images of attentiveness, caregiving, and leading with... · lesson steps 1. images of...

Images of Attentiveness, Caregiving,and Leading

BACKGROUNDAs learned in the first strand, the God who created us loves us very much. Godwatches over us and protects us. God helps us and guides us along the way. Godhas given us free choice to make our own decisions, but accompanies us on ourjourney and never leaves us. We focus on God and ask for God’s guidance anddirection on our journey. As we strive to live godly lives we look to Jesus, God’sson, as our model and our leader.

GOD AS LANDOWNER AND GARDENERThe images of landowner and gardener/vine grower remind us of how God watchesover us, cares for us, and is attentive to us. The landowner watches over the landand makes sure it is cared for. This, in turn, produces abundant crops. The gardenerenjoys tending the garden and is delighted when the plants grow well. An attentivegardener will often use pruning shears to cut away nonproductive growth on theplants. It may seem a bit frightening at first, but this actually stimulates the plantto produce more flowers and bear more fruit. It also helps the plant grow stronger.

In the same way, as we experience difficulties in our lives, these experiencescan be God’s way of pruning us. Accepting and living with difficulties can bringgreat spiritual fruit into our lives. Our spiritual branches can bud and blossom,bringing beauty into the world. As we follow Jesus and remain in him, ourbranches will bear much fruit. Jesus tells us that he is the vine, connected to eachone of us, the branches. So, in turn, we are all connected to one another since aspart of the same vine. It’s wonderful to think that we are all connected in Jesus!

GOD AS MASTER POTTERThe potter was an integral part of society in both Old and New Testament times.Pottery-making was a common task, full of symbolic meaning. Both the potter andthe clay are significant in this metaphor. The potter has the power and ability toshape the clay. The potter is a bit like a leader, while the clay follows the work ofthe potter’s hands.

As a pot is made, whether by hand or on the wheel, the potter continuallyinteracts with the clay. The potter is attentive to what the clay needs. The claycannot be pushed beyond its limits. Does the pot need to be more definitive—needing a more striking statement, or more direction in the rim or shoulder? Doesit need a more solid base? More life? More visual weight?

The clay is not simply passive and impressionable . . . the best pots are aresult of wedding the wills and characteristics of both the clay and the potter.This implies something about God’s sovereignty—that God is not just powerfuland imposing, but relational, listening, and responding.

GOD AS SHEPHERDThe psalmist compares God to a good shepherd who protects the sheep fromharm and knows each one by name. Ezekiel, who used strong imagery throughouthis writing, developed the image of God as a shepherd with more detail than any

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other author in the Bible. For the wandering Hebrew nomad or sheep herder, thiswas an appropriate metaphor. God is a sheep herder who cares for the sheep,keeping away dangerous animals, searching for lost lambs in the dark and cold.The good shepherd looks for green pastures, and uproots thorns and poisonousweeds, going ahead of the sheep to keep them safe. The sheep hear and know theshepherd’s voice.

The metaphor of God, and later Jesus, as the good shepherd is a worthy one,for the sheep trust their shepherd to lead them, and the shepherd loves the sheep(Jeremiah 23:1-4, Ezekiel 34:11-12). The comparison of God to shepherd is usedrepeatedly throughout the Bible. One much-loved passage is Psalm 23, whichbegins, “The Lord is my shepherd.” Jesus had compassion on the crowds, becausethey were like “sheep without a shepherd” (Mark 6:34). The image of God as shep-herd begins with Jacob (Genesis 48:15) and ends with Revelation 7:17.

GOD AS JUDGE AND KINGGod as judge indicates God’s authority over all. God is a righteous judge and willjudge with truth (Psalm 96:13). God is concerned with justice for all people. God’sjustice is associated with acts of salvation and deliverance, and with mercy andforgiveness. God’s justice includes deliverance of the oppressed, giving food to thehungry, setting prisoners free. God’s radical justice sets the example for how weshould treat others in our lives today (Psalm 103:6).

