CAN I GET AN AMEN? Gospels and the Life of Christ

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Jodie Shelton
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1 CAN I GET AN AMEN? Gospels and the Life of Christ EDGE NIGHT OUTLINE SUPPLIES NEEDED: Large Bible & Stand (from Secret Admirer Edge Night) Pieces of Cardboard Markers Magazines Scissors Glue SCRIPTURE & CCC: Matthew Mark Luke John Matthew 1 Matthew 16:13-20 John 1:1-18 CCC # CCC # CCC # 459 CCC # 515 CCC # 2466 Poster board GOAL The middle school youth will become familiar with the life of Christ as it is written in the four Gospels. EDGE NIGHT AT A GLANCE Why did some people not recognize Jesus as the Messiah? The Israelites were expecting a savior in the form of another mighty king who would rescue them and unite the kingdom once again. However, as Philippians tells us, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross (2:7-8). Jesus is the Revelation that God was pointing to throughout the Old Testament. Through reading and studying the Gospels, we come to know the intimate love of God through His one and only Son. The Gospels are the central focus of the Bible because they describe the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Gospels reveal to us a relationship that our loving Father wants to have with us. The middle school youth will have a time to hear the message of the Gospel and then reflect on how it changes our lives. We cannot hear Christ s message and be the same; He moves us! The Cardboard Testimonies are a powerful way for the Core to share their conversions as well as a chance for the youth to examine areas that need to be given to God. BEFORE THIS NIGHT One of the activities will be a Cardboard Testimony put on by the Core Team. You will need to gather pieces of cardboard or poster board for the Core to write their testimonies on. The size of the cardboard pieces can vary, but should be big enough so that the testimony can be read depending on the size of your group. Before the night, show the Core Team the clip Cardboard Testimonies (CrossPoint Youth) on John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Have a time of prayer for the Core Team and ask them to write their own Cardboard Testimony. As seen in the video, the testimonies are a few words that capture the struggles and difficulties of life on one side and how the person has allowed Christ to enter into that situation. Be sure that the testimonies are appropriate for middle school youth ages. ENVIRONMENT Think Christmas! With the Incarnation of Christ, God became man. Christmas is that time we celebrate the coming of Christ. Have a Christmas tree with presents under it. On the walls, have posters that say: Jesus is the reason! Emmanuel has come! He is the Way, Truth, and Life! 66

2 GATHER OPENING MUSIC See song suggestions in Media Suggestions sidebar. W E LCO M E & INTRODUCTION 1. Welcome and introduce new teens. 2. Recognize and celebrate any youth or Core celebrating a birthday by singing Happy Birthday. 3. Present a brief overview of the session. JUST FOR FUN MEDIA Show the short clip from Drag and Gary about answering s found on Edge Video Support 1. This is just a fun way to open the night. S M A L L G R O U P P R O C E S S : JOHN 3:16 COLLAGE Before the night, collect magazines or newspapers for this activity. Be sure to check the content of the magazines, including advertisements before using them. Each group will be given magazines, poster board, glue, and scissors to do the activity. The youth should flip through the magazines to find the words to the verse, John 3:16. If they cannot find a particular word, have them cut out letters to form the word. In addition to the words, have the youth cut out pictures that are examples of God s love and glue them on the poster board as well. Choose a spokesperson that can explain some of the images on the poster with the large group. While the youth are looking through the magazines, discuss the verse, John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son... The rest can be finished in small groups. LARGE GROUP PROCESS Groups share their unique posters about John 3:16. Have the spokesperson share why they selected the images that they did. Also ask if they had trouble finding any words for the collage and how they were able to still place the word on the poster. PROCLAIM SCRIPTURE PROCLAMATION Philippians 2:1-11 PROCLAIM TALK God s Message The Scripture Proclamation and the verse we used in the opening activity sum up the message of the Gospel: God sent His only Son to the world so that we could have eternal life; Jesus came into the world as a baby and humbled Himself to die on a cross. The Gospels are all about the life of Jesus. The Old Testament tells us the prophesies of the coming Savior; the Gospels are about the Savior of the world. All of the waiting in the Old Testament is over because Jesus is here. Jesus is the one the world has been waiting in hopeful anticipation for. The Gospels reveal the ministry, teachings, healings, miracles, and ultimately the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. MEDIA SUGGESTIONS: Song: How He Loves by David Crowder Band Video: Drag and Gary: Answering s (Edge Video Support 1) Minivideo: Cardboard Testimonies by CrossPoint Youth ( 67

