UNSTOPPABLE GOSPEL TRUE STORY LEADER GUIDE FALL 2016 RONNIE FLOYD: GENERAL EDITOR

Transcription

1 UNSTOPPABLE GOSPEL TRUE STORY LEADER GUIDE FALL 2016 RONNIE FLOYD: GENERAL EDITOR

2 SESSION 1 UNSTOPPABLE MISSION THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE Living the Christian life on our own is not only difficult, it s impossible. Thankfully, when the Holy Spirit came, He empowered the disciples for a mission that was unstoppable. From one small dot on a map, they took Christ s message across the world, and we continue this mission today. Christ never expected us to live this impossible life on our own power. Jesus lived His earthly life connected to and empowered by God. Jesus lived and died in a way that no person could, so we can live in the freedom of His grace and power. THE POINT The Holy Spirit empowers us to spread the gospel. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY? ACTS 1:4-8, While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father s promise. This, He said, is what you heard from Me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. 6 So when they had come together, they asked Him, Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time? 7 He said to them, It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem a Sabbath day s journey away. 13 When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. 14 All these were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers. THE PASSAGE Acts 1:4-8,12-14 THE SETTING Jesus life, death, and resurrection just happened, and every event He foretold came to pass. Then, Jesus spent 40 days after His resurrection teaching His disciples about the kingdom of God. He promised that the Holy Spirit would come to give them the power to be witnesses of the gospel to the world. Christ then ascended into heaven, and the disciples waited and prepared to receive the power Christ promised. For free online training on how to lead a group visit MinistryGrid.com/web/ BibleStudiesForLife 1 SESSION 1

3 PREPARE LEADER LIVE IT OUT How Does It Affect Me? Acts 1:4-8,12-14 It doesn t take long to realize that living the life Christ has called you to without His power is impossible. Leading a group may seem impossible too. Many leaders feel intimidated or pressured to have all the answers, be perfect, and offer the solution to every problem. We quickly realize that no one can do all of those things. So, what do we do? There are two major options. 1. You can try to become the all-knowing, perfect, and wise leader who gets frustrated and burnt out trying to do it on your own; 2. You can realize that your calling is to depend more on the power of the Holy Spirit than on your own power as you prepare to lead students into God s Word. As you prepare for this session, pray and ask God to give you peace, confidence, and humility to trust His Spirit to guide you. Y Take a few minutes and complete the Culture section on page 13, then apply it in your life. Remember, we are not called to live this life on our own power; we are called to trust and live in the power of the Holy Spirit. 1 Prepare: As you prepare for this session, take a moment to allow the truth of Scripture to challenge your heart. God works in our hearts as we teach others His Word. ONE CONVERSATION Scripture: Acts 1:4-8,12-14 Topic: Unstoppable Mission THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: Living the Christian life on our own is not only difficult, it s impossible. Thankfully, when the Holy Spirit came, He empowered the disciples for a mission that was unstoppable. From one small dot on a map, they took Christ s message across the world, and we continue this mission today. Christ never expected us to live this impossible life on our own power. Jesus lived His earthly life connected to and empowered by God. Jesus lived and died in a way that no person could, so we can live in the freedom of His grace and power. THE POINT: The Holy Spirit empowers us to spread the gospel. What are some promises we wait for in life? What does it look like to wait on the Lord? Why is the order of Jesus promise so important (Receive Power, Be Witnesses, Tell Everyone)? Discuss the following quote: Christ said it is better for us that the Spirit came, and I want to live like I know that is true. I don t want to keep crawling when I have the ability to fly. 1 Francis Chan 1. Francis Chan, Forgotten God Quotes, Good Reads [accessed September 2015]. Available from the Internet: LIVE IT OUT: Your student has been encouraged to take practical steps to take his or her faith and Live It Out in the Personal Study Guide. Here are some ways you can encourage your students to live out their faith with Christ personally, in community, and in their culture CHRIST: Encourage your student to set aside time to read and study God s Word using the Bible Reading Plan in the Personal Study Guide. COMMUNITY: Create a prayer list as a family about what you re asking God to do in your family, city, nation, and world. Pray together as a family over that list to be unified and growing together in prayer. CULTURE: Discuss how the different promises of the Holy Spirit will change your student s daily life this week. How will your student live out His or Her faith confidently because of the power and promise of the Holy Spirit? 2 Follow Up: Don t forget to copy or text a picture of the One Conversation section to parents after the session. This will equip them for further family discussion. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 2

