Lesson Plans: Epiphany 2 (B)

Sunday between January 14 and January 20

Old Testament Lesson Plans: The Call of Samuel

Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

The story of the call of Samuel is both amusing and instructive. It reminds us to open our ears and be ready to hear God’s call. And it also reminds us that sometimes we mistake the voices we hear. Samuel went on to be a great leader. It is fun to see him as a little boy, still in need of guidance. We can learn much from him and his relationship with Eli. We can be challenged to listen more, to those around us who guide and teach us, and to listen for God to speak to us.

New Testament Lesson Plans: Come and See

Scripture: John 1:43-51

Jesus has begun to put together his team. In this passage, Philip hears Jesus say, “Come with me.” And he does. As it is dawning on Philip who this Jesus really is, he goes and finds his slightly skeptical friend, Nathanael, to tell him that they have found the one they had heard about. Nathanael remains dubious—how could anything good come out of Nazareth? Philip, confident that Nathanael will see what he has seen, insists, “Come with me.” Jesus sees Nathanael as he really is and calls him forth. Nathanael knows, now, that Jesus is the “Son of God.”