Pre-Trip Youth Group Meetings

Transcription

1 Pre-Trip Youth Group Meetings Series Overview Throughout the Bible, God invites person after person into a life-changing adventure with him. This is evident as stories unfold and miracles happen, as people wrestle with God and survive to tell about it, and as they walk on water to be close to Jesus. This summer, we re each invited into a similar adventure that Jesus has been preparing for us. Long before we signed up to serve, he knew we d be stepping out into this experience. But, as was true for people in the Bible, we must put in some work ahead of time to prepare our hearts. This series will help you do just that. The four lessons explore the lives of four individuals who were invited into an adventure with God and who willingly obeyed. This summer, you re being invited into a great story. Don t miss the moment because you weren t prepared! Instead, dive into four principles that will change your perspective of the service experience and your relationship with Jesus. Table of Contents Lesson 1: Prepare (Genesis 32:22-31) Lesson 2: Put Down (Matthew 14:22-32) Lesson 3: Pray (Daniel 6:1-10) Lesson 4: Pursue (Luke 8:43-48) Series Objectives 1. What: Jesus invites us each into an amazing adventure, and we ll experience powerful moments when our hearts are prepared. 2. Why: When students experience the life-changing power of encountering Jesus, nothing can stand in the way of their transformation and faith growth. 3. How: By studying four biblical figures who did hard work to prepare for their journey with Jesus, young people will maximize their summer service experiences. GroupMissionTrips.com option 3

2 Youth Group Meeting #1: Prepare Leader Preparation Lesson Overview Before every great adventure lies a season of preparation. It involves time to gather gear, create plans, and set a strategy. This summer is no different. As you physically prepare for a service experience, Jesus is asking you to spiritually prepare too. He wants you to wrestle with what it means to serve other people and him this summer. He wants you to ask him the tough questions you ve been grappling with in your faith journey. This lesson focuses on Jacob, the Old Testament patriarch who physically wrestled with God. Jacob refused to let go until he received God s blessing for his future. Students will have an opportunity to do just that: wrestle with God until they encounter him and find his blessing in their lives. Lesson Objectives What: Preparing our hearts requires wrestling with God and refusing to let go until we receive his blessing. Why: God desires that we know him intimately. How: Young people will receive permission to wrestle with God by working through doubts, discouragement, and fear so they can experience his blessings that are waiting for them. Primary Scripture Genesis 32:22-31 Secondary Scriptures Genesis 33:1-4; Jeremiah 29:11 Teaching Prep Read Genesis 32: From the moment Jacob is born, he bears the identity of second place. His very name means to grasp the heel because he was born grasping the foot of his slightly-older twin brother, Esau. After stealing Esau s all-important birthright, or blessing, Jacob is forced to go on the run. At that point, Jacob is desperate for God to show up and encounter him in a new way. When that happens, Jacob refuses to let go until God gives him a new name and blesses him. This week s lesson explores the truth that Jesus wants to give us each a new name. As we prepare for this summer, Jesus wants us to walk confidently in his identity not the world s. Take some time to wrestle with God yourself. What are the names the world has given you that God wants to rename?

3 Youth Group Meeting #1: Prepare Leader Preparation Before and After Pray: The most important thing you can do for students is pray for them. This week, ask Jesus to prepare their hearts so they can hear from him. Student Connection Send a text to students who will be attending the service event. Let them know how excited you are to spend the next few weeks preparing with them. Parent Hello Parents, First of all, thanks for investing in your teenager through our summer mission trip. We know that Jesus has amazing things in store for our group this summer, and we want to make sure young people s hearts and minds are ready to engage. That s why we re holding four important pre-trip training meetings. They ll help students wrestle with God and connect with one another so their hearts are ready for a life-changing experience. This week we talked about what it looks like to prepare our hearts by wrestling with God to hear his blessing. We studied Jacob, who wrestled all night with God until he received a new name from him. Young people grappled with the concept of who God says they are and what type of blessing he has in store for their life. Ask your student these questions to help engage with their heart preparation journey: What name did you hear from God tonight? How will you live that out in your daily life? This summer, our young people will experience God in new and exciting ways. Thank you for investing in them and in the lives of people they ll serve. Blessings! [your name]

