This is our Sunday School lesson for our Holy Sherlocks group (grades 4 – 6).
In times together and times apart, we celebrate God’s presence in all creation, in stories of our past and dreams for the future, our despair and praying.
Central to the texts that close out the final season of the church year is the promise that the liberating spirit of God, who breathes life into all creation, remains at work. This week, Moses has an overwhelming experience of God’s presence.
October 18 – Known by Goodness and Mercy
Exodus 33:12–23 Moses asks to see God’s full glory but is reminded that no one can take in or comprehend all God’s glory. In the shelter of the rock, Moses feels God’s love and goodness deep down and all around. The experience “was like a warm, bright, beautiful light.”
According to the story, no one, not even Moses, has ever seen God. And yet, Moses talks with God as if God was sitting right across the room.
Read Exodus 33:12–23 or Listen to the audio story “Moses Sees God” or gather around as someone tells the story “Moses Thinks about God.”
What special place might people in your household go to talk with God?It might be inside where you live together, or it might be a special place in creation that you visit. Organize a time to visit the special place, or identify one together if this is a new idea.
Spend time together in that place and experience God’s presence.
Moses talked to God as he would another person, telling God what he needed and how he felt. There are many ways we can talk to God, many ways to think about God.
Listen and watch as Rev Cathy Reads tells a story by Sandy Eisenberg Sasso “In God’s Name.”
Print this week’s children’s activity leaflet, which includes the story “Moses Thinks About God,” an activity page, and action rhyme.
Paint a prayer rock Moses wanted to get to know God better, to see God’s glory, grandeur, magnificence and talked to God about it. In the shelter of a rock, Moses felt God’s love and goodness deep down and all around. What would do you want to bring into your life? As you paint on your rock, let that be your prayer.
Ideas and instructions can be found here.
During the week
Moses asks for proof of God’s presence – to see what God looks like.
We continue to live in the mystery of God and experience God’s goodness and mercy throughout the day.
Make a list at the end of each day of the ways you felt God’s presence.
Listen and sing along to the song “Be God’s” (available here for purchase and download). Play the song throughout the week until everyone is joining in.
Visit Lection Connection, October 18, for current events that connect with this week’s scriptures.
Prayer for each day
God of mystery, we open ourselves to hear the whispers of your presence. Amen.
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