3 NOTES: CAN I GET AN AMEN? Gospels and the Life of Christ EDGE NIGHT OUTLINE Gospel Writers Let s take a look at the four authors of the Gospels and some important points to know about each one of the Gospels and what they reveal about Christ. (Invite the youth to open their Bibles and locate the Gospel of Matthew. As Scripture verses are read, have the youth follow along in their Bibles.) Matthew: An eyewitness to Jesus life and ministry. Before he was called by Jesus, he was a tax collector. Matthew s Gospel begins with Jesus genealogy to show that He was the long awaited one the Messiah. Matthew 1:1, Jesus is called the son of David. David was the anointed king in the Old Testament; Jesus is now the King of kings For example, look at Matthew 5:17. Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, or the 10 Commandments. Jesus is not saying the 10 Commandments are old and outdated, He says they must be lived and written on our hearts. Matthew 16:18 Jesus establishes His Church Mark: Was a traveling companion of Peter and Paul Through Mark s Gospel, we hear and see Jesus as a servant, not as a mighty king or warrior. (See Mark 9:33-36, Mark 10:43-45) As the early Churches were being formed, some people put a lot of focus on the 12 Apostles. Mark s Gospel helps to re-affirm that Christ is the Messiah Luke: Luke was a Gentile who converted to Christianity He was a doctor and co-worker with Paul who interviewed eyewitnesses to Jesus life and recorded their accounts into his Gospel. The beginning of Luke s Gospel contains events prior to the birth of Christ intimate details Luke wrote from his interviews with Mary and Jesus extended family. (Luke 1:1-4) Luke writes about Jesus compassion for the poor and needy (Luke 10:25-37 the Parable of the Good Samaritan). Luke mentions the Holy Spirit more than Matthew and Mark (Luke 1:15, Luke 1:41, 1:67, 4:1) Jesus upholds the dignity of women (Luke 1:46-55 Mary; Luke 7:36-50; Luke 8:43-48; Luke 10:38-42) John: Was one of the first disciples to be called by Jesus; also called beloved disciple (John 13:23). While Matthew s Gospel focuses on Jesus earthly lineage, John s Gospel reveals Jesus divine nature. In John s Gospel, Jesus uses the phrase, I am (the good shepherd, the way, the truth, and the life, the light of the world, etc.). 68

4 This refers back to Exodus 3:13-14 when God reveals His name as, I Am Who I Am. Jesus is the Great I Am! We also see the revelation of Jesus as the Word made flesh (John 1:1-18). Through the Gospel of John, we also hear of Jesus as the Bread of Life (John 6). Knowing more about each Gospel and its writer will help you to better understand who Jesus Christ is and what He taught and did for many. Like it says in John 3:16, God sent His Son to save the world. When we encounter Jesus in the Gospel, we are changed. He calls us out of sin and shame, like He did the woman at the well. He gives us strength to live our lives for Him (Philippians 4:13). Jesus does not want you to hate your life, or yourself; He came so that you might have life and have it to the fullest (John 10:10). What areas of your life do you need to allow Jesus into? Last week we talked about cleaning house for Jesus arrival. Be honest, what needs to be cleaned up? Are you always yelling at your parents? Have you lied to them? Cheated at school? Maybe you have become involved in a relationship and are doing things you shouldn t. It is clear in the Gospels, Jesus wants to come into every area of your life and help you. Insert a short personal sharing or testimony of how your life has changed by following Jesus Christ. At the end of your sharing, invite the Core Team forward to share their cardboard testimonies as well. Using the song, How He Loves by David Crowder, have the Core Team silently share their cardboard testimonies with the middle school youth. We all have a testimony. God has been working in your life already. Ask the Holy Spirit to open the eyes of your heart to see how Jesus is working in your life. BREAK SMALL GROUP PRAYER As your small group begins, say a prayer for the group and the activities for that session. SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION In your small group discuss the following questions: 1. What did you learn tonight from the talk about the Gospels? 2. Why are the Gospels so important to us as Christians? 3. Read Philippians 4:13. What does this verse mean for you personally? 4. What did you think about the cardboard testimonies? 5. Do you think you could share your cardboard testimony? Would you say it takes courage to share like that? NOTES: 69

ADAPTATION IDEAS: For larger groups, the collage activity could be done during the Break section of the night. Alternate opening activity: cut out the words of John 3:16 and put them in an envelope.

