of happiness and love. Her parents indulged Paula’s dreams, setting aside money and fine things for Paula’s wedding day. Her father would invite the son’s of his rich friends to dinner so that they might be smitten by his daughter’s charm.

Petra also dreamed of a handsome husband. She had never known a loving home so she dreamed of what that might be like. Her ideal home was little more than to find an end to the feuding. Still, she hoped that she might be loved and cared for and she would no longer live with hunger and fear. Petra’s parents laughed at her dreams. “Silly girl! You’ll never amount to anything,” they told her. “Better enjoy what you have today.”

One day the dreams of both girls were shaken. Petra was sorting through trash in the streets and Paula was trying on a new dress when the ground started shaking. Walls started crumbling.

Petra ran into the middle of the street where all traffic had stopped. People were running into the streets from every direction. They stood paralyzed with fear.

Paula’s father rushed into her room, swept his daughter into his arms and carried her into the courtyard. The family huddled together and watched the walls of their house start to crumble.

Petra stood in the street, alone but surrounded by strangers.

The ground shook for many minutes. Both girls saw their village leveled.

As things settled Paula and her family slowly returned to their home to salvage and repair their lives.

Petra’s world had changed little. She would look for her shack and her parents, but her tomorrow would be much the same as yesterday.

Each day brought each girl a little closer to the day of her dreams—the day when each would have a home of her own with someone to love them—a place where they could live happily ever after.

  • Can you see from this story how some people’s views of the future or afterlife might differ? The Pharisees and Sadducees had very different ideas of the afterlife.
  • How do you think our view of heaven is shaped by our lives today?
  • What advice do you hear from Jesus and Paul?
  • How should we spend our days if we are sure of heaven? What if we are not so sure?
  • Is hoping and believing enough?

Close with Paul’s blessing for the Christians in Thessalonica.

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and through grace gave us eternal comfort and good hope, comfort your hearts and strengthen them in every good work and word.

photo credit: iliveinoctober via photopin cc

04 Nov 2013

Adult Object Lesson—Luke 6:20-31

All Saints Sunday: The Rocky Road of Sainthood

At last we have the Reformation and Halloween out of the way. A few days have passed since November 1, the actual All Saints Day. Perhaps we can put aside the Halloween hoopla and stop to remember that all of these traditions were once important to the faithful.

The reason we dwell on ghosts and goblins at Halloween is because we once spent more time thinking about the afterlife. All Saints and All Souls Days were part of our faith. We were honoring the faithful who have gone before—remembering to once again honor them and pray for them and perhaps thinking ahead to our own fate and relationship with God.

In the Lutheran tradition, we believe in the sainthood of each believer–even those who struggle with their faith. That’s most of us at one time or another. Remembering the faithful who have walked their faith journey before us helps to bring us all back into the fold.

teddybearToday’s object is a worn child’s toy—a rag dog or teddy bear that has seen lots of loving.

Have a beloved child’s toy in hand as you address the qualities that Luke writes about today.

Ask your adult congregation to think back to their childhoods and their relationship with a favorite doll or stuffed toy. Reread the scripture. It’s a parallel to Matthew’s Beatitudes.

Look at that rag doll. “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.—But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation.”

Remember those pretend tea parties, “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled.—Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry.”

Remember the times when you felt scared, excluded, or lonely at night and clutched your toy under the covers. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.—Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.”

Remember when an older sibling might have grabbed your favorite toy and taunted you with a game of keep-away. “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.”

Now remember why you never threw away that dusty toy—the toy that bore your childhood worries—the toy that helped you learn to love.

Since it is All Saints Sunday, ask your people to remember the real people who came to replace our toys as we grew in faith and faced difficult challenges—our parents, teachers, friends and role models. They may have all become tired and tattered from heavy-duty loving. They are the people who brought us close to God and they are worth an annual prayer of remembrance.