4 Youth Group Meeting #1: Prepare Supplies Bibles Hello my name is name tags Pens or pencils Getting Started Greet students warmly as they arrive. Ask: What s the craziest nickname you ve ever heard? What types of nicknames have you been given? What does your name say about you? Say: Names and labels mean a lot in our society. They often define who we are and what we can do. Our culture is always trying to give us a name and identify us, whether it s athlete, nerd, gamer, cool kid, or loser. This summer, we re heading on a journey that will require us to step outside our normal names and push the limits of what we think we can do. Today I believe Jesus wants to redefine how we see ourselves as we prepare for this experience. He wants us to ask him who he says we are, rather than letting the world determine that. Today we ll look at Jacob, a man whose story is told in the Old Testament. First, it s important to understand a little bit about him. Jacob s very name dooms him to second place; in fact, his name means to grasp the heel. He s the youngest of twin boys born to Isaac (son of Abraham) and Rebekah. When Jacob is born, he s grasping the heel of his slightly-older brother, Esau. In the Old Testament, being the oldest son came with many benefits, including a blessing called a birthright. Jacob is so desperate to redefine himself that he steals his brother s blessing; basically, that means he steals Esau s inheritance. Jacob tricks his dad into giving the blessing to him, not his older brother. That tears the family apart and sends Jacob on the run. Esau is so furious he wants to kill Jacob. That s where we join the story today. Jacob has been on the run and is heading home to encounter his older brother for the first time since that incident.

5 Youth Group Meeting #1: Prepare Read: Have someone read aloud Genesis 32:22-28 Teaching Points 1. God wants to give you a new name Say: The man who s referenced in this Bible passage is God. Jacob refuses to let God go until he encounters him in a powerful way. Essentially, Jacob is saying, God, I ll cling to you all night long. There s no way I can face what s ahead without encountering you and taking time to be with you. Jacob knows that Esau, the brother he tricked, is waiting for him with an army, ready for a showdown. Jacob cries out to God in desperation. Because of Jacob s drive to hold on to God and pursue him, God gives him a new name. Soon we ll be heading to a similar encounter. Great challenges and opportunities lie ahead of us, so we must take time to cling to God. We need to ask him to show us what he says about us. Unless we re connected to God, we can t accomplish all that he wants to do through us. Ask: Turn to a partner and discuss this question: What names have I allowed the world to give me? Give students each a name tag and a pen or pencil Say: Today God wants to give you each a new name, wiping away all the names the world has given you. Let s take a few minutes to wrestle with God, as Jacob did. Let God define your life and give you a new name so you can experience his blessing this summer and beyond. Close your eyes and think about your life. What names or labels have been assigned to you, either by yourself or by other people? On the back of your name tag, write all those names down. (Allow time.) Now that we ve uncovered the world s labels, close your eyes again and ask Jesus, Who do you say I am? Take time to wrestle, and don t let go until he gives you a new name. When you hear a response, write it on the front of your name tag. (Allow time.) Have students form groups of three to five. Say: It s okay if you didn t hear anything yet. This is a safe place to continue wrestling with Jesus. But if you did hear something, share it with your group. Then discuss this question: What surprised you about the name you heard, and why?

6 Youth Group Meeting #1: Prepare 2. Your life will look different Say: Uncovering your new name from Jesus unlocks the power he s already placed inside you. It opens the door for Jesus to use you in new and powerful ways. A cool thing about Jacob s encounter with God is that he walks away looking different. Because Jacob wrestles with God, he forever walks with a limp. When God gives you a new name, your life will look different, too. Ask: Now that you know what God says about you, how might your life look different? Say: This summer we ll have a chance to share what we ve experienced with a community and its residents. But we can t share what we don t have. This week as you wrestle with God about the new name he s given you, ask him to make it clear and unforgettable. Think of a place you can put your name tag to remember the new name Jesus has given you and how he has changed you. Pray: Thank you, Jesus, for allowing us to hear what you call us. Thank you for the freedom to stand confidently in our identity because we know it comes only from you. In your name, amen. Extra Discussion Help students put into practice what they ve discussed, applying it to their lives this summer and beyond. How does this new name play out in your daily life? How will knowing your God-given name help you as you serve this summer? What s one thing you can change this week so your life looks different? For Keeps Memorizing Scripture cements God s truth in our hearts. Challenge students to commit Bible passages to memory so they can stand confidently against the world s lies. From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won. Genesis 32:28