The Bible tells us about the king of glory. “Who is this king of glory? The LordAlmighty—he is the king of glory” (Psalm 24). God as king is similar to God asjudge. A good king rules with justice and mercy. When the Israelites wanted toappoint a human king, it signified that they were willing to reject God as theirking. Eventually, human kings levied heavy taxes on the people and oppressedGod’s people, the opposite of God the King. God loved and cared about the people.We can be thankful that God’s kingship, justice, and mercy extend to us today.God loved us so much that he sent Jesus to earth as a servant king, to die for oursins that we might be saved.

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Images of Attentiveness, Caregiving, and Leading

LESSON 12: IMAGES OF GOD AS LANDOWNER AND GARDENER

ObjectiveStudents will realize that our spiritual roots help shape our connection to God.They will be encouraged to recognize the fruits and gifts that come from theirrelationship with God.

Key Concepts• God’s promises are for all who believe in Jesus Christ.• Other Christians impact our lives and affect our growth.• Our relationship with God connects us to a source of nourishment.

Text: John 15:1-4; Psalm 139:13-14

Estimated Lesson Time: 50 minutes

Materials• Names of Bible characters (p. 148)• Tape• Image of landowner-gardener (p. 149)• Image of grapevine (p. 150)• Packet of seeds• Flower plants or seeds, potting soil, small containers, water• “Spiritual Family Tree” handout (p. 151)• “I Am the True Vine” handout (p. 152)

Teacher Preparation1. Choose names from the list of Old Testament and New Testament Bible characters

(p. 148), enough for each student to have one. Cut the names apart. Have namesand tape ready when the students come into class.

2. Cut out and color the images of the landowner/gardener and grapevine.3. Prepare handouts, making one copy per student.4. Have a packet of seeds for a hands-on lesson and for planting (if you are doing

that part of the lesson).

INTRODUCING THE LESSONGuess the characters. As students enter the classroom, tape a Bible character’sname on each one’s back. Allow five or ten minutes for the students to guess thenames on their backs by asking only yes-and-no questions of their classmates.

After students have guessed correctly, have them remove the papers from theirbacks and return to their seats.

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LESSON STEPS1. Images of Attentiveness, Caregiving, and Leading. Introduce the students tothis third and final section of Images of God. Point out that you will now be usingthe third poster.

Hold up the symbols of the landowner and the vine. Place these two imagesunder section three: Images of Attentiveness, Caregiving, and Leading. Reinforcethe verses for this lesson, John 15:1-4: “I am the true vine, and my Father is thevine grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branchthat bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. You have already beencleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you.Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neithercan you unless you abide in me.” Talk about why the symbols of landowner/gardener and grapevine fit in this section.

2. Pour seeds into your hand. Remind students that the characteristics of aplant are contained in the genetic code of each seed. In the same way, God createdus with certain characteristics. Read Psalm 139:13-14: “For it was you whoformed my inward parts; you knot me together in my mother's womb. I praiseyou, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that Iknow very well.” Even though our genetic codes are there from the beginning, ourlives are influenced by those around us. Our family members, friends, pastors,teachers and other role models all impact our lives and affect our growth.

3. Talk about role models. Have students brainstorm 10-20 people they admireand view as role models for their own spiritual growth. These role models cancome from any background and historical time period.

Discuss: Why have you chosen these people? What characteristics of these people attract you the most? If you could invite one of these people to dinner, what would you like to discuss with him or her? How are you most like the person you chose? How are you least like the person you chose?

4. Distribute copies of “Spiritual Family Tree.” Give these instructions to thestudents: Try to think of 10-20 people in your life who have influenced your faith.Write these names on the family tree. For instance, on the stem, you might writeyour parents’ names or the name of someone who has been a spiritual parent to you.

Ask the students why they think this family tree is not in the shape of a tree.Why is it a grape cluster? Explain that the stem is similar to the trunk of the tree.The stem connects them to the vine, God or Jesus, so the person written thereshould be the one they feel connects them to Jesus or God the best. The oldestmembers of your spiritual family tree, or your ancestors should be written at thethickest part of the cluster, towards the stem. More recent spiritual family membersshould be written more toward the tip of the cluster. The students themselvesshould be at the very tips of the clusters.