5 ADAPTATION IDEAS: For larger groups, the collage activity could be done during the Break section of the night. Alternate opening activity: cut out the words of John 3:16 and put them in an envelope. Have groups race to see who can put the words together correctly for the Scripture verse. After the Drag and Gary Show answering s, have a short Q & A session with the youth and the priest or youth minister. Try to keep it light-hearted, but a way to be relational and see what questions the youth may have about Scripture. The Cardboard Testimonies could also be done by the high school youth who help with your Edge program. Be sure to review the testimonies and practice timing before the Edge night. CAN I GET AN AMEN? Gospels and the Life of Christ EDGE NIGHT OUTLINE FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE Check in with the youth to see how they are doing with their reading of the Bible. Ask if anything they are reading came up tonight in the talk about the Gospels and the life of Jesus. GOING DEEPER Have groups look through one of the Gospels and discuss the following questions. 6th Grade groups will look through the Gospel of Matthew. 7th Grade groups will look through the Gospel of Luke. 8th Grade groups will look through the Gospel of John are discussed in the midst of these events? To whom does Jesus appear after His resurrection? INDIVIDUAL PROCESS Either using the magazines again or just with markers, the middle school youth will create their own testimony of what God is doing in their lives. Give each middle school youth a piece of paper and ask them to reflect on the Cardboard Testimonies and end of the talk from earlier. Allow a time for silence and reflection as they think about how and where they need God. Some of them may still be struggling with their issue, but this is a chance to find a way that God can bring light to their darkness. 1. How many chapters are in the Gospel? 2. How does the Gospel begin? Why is this important? 3. 6th and 7th grade groups: How many parables are in the Gospel? Which ones stand out to you or you remember? 4. 8th grade groups: Do a quick look through John 2 John 10. How many times do you see Jesus say, I am? What are the ones that stand out to you? Pick one and discuss its deeper meaning. 5. How does the Gospel discuss the Last Supper, Agony in the Garden, treatment of Jesus once captured by the Romans, Jesus death, and Jesus Resurrection? How long is the section about the event? What other events or characters Here are some ideas from the video: Lost best friend to violence/god brings peace; I struggled with selfesteem/i found my gifts in music and drama; Haven t always honored my parents/god helps me to love them; Our big sister died in an accident/ Today she lives with Him; Mean Spirited/God taught me how to love; My parent s faith/now my faith; Lost my computer, , ipod, cell phone/haven t lost God; Didn t go to Church/Came to Church one year ago; Predicted to die by age three/ I m 14, going on 15 by the grace of God; Bad choices in relationships/ Now I believe: True Love Waits; I am a middle child/i am #1 to God; I have A.D.D./God holds my attention; Crowd follower/jesus follower; Twins/ Created unique by God; Fitting in ruled/now, Jesus Rules; Trouble with Trust/Trusting Jesus more each day; My brother went away to college/he 70

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS: misses me too; Always been a big kid/serve in child care each week; My parents divorced/i learned to forgive; Not living my faith/serving others each week; Three heart surgeries/ God holds my heart SEND CLOSING PRAYER Have the music minister lead the youth in a time of praise and worship. At some point during the time of prayer, invite the middle school youth forward to share their testimonies with the group by silently walking in front of the group. SUMMARY CHALLENGE Before the middle school youth are sent home they will be challenged to remember: 1. The central books of the Bible are the 4 Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John because they are whom the Old Testament prophets spoke of and the savior God promised to His people. 2. To know more about Jesus Christ, we must read and study the Gospels. Each Gospel presents a unique perspective of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 3. John 3:16 tells us that God sent His son into the world to save us. 4. Reading the Gospels should lead us into a deeper relationship with God. He desires us to grow faith and trust each day. He desires us to bring Him our struggles and difficulties so that He can transform us. TO THE PARENTS OF Tonight s session introduced the middle school youth to the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, & John). The messiah that was promised in the Old Testament is Jesus, the Christ. The word gospel comes from the Greek euangelion, which means good news. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Good News. The Good News that God sent His only Son into the world to redeem us. As Catholics, we are called to read and study the Gospels so that we can know the one who died for us. Knowledge of the Savior calls us into a deeper relationship with Him. Tonight your middle school youth was challenged to examine areas in his/ her life to give to Jesus to experience His transformative love. Ask him/her to share with you his/her cardboard testimony. Ask your middle school youth which Gospel they enjoyed hearing about tonight. During the week, read the Gospel together and discuss it together

MADE FOR MORE Human Dignity

MADE FOR MORE Human Dignity EDGE NIGHT OUTLINE SCRIPTURE & CCC: Genesis 1:26-31 Psalm 139:1-18 Jeremiah 29:11-14 John 10:10 John 15:15-17 Acts 10:34-35 CCC 27 CCC 355 357 CCC 1700 1704 SUPPLIES NEEDED: