Session 13: Promised
Suggested Week of Use: February 23, 2020
Core Passage: Deuteronomy 32:48-52; 34:4-7
News Story Summary
Thirteen-year-old Ryan Pourjam spoke at his father’s funeral. Ryan gave a moving eulogy about his dad just a week after he was killed when Iranian forces accidentally shot down a Ukrainian flight after take-off. Ryan spoke of his father, Mansour, as a man who showed no trace of negativity in his voice or actions. He also spoke about the people coming to the memorial to celebrate Mansour’s life. He pointed out that his dad had touched every single person in the audience of over 200.
(For more on this story, search the Internet using the term “teenager gives eulogy for father in Iran plane crash.”
Focus Attention
To supplement the Direct idea under Focus Attention, after the group shares their epitaph, summarize the story about Ryan Pourjam speaking at his father’s funeral. Call attention to the questions in the introduction of the lesson: What do you hope is said about you at your funeral? Lead the group to discuss who they hope will speak at their funeral. Complete the step as written.
Summarize and Challenge
To supplement the Discuss idea under Summarize and Challenge, recall the story of Ryan Pourjam. Lead the group to consider ways friends and family might show God’s mercy to a teenager dealing with the death of his father. Lead the group to discuss the third question set under Understand the Context or Apply the Text, completing the step as written.