I began my morning experimenting with a new plug-in called Anthologize. If you are blogging on WordPress, try it.
Anthologize allows a blogger to collect posts and categorize them—edit, rearrange, whatever— and then export them as a single document into Microsoft Word for publication as an ebook.
2×2 has posted a weekly Adult Object Lesson for a while. Had you asked, I’d have said six months or so. Object Lessons account for a lot of our traffic.
When I collected the weekly posts with Anthologize, I found more than 70 posts with object-based sermon illustrations geared to adult learners! Many can be adapted for children. More than a year! Half of Year B of the Standard Lectionary and half of Year C.
Quite a little ministry for a church that doesn’t exist (according to the ELCA)!
Imagine what all the churches that DO exist could be doing on the web!
1 Samuel 2:18-20, 26 • Psalm 148 • Colossians 3:12-17 • Luke 2:41-52
Today’s object is a GPS tracker.
This is an occasion to talk about trust in God’s plan for us.
Once upon a time, part of growing up was running free in the neighborhood or the nearby countryside. “Be home for dinner” was the only parental warning.
Fewer and fewer modern parents can remember the days when we didn’t know where our children were every minute of the day.
It was a mere ten years ago that cell phones became affordable and pocket-sized. Soon every caring parent was making sure their child had one — emergencies and safety were the parental excuses. But whatever the excuse, the tether between and child and parents is stronger today than ever. It might not be until the child is away in college that he or she finds the will and the power to ignore the phone call from Mom or Dad.
It is hard for today’s parents to imagine losing track of your child for three days or allowing a man of the temple to take charge of the welfare of a son as Hannah did in the Old Testament (especially a man who had as dismal a track record with his own sons as did Eli!).
We’ve lost the sense of trust in our religious bodies, in our communities and even in our children. Sadly the loss of trust has been earned in many cases.
Both the Old and New Testament stories for today’s readings demonstrate parental trust. Hannah and Mary relied on God’s intervention in their roles as mothers.
In the early church or medieval era it was not unusual for the first son and daughter in a large family to be relinquished to a monastery or nunnery. We are actually living in the tail end of that custom today.
What does that say to modern parents? How much do we trust our churches? How much do we trust God’s will in our lives?
Both Hannah and Mary were parents before God’s gift and sacrifice of his Son.
We don’t need a cell phone to talk to God. Do we think to use the direct connection allowed us?
Mary and Hannah were left to ponder similar questions.
Today’s object is a jack-in-the-box. This remains a popular toy despite its low tech nature. It is a variation of the even less technical peek-a-boo game—the first game parents play with their infants.
Children’s games evolve as we get older. Peek-a-boo becomes hide and seek. Hide and seek becomes Find Waldo. Find Waldo has its online variations.
The games are all about expectations. We are willing to risk some temporary discomfort for the anticipated reward.
That’s what today’s lessons are about—coping with a sense of despair with the hope of something better. Apocalyptic scripture is all about a promised end for those who endure the uncertainties of the day. Hope is a common denominator.
Hope is what makes us work for a better life. Hope is what makes us laugh. An unpredicted turn of phrase or action that goes against what is anticipated is the foundation of humor. Hope is what makes us believe.
Babies play this game, the disciples played this game, and we play this game.
So turn the handle on the jack in the box and experience hope and anticipation with its fulfillment (however silly)—again and again and again. It will strengthen you for bigger dreams.
Today’s object is a skill game — paddle ball (a paddle with a rubber ball attached with an elastic string) or a cup and ball toy (bilbo catcher) pictured here.
This lesson can be adapted for use with children or adults.
The lessons in today’s lectionary reference things that are habits in our lives. Habits are a demonstration of an acquired skill. There are good habits and bad habits. Everyone has them!
Practice whichever game you choose until you can paddle a good series or catch the ball with ease. You’ll want to show your skill as you start your sermon — perhaps missing and improving as you talk.
The widow in the Old Testament story is going about her daily routine, knowing that this may be the last time she ever prepares a meal for her son. Along comes Elijah and claims her last morsel. Habits can have predictable results and can be alarming.
The Psalm today is part of a series of psalms that repeat the theme of praising the Lord, beginning with the psalmist’s own voice of praise and ultimately including everything that has breath. Habits can gain momentum.
The tables are turned in the Epistle, where Jesus’ one-time sacrifice is contrasted to the habits of priests who carry the sacrificial animal blood into the temple again and again. Good habits once, but now they are unnecessary. Habits can become useless.
And finally we come to the Gospel story of the widow’s mite. Here, Jesus is watching a ritual take place. One after another, the faithful come to the temple with their offerings. The rich make quite a spectacle of their giving and they are probably accustomed to making their offerings when there is a good audience. The widow is also part of the habit of giving. It is so ingrained that she gives from the little she has with no Elijah promising her an endless supply of oil and bread. Habits can define character.
