Moses and the 70

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Begin: Guide reads the background, scripture & prays for the class Unwrap: Opening Activity

10:00-10:10 AM

Investigate: Tell & Wonder about the Story 10:10-10:25 AM

Learn by doing / snack

10:30-10:45 AM

Use 10 minutes to complete the Serv-a-bration activity. Dismiss: Review Cornerstone; Closing Prayer 10:55 AM

Explore Moses and the calling of the 70.

So the Lord said to Moses, “Gather for me seventy of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; bring them to the tent of meeting, and have them take their place there with you. I will come down and talk with you there; and I will take some of the spirit that is on you and put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people along with you so that you will not bear it all by yourself.”

Lord, you chose Moses to lead your people out of slavery and to the land that you selected for them. Choose me to be one of your servants, to achieve your purposes for our community and our world. Amen.

Note: This background is for the Sunday School Guides to give more detail about the Bible story and to offer some questions and wonders for them personally. It is not meant to be used as part of the lesson for the children. In Exodus, Moses’ father-in-law Jethro visits him in the wilderness and sees that he is overwhelmed with his role as the sole judge of all of the Israelites (Ex. 18:1314). Moses explains that “the people come to me to inquire of God. When they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make known to them the statutes and instructions of God.” (Ex. 18:15-16) Jethro wisely encourages Moses to appoint leaders to handle minor disputes, if God agrees, to avoid burnout.

Word Unscramble Worksheet: Copies will be provided in your box for the class. Name Game: If we’re going to be studying God’s word together, we should make sure we know each other’s names! Play this basic name game for fun and fellowship:

In Numbers, Moses cries out to God, “I am not able to carry all these people alone, for they are too heavy for me.” (Num. 11:14) God tells Moses to select seventy of the elders to assist him. God equips these leaders for their work by taking some of the spirit that He had given to Moses, and giving that to the elders. How often do we believe that we are the only ones equipped to do the important jobs? In the story of the seventy elders, we are reminded that God calls us to live and work in community, and to share one another’s loads so that we can achieve God’s purposes together. Whether we are six years old or sixty, can we hear God telling us to ask for help? Are we willing to look for others who are equipped by God to join us in our work?

letter. Examples - Active Ashley, Racing Ryan, Kooky Katie, etc. See how many students can remember and repeat the nickname of everyone in class. Teachers, include yourselves, just for giggles! (Use your first or last name, depending on what you like to be called in class.)

Each child says their name, plus an adjective that starts with the same

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SET-UP THE STORY: Have you ever been afraid when you are alone? What about being home alone at night in the dark? Is that more frightening than playing by yourself in the front yard filled with bright sunshine? Do you think you would feel safer with a friend with you? What about 10 friends? What about 20 friends? Now let me ask you this: Imagine that you wanted to change something at your school and you needed to meet with the principal to ask permission. Maybe you want to have Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream served in the cafeteria every day. Perhaps you want the principal to add a pool and waterslide to the playground? Maybe you think everyone should be able to wear their pajamas to school anytime they want. Imagine yourself going to the principal’s office to ask for one of these things. Would you be nervous? Do you think the principal would listen to ONE child in 1st/2nd/3rd grade? Do you think the principal would pay more attention if you brought your entire class with you? What about your entire GRADE? Do you think the principal would consider your request if every teacher and every parent at your school ALSO came with you and agreed with your idea? That’s right. The principal is much more likely to take you seriously if you have parents and teachers who agree with you and support your idea. Why? Let the class respond. Steer them to idea that there is power in numbers, but also in wisdom. When we have a large group of smart and respected leaders “on our side,” other people tend to pay attention to what we have to say.

Commandments. Moses was very special to God. God relied on Moses for some really important jobs. Many times, God would give Moses a job, but other people wouldn’t listen to Moses. How was he to get their attention and do what God asked of him if no one would listen to him? Well, God had a plan to help Moses and make sure people listened to him. Let’s find out what that plan was: Before going to the scripture, set the story background up for them in your own words. Paraphrase the “Background for Guides” from page 2 so that the class understands how today’s reading fits into the overall story.

