Youth Teacher: 3rd Quarter 2017

By R.H. Boyd Publishing Corp.

Youth Teacher is a quarterly publication used to help the Sunday school teacher discuss issues pertaining to youth ages 12-17. Sections such as Biblical Emphases give background knowledge of the lesson. All lessons include relevant life concerns and lesson applications to help the teacher relate the Bible to the lives of young people.

• Language: English
• Publisher: R.H. Boyd Publishing Corporation
• Release date: Apr 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781681672670

Book preview

EXODUS 3:1–12

RESOURCES NEEDED

• New National Baptist Hymnal, 21st Century Edition, #466 (NNBH, #428)

• God’s Promises Bible

• Boyd’s Commentary for the Sunday School

UNIFYING PRINCIPLE

People grow accustomed to living with the injustices that prevail in society. What does it take to address injustice? God called Moses to address injustice and empowered him with the knowledge of God’s identity, purpose, and presence. Moses would do His will.

BIBLICAL EMPHASES:

1. While Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, God appeared to him in the form of a burning bush that was not consumed.

2. God told Moses that His people, the Israelites, were suffering as slaves at the hands of cruel taskmasters in Egypt.

3. God called Moses to go before Pharaoh to demand the release of the Israelites and bring them out of Egypt, saying He would be with Moses.

TARGET EMPHASIS

SEEKERS FOR JESUS: Youth have learned about modern-day deliverers such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Guide them to seek to stand for the same godly principles as Dr. King in ways that help others and honor God.

TEEN SCENE: Teens have seen injustices that occur in their neighborhoods and on television. As young believers, they struggle with understanding the reason injustice is still occurring today. They need help with discernment between the continual battle of right and wrong.

LESSON OVERVIEW

I. The Voice from the Bush (Exodus 3:1–6)

Injustice is a word that has defined the cultural aspects of African-American life for many years. Lately, it has evoked anger and disrespect toward those who strive to protect and uphold lawful standards in our communities. Today’s lesson is an example of the way God dealt with injustice against His people. This example should serve as a template for a godly approach to dealing with the injustices of our time.

God chose the burning bush as the way to communicate to Moses. It was unique, unexpected, and displayed the sovereign will of God. God can use many methods to communicate with people. He speaks through our thoughts, other people, and our circumstances to let us know His will.

God’s first words to Moses were, Moses, Moses (v. 4). When God knows your name, it speaks of a personal connection that one has with God. Youth should understand that God wants to be personal with them. Advise them that the way to have a personal walk with God is to spend time with Him, getting to know God and His Word, and praying consistently.

When Moses heard his name, he responded with a simple, Here I am. God stopped Moses in his tracks, giving him two commands. God told Moses not to come any closer, and to take his shoes off of his feet. The first command elicited an expression of honor and respect for the Lord. God, who is holy, made the area around Him holy. The unholy nature of humankind creates a gap between God and us. Even if Moses had been the most righteous person alive, he could not come near to God. The act of removing shoes from one’s feet in the presence of God shows respect, and it presented Moses as a humble servant of God.

Moses stood solidly in the presence of his God. He was the God that Moses had come to know and serve after he left Egypt. The years that he lived in Midian under the tutelage of Jethro, a priest of God, changed his heart and taught him to honor and respect the Lord.

God continued speaking to Moses on the mountain. He clarified for Moses who He was. God identified Himself as Moses’ Father, and said that He was the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob (v. 6). If Moses had any doubt about who was speaking from the bush, they were removed with God’s declaration of Himself. Moses responded by hiding his face. He humbly understood that he stood in the presence of the great, powerful, and holy God who should be respected.

II. The Divine Call of Moses (Exodus 3:7–12)

God’s introduction of Himself established what was to follow. Moses had no idea that his life was about to change forever, and his encounter with God on the mountain was the beginning of a lifelong intimate relationship with Him. God wanted to deliver His people from bondage in Egypt, and He would use Moses to do it. There are a number of historical deliverers. The list includes abolitionist Harriet Tubman, who delivered blacks from bondage in the antebellum South. She traveled along a route that was labeled the Underground Railroad to guide slaves to freedom. Her nickname was Moses. Youth should be familiar with Harriet Tubman, as well as civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was also a deliverer. He led African-Americans to non-violently protest the injustices of prejudice. Motivate youth to see themselves as someone whom God can use.

Before God sent Moses to deliver His people, He laid out a plan. God told Moses that He could see how the Israelites suffered greatly at the hands of their taskmasters. Long ago, God promised Abraham that He would deliver His people from bondage after 400 years, and they would receive justice (see Gen. 15:13–14). Now God was about to keep His promises. He planned to bring them out of Egypt and place them in a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey (v. 8, NRSV). It was God’s will that they be delivered by Moses also.

God told Moses that he would be the one to lead the people out of