The point of the object is to demonstrate how with practice the challenges we undertake get easier and easier. Actions that we undertake as challenging become habits. It’s tough to hit or catch the ball at first. Eventually the game is conquered. Muscle memory and balance are imprinted on the brain. Like riding a bicycle, it’s not forgotten. (You could use a bicycle as your object!) Point out that the motivations for the habits also become embedded in our minds. Watch you don’t get too adept at your challenge game! You’ll risk looking like the rich givers—showing off!
You don’t have a reason for hitting or catching the ball except the satisfaction of achieving the goal. What are the motives behind your worship habits? The motives mattered more than the gift to Jesus.
Our faith lives are built on habits—habits of prayer, praise, thanksgiving, attendance and giving. We don’t even stop to think.
If this is your church’s stewardship Sunday, you might point out that the habits of giving need to be reexamined now and then—new talents and skills discovered, new obstacles overcome.
You could point out that habits in giving need updating. $5 in the offering plate in 1970 doesn’t go as far as $5 in the offering plate today.
But mostly, today’s lesson is about the overall value of practicing faith skills until they are part of our lives and we are willing to give to God without measuring the cost to ourselves.
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!)
So Jesus is walking along the countryside, minding His own business, doing his teaching thing, when some bystander dares to interrupt, “Save me!”
You’ll need an accomplice for this, but that should be easy to find.
Choose an object that will create a distracting annoyance.
You might have someone honk a horn or rattle a noisemaker. You can ask the organist to hit a foot pedal, seemingly by accident, but repeatedly.
If you have a self-assured 10-year-old in your congregation, he or she could play this role perfectly. Your accomplice can sit in his or her usual spot, but on cue create some kind of disruption. Your congregation is bound to react with a corrective frown the first time before they catch on. All the better to make your point.
Blind Bartimaeus wants to be noticed and isn’t about to be turned away by the well-meaning disciples or crowds. They just want him to shut and slip into the background where he has likely spent most of his life.
“Save me,” was his cry.
We’ve heard that cry before in this Gospel and in some of the Old Testament companion texts, especially the passages from Job and the Psalms. The cry is heard in steadily crescendoing tones. We will hear the cry again as Jesus enters Jerusalem. All propriety will be set aside. The crowds will shout together, “Hosanna!” Please, please, save us!
And then . .. Jesus will!
End your object lesson with one last sounding of the annoying noise or have your congregation shout “Hosanna!”
Today’s object can be the photo of this historic painting of Napoleon crowning Josephine or it can be a crown of your own manufacture (a Burger King crown is fine!) and a fashioned crown of thorns or an image of crown of thorns. See below!
You might find room in your bulletin for these photos.
Today’s Gospel talks about hierarchy. Where it doesn’t exist, mankind has a way of creating it!
You can point to this painting of Napoleon. Everything that concerned James and John in this week’s lesson is depicted here. Focus on the hats. You have crowns, mitres, skull caps, plumes and feathers, jewels and finery. Hats were really important in that day. They announced your standing in society. Crowns and mitres make you appear that much taller than everyone else. Jewels make you more valuable. And look at the gals in the viewing box in the upper left. They have seats of honor almost among the clergy and royalty. One woman sits on a throne and is flanked on the left and right by people in somewhat smaller seats. You’d have to do some research to figure out who they are today, but back then everyone knew!
People like to feel important.
James and John were seeking similar status. They were young and ambitious. After all, they had dropped everything to follow Jesus. They were loyal and hard-working. They deserved some compensation for their sacrifices. And Jesus had this troubling way of approaching all kinds of people, any one of whom might take their place in Jesus’ affection, if they let their guard down. Best to claim a reservation now!
Jesus tries to realign the disciples’ priorities. It’s not his first attempt! Maybe it will “take” this time as he talks more and more of the coming passion. Talk about this for a while.
Then turn to the headware worn by Jesus—the crown of thorns. This humiliation awaits Jesus and the disciples. The only place of honor they can expect is the honor of service and sacrifice. The lowest shall achieve the greatest reward in the Kingdom of Heaven.
It’s a concept that we still wrestle with today. Church leaders talk in terms of service, politicians talk in terms of public service. But they, too, face the temptation to elevate their status above that of those they serve.
Look again at the Napoleon painting. Does anyone see anyone in this painting that is accepting a servant role? Josephine kneels—but only to accept the crown. Two gals are arranging her train, but they don’t appear to be particularly lowly. The clergy aren’t out in full force as a show of humility! They are flaunting their status with their symbolic staffs, jewelry and finery.
It’s not in our nature to humble ourselves. But it is required. The sooner we, like the disciples, learn this the better.
Here are the above image in grayscale and an image of Jesus wearing His crown. Use the credit below for the Napoleon photo, please. You can find a higher resolution version of this by typing Napoleon Crowning Josephine into the search box at photopin.com.
Today’s object is a work in progress. You’ll be talking to your people while you are creating something. Consider having them create something along with you.
Suggestions:
Cut out a string of paper dolls
Craft a simple figure out of play dough or modeling clay.
Start a stick figure on a flip board or felt board and ask each person to add something to the creation.
