Scripture: Exodus 32-34
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn that God has some rules that are non-negotiable. He expects us to obey them no matter when and where we live.
- Students will learn that God expects people to love and obey Him with all of their hearts, souls and minds.
- Students will learn that when people disobey God and/or worship things besides Him, they have sinned. God will forgive Christians if they repent, but they must often face earthly consequences for their disobedience.
- Students will do a project serving older students who are studying for exams
Guiding Question: How can we encourage others to make better choices?
Materials: goodie bags, small treats to encourage college or high school students as they study, paper and markers
Procedure: Share the story of the Golden Calf in Exodus 32-34. Focus especially on the concept of disobedience to God resulting in negative consequences on earth. (Make sure older students understand that God doesn’t always “punish” us with negative consequences when we disobey. They need to begin to understand even if nothing “bad” happens when they disobey God, it doesn’t mean God is happy with their choice or that there will not be other consequences later.) Discuss why Aaron should have encouraged the people to obey God rather than helping them disobey.
Discuss the ways students can encourage others to obey and/or do what God wants them to do. Encourage them to actively encourage others to do what is right and good rather than being like Aaron and helping them disobey. Have the students make goodie bags and cards to encourage college or high school students to study and make good choices. Explain that even though they are younger than the college students they can encourage them to do what is right – especially in fun ways like this. If time allows help them think of other ways they can encourage those older than they are to obey God and do good things.