Close with the final verses of today’s gospel:

“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.  If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

photo credit: PiggBox. via photopin cc

28 Oct 2013

Adult Object Lesson: Luke 18:9-14

Peacock-MockingbirdA Story of Two Birds

This week’s gospel is Jesus’ story of two men praying before God. It is the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.

The Pharisee prays loudly, thanking God for his life filled with riches, finery and the prestige of having many important friends. He’s a big shot in the church. God should be proud to hear his prayer.

The tax collector is of low rank in the community. He prays to God in humility.

Today’s lesson is a parallel story. Who doesn’t like a story?

The Story of the Peacock and Mockingbird 

Once upon the time, there was beautiful peacock who lived in a large fenced yard in the center of a very big farm. The peacock did not mind being fenced in. The farmer fed him well and often paused from his work to admire his pet bird’s beauty.

The peacock enjoyed the farmer’s attention. He was proud of his long blue neck and his long feathery tail of splendid gold, green and blue. Whenever he saw the farmer coming his way, he began strutting about the farmyard, dragging his beautiful feathers behind. At just the right moment, he would raise his tail and spread its feathers like a fan. The farmer would always smile with pride.

Nearby, in the branches of a large bush, lived a small gray bird. He often sat on a tiny twig and watched the peacock put on his show. He longed for the farmer’s attention. He’d fly above the farmyard, occasionally swooping low. “Much as I would like the farmer to notice me, I will never be as beautiful as the peacock,” thought the little gray bird. Still, he kept flying, hoping that one day, the farmer would smile at him with the same pride he had for the more handsome bird.

“Hm!” the peacock thought. “Look at that puny little bird. His feathers are so short and they have no color. Of course, the farmer likes me best! Why doesn’t the little gray bird go back to his nest and let the farmer enjoy my show?”

One sunny, spring day the farmer put down his how and leaned against the farmyard fence for a rest.

The peacock took notice and began strutting across the yard. Just as he was about to spread his beautiful tail feathers, the little gray bird began flying above him in wide circles.

“It’s time I put that little gray bird in his place,” the peacock thought. “This is my farmyard. The farmer wants to see me! I am beautiful. He is so very plain.”

The peacock raised his voice to keep the farmer’s attention.

“ACK! ACK! ACK!”

Aha! It was working. The farmer was delighted.

“ACK! ACK! ACK!”

But then the farmer turned his head to follow a different sound. It was very similar to the peacock’s call but so much softer.

“Ack! Ack! Ack!”

The farmer saw the little gray bird flying in circles above the farmyard. He couldn’t help but watch the little gray bird’s graceful flight.

The little gray bird landed on a nearby branch and repeated the peacock’s call ever so softly. “Ack! Ack! Ack!”  The softer the little gray bird called, the more carefully the farmer seemed to listen.

The peacock was jealous. “Is he mocking me?” he wondered. His dark eyes, circled with white, flashed in anger. He strutted toward the bush and spread his beautiful tail, intent on blocking any view of the little gray bird. The farmer moved closer to the bush, straining to see around him.

“ACK! ACK! ACK!” The peacock called as loudly as he could, but the farmer’s eyes were on the little gray bird sitting in the bush.

“Why isn’t he paying attention to me?” the peacock thought. “Is he hard of hearing?”

He stopped to consider whether or not his question made sense. But the little gray bird did not stop. The little gray bird repeated his call. “Ack! Ack! Ack!” The farmer beamed with pleasure at the little gray bird’s delicate echo.

Then the little gray bird changed the pitch. One “Ack” was high. The next “Ack” was low. The third “Ack” was somewhere in between.

“He’s ruining my song,” the peacock thought.

But that was just the beginning. Soon the little gray bird added new sounds to his song. He tweeted and twittered. He rasped and he whirred.

The farmer applauded in delight.

The peacock strutted toward the farmer. He stretched his beautiful blue neck and lifted his tiny head. He tried to echo the little gray bird’s song. But all that came from his mouth was a harsh, ugly “ACK! ACK! ACK!”

The little gray bird stopped singing. He flew a few times around the farmyard. The peacock spun in one direction and then the other as he, too, watched the little gray bird.

Then the little gray bird flew off. The farmer followed the plain gray bird’s soft, delicate call through the wide fields.

The peacock watched from behind the fence. For the first time he wished he could trade his beauty for feathers that could fly. His beautiful tail dragged in the dust as he strutted slowly around the yard with neither the farmer nor the little gray bird interested in his splendor.

Talk to your congregation about what God expects of us when we talk to him.

You can post these links of a strutting peacock and singing mockingbird on your website. The peacock sings at about the 13-second mark. The mockingbird never stops singing. You might even play the recordings for your congregation.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MhZPqHeEAQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMpe34Aign4

You can make stick puppets of a peacock and mockingbird from photos found easily on the web. If you use the story with children (or even with adults) you could divide the group with one singing the harsh peacock ACKs and the other singing more delicate Acks whenever you point to them.

Have fun!

 

20 Oct 2013

Adult Object Lesson: Luke 18:1-8

mosquitoPersistence, Justice and Faith 

This week’s object is a mosquito. BUZZZZZZZZ!

Have you ever set out to enjoy a summer evening when that buzz around your ear alerts you to danger? SWAT. Did you get it? Lean back and relax. Buzzzzzz. SWAT. The dance of the mosquito and the source of its sustenance continues until the little devil alights on an arm. SWAT!. Justice has prevailed. You hope!

Satisfied, you lean back and lift a cool glass of lemonade to your lips. Buzzzzz.

Mosquitos will have their way. They will keep entering the danger zone over and over. Where one fails, another waits.

The lessons today have a common trait. The widow insists on being heard by the judge in Jesus’ gospel story. In the Old Testament lesson, Jacob, having just wrestled with God, is not about to give up on what he is looking for either.

The parable points to the foundation of persistence. Faith. Although the parable seems to be all about persistence, Jesus’ parting volley is about faith. Will Jesus as the Son of Man find any faithful when he returns?

Faith creates problems for the faithful. It is indeed the quality that gives us backbone as a church and as individuals. Yet, frequently, that quality is unappreciated. Faith and persistence are read as disobedience and resistance, even foolhardiness—qualities that deserve punishment. SWAT!

God, the final arbiter of disputes, is not resentful of the persistent. He expects it and promises to reward it. He shows us this in story after story. He applauds the people who persist in getting his attention, even when they have annoyed him.

Think about the stories.

  • Zaccheus who climbs a tree just to see Jesus
  • The bleeding woman who reaches out to touch Jesus’ robe
  • The centurion who is sure his slave will be healed on Jesus’ command
  • The Samaritan leper, who sent on his way, insists on returning with gratitude
  • The sinful woman who accepts public ridicule to sit at Jesus’ feet
  • and more

Jesus likes the willful. He doesn’t see disobedience. He sees persistence fueled by faith. Exactly what he is looking for in his followers—yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Print out the image of a mosquito and attach it to a dowel. Use it as a puppet to illustrate your talk today.

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

photo credit: Marcos Teixeira de Freitas via photopin cc

14 Oct 2013

Adult Object Lesson: Luke 17:11-19

thankyouThe Value of Saying Thanks

Today’s Gospel is Luke’s account of Jesus’ Curing of Ten Lepers. All are made clean. Nine go on their way rejoicing. Only one (and a Samaritan at that) returns to thank Jesus for changing his life.

Today’s object is a Thank You card.

You can hold an actual Thank You card in your hand. You might even read the actual words.

Or you could create a giant Thank You card on a flip chart as you talk.

Writing Thank You cards is one of the first skills we teach our children. Often, it is one of the first skills forgotten as we reach an age of independence.

One habit of successful business people is writing Thank You notes. Some even have custom cards printed, sitting on their desks so that “the work” of finding and writing cards doesn’t stand in the way.

Giving thanks restores something inside of us. It unites us to community. You might make the point that only one of the lepers was truly 100% healed!

