The power of Christ inside believers is compared to âTreasures in Jars of Clay.â Use this lesson plan to teach children the important lessons from 2 Corinthians 4:1-7. New romantic songs downloadming. The main idea for this lesson plan is drawn from 2 Corinthians 4:6:
âFor God, who said, âLet light shine out of darkness,â has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.â (ESV)
Summary: All of Godâs people are a vessel of some kind. PREFERENCE (v. The character of God is reflected in the vessels He chooses to use. ILLUS: When you go to a restaurant, you expect to have your food served in clean vessels. If you are served tea in a glass with lipstick on the rim, you will probably not return to that restaurant. Mar 11, 2010 Broken Vessel - Jeremiah 19 Jeremiah 19:11 'And shalt say unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city as one breaketh a potter's vessel, that cannot be made whole again, and they shall bury them in Tophet, till there be no place to bury.' âAnd the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.â Jeremiah 18:4. Today, I want to share with you a cute little poem (down below) about a broken teapot.
This material was first taught to a group of older elementary students. Be sure to make appropriate modifications if you plan to teach in a different age level class.
This is part 2 of a 4-part series titled The Hardship and Glory of Service to Christ. Use these links to find the other lessons in this series.
Lesson Title: Treasure in Jars of Clay
Bible Reference: 2 Corinthians 4:1-7 Printer Friendly: [print_link] this lesson. Target Age Group: 5th â 6th grade Learning Context: Sunday School or Kids Church Target Time Frame: 30 minutes
Main Idea: God has given believers the magnificent treasure of the Gospel, and it is only through His power that the Gospel transforms lives. He has chosen to use us, worthless vessels, to spread the ministry of the New Covenant.
Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 4:6, âFor God, who said, âLet light shine out of darkness,â has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.â (ESV)
Gospel Connection: The Gospel is the treasure we have received that allows us to have the knowledge of the glory of God. A result of the Gospel is gaining this knowledge personally through a relationship with God Himself. God has chosen His people to be vessels that proclaim this knowledge, though it is only through His power that people are transformed, to His glory.
Learning Aim: After this lesson, students will know that when they accept Christ, they receive a magnificent treasure, the knowledge of the glory of God. This knowledge has been granted to us through Christ for Godâs glory, that we may proclaim it to all peoples. Look for the Learning Outcome Test section in our Basic Teaching Plan below.
Basic Supply List:
Other Notes: In the teaching plan below the words in italics are meant to be read aloud. The regular text is simply directions for the teacher.
![]() > > > > Basic Teaching Plan < < < <
Object Lesson Introduction
Display the ugly, worthless vase with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. SAY:What do you think of this vase? (Allow time for thoughts) It is very ugly, dirty. It leaks water, making it worthless as a vase. What would you think about placing this beautiful bouquet of flowers in such a worthless vase? (Allow time for response) The vase does not deserve the beauty of the these flowers!
SAY: Todayâs Scripture passage speaks of jars of clay or earthen vessels. These were valueless containers in the Bible, just like this vase. Listen closely as we study it together to find out how we are like these jars of clay.
Refresher of the New Covenant Conecpt
One essential aspect of living in service to Christ is sharing the Gospel, which is sometimes called âthe New Covenant.âIn the New Covenant, the veil of separation has been torn between us and God. We are able to know God personally and have a relationship with Him. Our ministry or service to Christ is about sharing our knowledge of the New Covenant with all peoples! This is an awesome truth that is a treasure and brings light to the hearts of those who accept Christ!
Introduce the Scripture Passage:
Ask for volunteers to read 2 Corinthians 4:1-7. This passage is written out at the end of the lesson to make things easy, feel free to use the translation of your choice.
Verse by Verse Explanation & Discussion
Give each student a copy of the 7 verses. Ask them to look at each verse as you go through and discuss them, highlighting/writing things they want to remember.
Cracked Vessels Bible
Eclipse software download. Gospel Application:
SAY: This treasure is for us if we accept Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord. When we become followers of Christ, the veil in our hearts is torn and our darkened hearts are filled with light. This light is the knowledge of the glory of God that we have heard about through Godâs Word and that we begin to experience as believers through our worship and prayers.
Continuation of Object Lesson:
Bring out the vase once more. SAY: v. 7 Jars of clay were valueless containers, readily discarded, being cheap and always available to people in Paulâs day. The difference between these worthless jars and the treasure of Christ is huge! Paulâs main purpose in calling himself and the apostles jars of clay is to reveal that human weakness presents no barrier to the purpose of God. The worthlessness of the vessels is evidence that the magnificent power which occurs when the Gospel is preached, the change that takes place in human lives, is Godâs and not the apostles.
SAY: We are like this vase. Just as this vase is completely undeserving of this beautiful bouquet of flowers, we are utterly undeserving of the treasure of Christ. But God has chosen us! He has chosen you and me to share the awesome and amazing truth of His love and grace! As we realize how weak and undeserving we are, I want you to see how great Godâs love and grace is for you, that He would still choose to use you to share His Word with all peoples. Letâs close our eyes and reflect on this truth together now.
