To begin the session:
Before class, write these words on the board: agreeing, albeit, ancient, atheism, beige, being, caffeine, concierge, deity, efficient, either, feint, feisty, forfeit, glacier, heir, heist, kaleidoscope, leisure, neither, policies, protein, reimburse, rein, science, seeing, seize, sovereign, weird
After class members arrive, have them examine the list and tell you what all these words have in common. If they do not give you the correct answer after a minute or two, reveal the answer. All of these words (and many more) do not follow the common English spelling rule, “I before E except after C.”
Discuss this activity briefly by asking why there is value in rules like this. Why do such rules sometimes lead us into error? What are some other examples of a rule or law that needs to be broken at times?
Lead into Bible study by saying: “Laws and rules give us general guidelines. They make it possible for people work and communicate in society. But what happens when the rules become more important than the very people they were made to benefit? Some incidents in Jesus’ life speak to that question.”
To engage the learners in a study of the Scripture text:
Download the “Do Rules Rule?” worksheet here. Make a copy for each class member.
Allow class members to work individually, in groups, or as a whole class to complete this exercise. They will discover exceptions to certain laws that are given in Scripture. While it is wrong to steal, the law allows travelers to take and eat grain or grapes from another person’s field as they travel. While the sanctified bread is for the priests alone, David and his men were given permission to eat it when they were hungry and no other food was available. Although work was forbidden on the Sabbath, the priests were commanded to work on the Sabbath to prepare offerings.
The greater rule in play is that rules can be broken to illustrate the character of God, caring for human need.
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