7 Youth Group Meeting #2: Put Down Leader Preparation Lesson Overview Road trips provide great opportunities to fill a vehicle with family or friends, lots of gear, and (of course) snacks. Sometimes, when your masterful packing skills fail and you can t shut the trunk, you forced to unload all your stuff and leave something behind. After all, the adventure will be worth that small sacrifice! Jesus invites us each on a great adventure on the road trip of a lifetime. But some stuff might hold us back from hitting the road. In this lesson, students will ask Jesus what he wants them to put down so they can answer his call. Lesson Objectives What: An assortment of baggage often prevents us from pursuing Jesus. Why: When young people set aside stuff that gets in the way of their relationship with Jesus, they can step into their future with him. How: Teenagers will consider if anything is holding them back from a deeper relationship with Jesus. They ll surrender those things so they can walk confidently as the people Jesus calls them to be. Primary Scripture Matthew 14:22-32 Teaching Prep Read Matthew 14: Peter is desperate to be with Jesus. He knows that the uncertainty of being in the water with Jesus is better than the safety of being in the boat without him. That s why Peter throws his safety net aside and jumps out of the boat to pursue Jesus. In our daily lives, many things represent our boat and safety net. Jesus asks if we ll leave all that stuff behind, get out of the boat, and pursue him. Will you put down what the world has placed on you? Do you trust that being with Jesus is better than anything the world can offer? As you prepare for this lesson, ask yourself and Jesus what you need to put down. You can t lead students where you haven t already been, so do the hard work and surrender any areas of your life that are keeping you from Jesus. Then boldly invite young people to do the same.

8 Youth Group Meeting #2: Put Down Leader Preparation Before and After Pray: Ask Jesus to protect young people from Satan s lies. Pray that they ll have open hearts and minds as they grapple with what Jesus is asking them to surrender. Student Connection Send a text to students, encouraging them to memorize last week s Scripture and to continue pursuing the name Jesus has given them. Invite kids to the upcoming meeting. Parent Hello Parents, Last week s meeting was powerful, as young people prepared their hearts for Jesus and then heard from and engaged with him. I hope you had an opportunity to connect with your teenager and discover what Jesus is speaking to him or her. This week we ll consider what we need to put down so we can pick up the amazing plans Jesus has for us. We studied Jesus disciple Peter, who steps out of a boat to walk on water. Peter is so desperate to get to Jesus that he s willing to throw aside the safety of the boat and venture into a storm. Students received a similar challenge: What might represent a safety net that Jesus is asking them to give up? What are they willing to sacrifice to be with Jesus? As students wrestle with tough issues, painful emotions might arise. Pray that young people will feel Jesus overwhelming comfort and assurance. And be available as a listening ear. Help teenagers feel safe to share what s on their minds and hearts with no fear of repercussions. Listen closely and lovingly, helping teenagers as they process important questions. Blessings! [your name]

9 Youth Group Meeting #2: Put Down Supplies Bibles Note cards Pens or pencils A toy boat (or an image of a rowboat) Getting Started Greet students warmly as they arrive. Service experiences are so meaningful partly because of the community that s formed within a group. Developing that community starts now! Take time to get to know one another, connect, and break down any walls. This will also help later when students share their personal struggles. Here are two ideas to try: Play Two Truths and a Lie Each person thinks of two truths and one lie about themselves. Kids take turns sharing, and the rest of the group tries to guess which is the lie. (Allow time for students to share the stories behind their truths.) Have some Speedy Conversations This game lets students have one-on-one conversations in a non-threatening way. The concept is similar to speed dating. Have students form two lines that face each other. Then pose a question and have facing pairs exchange their answers. After three minutes, rotate one line so each person has a new partner. Then pose a new question. Say: Last time, we talked about the importance of preparing our hearts for this service project and for life. We wrestled with Jesus to hear his new name for us. I hope you ve continued to live out that name, not the name the world gives you. The truth is that life can be tough, and lots of stuff can distract us from pursuing Jesus. To cope, we often hold on to things that make us feel safe and comfortable. But Jesus calls us to something more. He invites us into deeper water and asks us to leave other stuff behind to follow him. Today we ll talk about Peter, one of Jesus closest friends. He spends several years following Jesus and learning from him. That s where we ll join his story. Peter is at a crossroads in his journey with Jesus, and he faces a decision that will drastically affect his future.