Allow them to sit for one full minute in reflection. It will seem to pass by slowly, but resist the temptation to speak, even if the moment feels awkward. Times like this help teach students the beauty of stillness before the Lord. At times it is only through disciplined stillness before Him that we can hear Him speak. When the minute is up, close the time in prayer.
Learning Outcome Test: Have your students describe what this looks like in their lives day to day, really stressing the application of it, what it would look like to humbly realize the greatness of Godâs gift in Christ and allow that to motivate us to boldly share our faith.
> > > > Optional Activities < < < < <
The following suggestions will help you expand and customize our basic lessons. We always value your opinion, so leave a comment and help make this resource better for other readers.
Memory verse: Ask for a volunteer to read the memory verse aloud from the marker board. Work on memorizing it together. Use any of our creative methods for memorizing Scripture.
Craft: Make jars of clay for students to take home as a reminder of this Scripture. Write the Scripture reference â2 Corinthians 4:7â on each jar.
Spreading the Gospel: Ask your students to think of ways they can share the great truth of the New Covenant to others. Have them write their ideas on a marker board. Discuss fears in sharing the Gospel. Ask: Why do you think we are so afraid to share this light of the knowledge of the glory of God? Remind your students that unbelievers respond in negative ways because the veil has not been removed from their hearts. They are blind to the truth. Because our hearts have been unveiled, we know God is the One, true God and can have confidence in standing for Him as we spread His Word.
Dissect a Phrase: Write âthe light of the knowledge of the glory of Godâ on a marker board. Have your students dissect the meaning of this phrase. For example, ask, What is light? What does light do? What is Paul saying provides light? [knowledge] Knowledge of what? How do we receive this knowledge? [through Christ in the New Covenant] Why is the New Covenant so much more glorious that the Old? [Godâs glory was hidden in the Old Covenant. His people were not able to fully see Him and know Him. In the New Covenant, we have full access to God. We can pray to Him anytime and all the time. We can know Him deeply and have a relationship with Him. His glory is no longer hidden!]
Make the Connection: All of terms in this lesson can get confusing. Take time to define together New Covenant and Gospel-they are interchangeable. Right it on a marker board. After making this connection, ask how Godâs glory is connected in both of these. Example:
Light: Illustrate the light the knowledge of God brings to our hearts. Make your classroom completely dark.
Real Life Application: Tell a story of a missionary or some individual who really was not anything special but God used them in a mighty way to spread the gospel because they gave themselves fully to Him. William Carey or Bill Wallace might be good example.
> > > > Supporting Materials < < < <
2 Corinthians 4:1-7 from the New Living Translation:
1Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with Godâs word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyoneâs conscience in the sight of God. 3And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesusâ sake. 6For God, who said, âLet light shine out of darkness,â has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. (ESV)
John Martin, Belshazzar's Feast, c. 1821; half-size sketch held by the Yale Center for British Art
Belshazzar's feast, or the story of the writing on the wall (chapter 5 in the Book of Daniel) tells how Belshazzar holds a great feast and drinks from the vessels that had been looted in the destruction of the First Temple. A hand appears and writes on the wall. The terrified Belshazzar calls for his wise men, but they are unable to read the writing. The queen advises him to send for Daniel, renowned for his wisdom. Daniel reminds Belshazzar that his father Nebuchadnezzar, when he became arrogant, was thrown down until he learned that God has sovereignty over the kingdom of men. Belshazzar had likewise blasphemed God, and so God sent this hand. Daniel then reads the message and interprets it: God has numbered Belshazzar's days, he has been weighed and found wanting, and his kingdom will be given to the Medes and the Persians.
That very night Belshazzar the Chaldean (Babylonian) king was killed, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom.
ââDaniel 5:30â31[1]
The message of Daniel 5 is the contrast it offers between Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar:
Vessels In Bible Times
Belshazzar's feast is a legend conforming to the subgenre of the 'tale of court contest', complicated by the inclusion of Daniel's indictment of Belshazzar's pride and his failure to honour the God of Israel; as a result the tale has a double ending, in which Daniel is first showered with rewards and honours for interpreting the omen, and the king is then punished to fulfill the sentence pronounced by Daniel.[3]
Summary[edit]
Rembrandt, Belshazzar's Feast, 1635, (National Gallery, London). The message is written in vertical lines starting at the top right corner, with 'upharsin' taking two lines.
Narrative summary[edit]
This summarizes the narrative, as found in C. L. Seow's translation of the text in his commentary on Daniel.[1]
King Belshazzar holds a great feast for a thousand of his lords, and commands that the Temple vessels from Jerusalem be brought in so that they can drink from them, but as the Babylonians drink, a hand appears and writes on the wall. Belshazzar calls for his magicians and diviners to interpret the writing, but they are unable even to read them. The queen advises Belshazzar to send for Daniel, renowned for his wisdom. Daniel is brought in, and the king offers to make him third in rank in the kingdom if he can interpret the writing. Daniel declines the honour, but agrees to the request. He reminds Belshazzar that Nebuchadnezzar's greatness was the gift of God, and that when he became arrogant God threw him down until he learned humility: 'the Most High God has sovereignty over the kingdom of mortals, and sets over it whomever He will.' Belshazzar has drunk from the vessels of God's Temple and praised his idols, but he has not given honour to God, and so God sent this hand and wrote these words:
×× × ×× × ×ª×§× ×פרס××
Daniel reads the words 'MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN' and interprets them for the king: 'MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL, you have been weighed .. and found wanting;' and 'PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians. Then Belshazzar gave the command, and Daniel was clothed in purple, a chain of gold was put around his neck, and a proclamation was made⦠that he should rank third in the kingdom; [and] that very night Belshazzar the Chaldean (Babylonian) king was killed, and Darius the Mede received the kingdom.'[4]
Writing on the wall[edit]
Woodcut by Julius Schnorr von Karolsfeld, 1860.
