Scripture: Exodus 32-34
Learning Objectives:
- Students will learn God has some rules that are non-negotiable. He expects us to obey them no matter when or where we live.
- Students will learn God expects people to love and obey Him with all of their hearts, souls and minds.
- Students will learn 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 learn the difference between edible gold and jewelry gold.
Guiding Question: Why does God want us to obey him?
Materials: Edible gold, real gold jewelry
Procedure: Review the story of the Golden Calf. 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.
Introduce the activity. Bring in edible gold for the students to see. Ask students what they think is the difference between edible gold v. jewelry gold. Explain that the Israelites were given a ground up idol made of gold to drink. Why is edible gold considered a treat but a ground up gold ring for example would be horrid?
Additional Questions: What makes gold valuable?
Supplemental Activity: Have students research and present about different types of gold and what makes some gold more valuable than others.