For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8

Transcription

1 THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING YOUTH BIBLE STUDY Anna Helgen For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 Welcome to the Youth Bible Study for This Changes Everything. This week campers will learn about God s unconditional love for all creation. This unconditional love, or grace, is a gift of God made known to us through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. During this Bible study, you and your campers will explore the stories of several people who have experienced God s grace. By learning their stories and connecting them with your real-life experiences, together you will explore how God s grace changes everything: our hearts, our identity, our purpose, our community, and our perspective. Learning Objectives for the Study The daily Bible studies will help youth campers and their leaders: Learn about God s grace and how it changes them. Recognize and experience God s grace in their daily lives. Share God s grace with others by extending love to all the world. Age-Group Concerns You have an important role this week. You have the privilege of accompanying junior and senior high youth on their faith journey. This is a long journey a lifelong journey and your presence and compassion matters. Camp provides an opportunity for youth to discover who they are and who God has created them to be. Each camper is unique, a beloved child of God, with strengths and gifts to share with the world. Your role in this journey of discovery is to listen, to welcome, to accept, to laugh, to ask questions, to show compassion, and to share God s good news. Your campers will come from a wide variety of socioeconomic backgrounds and experiences. Some may have little knowledge of God or the Bible. Some may have been coming to camp for years, and for others, this may be their first camp experience. Some may be thrilled to be at camp, and others may need some time to settle in. Remember to be open to all experiences and questions. By modeling this for campers, you will create a safe space where trust is fostered and where all voices can be heard. Adolescence is a time of transition marked by many developmental changes physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual and your campers will all be at different places along this transition. Many will be asking questions of self-identity and confronting issues of appearance, independence, conformity, acceptance, love, safety, and faith. They may appear to have it all together, when in reality, they may feel both excitement and confusion about life. Be patient and flexible. Let them be who they are and continue to show them your love and care. If there is one thing you can do this week, it is this: be a bearer of light and love to all those you encounter and remind them of God s constant presence in their lives. In the

2 Youth Bible Study 2 midst of all experiences a week at camp, band auditions, football tryouts, homework and exams, the death of a family member or friend, work, and play God is here through everything, bringing newness, life, and love to all. Special Hints When working with youth, you don t have to know all the answers. Bible studies often go in directions you can t anticipate, and that is perfectly normal. Campers may have questions you don t know the answer to, and that s okay, too. Remind campers that faith is a journey we go on in community with others, so when we have questions, we can talk about them together. Don t be afraid of silence. You might find that you ask a question and no one responds. Give it a few seconds before you jump in to rephrase the question or try a different approach. Sometimes it takes youth time to formulate a response, so give them the space to do that. Mix it up! Campers will all have different learning styles. Some are visual learners (they learn by seeing), others are auditory learners (they learn by hearing), and others are kinesthetic learners (they learn through movement). These Bible studies will utilize these different learning approaches, but keep in mind that one activity may work better for some campers than others. Find opportunities to connect with each camper outside Bible study time, especially with campers who appear to be loners in the group. Get to know each camper individually their hobbies, their dreams, and more. Make connections between the Bible stories and the everyday lives of your campers. Doing this will reinforce the themes and encourage campers to continue in their faith journey after they leave camp. Learn what individual campers gifts are and help them use their gifts in leadership. Campers need to know that they matter and that they have a place to belong. By naming their strengths and gifts, you help them see the beautiful person God made them to be! Here are some reminders for using the Youth Bible Study. Read through each day s Bible study so you know the activities and can anticipate how to help campers. Some activities have adaptations for junior high or adaptations for senior high. Use these as you see fit. The activities in the Word section are written for a broad range of ages and should work for both junior high and senior high campers; however, your discussions will likely be different. The Catechism Connection is primarily intended for Lutheran confirmation campers and reflects the polity and practice of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). This Bible study may also be used by youth on mission trips or off-site service projects. Suggestions are included each day for groups to consider the daily Bible study in relation to their unique setting for the week. Anna Helgen has been a camper and on staff at Wilderness Canoe Base, Ely, Minnesota, and Christikon in southern Montana, and has worked as a youth director in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is awaiting her first call in the ELCA.

