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 about minerals in our diet.
Guiding Question: Why does God want us to obey him?
Materials: Foods with metals and minerals – https://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20660118,00.html
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. Explain that gold is a metal we don’t need in our diet. Ask students what metals do we need to eat and in what amounts. What foods contain those metals and how much do we need to eat to get the suggested amount each day? (can expand to include minerals which may or may not technically be metals). Bring in and have students try foods with various metals and minerals. (Food options: https://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20660118,00.html)
Additional Questions: What kind of meals can be prepared with foods that have healthy minerals and metals?
Supplemental Activity: Have students review foods that have healthy metals and minerals: https://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20660118,00.html. Then have students create recipes including those foods.