Lesson Plans: Proper 22 (A)

Sunday between October 2 and October 8 inclusive

Old Testament Lesson Plans: God’s instructions to live and love

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20

Written by the Rev. Shannon Kelly

Prior to God giving the Israelites the commandments, the people of Israel reached Mount Sinai where God tells Moses how to prepare the people for what is to come.  The people are consecrated and waiting to hear God’s word, when the voice of God comes to them.

The Ten Commandments are straightforward instructions given to the Israelites by God for how to be in relationship with God and with each other.  The first commandment sets the tone for the rest as it is telling the people, I am your God, there will be no other.  It is calling all of Israel to give their life, every part of their being to God, and to put away all other gods that they may have known in the past.  This is a radical restructuring of their lives.

All of the commandments are about how we are to be in community and relationship with one another in this new way.  The first four are about how we are to be in relationship with God, how we are to interact with God and how we are to structure our lives around God.  The final six are about how we are to interact, honor and treat one another.

New Testament Lesson Plans: Jesus is the cornerstone

Scripture: Matthew 21:33-46

Written by the Rev. Shannon Kelly

This follows the parable of The Two Sons who were sent to the vineyard. One son, when asked to go work in the vineyard by their father said no, but went to work in the vineyard later. The other son, when asked to go work in the vineyard by the father, said yes, but did not go work in the vineyard. The parable from last Sunday and the one for this week are both about working in the vineyard and about doing God’s will, but this one has a twist at the end, reminding us that Jesus is the cornerstone.