United Methodist Women Mission u Educate to Transform

GOD – Covenant Keeper and Obedient Covenant People Session 2 As you arrive , sit on the side with people who have the same color 3x5 card as you have.

“God will take Care of You” - #130 UMH Be not dismayed what e’er betide, God will take care of you. Beneath the wings of love abide,

God will take care of you Through every day o’er all the way God will take care of you Through every day o’er all the way. God will take care of you. God will take care of you.

All that you need God will provide. God will take care of you All that you need God will provide. God will take care of you. Nothing you ask will be denied.

God will take care of you Through every day o’er all the way.

This session’s goals: To learn how God expands the covenant relationship in periods of crisis and fear To consider the importance of greater trust and acts of faithfulness by the covenant community

Consider Noah, the Covenant of Redemption and Safety GN 6:5-13: The earth was filled with violence and corruption. God vowed to destroy the earth but Noah found favor with God. GN 8: 20-22: When the rain stopped, Noah built an altar and made a burnt offering. God vowed never again to destroy the earth. GN 9:1-17: The terms of the Covenant of Redemption and Safety are established. The rainbow is the symbol of the covenant.

Consider the Experiences of Abraham, the Covenant of Blessing GN 12: 1-7: God directs Abram to a new land and promises to make him a great nation. GN 15: 1-6: God promises Abraham offspring and countless descendants; Abram believed God. GN 17: God’s covenant with Abram promises that he will be the father of many nations and circumcision is the covenant symbol requirement for future generations.

Listening Again to the Biblical Texts Group I: the story of Noah, the Covenant of Redemption and Safety GN 6:5-13; 6-9: 17 Group II: the story of Abraham, the Covenant of Blessing GN 12: 1-7; 15: 1- 6; ch. 16-17

Directions: Review your story in total; look at the specific texts. Imagine yourselves as Noah, Abraham and their families. Create either a skit , pantomime or “freeze tag” pose that expresses their thoughts, the difficulties of obedience and faithfulness, and their responses to God’s covenant blessings. Be ready to perform for whole group. We will do as many as we can as time allows.

Noah Skit: www.skitguys.com

Sing! #464 UMH I will trust in the Lord. I will trust in the Lord till I die. (repeat)

What does it mean to be a faithful covenant community today? Think Pair Share a personal or community situation in which you were challenged to step out into the unknown. How did you attempt to live the covenantal life? Situations facing today’s covenant communities to step out in obedience to God in the face of unknown consequences and going by faith rather than by sight (EX: racial and class privileges, popular opinion, media)

Ways in which the covenant community can be a “rainbow” or an “ark.” Choose 1 of these 3 ways to portray what you shared with your partner. You may partner with others to do them. Situations that feel evil all around and uncertainty in the modern world. Signs of the rainbow, of God’s covenant, in the faith experiences of your communities. Ways in which the covenant community can be a “rainbow” or an “ark.”

Questions to help your group reflect and decide what to portray A. What are the actions of the community of justice? B. Where is God calling the community to challenge the status quo? C. Where has the covenant community become stuck? D. What risks need to be taken? (Appendix A in the book has some examples)

Prepare for Session 3 All: review the portions of the study about Moses’ experiences in chapter 4 and Exodus 19-20. Group Aaron: Reflect on the Ten Commandments and the laws given the covenant community at Mt. Sinai. EX: 19 and DT 5-6. Group Miriam: Reflect on DT 10:12-22 – justice for widows, orphans and strangers; EX20:1-7 economic and environmental justice; LEV 25: 1-7 – Sabbath for the land

Great is Thy faithfulness, “Great is Thy Faithfulness” UMH #140 chorus Great is Thy faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies I see.

Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not; As thou has been Thou forever wilt be.