Or leave an empty spot in the bulletin for them to draw their “man”
This week’s lessons, together, discuss humankind in relationship with one another. Eve is created for Adam. Job suffers in isolation as his family and friends watch. Jesus answers the nagging question of divorce and ends with Jesus gathering the little children around him. The Psalm? Well, the Psalm rejoices in creation and so can we!
Relationships are a blessing and sometimes seem to be a curse. We long for them — to be truly in love. But the road to bliss can turn rocky oh, so quickly! But even when relationships break our hearts, we are often eager to find new ones.
What is man that God is mindful of us? Mankind is God’s creation. Every artist feels a bond with his or her creation. God is no different.
As you are creating something — or as your people create something — ask them to think about how the act of creation feels. Tie that to their ability to create the relationships that go with God’s prime creation—humankind.
In Mark 9:38-50, the disciples are upset with some copycat miracle workers who are exorcising demons in Jesus’ name. The disciples bring the matter to Jesus’ attention. Someone is stepping on your (they probably meant “our”) territory.
Hey! They had tried to stop them. But the scoundrels just weren’t listening! Surely, Jesus would put the demon chasers in their place.
The disciples wanted Jesus to draw a line — decide who were the true followers of Christ. Keep the kingdom tidy.
But Jesus dismisses the disciples’ concerns. He focuses on them.
He encourages the disciples to loosen up. These new miracle workers aren’t going to diminish His abilities. Why bother drawing lines between people who are working for the same cause?
Here’s a little known fact about goldfish. They were naturally plain old, grey carp.
Japanese and Chinese hobbyists carefully bred their pets to bring out the bright colors.
Today, goldfish are known for their splendor.
And where did it get them? Today most of the beautiful goldfish, chosen for their color and carefully bred to ensure colorful offspring, are kept in a bowl. The chosen fish are destined to live their lives separated from other fish and the world. They will swim all day, every day, in circles peering through their concave barriers at the world they were part of back when they were grey. Their beauty has indeed set them apart — to what end?
Talk with your congregation about the walls they might be putting up between themselves and the rest of God’s glorious creation. Why do the barriers seem like a good idea? When the harshest barriers are at last broken, what result was feared? What result actually came about?
The walls between faiths.
The walls between denominations.
The walls between genders and races.
The walls between educated workers and manual labor.
The walls between old and young.
The walls of culture and language.
Think about the disciples. Did their special status as chosen children of God divide them from the world or prepare them to join the world?
What about us? What walls do we put up? What purpose do we think they serve? What unintentional purposes result?
You are late for a meeting, but there is no parking spot in sight. At last you see a car pulling away. Finally and none too soon! You parallel park, annoyed at the cars that pass impatiently, making it unsafe to steer your car into the spot. At last you are in. You jump out of the car, lock the doors, and rush to the meter. You look for instructions. The meter takes only quarters. You dig in your wallet or purse. All you can find is a $20 bill. You look at the nearby stores. Might they change a $20 bill so that you can put a few quarters in the parking meter? You look up the street. There’s the meter reader writing a ticket just a half block away.
Suddenly the quarter you don’t have is worth more than $20 bill you do have.
(If you tell this story to children, use a vending machine that takes only quarters, but the parents provided only a dollar bill.)
In today’s Gospel, Jesus encounters the disciples in an animated conversation. He asks, “What are fellows talking about?”…as if he doesn’t know. They are embarrassed. They have been bragging to one another about their value to the Master. There is little they can do but listen, red-faced, as Jesus begins to lecture them about greatness.
The recent chapters of Mark test the disciples over and over. Jesus is challenging conventional ideas. The disciples’ world is turning upside down. There are miracles and strange and uncomfortable conversations. No wonder the disciples have used their alone time to sort some things out among themselves.
But in butts Jesus, and their ideas are once again thrown out the window.
At last he reaches for a small child, embraces the child and uses the child as an “object” lesson. It’s the littlest among you that is worth the most. Not the smartest, not the most talented, the one with the best job, or the biggest house.
Pull a quarter out of your pocket (oops! you had one along) and flip it a few times.
Ask them to think about this the next time they need a quarter.
Join Bishop Ruby Kinisa as she visits small churches "under cover" to learn what people would never share if they knew they were talking to their bishop.
Undercover Bishop will always be available in PDF form on 2x2virtualchurch.com for FREE.
Print or Kindle copies are available on Amazon.com.
For bulk copies, please contact 2x2: creation@dca.net.
Contact Info
You can reach
Judy Gotwald,
the moderator of 2x2,
at
creation@dca.net
or 215 605 8774
Redeemer’s Prayer
We were all once strangers, the weakest, the outcasts, until someone came to our defense, included us, empowered us, reconciled us (1 Cor. 2; Eph. 2).
2×2 Sections
Where in the World is 2×2?
On Isaiah 30:15b
Be calm. Wait. Wait. Commit your cause to God. He will make it succeed. Look for Him a little at a time. Wait. Wait. But since this waiting seems long to the flesh and appears like death, the flesh always wavers. But keep faith. Patience will overcome wickedness.
—Martin Luther