3 Youth Bible Study 3 FIRST NIGHT Get to Know You Invite campers to sit in a circle and in turn say their names. Have each person roll a die and answer the question below that corresponds with the number on the die. (For example, my name is Anna and my favorite food is popcorn.) 1 = name something you do well. 2 = name something you learned last week. 3 = name something you can t live without. 4 = name someone who cares about you. 5 = name someone you look up to. 6 = name your favorite food. Have campers go around the circle a few times. Remind them to say their name each time even if they know each other. This is a great opportunity for you to learn their names and more about them! The Greatest Gift To introduce the theme for the week, This Changes Everything, invite campers to think of the best gift they have ever received. Play a short game of Pictionary, where each camper draws that gift, while the other campers guess what it is. After the game, explain that this week in the daily Bible studies they will be exploring grace. One way to think about grace is as the unconditional love of God. God loves us no matter what. Even though there is sin in the world, and even though we sometimes participate in that sin (through our thoughts, behaviors, and actions), God still loves us. And that is the greatest gift of all. That s grace. Read the theme verse for the week from Ephesians 2:8 aloud: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God. Ask campers what words come to mind when they hear these three words: grace, faith, and gift. (Affirm their ideas. For example, unconditional love, gift; belief, doubt, journey; present, relationship.) Tell campers that they ll have more time to explore these topics throughout the week, in particular how God s grace changes everything. Once upon a Time... Explain to campers that your group is going to work together to make up a story. You the counselor can begin like this: Once upon a time there was a... (make something up). Invite each camper to add one sentence to the story, always building on the previous sentences. Continue in this way until the story gets too silly or you feel campers are losing interest; then find a way to end it. Talk with campers about how this story took your group in unexpected directions. You didn t always know what would happen next, but you knew that the story would reveal itself as you worked to tell it together. Explain to campers that God s grace works like this, too. God s grace can surprise us! While we don t always know the path forward, we can trust that God s grace will work through us both as individuals and as communities to lead the way.

4 Youth Bible Study 4 Closing Reflect for a few minutes about the week ahead. Discuss these questions with campers. What is something at home that was hard to leave behind? What is one thing you are excited about this week? What are you nervous about this week? What do you think you might learn? After campers have a time to share, remind them that they are all coming to camp for their own reasons and with different experiences. But as with any experience, they will be changed! Close with prayer.

5 Youth Bible Study 5 DAY 1 OUR HEARTS Focus Question How does God s grace change our hearts? Theme Statement Because Jesus is resurrected, death is not the end. We are witnesses to this resurrection. God s Spirit works in our hearts, inviting us to tell this story of new life to all the world, again and again. Learning Objectives This Bible study will help youth campers and their leaders: Know that Jesus died and was resurrected in order to realize God s desire for life. Trust that Jesus is with them in their daily journeys, changing their hearts. Share stories of how God s grace changes hearts again and again. Bible Text Luke 24:13 35 Materials Bibles bandanas small prizes for everyone in the group (such as candy) note cards pencils or pens Gather Opening Ritual Welcome campers to their daily Bible study time. Let them know that each day you ll begin Bible study with the same litany a call and response prayer. Remind campers of the week s theme, This Changes Everything, and tell them the daily themes if they don t know them already (see below). Invite campers to come up with an action for each day s word hearts, identity, purpose, community, perspective, and everything to use as you say the litany together: for example, hands to heart for hearts, hands to head for identity, hands extended out for purpose, hands to neighbors hands for community, hands to eyes for perspective, and hands to sky for everything. Make sure everyone knows the actions for each word and then say the litany as a group with the actions. As the leader, begin by calling out God s grace... and have the group respond with the phrase in bold, changes our... God s grace changes our hearts. God s grace changes our identity. God s grace changes our purpose.

6 Youth Bible Study 6 God s grace changes our community. God s grace changes our perspective. God s grace changes everything! Amen! We re Going on a Journey Invite campers to go on a short journey to a special place at camp perhaps a place with a beautiful view or a favorite tree. Once you arrive, ask campers what it means to go on a journey. Sometimes the destination is obvious (like hiking to a mountain peak), but other times journeys have no destination (like a faith journey). The route might be known, but sometimes there are unexpected detours. The reasons for our journeys are different too. For example, the setting for today s Bible story is two people making a journey home after a devastating event. Have campers divide into pairs and share journeys they have been on. (Examples may include a hike, a canoe trip, a picnic.) Invite the group back together to discuss their journey experiences. Have each camper share one journey example. Then go around the circle and have each camper share one item that they would bring along on that specific journey. Affirm all answers and acknowledge that just as every journey is unique, so are the items that we bring with us on those journeys, including our faith journeys. Adaptations for senior high: Encourage campers to consider physical, emotional, and spiritual journeys. (Examples might include living with an illness, dealing with grief after the death of a friend, failing a subject in school.) Help campers think beyond physical things that might be brought on these journeys: suggest things such as people; conceptual ideas such as faith, perseverance, courage; and hobbies. Undeserved Rewards Find a flat area for campers to safely have a three-legged race. Divide campers into pairs and have them tie their inside ankles together with a bandana. Tell campers that whichever pair wins the race will receive a special prize. Make a big deal out of this prize! Tell campers the boundaries of the race (start and finish lines) and then begin. After the race, when you re about to award the prize to the winning pair, surprise campers by telling them that everyone will receive a prize. Then discuss these questions. How did it feel to be a winner and receive a prize? How did it feel to be a loser and receive a prize? Affirm campers responses and then ask campers if they are familiar with the concept of grace. Remind them of the First Night discussion. What does it mean? What do they know about it? Grace, or the unconditional love of God, is a free gift from God. God loves us so much that even if we don t always act the way that God wants us to, God loves us anyway. So even if we lose a three-legged race, in God s eyes, we are winners. Word The Gift of God s Grace Ask campers what they remember about the creation story from the book of Genesis. In the beginning, God created all of creation and it was good the heavens and the earth, the

7 Youth Bible Study 7 plants and animals, and all of humanity. But then something happened, and the creation wasn t good anymore: Adam and Eve disobeyed God and disrupted the relationship between God and God s good creation. This disruption, or brokenness, is what we call sin. Sin can also be described as a turning away from the life that God intends for us. Invite campers to share how they think about sin. Talk about different ways that we as individuals and as communities act in ways that are contrary to God s desires for us. (Examples might include bullying, neglecting the needs of others, disregarding the environment.) Ask for a volunteer to read Ephesians 2:8 aloud. What does this verse say about grace? (Grace is a free gift; we do nothing to deserve it; we are saved by grace through faith.) How does it feel to know that God loves you unconditionally? God continues to provide opportunities for life even when we make mistakes. God always gives us another chance, because God never gives up on us. Through faith, God works in our hearts, giving us a new identity, purpose, community, and perspective that reflect God s dream of life and wholeness for all. God desires for the creation to be restored to its original goodness. This is the work that Jesus came to do, and as believers and followers of Jesus, we are part of that work too. The Walk to Emmaus In the Bible story today, campers will hear about the journey of two of Jesus s disciples who are traveling from the city of Jerusalem to the town of Emmaus. Jesus has been crucified and has died, and the disciples are sad because their promised Messiah is now dead. Give campers a few minutes to find Luke 24:13 35 in their Bible and have one or more volunteers read it aloud. Invite campers to retell the story in their own words and summarize what happened. Then discuss these questions as a group. When the stranger (who we know to be the risen Christ) addresses the two disciples, we read that they stood still, looking sad. Why are they so sad? What other feelings do you imagine the disciples felt at this time? (Grief, loss of hope, anger, confusion.) The disciples had high hopes for Jesus, but all these hopes are dashed when he is put to death. What are these hopes? Invite campers to read Luke 4: When they arrive in Emmaus, the disciples invite this stranger to stay with them for the evening. What do the disciples risk by giving this invitation? What might they gain? (Possible answers: They risk their safety, security, and privacy, but they gain the opportunity to show hospitality. And, they get to meet a new person or rather, discover that this stranger is someone they ve known all along. By inviting this stranger to stay the night, the disciples open themselves up to the possibility of being changed.) As the disciples share a meal with this stranger, their eyes are opened and they recognize him. How did the disciples feel when they finally recognize this stranger as Jesus? (Affirm all answers; possibilities include excitement, fear, joy.) Notice that this story ends as it began: with a walk. When the disciples arrive back in Jerusalem, they tell the other disciples what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. How did the disciples understanding of who Jesus is change from the beginning to the end of this story? (They finally understood that Jesus, who they had been following, was not only their

8 Youth Bible Study 8 teacher but the one who came to redeem the world, bringing life from death, restoring the broken relationship between God and God s creation.) What other names do we use to describe Jesus and what he has done for us? (Christ or Messiah, God s Son, Savior, Redeemer.) Wrap up this discussion with these points: God s spirit was at work changing the disciples hearts even though they did not yet recognize this stranger as the risen Christ. God s spirit works in our hearts even when we re not aware of it, to help make God s dream of life for all the world come true. Life or Death? On the road to Emmaus the disciples meet the risen Christ, and his identity is revealed to them in the breaking of the bread. This risen Christ who they meet is the same Jesus who was put to death by crucifixion at the hands of Roman authorities. Jesus died, but now is alive in a new way. God is in the business of resurrection, of bringing life from death. In this activity, campers will explore the concepts of life and death and how they are interconnected. Ask campers what they know about Jesus s resurrection. Be open to their answers and invite questions. The resurrection is not an easy topic and one that believers may wrestle with as they continue to learn and grow. Explain to campers that you are going to say a word, and they are to decide if this is a life word or a death word. If they think it s a life word, they should stand. If it s a death word, they should sit down. baby roadkill leaf funeral family spiderweb tree compost organ donation wildfire money After each word, invite campers to share why this is a life or death word. Welcome ambiguity and multiple answers. For example, wildfire could be both a life word and a death word. While a wildfire can damage and destroy plant and animal life, wildfires also renew the soil and regenerate the forest. These are some possible questions to ask during your discussions. Where is there life? Where is there death? Can death and life exist at the same time? How? Does one lead to the other? Can death for one thing mean life for someone or something else? Can life for one thing mean death for someone or something else? What kinds of situations will God work through to bring life? What Bible stories do you know that are about life arising out of death? (Examples include the creation story, the healing of Lazarus.) Invite campers to come up with their own life and death words to put to the group.

