The questions suggested below are for the teacher. They should be reworked appropriately in order to meet the needs of the age and type of class.

The Nature of the Material

• Certain parts of the text are quite complicated. Older pupils might be able to cope with the details, but younger pupils would find it too difficult. However it is still important for the teacher to mention the complexities of this material with the combination of two strands as well as explaining that material is read back into the past in order to emphasise a point, but it actually relates to a much later date.
  
  
• What is essential is that pupils are not left to think that the narrative just appeared like it is found in the Bible and the textual or subject matter complications are to do with the odd way God chooses to communicate with people.
  
  
• Having said all this, it must still be remembered that some Jews and some Christians are not in sympathy with textual criticism and do believe that God communicated directly in this way.

Questions

1. Why might later editors choose to include issues from their own time into older material?
2. How much does it matter that the material was not all written by one person at one time?
3. Can you think of other examples where similar problems with writing might be found?
4. Why is it important for those studying these narratives to be aware of the textual background
5. Why might some Jews and Christians reject Biblical criticism?
6. Why is it important for people to understand that not all Jews and Christians accept biblical criticism?

Abandoning God - modern apostasy?

• In a secular age, it is important to ask what might have replaced God and religious leadership in society and what the effects of that might be for society.
  
  
• Those who have pioneered the 'death' of God would say that people are now freed from the ties of superstition and can move into these scientific times unhampered by an un-provable God and unrestrained in ethical decisions by a God-fearing morality.
  
  
• People now would not dream of replacing God with idols. But instead of a bull-calf image, people could still worship the gold it was made of.
  
  
• Besides exalting the celebrity to a god-like status, the individual has been lifted high in this self-centred culture. The 'I am who I am' of YHWH has been ousted by the 'Me-Me-Me' of egotism.
  
  
• In addition, the vacuum left by belief in God may have been filled by up-to-date superstitions - horoscopes, 'readings' from tarot cards or tea-cups, crystals, the paranormal etc..
  
  
• Can it be concluded that:
  • people need something good to believe in, otherwise they will believe in anything however perverse and unedifying?
  • the God-slot is there and however much the spiritual is denied it cannot be eliminated?
  • the spiritual aspect of human nature needs to be nurtured and nourished by a nutritious diet, not a menu of violence, competition and sexual exploitation?

Questions

1. What evidence is there to show modern society has abandoned God and religious leadership?
2. In what ways might today's society be described as a free-for-all and free-for-anything state?
3. What might be the dangers of a society whose icon is gold?
4. What does it say about a society which puts celebrities on a pedestal?
5. What fuels the egocentricity of modern life?
6. In what way might 'I' be an improvement on God?
7. Why is instant gratification so necessary for people today?
8. Why do people resort to superstitions in a society which prides itself on being 'sophisticated'?
9. How fair is it to claim that modern society is addicted to sex? What is wrong with that anyway?
10. Are people becoming happier, more content, more whole people in this society which has freed itself of God?

God's Judgement

• Today's permissive society condemns restraints as old-fashioned and damaging to the psyche. There appears little need of punishment because there are no rigid boundaries to cross. Anyway, punishment can be presented as bad for people; it encourages bullying and gives unfair authority to those people who sit in judgement on others.
  
  
• This apparently free-for-all existence can be extremely threatening to young people who need guidelines and boundaries to help them find their direction in a complex world.
  
  
• This narrative in contrast presents the religious belief that there is a proper way of living which takes into account what God expects of people. The Bible suggests that if God's boundaries are crossed, then God is not pleased and measures need to be taken to put people back on course. God's mercy can be received, if the person is aware they need it and genuinely sorry for their breach of behaviour. In this way broken relationships can be restored with God.

Questions

1. Has God been dumbed-down into a benign 'Father Christmas' figure who demands nothing more from his creation than their receiving of his gifts?
2. Why has God's wrath been suppressed by Christianity in its modern version of the God-story?
3. In what ways might God's anger be justified in modern society?
4. Why is it hard to accept that God must act in judgement, as well as in mercy and love?
5. Why is it important for religious believers that God does judge people?
6. What effect does belief in a God of judgement have on the individual believer's life?
7. Do atheists substitute self-judgement for God's judgement? What standards are applied?
8. What lies behind the need of modern society to be freed from all restrictions in their personal lives?
9. What is dangerous in advocating that everyone should be free to 'do their own thing'?
10. Are attitudes of responsibility and accountability inborn or do they need to be cultivated?
11. Do young people need guidelines and boundaries to flourish?

Intercession

• Intercession, from the Latin 'to move in between', is a familiar concept in modern life. The term itself may not be used, but 'please speak on my behalf' or 'can you say a word for me?' are common phrases. There are many occasions when a person cannot speak for themselves and they need someone to represent their cause. They may not have the courage, or feel they have the right to do that because of their status or what has happened.
  
  
• An intermediary is needed to act as a 'go-between' to plead a cause, deliver an apology, argue a case etc. usually when something important is at stake. Intercession is required often when a more vulnerable party has to make contact with a more powerful party.
  
  
• Pupils will be able to identify many examples of intercession taking place in their daily lives. It can be a common experience in school life too.
  
  
• Intercession takes on a religious dimension when it is directed towards the omnipotent God who has of course, the power to facilitate anything. But what is requested may not fall within the eternal purposes of God! In this narrative Moses has to convince God that Israel should not be destroyed. God intended to fulfil his purposes through Moses' descendants, if Israel could not remain loyal. It is interesting to conceive of a God who can be persuaded by humans to do something. See below for comments about God 'changing his mind'!
  
  
• People, sometimes even atheists, admit to calling upon God when their situation is dire. It almost seems to be an involuntary act, when hope can be found nowhere else. In a secular society it appears odd that people still find themselves appealing to a god they don't believe in. Is it superstition or the legacy of a once-held faith? Or is it something far more integral and deep-seated in the human psyche?
  
  
• Along with interceding to God goes the question, 'Does God answer?' This can be reflected upon. Believers in God would say:
  • God answers requests, but not always in the way that is expected or at the time expected. It is possible that God's answer is negative because with his omniscience God is not responding in regard to the present.
  • A person needs faith to believe that God has responded to the intercession. Faith will perceive God's answer. Without faith a person will be blind and deaf to God's response.
  • It is reassuring when others share in the same intercession. Not that God needs multiple applications in order to respond, but often those who pray, in some way become the channel for God's response to the intercession. Prayer can change people.

Questions

1. What part does prayer play in the life of believers in God?
2. Why might believers in God intercede to God for others?
3. What effect might intercessory prayer have on the person who prays?
4. Why might it be helpful for a number of people to intercede for the same cause?
5. Why do believers in God accept that the answer to their requests might be negative?
6. How might a person find themselves being the answer to their intercessory prayer
7. How do we explain the atheist who intercedes with God?
8. Modern society feels it has outgrown the God concept. Why might it be the case that modern society needs God more than at any other time in history?

Changing God's mind!

• The Exodus experience had revealed that the Israelites were very stubborn, 'stiff-necked' people. They could see no other point of view, only straight ahead. No one could persuade them there was a different perspective to consider.
  
  
• In contrast, God is portrayed as able and willing to change his mind. God is not so set in God's ways and plans that he cannot accommodate alternatives. Even though God is extremely angry at the behaviour of the Israelites, nevertheless God is not so consumed with anger that God cannot listen to Moses' arguments and reassess the decision to destroy them.
  
  
• If Moses is prepared to speak up on behalf of these troublesome people then God will listen to what he has to say and take it into account. Moses was even prepared to die in order to convince God not to destroy the Israelites. He sees something worth saving in them. God trusted Moses' judgement and changed his mind about destroying them.
  
  
• There is something extraordinary about the vulnerability of an all-powerful God. A God who lays himself open to human persuasion presents a paradox.
  
  
• Pupils of all ages can appreciate the dilemma involved in having a decision questioned and an appeal made to reconsider it. Such a challenge can feel humiliating because it appears to take a person's power away and threatens their status.
  
  
• Perhaps it is true that it takes a special person to rethink a decision and be prepared to listen to someone else's viewpoint, especially if they are someone in authority. The idea that God should be prepared to do this calls for reflection about what is taken for granted as strength and weakness: power and authority. Why would someone with power be prepared to relinquish it and hand over their decisions to someone else?

Questions

1. Why was Moses so determined to plead for his people
2. Why was God persuaded to change his mind by Moses?
3. Is it weak or courageous for a person to change their mind?
4. Why might it be necessary to rethink decisions sometimes?
5. What is paradoxical about God exposing himself to the pleading of Moses?
6. Can God get it wrong?
7. Is a vulnerable God any use?
8. Why might it be reassuring to know that God is willing to listen to people and take their suggestions seriously?
9. What feelings might people have when their judgements are questioned by others?
10. What special qualities do people in authority need when making decisions?