4 ENGAGE (15 MINUTES) 1 Engage: Begin the session with one or more of the Engage Options on the next page. (This is optional.) THE POINT 2 3 Discuss: Ask students, When was something in your life definitely worth the wait? Guide: Call attention to The Point. Come back to it throughout the session. THE HOLY SPIRIT EMPOWERS US TO SPREAD THE GOSPEL. THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE Maybe we re impatient or maybe we re influenced by a world of instant gratification, but when we want something, we want it now! Two minutes waiting in the fast food drive-thru line. Too long. Eight seconds to reheat a Krispy Kreme donut. Forget it. Fifteen seconds for a movie to stream to your computer. Just read a book. However, some things are worth waiting for. The fine craftsmanship that goes into a new iphone. 4 5 Read: Summarize this for your group. Pray: Transition into the session by praying that students would trust in God s faithfulness. FAC T: THE LIGHT BULB WAS A 70-YEAR- OLD INVENTION BY THE TIME THOMAS EDISON STARTED DEVELOPING THE CARBON FILAMENT. PEOPLE HAD BEEN WAITING 70 YEARS FOR DEPENDABLE ELECTRIC LIGHT BEFORE EDISON MADE IT A REALITY. The right moment for the perfect prom-posal. The crisp, clean feeling of a new driver s license featuring your picture. Some things are just worth the time it takes to get them. Jesus told His disciples the same thing at the end of His ministry on earth, wait. He was about to give every believer an incredible gift: the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. They couldn t have fully appreciated what that meant at the time, but they waited nonetheless. When the Holy Spirit came, He empowered the disciples for a mission that was unstoppable. From one small dot on a map, they took Christ s message across the world, and we continue this mission today. The gift of the Holy Spirit was worth the wait. 3 SESSION 1 3 SESSION 1

5 ENGAGE OPTIONS LEAD WITH ACTION Search the Internet for How to Play the Human Knot Game. Spend a few minutes letting students play as you guide them though the process. When students have completed the game, say, It s amazing what we can do when we work together. God empowered every believer through the Holy Spirit to spread the gospel everywhere we go. He created us to do this together as His body. Today we will see what it looks like when the church lives in the power of God and works together to spread His Word. LEAD WITH ATMOSPHERE Before students arrive place several electronic items around the room, but don t plug them in. Invite students to use these items. As they begin to try and use them with little success, ask them what is wrong. When they tell you they have no power, say, Sadly, this is how most Christians live their lives for Christ. They live without trusting the power God gave them to fulfill His purpose in their lives. Today we will talk about how God has empowered us to share the gospel. LEAD WITH MEDIA Search the Internet for the Marshmallow Test Short. As you begin the session, play the video. Say, Sometimes it can be incredibly difficult to wait for something we desperately want, even when we can trust that it will arrive. NOTE: Always make sure you preview any video clip you show students and ensure that it is appropriate for your church and ministry. SECOND OPTION You may have more than one group or enough people in your group to form multiple teams. This is a great opportunity to create fun competition by offering a prize to the first team to untangle the human knot. Say, It s amazing what we can do when we work together. It s even more amazing how quickly we can accomplish things when we have a sense of urgency. Today we will see what happens when the church lives in the power of God and urgently works to spread the gospel. FOR YOUNGER STUDENTS Turn off the lights in the room and direct students to find their seats. Start the lesson. Find a few tasks for them to try and complete. As students struggle to complete tasks in the dark, turn on the lights. Say, It s tough to complete a task when we lack the power to do it. It s amazing how much easier it is to complete a task when you use the power you have. LEADER PACK ELEMENTS If you have the optional Leader Pack, consider one of the following: ITEM 1: Use the Unstoppable Gospel unit poster to start the lesson. ITEM 2: Play the Unit 1 Session 1 DVD opener to get everyone on the same page. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 4

6 IMPART (10 MINUTES) 1 2 Read: Invite a student to read the passage aloud. Read: Explain this section for your students. ACTS 1:4-5 The life of a Christian is not just difficult, it s impossible. Following Jesus means Loving people even when they hate you. Doing the right thing at school, even when it affects your grades. Forgiving people who don t deserve it. "We can't live this impossible life on our own power. Christ died so we can live in the freedom of His grace and power." #BSFL Guide: Encourage students to use social media as a platform to share their faith publicly. Do: Direct students to complete the activity, then discuss the question as a group. Read: Enlist a few volunteers to read the following section aloud. Discuss: Take a few minutes to discuss this question in light of what you just learned. What are three of the most difficult aspects of the Christian life for you to live out personally? When Jesus called us to this impossible life, He never sugarcoated how difficult it would be. He said: Those wanting to follow Him must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow Him. Luke 9:23 His followers will endure suffering. John 16:33 Christ never expected us to live this impossible life on our own power. Jesus lived His earthly life connected to and empowered by God. Jesus lived and died in a way that no person could, so that we can live in the freedom of His grace and power. WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO WAIT ON THE LORD?? In Acts 1:4-5, Jesus told His followers of a gift He promised earlier the Holy Spirit. At Pentecost, the Spirit would descend on believers, empowering them to preach the gospel. From that moment forward, God s people would be connected with Him like never before. It s impossible to live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit. All aspects of our lives require the Holy Spirit s empowerment! From prayer, to growth, to hearing God s Word, the Holy Spirit empowers us to know God, enjoy Him, and make Him known. Our purpose, fulfillment, impact, and comfort are all bound up in God s Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the mark of a saved life and the guarantee of a promised future. Power this vast shouldn t be contained or hidden. 5 SESSION 1 5 SESSION 1

7 COMMENTARY ACTS 1:4-5 While He was together with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father s promise. This, He said, is what you heard from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now. ACTS 1:4-5 [Verse 4] Jesus promised to empower us with the Holy Spirit. After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples on multiple occasions. In one such instance, all of the disciples (except Judas Iscariot, who committed suicide on the day of Jesus death) were in Jerusalem. Jesus stayed with them, which might indicate they shared a meal or may simply refer to a gathering. Whatever the occasion, Jesus appeared in their midst to prepare them for what would come. During that meeting, He ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem. Something Jesus previously taught His disciples was soon to happen in Jerusalem. Thus, the disciples were to wait in the holy city for the Father s promise to be fulfilled. [Verse 5] Though God s people had known about God s Spirit for centuries, their knowledge was more of a distant awareness than a personal experience. In their minds, this mysterious Spirit probably seemed to operate unpredictably. Throughout the Old Testament we read accounts of how the Holy Spirit powerfully came upon a specific person for a specific time for a specific purpose. Still, these times were exceptions rather than the norm. A special filling from the Spirit was reserved for certain people at certain times, but not for all of God s people all of the time. Centuries before Jesus was born God decreed that one day His Spirit would not be limited to select persons (Isa. 32:15; 44:3; Joel 2:28 32). "We can't live this impossible life on our own power. Christ died so we can live in the freedom of His grace and power." #BSFL During His earthly ministry, Jesus also told His disciples about God s promise. Jesus noted that the Spirit s ministry in the world and among believers would include convicting of sin, revealing truth, counseling and guiding, teaching, and testifying about Jesus. Jesus also emphasized that He would have to go away in order for the Spirit to come. Soon, both events would happen Jesus departure and the Spirit s arrival. A great way to connect with students is to share stories. Take time to talk about a moment in your life when you realized that you needed the Holy Spirit s power every day to live in obedience. During His post-resurrection meeting with them, Jesus helped His disciples understand more about their coming encounter with the Spirit. Jesus related it to a baptism, which many of them probably experienced from John the Baptist. In contrast to John s baptism with water, the disciples would soon be baptized with the Holy Spirit. Most likely the reference to John the Baptist was a reminder of what the prophet proclaimed about Jesus that He would baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16). While future believers would continue to follow Jesus example of physical baptism to identify as His disciples, they would also experience this spiritual baptism to enable them to live in obedience to God s commands and carry out His mission of leading more people to become His disciples. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 6

8 IMPART (10 MINUTES) 1 Read: Invite a student to read the passage Read: Summarize this section. Discuss: Before reading further, allow students to think about the order of Jesus promises. Read: Enlist a few volunteers to read the following section. Guide: Help your students understand that the same Holy Spirit in Scripture is still alive and active in the life of every believer. Do: Direct students to read the quote and thoughtfully answer the question. Discuss their answers. ACTS 1:6-8 Like we often do, the disciples focused on earthly plans instead of eternal purpose, asking Jesus if the Spirit s coming meant Israel would experience political restoration. Jesus didn t correct them; instead, He refocused them on the mission He called His people to carry out. Jesus said that when the Holy Spirit came, we would: RECEIVE POWER: The Greek word for power is dunamis. Words like dynamite and dynamic come from it. This power from the Holy Spirit caused a few believers to turn the world upside down with the gospel. BE WITNESSES: They were witnesses to the power of Jesus while He was on earth and witnesses to the power that would soon come to them through the Holy Spirit. The mission of every believer is simple: Tell the world how the gospel of Christ has changed your life. TELL EVERYONE: Jesus made the expansion plan clear: Start at home and keep moving outward until everyone hears the gospel. The faithfulness of these believers is evident now. Even the chance to study God s Word is a result of believers spreading the gospel in the power of the Spirit and moving outward. You were once someone s, "ends of the earth." The same Spirit who descended on believers at Pentecost and turned the world upside down for Jesus is alive today in those who place their faith in Christ. This means that whether you re on a mission trip, the Internet, or at school, you can carry the gospel to the ends of the earth in your own neighborhoods. We are empowered to be on mission to our city, nation, and world. WHY IS THE ORDER OF JESUS PROMISE SO IMPORTANT (RECEIVE POWER, BE WITNESSES, TELL EVERYONE)?? "Contrary to our superficial thinking, there never was a distinction in his [Jesus ] mind between home and foreign missions. To Jesus it was all world evangelism." 1 Robert Coleman How does this statement challenge the way you think about spreading the gospel to the world? 1. "Robert E. Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism, Second Edition (Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 2010), 18." BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 6 7 SESSION 1

