BOSSY BOSSESWhat if I’m Smarter Than They Are?The Point: I Must Honor AuthorityThe Passages: 1 Samuel 24:1-11; John 19:1-11; Romans 13:1-7

Get StartedLesson 11. What if I’m Smarter Than They Are?

SupplieSBibles, Grapple DVD, DVD player, music CD, CD player, copy of the Grapple Team Guide for each person, paper, pens or pencils, stack of recent newspapers (one for every two students in your group), pairs of scissors, glue or tape

BiBle BaSiS for teacherSThe Passage: Romans 13:1-7Paul’s statements in this passage, which seem to be teaching blind submission to whatever the ruling authorities demand, might be particularly puzzling in light of the ruler of Paul’s day: Nero, who was considered to be one of Rome’s most wicked Caesars.

Two observations should be made. First, Paul’s letter to the Romans was likely written in 57 A.D., during the first half of Nero’s reign and before he began committing his atrocities. Hence, Paul is writing to the church in Rome at a time when people were living with a relatively just and civil authority. Second, we know Peter and John disobeyed human authorities whose demands went against God’s (see Acts 4:18-19). This is a position Paul himself no doubt espoused, as evidenced by his many incarcerations for preaching the good news. With some exceptions to the general rule aside, Paul strongly encouraged adherence to the governing authorities. He recognizes those authorities as being ordained by God and called to serve in God’s ultimate purpose and plan.

How does this relate to the Grapple Question? Some junior highers are starting to think that adults have no idea what they’re talking about. Students may think that they can find better ways of doing things. While this might be true for some occasions, God has placed certain people in charge, and we must submit to their leadership whether or not we agree with them. There may be occasions when

Grapple Schedule 5 minutes hang time10 minutes grapple chat10-15 minutes grapple time20-25 minutes team time10 minutes team reports5 minutes prayer & challenge

civil disobedience is necessary, but Paul suggests that these situations are rare. In Romans 12, Paul teaches that Christ-followers no longer belong to this world and therefore no longer have to conform to its patterns and thinking. One could conclude from these verses that we no longer need to obey earthly authorities or pay taxes. But Paul makes it clear in Romans 13 that Christians still have an obligation to obey the ruling authorities, as long as their directives do not go against God’s, because those authorities serve a purpose in God’s plan.

How does this connect to Jesus? During his trial, Jesus told Pilate that God gave him his authority. Jesus’ death was part of God’s plan. If we couldn’t look back in time with the benefit of our hindsight 20/20 vision, we might lack the ability to see any benefit in the actions of Pilate. God’s placement of Pilate, a weak ruler susceptible to manipulation, helped facilitate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the salvation of the world. Pilate’s leadership, as ineffective as it may have been, was part of God divine and perfect will. There are terrible leaders in our world. It’s extremely difficult to figure out why some leaders are in their positions of power—we’re pretty sure someone else could do the job better. Yet God does have a reason and a purpose for every leader, and we must honor and respect them accordingly.

Grapple hanG time: 5 minuteSPlay music as kids enjoy snacks and friendship; then play an opening countdown from the Grapple DVD to wrap up Grapple Hang Time.

Grapple chat: 10 minuteSHave students form pairs; if you have an uneven number of kids, it’s OK to have one trio in the mix. Ask each group to chat about two of the four topics below that relate to today’s grapple topic. (Answers in parentheses are samples.)

in pairS Chat 1: Discover a person in the Bible who abused his or her authority. (Herod, Matthew 2:13-18; Haman, Esther 3)

Chat 2: Name one individual you admire, and explain why you admire this person.

Chat 3: Find one rule God gives to parents. (Bring your children up with discipline from the Lord, Ephesians 6:4)

Chat 4: Which person is the most controversial leader in the news recently, and why?

Grapple time: 10-15 minuteSGet Ready: Cue the Grapple DVD to the clip titled “The Godzilla Alarm.”

Lead the entire class in the following:

I have a few directions to give you. Listen carefully because I’m not going to repeat or elaborate on what I say. You’ll have to perform all of these instructions in order. Ready?

Quickly rattle off a series of about 10 directions. For example: Clap your hands, run to the door, jump up and down three times, return to your seat, say the name of your favorite movie, turn around, give a high five, count to 10 out loud backward, sit cross-legged on the floor, and put your hands on your head. Say these directions rapidly enough that it would be impossible to remember all of them in order. Then say “Go!” and give students a chance to complete as many as they can remember.

I didn’t give you much of a chance to be successful in following my directions, did I?

in pairSHow did you feel about me as a leader when I gave those directions? How could I have been a better leader in this activity? What would you have done differently if you had been leading this activity?

