Lesson Plans: Proper 16 (A)

Sunday between August 21 and August 27 inclusive

Old Testament Lesson Plans: Baby Moses

Scripture: Exodus 1:8-2:10

This is the opening chapter of Exodus in which we see the Pharaoh’s jealousy of the people of Israel and their numbers. He tries to control the world around him by enslaving people, ordering babies to be killed, and killing the firstborn sons in each family. The women in Egypt play an important role in subverting his orders. Today we hear of Miriam saving Moses, reuniting him with his mother, who becomes hired as his nursemaid, and Miriam raising Moses as her own.

New Testament Lesson Plans: Who do you say that I am?

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Written by the Rev. Shannon Kelly

After much instruction, storytelling, miracles, encounters, and prayer, Jesus finally asks two big questions to his disciples – Who do people say the Son of Man is? And “Who do you say that I am?” Whenever Jesus asks questions in the Gospels, it often has a way of marking an important teaching or an important moment, so we better pay attention. Questions are how Jesus can gauge how his mission in the world is going. Are the disciples and the people understanding who he is? What do they say about him and what he is doing? Who do they say he is?