Workshop 6: The Binding of Isaac

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Part of Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

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Introduction
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Protest against unworthy images of God is a deeply religious act. — Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker, President, Starr King School for the Ministry In the story of the binding of Isaac, God instructs Abraham to offer his beloved son as a burnt offering. The meaning and wisdom of this disturbing text has…
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 10 Activity 1: The Binding of Isaac 10 Activity 2: Retelling the Story 10 Activity 3: Why? 15 Activity 4: Explaining Small Group Options 5 Activity 5: Discussion — Option 1 25 Activity 6: Rewriting the Story — Option 2 25 Activity 7: An Artist’s…
Spiritual Preparation
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

The story of Abraham and Isaac is powerful and disturbing. If you are familiar with this story, recall the circumstances under which you first encountered it. What meaning was ascribed to it? How did it make you feel? Read the story with fresh eyes, paying attention to the emotions and images the…
Welcoming and Entering
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Materials for Activity Name tags, durable or single use Bold markers Sign-in sheet and pen/pencil Small table Optional: Refreshments Preparation for Activity Create a sign-up sheet with columns for name, address, phone, and e-mail information and place it on the table….
Opening
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Chalice, candle and lighter, or LED battery-operated candle Stand or table space for the chalice Decorative covering for chalice stand Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Prepare a welcoming space, including comfortable seating…
Activity 1: The Binding of Isaac
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity A copy of the story, “The Binding of Isaac” Leader Resource 1, The Binding of Isaac Background Information Preparation for Activity Print the story and practice reading it aloud. Print Leader Resource 1, The Binding of Isaac Background Information,…
Activity 2: Retelling the Story
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Activity time: 10 minutes Materials for Activity Story, “The Binding of Isaac” Optional: Simple costumes Preparation for Activity Familiarize yourself with the story so that you can guide a dramatized retelling. Description of Activity Invite participants to take on the various roles, asking…
Activity 3: Why?
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Modeling clay or play dough Description of Activity Give each participant a lump of modeling clay and invite them to create something about the story from their clay while the group talks about the story….
Activity 4: Explaining Small Group Options
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity List the small group options and their locations on newsprint and post. Description of Activity Explain options for small processing groups and point out breakout spaces….
Activity 5: Discussion - Option 1
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Preparation for Activity Write these questions on newsprint and post: Why is this story preserved? What were they trying to teach with this story? What is it that we can learn?…
Activity 6: Rewriting the Story - Option 2
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Paper and pens or pencils Simple costumes Description of Activity Invite participants to talk together about how the story should or could be changed. How might Abraham have behaved differently? What if he had thought differently about God?…
Activity 7: An Artist’s View - Option 3
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Illustrated children’s or family Bibles (check your public library for an assortment) Copies of depictions of the Isaac and Abraham story, such as Rembrandt’s 12 X18-inch sheets of drawing paper Poster paints, water cups and brushes Optional: The…
Closing
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Leader Resource 2, Creating the Closing Worship Taking It Home handout Chalice, candle and lighter, or LED battery-operated candle Stand or table space for the chalice Decorative covering for chalice stand Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Cop…
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Take a few minutes to talk with your co-facilitator about how the workshop went, using these questions as a guide: What went well? What surprised us as facilitators? Amazed us? Challenged us? How did this workshop strengthen multigenerational community?…
Faith In Action: Advocating for Children
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Preparation for Activity Explore what advocacy and service projects your congregation already supports that directly benefit the children in your community. Review the website of Promise the Children for news and a current list of initiatives that directly benefit children at a national or state…
Alternate Activity 1: No
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Activity time: 25 minutes Materials for Activity Bulky red yarn, 3 yards per person12 X 18-inch drawing paper Paper and pen/pencil Craft foam squares or pieces large enough to write “No” Small craft foam shapes Assorted fine-point permanent markers Craft scissors Craft glue Preparation for Activi…
Taking It Home: The Binding of Isaac
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Protest against unworthy images of God is a deeply religious act. — Rev. Dr. Rebecca Parker, President, Starr King School for the Ministry Explore some of the ways in which this story is told and the many meanings that are assigned to it. Obtain the picture book, The Binding of Isaac, by Barbara…
The Binding of Isaac
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

Genesis 22: 1-13 (New Revised Standard Version) After these things God tested Abraham….
Leader Resource 1: The Binding of Isaac Background Information
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

This workshop presents what is for religious liberals one of the most mysterious and disturbing stories in the Hebrew scriptures. In the story, God commands Abraham to take his beloved son, bind him, and make of him a burnt offering on one of the mountains in the land of Moriah….
Leader Resource 2: Creating the Closing Worship
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

In this program, the closing worship circle offers a time for the group to come back together to enrich each other’s understanding of the story and of their own life experience. This is not a show-and-tell experience, but rather a participatory, co-created worship experience. You will need to do…
Find Out More
From Wisdom from the Hebrew Scriptures

To read the full text of Fear and Trembling, by Soren Kierkegaard, visit religion-online…;. The Text This Week website has links to many classical and modern paintings and other art depicting The Binding of Isaac. Listen to a recording of Isaac and Abraham sung by Joan Baez. Lyrics, written by…

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The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 6: The Binding of Isaac

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