5. Using the handout “I Am the True Vine,” have the students look up passagesabout the landowner and gardener/vine grower. After they have read each passage,have them draw the role Jesus played in this image of landowner, gardener, andvine. Review the worksheet with the students.

6. Plant a flower or seeds in a pot to give to a parent or relative. Students shouldadd a note to say what they appreciate about how God has made this person.


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EXTEND THE LESSON(These activities will extend the lesson to longer than 50 minutes.)

• Personal reflection. Have students journal on the following questions abouttheir spiritual family trees: Why did you choose these people? What characteristics do you admire most? How are you most like these people? How are you least like them?

• Plant a garden of perennial plants on your school’s campus. Many nurseriesare willing to donate plants to schools. Have the students prepare the soil, plan thegarden, plant the plants, and water the plants regularly.

Bible References for teacher information:Landowner Gardener/Vine growerMatthew 20:1-15 John 15:1-2Psalm 24:1-2 Romans 11:17-24


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bible charactersDirections for teachers: Cut out the following squares with names for Introducingthe Lesson. You may need to add more names, if you have more students or if youneed more names of a certain gender. If you add more names, make sure they arebiblical persons from Genesis to Revelation. There are 26 names here; 13 arefemales and 13 are males.


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Sarah

Abraham

Rebekah

Noah

Rachel

Moses

Miriam

Gideon

Deborah

Samuel

Ruth

David

Naomi

Solomon

Mary, mother of Jesus

Daniel

Mary Magdalene

Jonah

Elizabeth

Peter

Anna

John the Baptist

Priscilla

Matthew

Lydia

Mark

god as landowner/gardener


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150


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spiritual family tree

For it was you who formedmy inward parts;

you knit me together in mymother’s womb.(Psalm 139:13)

Name: ____________________________

I Am the True VineJohn 15:1

Directions: Look up the following scriptures. List the role Jesus and his Fatherplayed in the passages. What attributes of God can you understand from thesepassages?

1. Read John 15:1-4.

a. What roles do Jesus and his Father have in this passage?

___________________________________________________________________________

b. What attributes of God can you understand from these verses?

____________________________________________________________________________

2. Read John 20:10-17.

a. What role does Jesus have in this passage?

___________________________________________________________________________


____________________________________________________________________________

3. Read Matthew 20:1-16.

a. What role does God have in this passage?

___________________________________________________________________________


____________________________________________________________________________


a. What role does God have in this passage?

____________________________________________________________________________


____________________________________________________________________________


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ANSWER KEY

I Am the True VineJohn 15:1

Directions: Look up the following scriptures. List the role Jesus and his Fatherplayed in the passages. What attributes of God can you understand from thesepassages?

1. Read John 15:1-4.

a. What roles do Jesus and his Father have in this passage?Jesus is the vine. His father is the gardener.

b. What attributes of God can you understand from these verses?Jesus reminds us to remain in him. The branches that stay connected to God bear fruit and are pruned.

2. Read John 20:10-17.

a. What role does Jesus have in this passage?Jesus is mistaken for a gardener. He is the risen Christ.

b. What attributes of God can you understand from these verses?Jesus seems to take on a different look, one that is not recognized. When Jesus says her name, Mary then recognizes him as the risen Christ.


a. What role does God have in this passage?God is the landowner of a vineyard in the story. He hires workers all throughout the day. All workers are paid the same, no matter what time they started work.

b. What attributes of God can you understand from these verses?God wants many workers, and is open to hiring people all day long. God defends paying all workers the same. This parable shows God’s grace. We receive grace as a gift from God. The person who comes to God at the end oflife enjoys the same benefits as the person who follows God early in life.


a. What role does God have in this passage?God is a manager of land which grows fruit. He has other people run his land. God will take away the land and give it to those who will produce fruit and manage it better.

b. What attributes of God can you understand from these verses?God wants the people put in charge of the property to be just stewards. Godwill replace the unjust workers for people who will care for things well.

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