Examine with your adults (or children) the reasons why they might fail to show appreciation for a gift or action.

  • We might feel entitled.
    I’m the mother. I carried you for nine months. I deserve a nice gift.
    OR
    I don’t have to thank my Mom. She’s my mother.
  • We might feel the cost of thanking someone via mail negates the value of the gift.
    She gave me a $20 gift certificate. If I buy a card and mail it, that’s 20% of the value of the gift.
  • We may feel that the time it takes to thank someone doesn’t fit into our schedules.
    They know I’m grateful. I don’t have to go out of my way.
  • The feeling of superiority or equity might stop us.
    After all I’ve done for them, I rate a box of candy.
    I invited their family to dinner five times. It’s high time I get a return invitation.
  • We really do forget!

So those are reasons we offer to justify ingratitude. We, like the nine happy lepers, can go on our way using any of these reasons.

But what made the Samaritan leper return to smother Jesus with words and gestures of appreciation?

Let your congregation answer this question and write their words of thanks on the chart.
They might include:

  • Love for the donor.
  • Fear of the donor. (The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.—from today’s psalm—Psalm 111) (Did the Samaritan realize that if Jesus had the power to heal he might also have the power to destroy?
  • Words of gratitude might be an insurance policy of sorts. Keep the gifts coming!
  • But there is always the possibility that the beneficiaries of kindness are just plain thrilled that someone notices and cares that we walk this earth even as unclean outsiders.

When people see their thoughts in writing, their words carry more weight. As you finish today’s object lesson, have the congregation read their giant Thank You card out loud and together.

If you really want the message to hit home, put a thank you card in the mail tomorrow to each member of your congregation. (Not difficult for small churches!). Be specific in thanking them for their contributions to your church community.

Thanks is often a two-way street! We feel good when we are thanked for even the littlest thing. Imagine how God might feel having sacrificed his Son.

EXTRA

If you blog about your lesson—you do blog, don’t you?—here is a link to share with your congregation to reinforce the discussion on giving thanks. It’s just for fun. People learn when they are having fun!

http://social.razoo.com/2012/07/22-delightful-ways-to-say-thank-you/

photo credit: the Italian voice via photopin cc
07 Oct 2013

Adult Object Lession: Luke 17:5-10

mulberry_tree

Faith and the Mulberry Tree

Consider the mulberry tree.

The mulberry tree is a weed tree. Unruly. Persistent. Problematic. Uncommercial.

Mulberry trees are common. I could pull a dozen from garden to use as an object this week. The sooner I pull them the better as they are difficult to get rid of once they take root.

If you have no mulberry trees use this painting by Van Gogh.

Jesus says, “If you had faith the size of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.”

We tend to concentrate on the size of the mustard seed when we tell this story.

Mustard seeds are small. Point made.

Today let’s concentrate on the mulberry tree.

Here’s some information about mulberry trees.

  • They are widespread. They grow in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and boy! do they grow in North America.
  • They are a wide, bushy tree. I played under one as a child, imagining each branch dipping to the ground as carving out a separate room in my playhouse, fort or castle.
  • Most trees have needles or leaves that are very alike. The basic heart-shaped mulberry leaves can develop lobes that create many different shapes.
  • They bear both male and female flowers.
  • They can begin to grow again, even years after we think we’ve eradicated them.
  • They can thrive in the harshest conditions—even next to the sea. Jesus would have their mustard seed-sized faith plant the tree in the sea!
  • Their fruit is sweet and edible but not commercial. The berries are soft and fragile. Yet dropped by birds, they grow anywhere.
  • Their fruit stains everything. My back porch is purple in the spring.

This time, when we read this well-known parable, think about how God would put our small faith to work. He would have us moving weed trees, working with a tree that has a mind of its own and diversity in appearance, that can be found almost anywhere, that has potential value if handled with care and which bears a colorful fruit that can leave a lasting impression. If they weren’t so persistent in being what they are, they would be considered beautiful—a subject for painters like Van Gogh.

