Scripture: Deuteronomy 32-34
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn that God gives us godly leaders to remind us to follow God.
- Students will learn that leaders are human and sin.
- Students will learn that even though leaders may sin, God still wants us to listen when they tell us to follow Him.
- Students will participate in an activity to thank the elders in their congregation for reminding them to follow God.
Guiding Question: How can we support elders and other godly leaders in their efforts to remind us to follow God?
Materials: notecards, markers, a few of the favorite things that the elders in your church might enjoy, goodie bags
Procedure: (Several days before class ask the elders in your congregation to come to the last twenty minutes of your class time) Review with the students the story of Moses’ goodbye to the Israelites. Point out that although Moses had sinned and would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land, he still encouraged the Israelites to follow God. Explain that God has appointed the elders to be the godly leaders of our congregations. Their main job is to encourage us to follow God. Ask the students to list some of the reasons it may be difficult to be an elder (many of the same issues Moses encountered your elders probably encounter in perhaps a modern context).
Tell the students that we need to thank and encourage our elders for reminding us to follow God. Give the students the materials to make cards and goodie bags for each elder. When the elders come to class have the elder introduce themselves and tell the class something interesting about himself (hobbies, weird experience, etc.) and something he does as an elder. After all of the elders have shared, have kids thank them for everything they do and give them the cards and gifts.
Additional Questions:
- What does the New Testament say are the requirements to be an elder? What are the responsibilities bible gives them?
Supplemental Activity: Have more advanced students find scriptures that outline the requirements for and responsibilities of elders. Have them share their findings.