Description
In our readings this week we hear a little of the story of Joseph in Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 and a little more in Psalm 105: 1-6, 16-22, 45b. This is part of telling of His wonderful works which Psalms 105 declares or proclaiming him as we read in Romans 10:5-15.
Even though the part of the story we hear about Joseph is about him being sold and taken to Egypt, Psalm 105 alludes to God doing this as part of his bigger plan. This is a story we share and remember as we proclaim the good news about our God (Romans 10). Joseph represented Israel as a people who struggled with God and with men and overcame. Remember, as we learnt last week, that Israel means he who struggles with God. Now Joseph as Jacob (Israel’s) son is struggling with God and men but he will overcome.
This week is about celebrating or praising God for his past saving acts; trusting and praising God for our future deliverance and blessing; and praising by proclaiming or making God’s deeds known. It’s about telling of all His wonderful works through praise, prayer and proclamation.
Joseph, son of Israel is about exploring the first part of the story of Joseph together in small groups and as a whole. The use of toys and objects to represent what is happening, along with the opportunity to draw what is happening, helps explore the story with more than just words.
Praise the Lord is a time of praise and thanksgiving through spoken and sung praise which we read about in Psalm 105.
In Believe and Proclaim the congregation is invited to read Romans 10:5-15 together with different groups reading different highlighted words. Then a chair is used to start to explore what ‘believe’ and ‘proclaim’ means.
The Bring Good News activity help people consider what they believe about Jesus and make a reminder that “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15).