30 Sep 2013

Adult Object Lesson-Luke 16:19-31

waterThe Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus

This parable is one of the most memorable to me from my childhood. I had an old Sunday School paper given to me by an elderly church member that showed poor Lazarus with the dog under the table. The image spoke to me and I thought a lot about this story with its other rich images—the rich man enduring the agony of Hades and the poor man seated comfortably with honor in heaven.

The definition of a parable, taught to us as children, is “an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.”

The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is a story about how we value wealth. When weighed against the danger of losing our place in God’s kingdom, how important are our possessions?

That’s a big subject. How do we cover such vast territory with an object lesson?

Let’s consider one of the most valuable things in the world—something we are accustomed to having provided to us for free.

Drinking water.

Our object is the $2 bottle of (name your favorite brand) water.

Bottling individual portions of water for sale changed the way we view and value everyday drinking water.

Water was once provided for free in restaurants. You didn’t have to ask. Water was placed before you. Now you not only have to ask, you ask at the risk of the upsell. “Would you like seltzer water or (name the brand)?” You can sense the disappointment when you say—tap water will be fine.

I once stayed in a hotel where they had in the room’s minibar $6 bottles of water imported from Scandinavia. H2O is H2O, still one of my companions just had to sample it.

Since water is now sold in easy to carry containers, you see them everywhere. Whoever cleans your sanctuary is liking to collect a few bottles from the pews—unheard of 20 years ago.

Professional performers who might have hidden a cup of water to wet their whistle between numbers, position a bottle of water in plain sight. Product placement!

Teachers report that students feel they must have water with them in the classroom. “Stay hydrated” is a popular mantra. “Very important” usually follows the advice.

The offer of water was once an expectation of hospitality. When I was a child, hiking in the country, it was not unusual to be offered water as we passed a farmhouse.

Water fountains were once frequent appointments in public buildings. It was so important to all human beings that even if we didn’t want to share, we provided separate fountains for the people we were looking down upon — the Lazaruses of our day. “Whites only” or “Colored” signs were attached.

We have a new set of nuisances or problems all because of bottled water (including disposing of the used bottles). Because it now has a measurable value to us, we now think about water very differently. The common tin cup hanging by the well is no longer good enough for anyone.

Owning our bottles of water makes us part of our culture. We feel rich and accepted when we are always armed with H2O. As common as water is, we have made it a commercial status symbol.

That immediately affects the way we share. We are tempted to keep our purchased bottles for ourselves. Let everyone buy their own bottles of water.

And yet, water is something none of us can live without.

How important is it for us to have water? How important is it for us to reach heaven?

The rich man is begging for the opportunity to leave Hades for just one day to warn his brothers to share their water.

An earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

photo credit: toastforbrekkie via photopin cc
23 Sep 2013

Adult Object Lesson: Psalm 113

What’s In A Name?

The opening lines of Psalm 113:
Praise the Lord! Praise, O servants of the Lord;
praise the name of the Lord.
Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time on and forevermore.

Today’s lesson is about names. Names are the object.

You might do a little homework this week. Look up the names of a few of your congregation. Find out what their names mean. Both first names and last names have meanings.

Names are important in the Bible. They are more than a label. They identify a person’s character and tell part of their story.

You can use the story of Jacob (usurp or heel holder) and Esau (rough or hairy). Their names became their lives. Jacob, who grasped the heel of his twin brother as he was about to be born first, eventually hoodwinked his brother from his birthright. Esau, born rough and hairy was the hunter. He was out hunting, while Jacob played his tricks.

You can also use the name-changing stories in the Bible. Abram (exalted father)-Abraham (father of multitudes), Sarai (argumentative)-Sarah (princess), Simon (to be heard)-Peter (rock), Saul (prayed for)-Paul (humble).

Some of the names for God were so sacred that they traditionally were not spoken.

In this psalm (read before the Passover Ceremony), the name of the Lord is to be praised.