10 Youth Group Meeting #2: Put Down Teaching Points 1. We all have a boat Read: Have someone read aloud Matthew 14: Say: Jesus disciples are on the water, rowing to the other side of a massive lake. They re in a little rowboat that might have looked like this. (Display the toy boat or show an image of a Bible-times boat.) Suddenly, as strong winds and waves are battering the boat, the passengers see what appears to be a ghost coming toward them. They must have been terrified! The disciples first instinct was probably to hunker down in the boat because it represents safety. Without it, they d be stuck in the wind and waves with no hope. We all have a boat we tend to cling to. During stormy times, certain go to items serve as safety nets. We desperately cling to them to feel secure and comfortable. Shout out some things that might make up our boats. (Allow time.) Although we look to these things for safety, only Jesus can provide that. Ask: Turn to a partner and discuss: What s one thing I tend to cling to, and why? In what ways does that offer a false sense of security? Say: Let s see what Jesus is asking us to do about our boats as we follow him. 2. Jesus calls us out of our boat Read: Have someone read aloud Matthew 14: Say: Peter s boldness is impressive. He doesn t hesitate to ask Jesus for something outrageous, and when he receives an answer, he responds immediately. Jesus says, Come, and then Peter steps right out of the boat and begins walking on water. To pursue Jesus, Peter simply puts one foot in front of the other. Peter can do this because he knows that the uncertainty of being on the water with Jesus is better than the safety of being in the boat without him. Jesus is also calling us into a deeper relationship with him. He asks if we ll put down the safety of our boat as he calls us to the uncertainty of the water. He asks, What are you willing to leave behind to experience my perfect, never-changing love?

11 Youth Group Meeting #2: Put Down Say: This summer s service project starts now, as we set aside all the distractions that might keep us from trusting Jesus. Ask: Turn to a partner and discuss: Why is it often difficult to give up our safety nets and step out of our boat? What can help us overcome the fear of stepping out of the boat into the unknown? Share a time when Jesus called you out of your own boat and how you responded. 3. Keep your eyes on Jesus Say: In theory, it sounds great to put stuff down and leave our safety nets behind. Most of us probably long to do that. But whenever we step from the safety of our boat, we begin to sink. Then it s tempting to grab back all the things we just put down. You aren t alone in this! Read the first sentence of verse 30: But when [Peter] saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. Say: Peter was doing okay until he lost sight of Jesus. For a split second, he took his eyes off the Lord and started going under. Ask: Form groups of three and answer these questions: Why might Peter have lost his focus on Jesus? What can make us lose our focus on Jesus? Say: Imagine what Peter must have been feeling. The waves are crashing all around him, he can t see which way is up, and now he s sinking. Read the rest of verse 30: Save me, Lord! he shouted. Say: Peter knows he can find safety in only one place, and that s with Jesus. To experience the amazing adventure Jesus has in store for us this summer, we must put down everything that s holding us back from walking on water. We must recognize that Jesus is calling us to step out of our boat. As we walk with Jesus, we need to keep our eyes on him, even when storms start raging all around us. Give each student a note card and a pen or pencil.

12 Youth Group Meeting #2: Put Down Say: Instead of just thinking about what Jesus is asking us to give up, let s physically respond and give up that thing or give it away. On your card, list what Jesus is asking you to put down. When you re ready, bring your card up here and leave it behind. (Allow time. If you have a toy boat, have students toss their cards into it or near it. Otherwise, use the front of your meeting area, a cross, or an altar.) Pray: Jesus, it s exciting to hear your call to walk with you. Please help us step out of our boat, leaving behind anything that represents false security. Remind us that you alone provide perfect love and peace. In your name, amen. Extra Discussion Help students put into practice what they ve discussed, applying it to their lives this summer and beyond. What did you write on your note card? How can we help keep you accountable to not going back to that? For Keeps Memorizing Scripture cements God s truth in our hearts. Challenge students to commit Bible passages to memory so they can stand confidently against the world s lies. But Jesus spoke to them at once. Don t be afraid, he said. Take courage. I am here! Matthew 14:27

13 Youth Group Meeting #3: Pray Leader Preparation Lesson Overview All of us have routines. Some of us are so good at routines we can pretty much get from bed to breakfast to school or work with our eyes closed. This lesson addresses the most important routine we can ever form. Jesus invites each of us into relationship with him, which involves being connected to him daily. But we re often so distracted by daily routines that we don t make time for Jesus. In this lesson, young people will consider what in their lives is distracting them from a daily connection with Jesus. They ll also discuss ways to form a habit of prayer as they prepare to serve this summer. Lesson Objectives What: Young people will see the value of engaging with Jesus daily and staying connected to him through personal time. Why: The busyness of our lives often distracts us from spending time with Jesus, and teenagers need to be equipped to battle against that. How: Students will evaluate their routines and brainstorm adjustments they can make in order to focus on what s most important: an ongoing relationship with Jesus. Primary Scripture Daniel 6:3-10 Secondary Scriptures Exodus 34:14; Philippians 4:6-7 Teaching Prep Read Matthew 14: Daniel trusts God with his very life. He knows he can always count on the one true God. Most of us want that type of faith, but it isn t always easy. So what makes Daniel different? He knows he can trust God because he knows God. Daniel spends daily time investing in that relationship. When you truly know God, you know that his heart is to protect and love you. While preparing for this lesson, practice the routine of daily prayer and connection to Jesus. Maybe you re already doing that daily; if so, keep it up, and ask Jesus for wisdom as you pass this on to students. If that routine is a challenge for you, start by taking 10 minutes a day to talk to Jesus. Ask him for the courage to be honest about your struggles and for the focus to continue a prayer routine.

14 Youth Group Meeting #3: Pray Leader Preparation Before and After Pray: Ask Jesus for the determination to live out a daily routine of connection with him. Pray for young people, because our culture is desperate to fill their days with other stuff. Ask Jesus to open up intentional time for your students to connect with him. Student Connection Through social media or text, share what Jesus is showing you through your time alone with him. Parent Hello Parents, During our pre-trip meetings so far, we ve discussed what it means to prepare our hearts to experience Jesus. We ve also considered what we need to put down to step out in faith and trust Jesus. I hope you ve had the opportunity to talk to your teenager about their experiences during this series and how you can be praying for them. This week we explored our daily routines and how we can make space to connect with Jesus daily through prayer. Young people were challenged to slow down and interact with Jesus every day in a personal way. Some of the most important moments in a faith journey occur when we re alone with Jesus in intentional community. Please pray for our group as we prepare to serve this summer. And offer ongoing encouragement to your teenager as he or she begins developing a personal connection with Jesus. Praying for your family, [your name]

15 Youth Group Meeting #3: Pray Supplies Bibles One-minute timer (or stopwatch) Any items listed in the Getting Started game(s) you play Getting Started Greet students warmly as they arrive. Have students complete simple tasks or play any game with no time limit. Next, have them repeat the tasks or game, this time under the stress of a one-minute timer. Make sure kids feel the time pressure. Suggestions include: Stack Attack: Have students attempt to stack five odd-shaped items before time runs out. Breakfast Scramble: Cut the front panel of several cereal boxes into puzzle pieces and scramble them all. Have students (either in teams or individually) try to assemble one panel before time runs out. Junk in the Trunk: Attach a belt to an empty tissue box, and fill the box with 10 ping-pong balls. Place the box around a player s waist, with the box facing the back. The player has one minute to get all the balls out of the box by jumping and wiggling. After playing, have students form groups of two or three and discuss: How did you feel when there was no time limit? How did you feel when a time limit was added? What challenges come with a tight deadline? Say: Having a time limit seems to make everything more stressful. For teenagers, the world puts all kinds of time limits and pressures on your life. Jam-packed schedules don t leave much time to relax and just have fun. To cope with that, we create routines and try to make sure every minute is used well. Unfortunately, we often forget the most important routine we can have: spending time each day with Jesus. Maybe we put Jesus on the back burner because we know he ll always be there for us. But what good is a relationship with Jesus if we don t know who he is? What good is a relationship without any interaction?