9 Youth Bible Study 9 What Is Eternal Life? Have a volunteer read John 3:16 aloud one of the most quoted Bible verses. Ask campers if they have heard this verse before. Where did they hear it? Give each camper a note card and have them write eternal life on it. Invite campers to do a brain dump and write everything they can about eternal life on the note card. Here are some questions to get them started. What is eternal life? What does it look like, smell like, taste like, feel like, sound like? What is eternal? What gives you life? What sets your heart afire? After a few minutes, invite campers back to the group to share some of their answers. This Bible verse is often read at funerals and memorial services because it reminds us of one of the central promises of our faith: after we die, we will have eternal life with God. But God promises us eternal life now, too, as we live. God promises to be in relationship with us, no matter what. If God promises to be with us always and love us no matter what, what might eternal life look like now? (Answers might include belonging, second chances, new opportunities, friendship, reconciliation, healing, community, relationships.) Another way to think about eternal life is to think about how God works in our hearts to bring new life. Jesus set the disciples hearts afire on the road when they were feeling especially sad. He gave them hope in a time of suffering. Similarly, Jesus changes our hearts slowly, by helping us find hope and new life in experiences of sadness and death. Divide campers into pairs to discuss the following questions. When have you recognized new life or hope in your midst? Perhaps you were sad, like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and then had that aha! moment of recognition. When have you been given a second chance? When did someone do something for you that you did not deserve? To close, invite campers to share one of their partner s examples. Send The Lord Has Risen, Indeed! Recall the ending of the walk to Emmaus (Luke 24:32 35). The disciples return to their friends in Jerusalem, their hearts afire after what they have just witnessed, and proclaim, The Lord has risen, indeed! Have campers imagine that they are one of the disciples reporting back to their friends. How would they tell the story about what happened along the road in a 140-character tweet? Divide campers into groups of two or three and invite each group to come up with a tweet that tells what happened to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Give them some time to work together and invite them back to share with one another. Adaptations for senior high: Invite campers to think about the conversation between these two disciples and the rest of their friends in Jerusalem. Have campers imagine they

10 Youth Bible Study 10 are one of the friends in Jerusalem. What one question would they ask the two disciples? In keeping with the theme of tweeting, they should keep the question to 140 characters! Stories of New Life Part of being on a faith journey means sharing stories of new life with others. Just as Jesus set the disciples hearts afire and they returned to Jerusalem to tell their friends about Jesus s resurrection, Jesus sets our hearts afire to share stories of God at work in the world. When we hear these stories, God s spirit changes our hearts and we become witnesses to God s work of resurrection in the world, bringing life from death. Invite campers to write a letter to someone at home a parent, friend, pastor about a story of new life that they heard today or a time when they felt touched by God. Adaptations for junior high: Instead of writing a letter, invite campers to pair up and walk around camp looking for signs of new life. Have them share these signs of new life with one another as they discover them. Closing Ritual To conclude today s Bible study, summarize the central idea that in the resurrection of Jesus, God brings life from death. Followers of Jesus, whose hearts are touched by God s spirit, continue that life-giving work to the ends of the earth. Even when it might feel like we are alone, Jesus is with us, setting our hearts afire, turning our sorrow into joy, our despair into hope for the world. Invite campers to name one person who walks with them on their faith journey and share with the group why that person is important. Then invite the group to pray and let them know that they will have an opportunity to name these people aloud during the prayer. Gracious God, You are with us through all our journeys through our joy and sorrow, during math class and band practice, at home and at camp. We give you thanks for your son Jesus Christ, who shows up over and over again in people like (share names). We thank you for these witnesses who teach us about God s grace. Be with us these days at camp as we learn more about you, grow in friendship with others, and practice what it means to live as people of new life. Change our hearts so that we might reflect God s dream of life for all creation. In your name we pray. Amen. Catechism Connection Materials: copies of Luther s Small Catechism Make sure each camper has a copy of Luther s Small Catechism. Recite the Apostles Creed together. Divide campers into three groups and assign each group to read Luther s explanation of one article of the creed. Invite campers to discuss how the article and Luther s explanation address God s desire of life and wholeness for creation. It may be helpful for campers to find the verbs that Luther uses to describe God s activity. Give campers some time to work with their groups, then come back together and talk about these questions.

