LESSON #2: The Bible: Beginnings and Exodus

HIGHS AND LOWS: (7 minutes)
Write down one high and one low from your week in your prayer journal.  Pastor Breen will gather them in prayer.

REVIEW: (3 minutes)
What is one thing you remember from last class?  What did you learn about Noah?  About Abraham? Refer to your one sentence summary in your prayer journal from last week if you are having trouble with recall.  Share your answers with the group.

OUTLOUD PRAYER/LIGHTING THE CANDLE: Freedom Prayer Part 1 (5 minutes)
Today we will be learning about how God freed his people from slavery.  We who live in the United States of America have a lot of freedom.  For this prayer, we will thank God for one of our freedoms.  We will go around the circle one time, and end with “Amen.”

THE BIBLE Miniseries:  Beginnings/Exodus (30 minutes)   
Today, we will watch the last 15 minutes of the first episode and the first 15 minutes of the second episode of The Bible miniseries from the History Channel.  As you watch, consider the following devotional questions from the ELCA Book of Faith Initiative:

What scares, confuses, or challenges me in this episode?

What is my favorite part of this episode?  Why?

What stories or memories does this episode stir up in you?

What is God doing in this episode?  What is God up to?

TIME TO SHARE (10 minutes)
When the episode has concluded, take a few minutes to jot down some notes answering the above questions.  You will share your answers with the group.

ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY (3 minutes)
In one sentence, describe what you learned during this lesson, as if you are sharing the answer “What happened in Confirmation this week?” with a friend.  Write it down in your prayer journal.

HEADING HOME for MISSION (2 minutes)
Join together in praying the Lord’s Prayer. Go in peace, serve the Lord!