When ready to read the Bible text, review with the class the basics of the Bible: It’s divided into two parts - The Old Testament and the New Testament. Which one comes first? Old Testament. What kind of stories are in each part? Stories that lead up to the birth of Jesus, stories about Jesus’ life. Today’s text is from the Old Testament, in the book of Numbers. Show them the table of contents so they can see where Numbers is in the order - Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. Read aloud or have someone from the class help you read Numbers 11:16-17.

TELL THE STORY: Today we’re going to hear a Bible story about this very idea. It’s about Moses. Who knows something about Moses? Go to the blackboard and write down anything that the class knows or can remember about Moses. They may recall things like Moses as a baby in the river, the burning bush, the parting of the Red Sea, or the 10

PROCESS THE STORY: What was Moses’s complaint to God? What did

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Moses need help with?

Moses felt overwhelmed. His job was too much for just one person. What did Moses do? He asked for God’s advice and help. Did God answer him? Have you ever felt like Moses felt? Like you had too much work to do or had a task before you that you needed help understanding? Can you think of a situation when it would have been better to have the help of a friend?

Could you ever use the help of a wise person in your life? Who might that be? Parent, teacher, babysitter, aunt, grandparent.

Do you think God will provide help for you, just like God did for Moses? What do you think God wants us to learn from this story? Do we sometimes want to do things by ourselves when we really need help from other people? I wonder why some people don’t ask for help when they need it? Friends are important. Wise people in our lives are important. Who are those people for you? Moses was amazing and awesome, but he asked for help. What do you think would have happened in the story if Moses had NOT asked for help? I wonder if the same thing happens to us when we don’t get the help we need?

Can we also ask for God’s help when we feel like things at home or at school are too hard?

GAME IDEA: play Silent Speedball using the beanbag provided. Stand in circle and gently toss beanbag to someone. You’re OUT (sit down) if you make ANY NOISE, or DROP BAG, or make an UNCATCHABLE TOSS. Next, play by having each student call out a number as they pass and skip count (by twos) to 70 for the 70 elders in the story. Then play by calling out a nickname from the beginning of class and passing it to that person. Another variation is called “chainlink” where the same passing pattern must be repeated each time it goes around the circle. No passing to the person next to you for this one!!

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BONUS ACTIVITY for Serv-a-bration!!

school, the children explained that they were not allowed to enroll in school without a permanent address. The This week kicks off Christ Church’s annual “7 Days of Servwomen began a school for 27 homeless children in a room a-bration” where the entire parish is invited to celebrate provided by First Presbyterian Church with a teacher from the beautiful act of serving others in our community. We CMS and called it A Child’s Place. have teamed up with A Child’s Place to give our Sunday School students an opportunity to be involved. In your Stats: Last year, ACP helped 2,075 children who were classroom will be the supplies needed for the class to homelessness. organize 30 Snack Packs that will be given to homeless Once a child is enrolled, ACP works to keep their students children in Charlotte who are trying to succeed in school in school. ACP provides food, school supplies, and other and break the cycle of poverty in their family by getting an necessities so the student can actively participate and education. The story of A Child’s Place is a fascinating one, succeed in class. and you might share it with the class if time allows: Quick Facts:

Information on A Child's Place Mission: A Child’s Place works to erase the impact of homelessness on children and their education. Goals: The three main goals of A Child’s Place are to help homeless children improve their attendance, improve their behavior and increase parent engagement. History: A Child’s Place began in 1989 when a group of women were walking through Settlers Cemetery in Uptown Charlotte and noticed children playing there during school hours. When asked why they were not in

Homeless children are sick four times as often as other children. The graduation rate for homeless children is less than 25% Homeless children are twice as likely to repeat a grade. There are almost 5,000 children who are homeless in Charlotte.

Say: Today we learned that using the support of wise people is important in life. Call: The Lord be with you. Response: And also with you. Let us pray: Thank you God the story of Moses and the 70 elders. Help us to remember that we are not alone, and that you have put many people in our lives to teach and aid us. Amen

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