The Prophets Prophecy: Experience of Gods Deliverance

The Prophets Prophecy: Experience of Gods Deliverance Time Allotment: 3 hours (2 meetings) Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to: -Know and understand the relevance of the prophets in the life of the Israelites -Be challenged to imbibe the relevance of the message of the prophets in their contemporary situations Materials

-Multi-media equipment (LCD, laptop), or manila paper -Whiteboard/blackboard with markers/chalks -Bible (NAB or NRSV Catholic Edition)

I.Teaching Procedure 1.Teacher begins by asking, On your way from home to school, what were the things you saw affected you personally? What were your feelings? Why did you feel that way? If you had the time and energy, what could you have done to respond constructively to the situation? Evoke answers from students, and briefly discuss or point out their main ideas. 2.Divide the class into groups of 6 members each to present 4 issues/situations that are greatly affecting the Filipinos today.

Situation/Issue

Why do you think it is happening?

What do you think is the solution?

What can you contribute to attain the solution?

Note: The students are given 10 minutes to prepare their presentation. Each group is given a sheet of manila paper to write down the presentation.

2. A member of the group explains the presentation when it is being presented in class, while the teacher jots down on the board the main ideas presented by the different groups. 3. After the presentation of all the groups, the teacher evokes from the class the common ideas presented by the groups regarding the current situations/issues in the Philippines. These questions may be asked to facilitate class discussion: Among the current issues or situations presented, what do you think should be primarily addressed, and why? Is the solution proposed to that issue logical and possible? Why or why not? If not, can you think of a better solution to address the root cause of the problem? Can we actually perform the concrete action to solve the problem? Why or why not? If not, what specific action can we do to address the issue, and provide long-term solution to the problem?

5. The teacher deepens the insights of the students by presenting the topic of The Prophets Prophecy: Experience of Gods Deliverance.

Situation/Issue

Why do you think it is happening?

What do you think is the solution?

What can you contribute to attain the solution?

Questions for Processing

Among the current issues or situations presented, what do you think should be primarily addressed, and why? Is the solution proposed to that issue logical and possible? Why or why not? If not, can you think of a better solution to address the root cause of the problem? Can we actually perform the concrete action to solve the problem? Why or why not? If not, what specific action can we do to address the issue, and provide long-term solution to the problem?

OUTLINE: What is a Prophet? -Our world is faced with numerous social and moral problems that severely affect and even degrade the dignity and sanctity of life. -Yet, only a few people give time and effort to address these problems. - At a time strikingly similar to that of today, prophets played a significant role in the lives of Gods chosen people. Prophets viewed history as THEOPHANY, revelation of God. PROPHET, Gk. prophetes, one who speaks in place of another. -Heb. nabi, one who is called to communicate the divine will.

Titles Attributed to a Prophet in the Scriptures (Here, students open their Bibles, and read selected passages from the prophetic books. The teacher will ask some students to read the selected passages, and students will attempt to make a brief exposition on the meaning of the passages read, with emphasis on the word highlighted by the teacher.) -Messenger of God (Isaiah 44:26/Haggai 1:13) -Servant of God (Isaiah 20:3/Amos 3:7/Jeremiah 7:25) -Shepherd (Zechariah 11:4-5) -Watchman (Isaiah 62:6/Jeremiah 6:17/Ezekiel 3:17)

The prophets communicated Gods message by means of: 1. PROPHETIC WORD (DABAR) -It is the word of a man who is personally involved in the word, who lives for it, and is prepared to die for it.

2. PROPHETIC ACTION -Prophets act out Gods message through:

a. The whole life of the prophet

b. Particular symbolic actions

-The full meaning and impact of the actions become clear only after some years have passed, or after the people had seen and experienced the significance of the prophetic actions in their lives.

NOTE: Assign the students to make a simple research on the background, teaching, and relevance of the teaching today of the following prophets:

NAME of PROPHET

BACKGROUND

TEACHING

RELEVANCE of the TEACHING TODAY

1. Amos

2. Ezekiel

3. Micah

4. Daniel

5. Jonah

Classification of Prophets 1. Former and Latter Prophets -Used to designate the books of the Bible according to Jewish classification. a. Former Prophets Joshua, Judges, 1 & 2Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings b. Latter Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Zechariah, Haggai, and Malachi.

2. Major and Minor Prophets -Used to distinguish between the long prophetical books, and short prophetical book a. Major Prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah (Lamentation and Baruch), Ezekiel, and Daniel b. Minor Prophets Hosea, Joel, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, and Amos.

ISAIAH (see Isaiah 6:1-8) -It speaks well of the prophecy of the Messiah (Isaiah 7:1-25) -Isaiah called for repentance, and strongly opposed corruption and injustice during his prophetic time. JEREMIAH (see Jeremiah 1:1-19) -Speaks about the denouncement of terrible religious practices and unjust ways of the people -Called for the conversion of the people, and return to YHWH as the source of living water HOSEA (see Hosea 1:1-8) -The Prophet of Love -Depicts the relationship of God and the Israelites -YHWH who loves like a father, and who is a God of compassion and reconciliation.

Roles of the Prophet 1. Interpreter of the Past YHWH is actively involved in history 2. Judge of the Present To communicate Gods message for now, and to summon the people to respond today 3. Announcer of the Future Sensitive to the future consequences of peoples present actions

Relevance of the Prophets and their Prophecies 1. Reminding people and all nations of YHWHs sovereignty as one God and Lord of History. 2. Showing Gods plan of salvation for all. Perceiving catastrophies as Gods manifestations of power and righteousness, people come out of these difficult times believing more in God. 3. Leading people to obedience, and to cling to Gods steadfast love. The promised salvation gives the people a reason not to give up, and a direction to take up so as to survive.

Modern Day Prophets 1. 2. 3. 4. Mahatma Gandhi Oscar Romero Heidi Mendoza Marlene Esperat Questions for Discussion: 1. Who are these people? 2. What did they stand for?

3.What price did they pay for the cause they fought for?

A Call to Action We are called to become prophets of our times by: a. responding to the call of these days b. continuing the work for justice

In the end, what will triumph are not the consequences of the peoples wickedness, but of Gods compassion and will to redeem us. Concluding Activity
1. Create a paraliturgy for students.

2. Ask students to put posters or slogans on the CCF Freedom Board.

3. Have the students draft a position paper, have it photocopied (10 copies per student), and each student will have house-to-house campaign.