The Toronto Catholic District School Board Course: Grade 12 Religion – Responding to the Call of Jesus Christ Lesson Number: Six Unit One: Scripture – Divine Revelation: God Speaks to Us Lesson Topic: God’s Revelation in the Old Testament (The Prophets)

Focus Question: The purpose of this lesson is to help students understand the scope of God’s revelation in the Old Testament through the Prophets. Instructional Objective(s): 1) Students will learn that God reveals himself by words and actions through the events of history. 2) Students will learn that God revealed himself to the prophets.

New Evangelization Essential Element(s): Key Element I: Knowledge of the Faith: What We Believe Key Element VI: Evangelization and Apostolic Life: How We, as Individuals and Community, Live in Service to the World

Key Vocabulary: Prophet Internet Link(s): www.vatican.va www.cccb.ca Materials required: 1) Sacred Scripture (NRSV) 2) Student Worksheet

Prophecy

Prayer Learned or Recited: Gracious God, You have spoken through the prophets. Grant that like them we too may grow to know you in a more personal way. Open our eyes to the injustices in our world. May our hearts first desire be always to serve you in our brothers and sisters, especially the most vulnerable among them. Amen. Step by step procedures: Activity 1: The Prophets

(30 minutes)

Share the following with the class: The fundamental premise of Scripture is that God has spoken. The biblical texts reveal, that God's revelation of Himself did not come all at once, but was progressively unveiled throughout history. Each of these revelations brought a little more understanding of God to humanity. Having first revealed Himself to the Patriarchs and the Mosaic covenant, God then revealed Himself to human beings through the prophets. Share the following article from the Catechism of the Catholic Church with the class: Through the prophets, God forms his people in the hope of salvation, in the expectation of a new and everlasting covenant intended for all, to be written on their hearts. The prophets proclaim a radical redemption of the People of God, purification from all their infidelities, a salvation which will include all the nations (CCC, 64). Definition: Prophet: Hebrew “nabi” meaning to summon, announce, or call. A person who announces God’s will to the people, often in an effort to call people back into a relationship with God. In small groups (2 to 3) ask students to read the following passages from Scripture: Genesis 20:7; Exodus 7:1; 1 Samuel 9:9; 1 Kings 5:8. In their reading students should make note of the following points:  

What word designates the “prophet”? Who does the term refer to?

After allowing time for students to share their answers with the class, underline the following: Genesis 20:7- This is the first time the word “prophet” is used in the Old Testament.

Exodus 7:1- Although Moses is often referred to as the “greatest of the prophets of Israel” (Moses acts as a prophet, even though he is not called so until the Book of Deuteronomy 18:15; 34:10), God appoints his brother Aaron to be a prophet for Moses. The passage underlines that a prophet’s ministry is not done in isolation, but requires help and support from the community, 1 Samuel 9:9- Underlines that the word “prophet” is used interchangeably with the word “seer.” 1 Kings 5:8- In this passage the phrase “man of God” is used to describe the prophet Elisha. Allow students time to update Student Worksheet 1. Activity 2: Prophecy

(40 minutes)

Share the following with the class: The message of the prophet is often referred to as “prophecy” Definition: Prophecy: The declaration of God’s will, whether in the past, present, or the future. In small groups (2 to 3) ask students to read the following passages from Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8 and Jeremiah 1:4-19. In their reading students should make note of the following points:   

Who did God reveal Himself to? How did God reveal himself? What was God’s message?

After allowing time for students to share their answers with the class, underline the following:

a) Who did God reveal Himself to?  Isaiah  Jeremiah b) How did God reveal Himself?  As Lord, seated on a high throne.  As the Lord c) What was God’s message?  To go and speak to the people of Israel  To go and speak to the people of Israel

Share the following passage from Scripture with the class: [Prophets] were "holy men of God who spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Peter 1:21). The Holy Spirit breathing into the mind of the prophet illumined his mind and pervaded his thoughts. The prophet’s inspiration consisted in the fullness of the influence of the Holy Spirit enabling him to accomplish his work. Although the prophets of Israel spoke at different times and in places, their messages share a common theme. As a class, discuss the following questions:  

What is the essential message of the prophet? What did their message reveal about God and God’s will?

After allowing time for students to share their answers with the class, underline the following: The prophet’s job was to call the people back to God and to the truth of God. It involved warning them of the consequences of their actions. Essentially, it was a call to repentance. At times it was also a message of God's plan for the future of His Kingdom. The prophets were men through whom God spoke His message of love for sinners, and warned them of the consequences of their sins. Share the following article from the Catechism of the Catholic Church with the class: In the course of its history, Israel was able to discover that God had only one reason to reveal himself to them, a single motive for choosing them among all peoples as his special possession: his sheer gratuitous love. And thanks to the prophets Israel understood that it was again out of that love that God never stopped saving them and pardoning their unfaithfulness and sins(CCC, 21). Allow students time to update Student Worksheet. Assessment Assignment: Read the following passages from scripture: i. Acts of God: Deuteronomy 26:22; Joshua 24:1-18; Psalm 78, 105, 136 ii. The Word of the Covenant: Exodus 3:1-17; 6:2-8; 19:1-25 iii. The prophetic vocation: Jeremiah 1:4-10; Isaiah 6:1-13; Ezekiel 1-2 How are the historical events of the Old Testament related to revelation?

Thought Provoker Did you know that Between John Paul II’s election to the papacy in 1978 and his death in 2004, more than 17 million people attended his weekly audiences in Rome?

Alternate Assignment: Write a 250-300 word journal entry that addresses the following:   

How is God calling you to speak with a prophetic voice? To what misperceptions, misrepresentations, or injustices have your eyes been opened? How can you use your voice to educate others in order to lay the groundwork for a just and lasting peace in your family/school/community/world?

Adaptations (for students with learning disabilities): Pick a song that speaks on the theme of justice.  

What social injustices does this song address? How is this song prophetic?

Extensions (for gifted students): As Catholic Christians we are called to be “prophets of the times”. For this assignment: 1. Select a prophet of the Old Testament that is of interest to you. 2. Write an article for your school newspaper, keeping in mind the following questions: a. What issue(s) and/or question(s) does this prophet raise? b. How is the prophet’s message relevant today? c. How is God inviting you and your school community to answer the prophet’s call?

Name: _____________________________

Date:___________________________

Lesson Topic: God’s Revelation in the Old Testament Student Worksheet Instructions: Complete the following questions, throughout the course of today’s lesson. 1a) Definition- Prophet:

1b) Read the following passages from Scripture: Genesis 20:7; Exodus 7:1; 1 Samuel 9:9; 1 Kings 5:8. What word designates the “prophet”?

1c) Who does the term refer to?

2a) Definition- Prophecy:

3) Read the following passages from Scripture: Numbers 22:22-40; Isaiah 6:1-8; Jeremiah 1:4-19.

3a) Who did God reveal Himself to?

3b) How did God reveal himself?

3c) What was God’s message?

4a) How did God speak to the prophets?

5a) What is the essential message of the prophet?

5b) What did their message reveal about God and God’s will?

6a) What surprised you about today’s lesson? 6b) What question(s) did the lesson raise for you?