11 Youth Bible Study 11 What verbs (action words) does Luther use in each explanation to describe God s activity? (First Article: created, given, preserves, provides, protects, shields; Second Article: redeemed, purchased, freed, risen, lives, rules; Third Article: calls, gathers, enlightens, makes holy, forgives, raises.) What do these verbs teach us about God s grace? (Answers will vary, but examples include the following: God created us and continues to care for us through all of life s needs; Jesus died and was raised so that we might receive new life even though we don t deserve it; the Spirit brings us together with the whole church and makes us holy both as individuals and as a community.) Why do you think we confess this creed together as a community every Sunday? (Again, answers will vary, so affirm individual responses. One possible answer is that as we confess the creed together, God s spirit works in our hearts and comes alongside us on our faith journeys so that we might become more fully the people God created us to be.) Options for Youth Mission Trips and Off-Site Service Projects The disciples were surprised to meet the risen Christ in this stranger they met along the road. While on a mission trip or doing service projects off-site, it is likely that campers have met some strangers. For example, campers may be helping out at a food pantry where they encounter both the volunteers and staff who run the pantry and the clients who visit the pantry. After a day s work, campers have probably come to know a little about some of these individuals. Ask campers to describe some of the people they met today during their service project. Here are some questions to guide your discussion. Who are some people you met today? What did you learn about them? Where do they struggle? Where do they find joy? How did these people teach you about Jesus? Did this experience change your heart? If so, how? Remind campers that it is still early in the week and they will have more opportunities to talk with other volunteers and those whom they serve. Encourage them to get to know these individuals. As part of the closing prayer during Bible study, pray for the people you met today.

12 Youth Bible Study 12 DAY 2 OUR IDENTITY Focus Question How does God s grace change our identity? Theme Statement Jesus calls us to be his followers and to reflect God s love into the world. Learning Objectives This Bible study will help youth campers and their leaders: Learn what it means to follow Jesus: to listen, to respond in faith, and to act. Let go of old attitudes and values in order to follow Jesus. Follow Jesus and be an example of God s love in the world. Bible Text Acts 9:1 18 Materials Bibles journals or paper pens or pencils Gather Opening Ritual Once the group has gathered, check in about how the week is going; many campers are still adjusting to the camp schedule, finding their whereabouts, and so on. Review yesterday s theme, God s Grace Changes Our Hearts, and introduce the group to today s theme, God s Grace Changes Our Identity. Then together as a group say the opening litany with the actions. God s grace changes our hearts. God s grace changes our identity. God s grace changes our purpose. God s grace changes our community. God s grace changes our perspective. God s grace changes everything! Amen! You Are a Child of God Have a discussion with campers about what makes up a person s identity. General answers might include how we describe ourselves, the roles we play, our behaviors and actions, and so on. More specifically, campers might name things such as being a sister, friend, piano player, or athlete.

13 Youth Bible Study 13 Then ask what identity everyone has in common. If no one comes up with this answer, say that we all are beloved children of God, made in God s image. Have campers pair up and bless one another using the blessing below. As they bless one another, they can make the sign of the cross on the other person s forehead. God loves you, (name), and you are a beloved child of God. Follow the Leader Explain to campers that in today s story, they will meet someone named Saul who leaves behind his old life to follow Jesus. Explain to campers that you re going to do an activity to think about what it means to follow. Divide campers into two groups: group A and group B. Have the groups stand facing one another with a few feet [one meter] of space between each camper. As the counselor, you will stand so that only group A can see you (group B will have their backs to you). Tell campers that you will do various actions and invite them to copy your actions. Group B will have to watch group A in order to mimic the actions. You can make up your own actions, but here are some ideas: clap your hands, make arm circles, jump up and down, kick your legs. After you ve done several actions, invite the group to discuss these questions. What was it like to be in group A? Group B? How did you know if you were following the counselor (leader)? Talk to the group about the act of discipleship, or following Jesus. One way we learn to follow Jesus is by following his example in the stories of scripture, but we also learn to follow Jesus from his disciples and from the people in our communities at church, school, work, camp, and so forth. Invite campers to share examples of people in their lives who model what it looks like to follow Jesus and ask them what particular traits or behaviors these people exhibit in the world. Adaptations for senior high: Invite campers to think about the present-day prophets who, like Jesus, are met with opposition, but who set an example for us to follow. What people from history or the present day embody Jesus s compassion, justice, and service? (Affirm responses. Examples may include Martin Luther King Jr., Bono, Pope Francis, Mother Teresa.) How can or do we follow them? Word The Conversion of Saul Talk to campers about the stories contained in the book of Acts the acts of the apostles and the historical context of these stories. In the Gospels, we learn about the disciples who dropped everything to follow Jesus. Jesus was a prophet who spoke truth to power, who let the oppressed go free, who fed the hungry, who, in a nutshell, exhibited God s grace to all people. As news about him spread, crowds came to follow Jesus. They heard him teach; they witnessed miracles; and, together with the disciples, they became the first believers. The book of Acts picks up these stories of the early believers, or apostles. As more and more people came to follow the Way, as the followers of Jesus came to be called (Acts 9:2), they formed communities, starting in Jerusalem and extending throughout the region and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). While the church continued to grow, it also faced