The Chaldean wise men are unable to read the writing on the wall, let alone interpret it, but Daniel does so by supplying vowels in two different ways, first so the words are read as nouns, then as verbs.[5] The nouns are monetary weights: a mÉnê, equivalent to a Jewish mina or sixty shekels (several ancient versions have only one mÉnê instead of two), a tÉqêl, equivalent to a shekel, and pÌarsîn, meaning 'half-pieces'.[6] The last involves a word-play on the name of the Persians (pÄrÄs in Hebrew), suggesting not only that they are to inherit Belshazzar's kingdom, but that they are two peoples, Medes and Persians.[6] Daniel then interprets the words as verbs, based on their roots: mÉnê is interpreted as meaning 'numbered', tÉqêl, from a root meaning to weigh, as meaning 'weighed' (and found wanting), and pÉrês (פְּרַס), the singular form of pÌarsîn, from a root meaning 'to divide', denoting that the kingdom is to be 'divided' and given to the Medes and Persians.[7] If the 'half-pieces' means two half-shekels, then the various weightsâa mÉnê or sixty shekels, another shekel, and two half-shekelsâadd up to 62, which the tale gives as the age of Darius the Mede, indicating that God's will is being worked out.[8]
Composition and structure[edit]
It is generally accepted that the Book of Daniel originated as a collection of folktales among the Jewish community in Babylon in the Persian and early Hellenistic periods (5th to 3rd centuries BC), and was later expanded in the Maccabean era (mid-2nd century) with the visions of chapters 7â12.[9] Modern scholarship agrees that Daniel is a legendary figure,[10] and it is possible that his name was chosen for the hero of the book because of his reputation as a wise seer in Hebrew tradition.[11]
Chapters 2â7 of the book form a chiasm (a poetic structure in which the main point or message of a passage is placed in the centre and framed by further repetitions on either side):[12]
Daniel 5 is thus composed as a companion-piece to Daniel 4, the tale of the madness of Nebuchadnezzar, the two giving variations on a single theme. This is spelled out in chapter 5 when Daniel draws a direct parallel between the two kings: the fate of Belshazzar illustrates what happens when a king does not repent.[13]
Vessel Scriptures In The Bible
Daniel 5 does not divide neatly into scenes and scholars do not agree on its structure. The following is one possible outline:[14]
Historical background[edit]
The story is set around the fall of Babylon, when on 12 October 539 BCE the Persian conqueror Cyrus the Great entered the city. Its last king, Nabonidus, was captured, and his fate is unknown, although he may have been exiled.[15] Several details in the text do not match the known historical facts.[16] Belshazzar is portrayed as king of Babylon and son of Nebuchadnezzar, but was actually the son of King Nabonidus, one of Nebuchadnezzar's successors, and never became king.[16] The conqueror is named as Darius the Mede, but no such individual is known to history; and the invaders were not Medes, but Persians.[16] This is typical of the story's genre, in which historical accuracy is not an essential element.[17]
The constituent elements of the Book of Daniel were assembled shortly after the end of the Maccabean crisis, which is to say shortly after 164 BCE.[18] The tales making up chapters 2 to 6 are the earliest part, dating from the late 4th or early 3rd centuries. Their setting is Babylon, and there is no reason to doubt that they were composed in the Babylonian diaspora (i.e., among the Jewish community living in Babylon and Mesopotamia under Persian and then Greek rule). They reflect a society in which foreign rulers were not necessarily malevolent (Belshazzar rewards Daniel and raises him to high office); this is a marked contrast with the visions of chapters 7â12, where the sufferings of the Jews are the result of actions by the evil 2nd century BCE king Antiochus IV Epiphanes.[19]
Chapters 2 and 7 tell how all worldly kingdoms will come to an end and be replaced by the kingdom of God, and chapters 3 and 6 tell how pious Jews withstand the arrogance of earthly kings and are rescued by the God of Israel. Chapters 4 and 5 form the center and carry the most important message in their parallel but contrasting tales of Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. The first is humbled by God, learns his lesson (he acknowledges the ultimate kingship of the Jewish God), and is restored to his throne; Belshazzar, in contrast, learns nothing from Nebuchadnezzar's example, blasphemes against God, and has his kingdom given to others.[2]
See also[edit]References[edit]Vessel In The Bible MeaningCitations[edit]
Sources[edit]
Retrieved from 'https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Belshazzar%27s_feast&oldid=919523810'
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |