Bible Exploration - Workshop:        Music 

 

Month:       May        Bible Story:     The Lord is My Shepherd                

 

Year (B):      1          Scripture:         Psalm 23                                           

 

Bible Memory Verse:        All of Psalm 23                                                                                                                                                                                                            

 

Workshop

Concept

Teacher

1.      Temple

 

God is the Good Shepherd.

 

2.      Video

 

God is our shepherd even when someone dies.

 

3.      Computer

 

God is our shepherd today.

 

4.      Music

 

Psalm 23 expresses our love & trust of God in song.

 

5.       

 

 

 

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:  The explorers will understand how the psalm was used as a

Hymn to praise God.

 

MATERIALS:

·         Hand chimes (or other musical instruments)

·         King’s (or Queens) costume (including a shepherds staff)

·         Other appropriate period costumes if available.

·         Bread and water (for “sacrificial” meal)

 

PLAN:

·         Opening – Meet in sanctuary.  Find Psalm 23 in Bible and recite it together

o           Discuss Psalms and the hymns we sing today.  Why do we sing?  What do we sing and why?  What are the kinds of subjects in the songs we sing?  Look in the hymnbooks and discuss. 

o           Psalms are hymns that were used in worship and other special events.  We do not know the original tune.  So we make up new ones.  Today the explorers will practice Psalm 23 to the same tune we sing Amazing Grace using handchimes.  Then, act out the setting and play the tune as it may have been used in ancient Israel by the King and Israel during worship.  The handchimes will help lead the congregation in singing this psalm during the worship service.  See below for more information.

·         Close in prayer.  Pray for God to bless and protect our leaders; teacher, parents, elected officials, our president and congress, etc.

 

ADAPTATIONS:

Children

Youth

·         Be concrete.  Avoid the word “image.” Talk about how a shepherd’s love reminded people of God’s love.

·         Explore images, metaphors and there many meanings.  How did they help people understand who God is?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Music -- Psalm 23

 

This is a dramatization of Psalm 23.  Have one volunteer be the King or Queen and dress them appropriately.  Don’t forget the rod and staff!  If possible, perform this dramatization in the sanctuary.  Have one person direct it and the class act it out.  It can be just a walk through.  The director can explain the parts and what is happening.

 

  1. SET UP: Have the “sacrificial meal” (bread and water, say) placed on the communion table.  The hand chime choir is set up near the table. 
    1. The meal would have been part of the sacrifices made on the alter.
    2. This psalm may have been sung at a meal in the sanctuary when the king and people ate together and so were strengthened in fel­lowship with God and each other.
  2. Have the king process in while the rest of the explorers play and sing the hymn.
    1. The king comes in like the shepherd.  Perhaps his people would have been following him.
    2. He comes to the table and sits up front (perhaps in chair behind pulpit). 
  3. The enemies of the king can be seen as dissenters to his throne.  People who would like to see him overthrown, who shrink back from this public display of support and confidence in the King and God who will protect his anointed.  Have some of the explorers grumble and “make way” for the King by shrinking back. 
  4. Have the hand chime choir sit and join the King in celebrating the meal. 
    1. The term Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) means “anointed one”
    2. Who do we now proclaim is the “anointed one” or King who rules over us?  In what ways?  Discuss.
    3. The King is assured that the blessings of goodness and mercy shall be with him during his reign in God’s house.

                                                              i.      Who are the leaders or “anointed ones” in your life?

1.      Parents

2.      Teachers

3.      Coaches

4.      Others:  Discuss.  Should we follow them?  How?

                                                            ii.      Recite Psalm 23 once more and end in prayer.  Pray for God to guide all the leaders in our world.