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Teaching the Bible
MOSES:
THE BURNING BUSH
Teacher Notes
Appropriate use in the classroom
This narrative might have a variety of appeal for pupils. It introduces them to aspects of religion which present little difficulty for them, as they are familiar concepts e.g. fire, names, compassion, oppression, self-esteem. But the narrative will also stretch pupils as it raises the more complex religious concepts of revelation and vocation. These the skilled teacher can guide them through. While pupils may not fully grasp these concepts, at least they will have started travelling along the path of theological literacy. It is important for pupils to realise that religion is not an easy option intellectually.
The teacher might fire the imagination by encouraging reflection on the following:
- There is the escaped killer who has settled down to family life and a shepherd's occupation. What might he be feeling?
- Would he be able to forget what happened in his new surroundings?
- Why might he be suffering regret for what he did?
- What form might guilt take?
- Would he have told his new family about his early life?
- Might he talk to his priest father-in-law?
- What might he feel about his 'families' left worrying about him?
- Might he be considering giving himself up? Why? Why not?
- What might he be thinking about the God he had heard about from his real mother?
- What about this strange encounter with God? Pupils might discuss:
- Why might God have challenged Moses to return?
- Could Moses be trusted, after what he had done?
- Why had the bold Moses become rather cowardly?
- Were his excuses genuine?
- What would Zipporah, his wife, think of this plan?
- Would Moses feel sympathy with God's plan?
- Might he secretly be looking forward to challenging the Pharaoh again?
- Why might Moses have been frightened of God?
- Would Moses be wanting to move again to the new land of Canaan?
- Would he understand what God's name meant?
- It might be interesting to get the pupils to role-play Moses' return home when he tells his wife what has happened to him and she responds!
See also the Key Issues section, which has notes on several other interesting areas which could be explored.
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