Proper 11 Ordinary 16 Pentecost 8 C (July 18):Distractions and Priorities

Bible Readings: Amos 8:1-12, Psalm 52, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42

About the Images:
Upper: This image comes from the excellent Heartlight site (see my links at left)
Lower: This is a combination of two free Microsoft cliparts.


Listening Song: Goodbye to Me
By David Robertson on his album, Soul Embrace (pictured at right)

Individual Introductory Activity: Priorities
Give everyone a pencil and a scrap of paper. Ask them to make a list of the things that are important to them in order of priority. Ask them to note where getting to know God and serving God feature on their list.

Film Clip: Jesus of Montreal
There are plenty of clips in this film in which Daniel, an actor who is to portray Jesus in a passion play, begins to mirror Jesus' life in his own life (pictured at left).

Drama: One Thing Needed
by Verena Johnson, Lutheran Publishing House, 1991, I
Found in Let's Make A Scene TooSBN 085910608X, page 13 (pictured at right). This is useful for the gospel reading.

Discussion: On the Luke Reading
1. Who do you relate to more - Mary or Martha?
2. Why does Jesus think Mary has made a good choice? What is his point?
3. What is Martha's problem?
4. Should we try to balance the Mary and Martha activities in our lives?

Discussion: On the Amos Reading
1. What do you think the the job description of a prophet would include?
2. What are some of the method's God uses to speak to people in the Old Testament?

Story: Saul Kills the Priests of the Lord
1 Samuel 22: 6-23 is considered to be the background for psalm 52. The story is about one of the biggest dobbers in history - it is about treachery, anger, and fear.

Story: First Letter Home
Found in The New Century Version Youth Bible, Word, 1991, ISBN 0849909252, page 1024 (pictured in an earlier blog). This is useful with the gospel reading.

Story: The Boat in the Window
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1994, ISBN 0310402611, page 44 (pictured in an earlier blog). This is useful for the Colossians reading.

Story: Listen Slowly
Found in Bits and Pieces, June 24, 1993, page 13.

Visual Analogy: Pot Bound Plant
Have a pot bound plant and a healthy pot plant with plenty of room to grow. Relate these to the Colossians reading where Paul talks about the things which prevent him from becoming complacent about his faith. Talk about how complacency and our comfort zones can wall us in and prevent us from growing the way we should.

Mediative Listening Song: Dies Irae
By Libera on their CD, Libera (pictured in an earlier blog). I suggested this last week but it also fits this week.