9 COMMENTARY ACTS 1:6-8 So when they had come together, they asked Him, Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time? He said to them, It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. ACTS 1:6-8 [Verse 6] The Spirit empowers us to be His witnesses locally and globally. When the disciples met with Jesus, they once again asked about the kingdom they anticipated. Like most Jews they looked forward to a political kingdom where they would be free from the foreign rule they had known for centuries. But the disciples especially anticipated a future where everyone would know the power and glory Israel experienced under David and Solomon. This was what they expected with Jesus the Messiah on the throne. As the disciples met with Jesus after His resurrection, they again asked about the coming kingdom hoping it was the right time for their dream to become reality. Great group leaders strive to be great discussion leaders. Create a safe environment where every student can be open and honest. [Verse 7] Jesus didn t reply to the primary focus of their question their hope for Israel s worldwide prominence. Instead, He emphasized that times and seasons were none of their concern. Dates were not important for the disciples to know. Jesus noted that the dates God the Father has fixed are His alone to know. Previously, Jesus noted that even He didn t know the specific day or hour of the end (Mark 13:32). [Verse 8] It was important, however, for the disciples to understand the kingdom that was coming and how it impacted them and others. Unlike the kingdom the disciples imagined, God s kingdom was different from all earthly kingdoms where powerful human kings sat on thrones for a time. Instead, God s kingdom is focused on the eternal, immortal, invisible God ruling in human lives. It is about God s Spirit living in those who trust Jesus as Savior and Lord. Break down the importance being empowered by the Holy Spirit. How would our actions change if we lived in that power daily? The kingdom of God is about the power of God enabling the people of God to fulfill the mission of God. This power is unlike anything Rome or any other nation ever possessed. It is the supernatural capability and potential demonstrated in the miracles of Jesus, including His resurrection from the dead. Jesus promised this same power to His followers. Jesus promise was not a statement of wishful thinking, but rather one of fact it would happen. His power was not given for their benefit so they could be prominent or dominant but so they could be His witnesses. This was also a certainty. Jesus promised to empower His followers to enable them to share a testimony with others about their experiences with Him. With these brief words Jesus didn t explain everything the disciples wanted to know about the kingdom, but He did tell them all that they needed to know about the kingdom and their role in it. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 8

10 IMPART (10 MINUTES) 1 2 Do: Allow time for students to finish optional Action Point (p. 7) in the PSG. Read: Ask a student read the passage for group. ACTS 1:12-14 What did the disciples do while they waited on God s promise? They met together and prayed. Not for a quick meeting, but they prayed continually and waited 10 days until the gift of the Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost. We often view prayer as an alternative to taking action, but the disciples knew better. They realized that prayer is the greatest single action believers can take to prepare our hearts to see God do great things. Three things are clear in these verses: HOW IS PRAYING WITH OTHERS FOR A SPECIFIC MISSION DIFFERENT FROM PRAYING ALONE?? Read: Summarize this section. Discuss: Lead students to discuss the question. Read: Guide different students read each section. Do: Direct students to complete the Action Point. Prayer is primary. Usually, we treat prayer like a last resort. Prayer wasn t a last resort for the early church or just an agenda item it was the agenda. Prayer is designed as the primary power source for believers, not simply a backup system for emergencies. Prayer brings courage. For all the disciples knew, the same people who crucified their Lord might come for them as well. Courage in the face of fear pushed the early church to dive into prayer. In times of anxiety and fear, when we fall at the feet of Christ, He will raise us up in faith and power. Prayer unites believers. The disciples were united in prayer. They were single-minded and joined together as one. Continual prayer encourages us to prioritize God s plan over our own. Disunity and conflict often happen because so many Christians fight for their own plans instead of God s purpose. When the church prays as one, great things happen. ACTION POINT The Force is prominent in the Star Wars movie series. It can be used to enhance natural abilities or increase mental power. It also has a "dark side" that feeds on fear, anger, and hate. Unfortunately, there are those who embrace it for their benefit. The Force is not personal, nor does it have a will or plan. It is simply a force. Sometimes we mistakenly view the Holy Spirit this way. We fail to see God's Spirit as a teacher and transformer who empowers us to do God's will, instead seeing Him as an impersonal "force" that exists for our benefit. Read this passage again, and list characteristics that show the Holy Spirit is a personal, loving, and transformational God. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 8 9 SESSION 1