Let’s watch a video to see more about this.

Show the clip titled “The Godzilla Alarm” on the Grapple DVD.

There are a lot of things that make people good leaders. Being a good listener, caring about the best interests of your followers, and following God’s directions are a few good qualities in a leader. When God gives people authority, they don’t always use it the right way. Sometimes leaders disobey God or are downright evil. What if someone in authority doesn’t deserve your respect? What if you’re smarter than they are? Let’s grapple with that!

Grapple team time: 20-25 minuteSBreak into Grapple Teams. Encourage Grapple Team leaders to check in with kids about their week. Grapple Team leaders will facilitate discussion, using the Grapple Team Guide on pages 111-112. Afterward, students will report what they learned.

Grapple team reportS: 10 minuteSAt the end of Grapple Team Time, match Grapple Teams that chose Option 1 with Grapple Teams that chose Option 2 from page 112. Have teams present their reports.

(If you have an uneven number of teams, simply form one group of three teams for the presentations. If you have only two Grapple Teams, simply do the presentations one team at a time.)

Grapple prayer and challenGe: 5 minuteSRead the Grapple Prayer options. Have the class choose one prayer option that everyone will do. Allow students time to pray about what they discovered. Then close in prayer.

Option 1: Lectio Divina Get comfortable, preferably sitting apart from each other. Read a Bible passage aloud, and then remain in silence for a few minutes and think about the verses. Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Then read aloud Romans 8:35-39, slowly and with feeling. Then read it two more times the same way. Finally, allow a few minutes to silently bask in God’s love.

Option 2: Strong FoundationStand up, and close your eyes. While balancing on one foot, silently ask God to help you with a challenging situation you’re facing right now. Stay in this position as long as you can—up to two minutes, if possible. Then stand on two feet and ask God to help you be a person who will stand confidently in God’s strength.

Grapple challenGeWhen God gives authority and power to humans, they are still humans. And humans make mistakes. Sometimes people in authority just don’t seem to deserve respect—but God clearly expects us to give it to them anyway. This week, I encourage you to show respect to people in authority—that means parents, teachers, and anyone else who is in charge of you. You don’t have to agree with what they say, but by honoring them you are honoring God.

Weekly Grapple connectionGrapple Question: What if I’m Smarter Than They Are?Kids Learn: I Must Honor AuthorityDig Into the Bible: Romans 13:1-7

The other day, some friends told me about how their daughter came home from school grumbling under her breath about a teacher who had called her classmate fat in front of the class. She informed her parents that she and some friends were planning an in-class prank to show the teacher how it felt to be humiliated. I have to admit that, after hearing what the teacher had done, I understood why this girl wanted revenge.

Romans 13:1 says, “Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.” Sometimes people in authority just don’t seem to deserve respect—but God clearly expects us to give it to them anyway. Remind your child that by honoring those in authority, we are honoring God.

team Guide

Grapple team Guide leSSon 11In your Grapple Team, use this guide to grapple with today’s question.

Read 1 Samuel 24:1-11

Some authority figures just don’t seem to deserve respect. Maybe they aren’t intelligent or capable, and it seems like you could do the job better. Maybe they aren’t following what the Bible teaches. Saul tried to kill David several times, and now David finally had a chance to take Saul out once and for all. What would you have done if you were in David’s shoes? Why do you think David spared Saul’s life? How do you react toward someone who has hurt or offended you? Does it make a difference if that person is in authority over you?

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Read John 19:1-11

in pairSWho gave Pilate the authority over Jesus? How did God use Pilate’s authority to accomplish his purpose? How did Jesus respond to Pilate’s authority?

Read Romans 13:1-7

List the reasons from this passage that we should respect authority.

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in pairSTalk about an authority figure in your life who is hard to respect. How does this passage affect how you will treat that person this week?

Get Ready: Have newspapers, scissors, paper, and glue or tape ready for students.

Grab a newspaper. With your partner, find a few stories in it that talk about people in authority—perhaps a leader of a country, an economic leader, a teacher, parent, or coach, or anyone else who is in charge of others—and cut out those articles. Tape or glue each article on a separate piece of paper. Then list at least two reasons this person deserves respect.

Grapple team reportSWith your team, choose one of the options below to report what you discovered.

Option 1: Movie IllustrationTogether, think of a scene from a movie that illustrates what you learned today. Be prepared to describe that scene and explain why it illustrates what you’ve learned.

Option 2: ABCsWrite the ABCs of what you learned today: a statement that starts with an A, a statement that starts with a B, and so on. Try to go as far into the alphabet as you can—even all the way to Z.