16 Youth Group Meeting #3: Pray Say: Today we ll grapple with what it means to connect with Jesus in a daily routine of prayer. After all, it doesn t make sense to wait until our trip begins to invest in our relationship with Jesus. To have a meaningful service experience, we need to start developing the relationship now. Each day we can grow closer to Jesus by connecting with him and experiencing his love. Share a story of a strange routine you have. Say: Some of us are so good at routines we can pretty much get from bed to breakfast to school or work with our eyes closed. Once you get to school, there are more routines. The same goes for after school and evenings. Even the summer, which usually has less structure, is filled with routines. Every day we face decisions that create habits in our lives. Before we know it, those habits begin shaping our routines, and those routines become ruts. Teaching Points 1. Our decisions become habits, and habits shape our routines Ask: How many decisions do you think you make on a daily basis? (Allow time for responses.) Say: Whether you realize it or not, every choice you make is forming a habit in your life. Experts say after you do the same thing 27 times, your brain registers those choices as a habit. Sometimes they re good habits; other times, they re not so good. But with each choice, you re cementing the way you ll spend your time. Ask: Turn to a partner and share: What s one unusual habit you have? What choices did you make that led to that habit? How does that habit affect your daily routine? Say: Habits shape our routines, defining how we live our lives and spend our time. We each have a finite amount of time, and our routines dictate how we spend it. The world does everything it can to fill up our time. Let s see how God wants us to spend our time. Read: Have someone read aloud Exodus 34:14. Say: In other words, God is jealous for your time. What kind of relationship can you have with Jesus if you never spend time with him?

17 Youth Group Meeting #3: Pray Teaching Points 2. What s your usual? Say: Today we ll talk about Daniel, an Old Testament prophet who s known mostly for surviving a lions den. But how did he get there? What led to that moment? The Bible describes Daniel as smart and an excellent leader. In fact, Babylon s king is about to put Daniel in charge of the entire kingdom, even though he s a foreigner in captivity. That s where we join Daniel s story. Read: Have someone read aloud Daniel 6:3-9. Say: These men obviously don t like Daniel and all the power he s receiving, so they set out to defeat him. The men know that Daniel loves God and has a relationship with him. It s the one thing on which Daniel will never cave. The men talk the king into making a new law that goes against everything Daniel stands for. But it doesn t change Daniel s relationship with God. Read: Have someone read aloud Daniel 6:10. Say: Daniel knows the importance of spending time with God each day. He has created a habit, which leads to a routine, which eventually defines his usual. Every day Daniel connects with God through prayer. When the world falls apart, he knows where to turn because he has already created a habit of daily prayer. What s your usual? Are you, like Daniel, known for your relationship with God? Do you communicate and interact with Jesus each day? Ask: Turn to a new partner and discuss these questions: Does my daily routine include time with Jesus? Why or why not? What can I change in my routine to create more time for Jesus? Say: So often we turn to Jesus as a last resort, saying, All we can do now is pray. But Jesus never intended to be second place in our lives. He s jealous for our time and affection. Jesus wants to be our go-to choice our usual. 3. God wants our everything Say: Many of us know that prayer is important, but the specifics become trickier. How do we connect with Jesus every single day? How do we make him our usual?

18 Youth Group Meeting #3: Pray Teaching Points Read: Have someone read aloud Philippians 4:6-7. Say: Connecting with Jesus starts by trusting him, surrendering our lives to him, and talking to him daily. To make the most of our service experience this summer, it s important to already be in relationship with Jesus. That starts with a routine of connecting with him every day through prayer. For the next five minutes, let s spend time in silent prayer. That may seem like a long time, but to create a routine you must start somewhere. As you pray, ask Jesus these two questions: What do you want me to know about your love? What do you want me to know about this summer s service project? (Allow time, adjusting it according to your schedule.) Say: This week I challenge you to find time each day to ask Jesus these two questions. Simply have a conversation with him about anything that s on your heart or mind. Pray about the upcoming service trip and the people you ll be meeting. Before you know it, prayer will become a habit that shapes your relationship with Jesus and your life. Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for the privilege of talking directly to you through prayer. Help us make it a regular part of our lives. Remove any distractions or temptations that might get in the way of our time to connect with you. In your name, amen. Extra Discussion Help students put into practice what they ve discussed, applying it to their lives this summer and beyond. Why is it often challenging to make Jesus a priority? What habit can you give up this week to free up some alone time with Jesus? For Keeps Memorizing Scripture cements God s truth in our hearts. Challenge students to commit Bible passages to memory so they can stand confidently against the world s lies. Don t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God s peace. Philippians 4:6-7

