Lesson Plans: Proper 18 (A)

Sunday between September 4 and September 10 inclusive

Old Testament Lesson Plans: Passover meal

Scripture: Exodus 12:1-14

This story is interjected in the story of the plagues that were brought upon the Pharaoh and Egypt as God sent Moses to free the Israelite slaves.  In this story, we hear of a ritualized meal and practice that begins the commemoration of the saving events of God.  The details that are described signal to us that a new thing is beginning and the old is being left behind.  A new calendar is started; the food that is used is all new, nothing from the previous year will be used, and the people are to prepare for their new beginning by wearing cloaks and shoes so as to be ready for their journey.

This meal not only signals the new, but puts ritual to something that God is doing for the people so they can remember it each year.  This is one of the most significant rituals that is done each year by Jewish families and some Christian families.

New Testament Lesson Plans: Conflict resolution

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-20

Written by the Rev. Shannon Kelly

This passage in Matthew comes in the middle of a larger piece in which Jesus deals with matters that are important to life in this new community: how we treat others, what is important in this community, and why this community may be different than other communities.  This section of Matthew speaks to us all being the body of Christ and that we are all of value in the eyes of God.  It is about how we treat each other and how we are to best live as the family of God.