New Beginnings

• Israel's breaking of the covenant is a wonderful example of the need for new beginnings in life. No sooner than Israel had taken up her new covenant role, than she needed a fresh start because she had managed to mess up her side of the bargain. She had let herself down, as well as Moses her leader and God himself.
  
  
• Israel's feebleness could be seen in her inability to wait for Moses. She wanted to impose her will on the covenant, not hang about waiting for Moses and God to get their act together. Not being impressed by this new free life in the desert, she wanted to hurry on to her destination and she wanted a bull-calf to show her the way.
  
  
• Everyone makes rash decisions at times. In haste people can do the oddest things and then spend a long time regretting them. It was a question of priorities for Israel - what mattered most at that moment to Israel was getting some action and she failed to see the consequences of her behaviour. What should have mattered most to Israel in her very vulnerable position in the desert was trusting God, who alone could see her through.
  
  
• Although both God and Moses were upset, God was persuaded to give Israel a second chance. And this was just the first of many, many more for Israel. But that was the heart of the matter as far as the covenant relationship was concerned. God and Israel could 'make it up' because love is able to let that happen. It does not have to pay back and take revenge when something goes wrong but can offer forgiveness and a new beginning.
  
  
• Pupils know all about:
  • situations that go wrong
  • the consequences of silly choices and decisions.
  • the importance of someone taking their side and trying to sort out their mess on their behalf.
  • the relief and joy when it is resolved and they are given another chance, with nothing held against them.
    
    
  Of course, it does not always go like that and they will have many examples of times when it didn't.
  
  
• So teachers can use this narrative to highlight how:
  • everyone is vulnerable at times.
  • everyone is liable to spoil important matters.
  • everything is redeemable if trust is put in those who are dependable and able to facilitate this.
  • new beginnings can make all the difference.
  
  
• However, the religious dimension of this narrative must not be overlooked. The religious teaching point here is that both Judaism and Christianity believe in a God who wants the best for people and promises another chance when people have spoilt their opportunities.

Questions

1. What is it about human nature that has a tendency to put its foot in it just at the wrong moment and spoil everything?
2. Why is good judgment so important in making decisions?
3. How easy is it for people to be attracted to those who speak the loudest and lead others astray?
4. What feelings are triggered when a person realises how stupidly they have acted?
5. How true is it to human experience that life is made up of new starts?
6. What new starts are actually 'built into' life to support people
7. What is required within a negative situation in order to redeem it and move it on to allow a second chance?
8. What difference must it make to people who believe in a God who can pick them up from their failure, embarrassment and stupidity and offer them a new start?
9. How do atheists cope with their situation when they have made a grave mistake?
10. How realistic for young people is the choice for belief in God, in this secular society?

Leadership

• In this passage the personalities of Moses and Aaron provide contrasting approaches to leadership which are worth exploring.
  
  
• The Israelites appear damaged by their slavery experience. They are naïve in deciding where to place their trust. In spite of all that God and Moses have done for them, they still lack spiritual insight and trust. They take every opportunity to mess up God's plans for them because they cannot see the big picture and understand where things are leading. They live for the moment and react accordingly. Here, they have no trust or patience but want action and instant gratification. Aaron is prepared to supply this so they go along with him, ignoring all that they have promised in relation to the covenant with God.
  
  
• With older pupils in particular, it is important to consider the power of cults. Many young people have become enslaved by pseudo-religious organisations whose aim is to indoctrinate their followers into often bizarre beliefs and practices. Pupils should be warned of the dangers such cults may present for them and helped to see how they can identify the false and discriminate between the wholesome and harmful which comes in the name of religion.

Questions

1. Why is it important to select good leaders?
2. What qualities are required for good leadership?
3. What was the strength in Jesus' leadership style of servant?
4. What harm can come from bad leadership?
5. What makes people vulnerable in their choice of leaders to follow?
6. Why are young people particularly vulnerable?
7. What is so harmful about many cults?
8. What criteria need to be applied to discriminate between beneficial and dangerous religious groups?
9. Why are cults on the increase at a time when young people are more highly educated than ever before?
10. What are cults offering that make them so appealing to some young people?