19 Youth Group Meeting #4: Pursue Leader Preparation Lesson Overview The verb pursue is filled with heightened emotions. Whether we re watching police pursue a suspect during a televised chase or putting our hearts on the line to pursue our beloved, we realize how much power exists in a pursuit. This lesson explores what it means to live in continual pursuit of Jesus. We ll meet a woman who knows if she can just get to Jesus, her life will change drastically. We ll consider what that type of pursuit looks like in our own lives. Jesus is pursuing us; will we choose to pursue him back? Lesson Objectives What: Young people need to know that Jesus is desperately pursuing them and how they can keep pursuing him. Why: When students understand the power of pursuit, they ll realize how pursuing Jesus leads to lasting life-change. How: Students will consider whether they re pursuing Jesus and how that pursuit impacts their life. Primary Scripture Luke 8:43-48 Secondary Scripture Matthew 5:13-16 Teaching Prep Read Luke 8: This woman has spent most of her adult life alone, as an outcast. Because she s considered unclean, she has no business being anywhere near Jesus. But the woman knows that Jesus life-changing power can overcome any obstacle. Ask yourself: Would I do anything to get to Jesus? If your answer is yes, this lesson is an opportunity to show students the power that comes from pursuing Jesus. If your answer is no, take time to consider and pray about what s stopping you from pursuing Jesus wholeheartedly.

20 Youth Group Meeting #4: Pursue Leader Preparation Before and After Pray: Ask Jesus to prepare young people s hearts to hear from him. The beauty of extended service experiences is that they offer opportunities to immerse in Jesus love. But if we don t learn to continue pursuing him at home, we ll have only a temporary, mountaintop high. Pray that students will understand this principle now so the summer can be a launching point for a lifelong pursuit of Jesus. Student Connection Post the definition of the word pursue on social media. Then pose this question on social media or via text: What s the #1 thing you re pursuing? Gather some of the responses to use in the lesson. Parent Hello Parents, Your teenagers have done an amazing job preparing for our summer trip. It s been a privilege watching them engage with Jesus in a deeper way so they can reflect his love. This summer will certainly leave an impact on kids, but I hope it s just a jumping-off point for continued life change. That s why our final lesson in this series was about the importance of pursuing Jesus. Service projects can lead to a mountaintop feeling, but we also want students to know how to pursue Jesus every day when they return. Please pray for teenagers as they pursue Jesus, that they ll recognize the power of continuing this throughout their lives. Thanks for your support and prayers, [your name]

21 Youth Group Meeting #4: Pursue Supplies Bibles A video of epic police chases Answers to the question you posed Paper Pens or pencils Getting Started Greet students warmly as they arrive. Begin by showing a video of police chases. Say: Something about a desperate pursuit really gets our blood pumping and our adrenaline flowing. This week I posed the question, What s the #1 thing you re pursuing? Here s how some of you answered. (Read some answers you received.) Hand out paper and pens or pencils. Say: Take two minutes to write down all the things you re pursuing in your life. Try to list them in order of importance to you. (Allow time.) Ask: Form groups of two or three. Share your lists and then discuss: How do you decide what s worth pursuing? What do you do when some of your pursuits conflict with one another? Say: This summer we ll have a great opportunity to pursue Jesus closely for an extended time. We ll grow closer to one another, as well. But if we aren t careful, we ll experience an awesome week away and then come home to a life that looks exactly the same as before we left. To prevent that from happening, let s look at what it means to pursue Jesus. Sometimes that involves re-evaluating our priorities so Jesus stays #1. When we live in continual pursuit of Jesus, we create a lasting relationship with him not just a mountaintop experience while we re serving. Say: You might wonder why we need to continually pursue Jesus. After all, isn t he always pursuing us? That s true: Jesus is never distant or absent. But when we choose to keep pursuing Jesus, we can develop an intimate relationship with him.