Naming a person is a huge responsibility and one of the first major negotiations of any marriage. Everyone has a name story to tell.

If you have children in church you might be able to reach the adults by talking to the children about their names. But you can do the same with adults.

Children may not know their name story. Be ready to tell them something about their names.

Ask people to share their name stories. If they hesitate to engage, be prepared to share what you know about their name.

Do a little research. For example, one of my family names is Leach. Doctors were called “leach” because of the practice of using leeches in medicine. No standard spelling back then!

You might talk about how it feels to be called by name. Children know the difference between being called by a diminutive/pet name or when their full name is used. Sales people are taught to refer to everyone by name at least once in every conversation. Some people dislike their names and adopt nicknames. They cringe when unknowing strangers use it.

Then turn the discussion to names for the Lord. What names can they think of? What would they name the Lord and why?

(You might save this sermon for Advent/Christmas season and use it in discussing the naming of Jesus.)

Recite the psalm together as you close.

Or sing the Charles Wesley hymn that builds on this psalm with a new focus on Jesus.

Ye servants of God,
your Master proclaim,
and publish abroad
his wonderful Name;
the Name all-victorious
of Jesus extol:
his kingdom is glorious;
he rules over all.

God ruleth on high,
almighty to save;
and still he is nigh:
his presence we have.
The great congregation
his triumph shall sing,
ascribing salvation
to Jesus our King.

Salvation to God
who sits on the throne!
Let all cry aloud,
and honor the Son.
The praises of Jesus
the angels proclaim,
fall down on their faces,
and worship the Lamb.

Then let us adore,
and give him his right:
All glory and power,
all wisdom and might,
all honor and blessing,
with angels above,
and thanks never ceasing
and infinite love.

17 Sep 2013

Adult Object Lesson: Luke 15 (The “Lost” Parables)

puzzle

The Joy of Discovery

Today’s object is a picture puzzle. You might use one of the large floor puzzles designed for kids to aid in visibility. They can build the puzzle in the center aisle where some people might be able to help in the exercise.

It will be a simple project. There aren’t too many pieces. Ask a couple of people to work together to build the puzzle as you talk about today’s parables. You could draw your children into the lesson by asking them to build the puzzle, if you like.

It is interesting that we call the stories “lost” stories. How would it change our understanding if we start to refer to the stories as The Found Sheep, The Found Coin, and the Found Son? That proposition can be what you discuss as your volunteers put the puzzle together.

Of course, the puzzle is rigged. One piece will be missing. Perhaps you have it. Perhaps someone discovers it somewhere in the church. You can find a way to dramatize the joy when the puzzle is complete.

The joy of being made whole as members of God’s family is the point!

photo credit: Filip Federowicz (filu) via photopin cc
11 Sep 2013

Adult Object Lesson: Luke 14: 25-33

blindfoldJesus Advises His Followers
It’s Going to Be Tough Going

If anyone thinks for a moment that following a Christian life is a recipe for happiness, think again.

Jesus is clear that He asks a great deal of those who follow Him. It’s not going to be easy.

This passage contains some harsh words. Jesus actually talks about hating your family!

This week’s object is a blindfold. (This week’s lesson could work with older children, too.)

Arrange in advance to have a volunteer from your congregation who is articulate. Have him or her wear a blindfold and try to follow you as you move around the chancel or part of the church—following nothing but your voice.

Ask him or her how it feels. Give them time to consider their experience. The answers might not come right away.

Perhaps they longed to grab hold of a family member or friend. Perhaps they longed to just sit down and find something they could do that might be easier. Perhaps they were tempted to peek. Perhaps they will describe how all their attention—every faculty—was focused on just one thing—following you.

That’s the kind of devotion Jesus expects of his followers. He wants no distractions—not family, not work, not studies or hobbies. None of the usual excuses. He wants us to be ready with every molecule of our existence to follow.

Pick up that cross.

photo credit: stars alive via photopin cc
03 Sep 2013