David C Cook COVID-19 Response

The Ultimate Authority

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Materials Needed:

  • Internet access

NOTE TO TEACHERS: The following lesson deals with the recent devastating fires in California. If you live in an area that was affected by this tragedy, you will know best how to handle this sensitive issue.

In November, California went through the deadliest fire in state history. Any time something of this nature happens, people want to know who is responsible. Investigations are long and involved; sometimes, those questions never get fully answered. Two possible fire starters could occur at the same time (such as a lightning strike and a downed power line) making it impossible to determine the key factor. Nature itself in the form of rain and floods, etc. can wash away important DNA and other forensic evidence. But we still try to follow the trail and question who had the final authority over the situation and how it was handled.

Share the following video clip with your students [4:58]:
PG&E Faces Criticism California Wildfire

When you are finished, discuss the following questions with your class:

The newscaster mentioned that PG&E had only turned off power to its customers once before and that was in October of 2018. That shutoff resulted in a lot of “blow back” from the public. At the time, people questioned PG&E’s  authority to make such a decision that caused inconvenience to so many.

  • Do you think the frustration people expressed at the earlier cutoff influenced PG&E’s decision to shut off the electricity this time? (Answers will vary.)
  • Is challenging authority a matter of individual personality—or a universal tendency? (Most people, even the compliant ones, will admit a desire to control their own lives. There are, however, some people who have a stronger bent toward rebellion.)
  • In what ways do you see society encouraging attitudes of rebellion? (Answers will vary but may include TV shows that feature children being sarcastic or disrespectful to their parents; attitudes that suggest calling parents by their first name or ignoring parents’ wishes are desired qualities of individualism or healthy self-esteem; young people see parents and other adults being disrespectful or rebellious toward people in authority such as police officers, an employer, or the president, etc.)
  • When someone is in charge over us, are we an equal? (Allow students to express their thoughts freely without commenting on their opinions.)
  • Why is it so hard to submit to others’ authority? (Answers will vary.)

Being under authority isn’t easy. People get frustrated—even angry—with decisions they have no control over. When human error is a factor, it makes it even harder to submit. But God never makes mistakes. Even though God gives us the free will to control our actions, He established a hierarchy of authority—and He is the ultimate authority. Let’s examine what Jesus said about who’s in charge, and in the process, understand our role in God’s story.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Materials Needed:

  • Index cards
  • Markers, pens
  • Tape
  • Ladder
  • Optional: Whiteboard

Spread the word

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