22 Youth Group Meeting #4: Pursue Ask: Turn to a partner and answer these questions: What does continually pursuing Jesus mean to you? What might it look like in your life, practically speaking? Say: Today we ll read about a woman who understands the importance of pursuing Jesus. When we join her story, she s been sick for 12 years and is desperate for a cure. She has visited doctors, but nothing has helped. She s almost to the breaking point but knows she has one last option. The woman believes that if she can just get to Jesus, she ll find healing and her life will change. We can learn important lessons from her to help us pursue Jesus the same way. Read: Have someone read aloud Luke 8:43. Teaching Points 1. We have to get to Jesus Say: To understand the great lengths this woman goes to, we first must understand the size of the crowds following Jesus. It s not as if this woman has to push past 10 or so people. We re talking about hundreds, even thousands of people who are eager to see this miracle-worker. In addition, the woman s illness makes her unclean according to her society. That means she isn t supposed to be around people at all; instead, she should be alone and isolated. Yet she knows she must get to Jesus. Read: Have someone read aloud Luke 8: Say: This woman is so desperate to be healed that she s willing to battle massive crowds and ignore social standards. She knows that if she can just get to Jesus, he ll provide a cure. When it comes to our pursuit of Jesus, we must do the same thing. We can t expect to watch him from afar and experience the same type of relationship we have when we re up close and personal with him. Ask: Have students form groups of three and answer these questions: What are some things you can do to get to Jesus? What s stopping you from doing those things? (Allow time. Then have some students share their answers with everyone.)

23 Youth Group Meeting #4: Pursue Say: So many things want our attention: grades, friends, family, jobs, activities. They all want us to put them first and pursue them. But once we ve decided we must get to Jesus, that must be our top priority. 2. We must push past the distractions Read: Have someone read aloud Luke 8: Say: This woman intentionally pursues Jesus. She knows she has to get to him. So she pushes her way past the crowds and refuses to stop until she finds him. In our lives, many distractions serve as crowds that get between us and Jesus. Often we know we want to get to him, but life just gets too busy and other options arise. When we sit down to read the Bible, for example, we might end up on Instagram. Or instead of praying before bed, we might watch an extra episode on Netflix. For me a big distraction is (Share a personal story about what has prevented you from getting to Jesus.) Ask: Look at the list you made earlier of all the things you re pursuing. Turn to a partner and discuss this question: What things on this list are distracting me from pursuing Jesus? Say: One reason service projects are so great is that they help us feel closer to Jesus. But when we come home, we ll face all sorts of distractions that might interfere with a continued pursuit of Jesus. His desire is for us to know him so intimately that even the biggest distractions can t keep us from pursuing him. That s what happens to this sick woman. In verse 48 Jesus says, Daughter your faith has made you well. Go in peace. When we pursue Jesus all the time, we unlock his power in our lives. When we push past distractions so we can get to Jesus, we see him do amazing things that we could never experience on our own. Let s start pursuing Jesus now so we re ready to continue an intimate relationship with him after we return.

24 Youth Group Meeting #4: Pursue Commissioning Commission students for their service trip or project. Ask Jesus to protect them, to bless their work, and to touch the lives of people they ll be serving. Also offer the congregation s support for the group s important work. Read: Have someone read aloud Matthew 5: Say: This summer we ll experience the power of Jesus through our service. We ll have the opportunity to leave a lasting impact on a community. Jesus has prepared us, and he s pursuing us. It s time to be salt and light for Jesus, sharing his love and good news with the world. Pray: Dear Jesus, thank you for pursuing us and providing opportunities to serve you and other people. Help us keep you as our top priority, and show us the blessings of a life lived in continual pursuit of you. In Jesus name, amen. Extra Discussion Help students put into practice what they ve discussed, applying it to their lives this summer and beyond. What distraction in your life will you give up so you can pursue Jesus wholeheartedly? What s the toughest part of giving up your distraction? Who can help hold you accountable in this area? How will pursuing Jesus now help you experience him more closely this summer and beyond? For Keeps Memorizing Scripture cements God s truth in our hearts. Challenge students to commit Bible passages to memory so they can stand confidently against the world s lies. You are the light of the world like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:14, 16