18/10/2009 Proper 24

Theme: I am so small

Bible Reading:

Job chapter 38 verses 1-7,

Preparation

You need images to show of some of the wonders of the universe http://www.nasaimages.org/ has some wonderful examples. for full effect show them on a projection system, rather than hand held photographs. Include at least one image of the earth from space. You may like to have some suitable music to play as well - e.g. Holst's Planets Suite.

Introduction

Can you think of a time when you thought something like "that's not fair, why should that happen to ME?" There are a lot of people every day who think the same thing. It may be that something nasty has happened, like they have been mugged, or bullied, or it could be something quite small like their pencil has broken, whatever it is, at that moment they feel hurt and picked on.

The Message

In the Bible you can find a whole book about a man called Job. He had a lot of reasons to ask "Why me?" His children had died when a house collapsed, he had lost all his wealth and property, and he had the most awful skin disease. His life was a mess! His three friends were not much help - they assumed that Job was being punished by God for something he had done wrong and so they came round and talked with him and accused him of being bad, and they even tried to get him to curse God, but even when Job was feeling at his lowest, that was one thing he would not do.

In the story God then steps in to answer Job and his friends, and he begins by asking "where were you when I created the earth?"

Read Job chp 38 vss 4-7 slowly to the accompaniment of the images (and music). You may like to explain first that the reading is in old fashioned poetry, so may be a little difficult - but pupils should "get the feel of it".

Ask how seeing the images of the universe makes people feel. They are probably literally in the picture when you show a photograph of the appropriate part of the globe - but can they see themselves?

God was showing Job how small he was in comparison with Himself and the universe. Because we are inside our own head, we sometimes think we are the most important person in the world and deserve special treatment - but looking at the photographs shows us that's not right! But the amazing news is that even although we are so small and insignificant, God knows and loves each one of us through and through. He knew and loved Job too - and at the end of the story you will find that God praises Job for being loyal to Him and makes him a wealthy and happy man again.

Reflection

You may like to continue using photographs at this point

Think of the tiniest, of tiny, tiny things.

Think of the hugest of huge, enormous things.

imagine the God who made the tiny things.

Imagine the God who made the huge things.

Prayer

Dear God, as we look up into the sky, or into the heart of a flower help us to remember you and the love that you have for us. Amen