14 Youth Bible Study 14 its share of opposition, both from the Roman government and from the Jewish religious leaders. Today you ll hear about some of that opposition, but also the plans that God had to work through it to bring about life for all. Invite campers to open their Bibles to Acts 9:1 18. Invite three volunteers to read, with one as the voice of Jesus; one, Ananias; and one, the narrator. After hearing the story, discuss the following questions. What is Saul preparing to do in Damascus? (See vv On orders from the high priest in Jerusalem, he will gather up followers of Jesus in the city. Damascus has a significant Jewish community, thus there would likely be many Jesus followers there.) What happens to Saul as he approaches Damascus? (See vv Saul sees a flash of light from heaven and hears the voice of the Lord. Jesus tells Saul that he is persecuting him and invites him to go to the city where he will receive further instructions. After this encounter, Saul goes blind.) Who helps Saul? (See v. 8. The men who are traveling with him to Damascus lead him into the city after he goes blind.) Who is Ananias? What does Jesus instruct him to do? (See vv Ananias is a disciple. Jesus instructs him to go to Saul and lay his hands on Saul so that he will regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.) How does the story end? (See vv a. Ananias lays hands on Saul, and Saul regains his sight and is filled with the Holy Spirit. Saul is baptized and then spends several days with the disciples in Damascus.) How do Saul s actions at the beginning of the story compare to his actions at the end of the story? (Affirm campers answers. Emphasize the contrast in his actions to help campers understand the change in Saul s identity from a persecutor of Jesus, vv. 1 2, to an apostle of Jesus, vv.18 19a. Saul also later leaves behind his Hebrew name Saul for his Latin name Paul. See Acts 13:9.) Prior to Saul s dramatic encounter with Jesus, the Holy Spirit had come to all the people gathered in Jerusalem at Pentecost (see Acts 2). This signals the beginning of the early church, a time when all were invited to follow Jesus to leave their old lives behind in exchange for something new. The Holy Spirit was now present in the world, working through the apostles to share the good news of God s grace with others. How do we see the Holy Spirit at work in this story about Saul? (Affirm campers responses. Answers may include the following: Ananias brings the Holy Spirit to Saul. By the Spirit s work, Saul is converted. He rejects the instructions of the high priest, turns his back on his previous life, and joins the disciples in Damascus. The Holy Spirit helps bring about Saul s change in identity.) God works through the most unlikely individual (Saul) to help spread the good news of Jesus Christ. Jesus calls Saul an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel (v. 15). What does it mean to be an instrument? (Give campers time to share their ideas. At its most basic reading, to be an instrument means to be used for a particular purpose. God calls all of the people in this story to be instruments, or what we might call disciples.) Invite campers to think about what it means to be a disciple by looking at Saul and Ananias. Divide campers into two groups. Have one group look at the story from the

15 Youth Bible Study 15 perspective of Saul and the other look at the story from the perspective of Ananias, using the questions listed below to guide their discussion. Give the groups a few minutes to reflect and then invite everyone back together to discuss the questions as a group. What plans does God have for this person? (To follow Jesus.) How are these people made aware of those plans? (In a flash of light for Saul, v. 3, and in a vision for Ananias, v. 10.) How does the person respond? (Saul asks Jesus a question, v. 5, and then follows his instructions with the help of the men who were traveling with him, v. 8; Ananias protests, v. 13, but eventually follows through on Jesus s instructions, v. 17.) How is this person s identity changed? (For Saul, vv describe his new life. For Ananias, both his vision, v , and laying hands on Saul, v. 17, indicate Jesus working though him to change a life. Invite campers to speculate about what these changes meant for Saul and Ananias.) Where do we see God s grace at work in the story? (Affirm the group s responses.) To sum up the discussion, share these points with campers: Saul was not trusted or well liked, but God chooses to work through him to bring others into relationship with Jesus. He leaves his old behaviors behind as he enters a new community of disciples. We also see God s grace working through Ananias s protests. God gives Ananias the courage to carry out God s plans. We can imagine that Ananias s faith grows as his relationship with God is tested and deepened. Disciples of Jesus are called to listen, to respond in faith, and to act. While Jesus invites us all to follow him, the way we will go about that will differ. Our age, life experience, beliefs and attitudes about the world, and the communities to which we belong all affect how we come to know Jesus and follow him. The similarity is that by following Jesus, we will be changed! Here I Am, Lord! Have campers go back into their groups and invite them to read together Luke 1:26 38, the story of Mary s annunciation. Mary is an ordinary woman, but God has extraordinary plans for her. Discuss the passage, emphasizing Mary s responses to God s call. When does Mary listen to God? (She listens to the angel s words that the Lord is with her, v. 28, and that she will bear a son, vv ). How does Mary respond in faith? (By taking time to reflect, v. 29, and asking questions, v. 34.) How does Mary act in response to God? (In v. 38 she says, Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. ) While not without questions, Mary trusts God and prepares to leave her previous life behind in order to bring about God s dream of life for the whole world. No matter where we are on our journey, God loves us. The Holy Spirit will continue to work in our lives, bringing us into deeper relationship with God. Mary teaches us that questions are necessary on our faith journey. Fish for People Read Matthew 4:18 22 together. This is the story of Jesus calling his first disciples. Talk with campers about how these men respond to Jesus s call immediately without any

16 Youth Bible Study 16 questions or protest! This is quite different than how Saul, Ananias, or Mary responds, a reminder that we all have a unique journey as we follow Jesus. What do these disciples leave behind in order to follow Jesus? (Possible answers may include their livelihoods, their families, their belongings, unfinished business. ) To follow Jesus, we may need to leave something behind. Talk with campers about a time they left something behind. Perhaps this week at camp they left their cell phones at home. Or maybe one time they volunteered somewhere and had to let go of their assumptions and judgments. What was that experience like? How were they changed because of what they left behind? (Give campers some time to reflect and share. Affirm campers responses.) What does Jesus mean when he says, Follow me, and I will make you fish for people? (Affirm campers responses.) To sum up, share these points with campers. Jesus speaks to these disciples in their own language of fishing when he says, I will make you fish for people (v. 19). While they are still fishermen, they will no longer be catching fish. Instead, Jesus invites them to a way of discipleship to catch people to go and make disciples and teach them about the good news of Jesus Christ. Likewise, Jesus comes into our lives and speaks our language. He understands what it s like to be us and will meet us wherever we are on our faith journey. Like the disciples who left behind their families and livelihoods, we too may need to leave something behind, such as values and attitudes that aren t consistent with God s priorities. While this letting go and change means a step into the unknown, it also means that God s grace will work in us and we will be changed. Adaptations for senior high: Describe this recent event to campers. On the Greek island of Lesbos, nearly one million refugees arrived by sea in The arrival of these refugees was impossible to ignore, especially for the fishermen. Greek fisherman Costas Pinteris explained, Up until this year, the sea for me meant fishing. This year has changed things. Now it means fishing for people. The consequences have been a drop in my income because when I see someone in urgent need when I m out fishing, I drop everything and go to help because my work is not as important as saving human lives. ( Migrant Crisis Crashing Ashore, Lesbos Fishermen Now Fish for People, PBS NewsHour, December 17, 2015). Discuss the following questions with campers. How do these fishermen fish for people? What do they leave behind? How has Costas Pinteris s identity changed? How do these fishermen listen, respond in faith, and act? Where do you see God s dream of life for all in this story? Send What Will You Leave Behind? Give campers minutes to have some quiet time alone in creation. Invite them to reread Matthew 4:18 22 and to think about what they need to leave behind in order to follow Jesus. Sometimes it s not just a matter of leaving something behind, but of letting go.

17 Youth Bible Study 17 They can use the time how they d like in prayer and reflection, writing about what it might be like to let go of something and leave it behind, writing a prayer to God. Adaptations for junior high: Review Matthew 4: Then invite campers to think about what they need to leave behind in order to follow Jesus. Have campers write their answers on a piece of paper and find a time (either now or later) to burn this paper in a campfire. Now Go! Jesus calls us to be disciples by living in relationship with God, and we do this both as individuals and as communities. Have campers discuss how their congregations both individuals within the congregation and the congregation as a whole follow Jesus; for example, how they listen, respond in faith, and act. Use these questions. How do individuals within your congregation follow Jesus? (Possible answers include: volunteering to serve food at a funeral, praying for the needs of people in the community, serving as a confirmation mentor.) How does your congregation, as a whole (the body of Christ), follow Jesus? (Possible answers include: support a missionary family in Tanzania, sponsor a food pantry, send mission support money to an orphanage in Honduras.) Campers may be more aware of how individuals within their congregation follow Jesus. Encourage campers to learn more about how their congregation follows Jesus collectively through its various ministries and programs. Adaptations for senior high: Invite campers to discuss the questions above and then work together to come up with two or three ideas for how they can, through their youth groups or confirmation classes at home, listen, respond, and act more intentionally in order to follow Jesus. Closing Ritual As you conclude today s Bible study, summarize the central idea that God s grace changes our identity; we respond to God s unconditional love for us and all creation by becoming disciples, or followers, of Jesus. Then close with the prayer below. Gracious God, We give you thanks for calling us to be disciples. Help us to hear your call, to respond in faith, and to act. Encourage us to leave behind whatever it is that gets in the way of following you, so that you might shape us into the people you created us to be. Amen. Catechism Connection Materials: Copies of Luther s Small Catechism If possible, gather around a water source a lake, stream, or even a water fountain. Ask campers what they remember about their baptism. It s likely they won t remember anything if they were baptized as infants, so ask what they remember about baptism in general. If you have campers from different congregations, invite them to describe how their congregation celebrates baptism. What does the baptismal font look like?

18 Youth Bible Study 18 Where is it located? Who participates in the baptism? Does your congregation have opportunities for people to remember their baptisms during the year? While there are many differences in baptism practices throughout the ELCA and other Christian traditions, a baptism accomplishes the same goal. In holy baptism the triune God delivers us from the forces of evil, puts our sinful self to death, gives us new birth, adopts us as children, and makes us members of the body of Christ, the church (Evangelical Lutheran Worship [ELW], Augsburg Fortress, 2006, p. 225). Have campers open their copy of Luther s Small Catechism to The Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Luther writes, What then is the significance of such a baptism with water? It signifies that the old person in us with all sins and evil desires is to be drowned and die through daily sorrow for sin and through repentance, and on the other hand that daily a new person is to come forth and rise up to live before God in righteousness and purity forever (ELW, p. 1165). How does baptism relate to our Bible study theme today God s grace changes our identity? (In baptism, we are given a new identity as a baptized child of God and a member of the body of Christ. Because of God s grace, our sins are forgiven and we are given new life, we are reborn.) Luther writes that it is through repentance that we are changed from the old person to the new person. What does repentance mean to you? (Affirm all answers, but possibilities include turning around, changing directions, and so forth. It is in this act of repentance that God s grace works in us, changing our hearts and shaping us into disciples who follow Jesus.) Options for Youth Mission Trips and Off-Site Service Projects Invite campers to pair up after their project or activity for the day. If possible, have them partner with someone who did a different activity. Have them share with one another how they acted as a disciple today. Use these questions as a guide. When did you listen? (Examples may include: listening to directions, listening to a person share their story.) When did you respond in faith? (Examples may include: acknowledging the frustration, pain, or anxiety of another person; letting go of a need to be right. ) When did you act? What did you do? (Examples may include: smiling, painting a house, taking a break to talk with someone.) How do you sense that God s grace is working to change your identity and shape you into a follower of Jesus? (Answers will vary.)

19 Youth Bible Study 19 DAY 3 OUR PURPOSE Focus Question How does God s grace change our purpose? Theme Statement Jesus embodies compassion and service toward the most vulnerable in our midst, and God calls us to do the same. Learning Objectives This Bible study will help youth campers and their leaders: Learn what it means to embody compassion and service. See the face of Jesus in all people. Reflect Jesus s compassion and service by serving others and ensuring that their basic needs are met. Bible Text Matthew 25:31 46 Materials Bibles paper pens or pencils small candles matches Gather Opening Ritual If you haven t already done so today, check in with campers about how their week is going. What s been a high point? litany. What s been a low point? What is something new that you have tried this week? Continue with the opening litany and actions. This time, invite a camper to lead the God s grace changes our hearts. God s grace changes our identity. God s grace changes our purpose. God s grace changes our community. God s grace changes our perspective. God s grace changes everything! Amen!

20 Youth Bible Study 20 Serving Others Invite campers to pair up with one another to discuss these questions and then return to the group to share. What does it mean to help someone? Name a time yesterday, a week ago, and a year ago when you helped someone. How do you help others at home? At school? At church? In your neighborhood and community? Today s Bible study is about how Jesus calls his followers to a special purpose: to look beyond their own needs in order to help or to serve others. Adaptations for senior high: Invite campers to think about the communities to which they belong and how groups within these communities serve others. For example, whom does their church serve? What organizations are they part of that serve others? Deserted Island Invite campers to imagine they are stranded on a deserted island and they can bring five items with them to survive. Have a discussion using these questions as a guide. What five items would you bring? Why would you bring each item? What does each item provide for you? In today s Bible story, Jesus calls his followers to ensure that people s basic needs are met. These basic needs include both physical needs (hunger, thirst, and clothing) and relational needs (companionship, care, and welcome). When we follow Jesus, our purpose changes: God calls us to meet the needs of others. Word Sheep and Goats The passage you ll read today from Matthew comes from Jesus s teaching on the end times. Matthew s Gospel was likely written between 80 and 90 CE, approximately fifty to sixty years after Jesus s crucifixion (HarperCollins Bible Commentary, 2000, p. 868). The earliest followers of Jesus assumed he would return immediately following his ascension, but that didn t happen. The writer of Matthew s Gospel seeks to teach followers of Jesus how to act during this time between Jesus s ascension to heaven, or to the Father, and his return. (See Luke 24:50 51; Acts 1:6 11.) Ask a volunteer to read Matthew 25: Explain to campers the context of this particular passage, as summarized above. Review the passage using the following questions. Who is the Son of Man? (The Son of Man is a title for Jesus in Matthew s Gospel.) What does Jesus say he will do when he returns? (See vv Jesus will separate the people into two groups: sheep and goats.) What does Jesus say will happen to those at his right hand? What about those at his left hand? (In v. 34, Jesus invites those at his right hand to inherit the kingdom prepared for you, whereas in v. 41, Jesus rebukes those at his left hand and sends them into the eternal fire. ) In ancient times it was a common shepherding practice to separate the sheep from the goats. Sheep have heavy woolen coats to keep them warm while grazing in open