11 COMMENTARY ACTS 1:12-14 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem a Sabbath day s journey away. When they arrived, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. All these were continually united in prayer, along with the women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, and His brothers. ACTS 1:12-14 [Verse 12-13] Prayer unites believers in our focus on Christ and His mission. The disciples meeting with Jesus and His subsequent ascension to heaven took place on the Mount of Olives, which was just east of Jerusalem (Acts 1:9 12). Luke noted it was a Sabbath day s journey away, or about three-fourths of a mile. This was simply a Jewish reference of distance and doesn t imply the meeting was on the Sabbath. Once in the city, the eleven disciples went to the upper room where they were staying. It was likely a large room on the top floor of a large house. The fact that the disciples stayed there suggests it was where they slept and met with other believers. If an activity is going well, spend more time on it. Never let it take over the entire session, but use it as a tool to better connect students with the material. [Verse 14] Following the ascension, prayer became constant for the disciples. With one accord they devoted themselves to prayer. The word devoted suggests more than occasional or brief prayers, it portrays the believers as being intense and persistent in their praying. The disciples witnessed Jesus being intensely devoted to prayer and His example was important to their prayer as well. Exactly what the disciples prayed is unknown, but whatever the content of their prayers, the disciples were of one accord. This means they had the same heart and commitment, which was to glorify God and fulfill His purpose. They may have prayed for unity (just as Jesus prayed for them on the night before His death John 17:20 23), but certainly they experienced unity as a result of their ongoing praying together. Jesus emphasis and the example of His followers in the days before Pentecost remind us of what believers are to do and how we are to do it in our day. Our priority is to be witnesses for Jesus sharing the truth about God, sin, and salvation, and our testimony of what we have experienced (forgiveness of sins Connecting with and eternal life) through faith in Christ. This is what the Holy Spirit empowered us to do. But students outside we don t do this alone prayer keeps us connected with God so we can receive and walk of group (school in His wisdom, strength, and guidance for the mission. And unity with other believers in events, group parties, fellowship and in prayer gives us the family we need for the support and encouragement activities, etc.) we need to keep moving forward as we work together to spread the gospel. communicates how much you love and value them. Try it this week! BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 10

12 IMPACT (10 MINUTES) 1 Discuss: Read and discuss the quote with students. 2 Guide: Use the Christ section of the Live It Out section along with the Bible Reading Plan to help students develop a personal plan to spend time in God s Word daily. (Develop a plan for your group to remind one another to spend time in God s Word and share all God is teaching you.) BIBLE READING PLAN LIVE IT OUT CHRIST SAID IT IS BETTER FOR US THAT THE SPIRIT CAME, AND I WANT TO LIVE LIKE I KNOW THAT IS TRUE. I DON'T WANT TO KEEP CRAWLING WHEN I HAVE THE ABILITY TO FLY. 2 FRANCIS CHAN CHRIST Living in the power of the Holy Spirit starts with spending time in God s Word and prayer. When we study His Word and spend time with Him, the Spirit begins to work more and more in our lives. This week, make personal time with God a priority. Set aside 15 to 30 minutes a day to read God s Word and pray about what is on your heart. 3 Guide: This is an excellent time to encourage students to make unity and mission a priority in your group. DAY 1: AC TS 1:1-26 DAY 2: AC TS 2:1-24 DAY 3: ACTS 2:25-47 DAY 4: AC TS 3:1-26 DAY 5: ACTS 4:1-22 DAY 6: AC T S 4:23-5:11 COMMUNITY Make prayer a priority with your group, not an afterthought. Create a prayer list as a group based on Acts 1:8. Pray for each item together as a group. We re praying for our schools, that You would. We re praying for our city, that You would. We re praying for our nation, that You would. We re praying for our world, that You would. DAY 7: ACTS 5: Francis Chan, Forgotten God Quotes, Good Reads [accessed September 2015]. Available from the Internet: 9 SESSION 1 11 SESSION 1

13 IMPACT CULTURE This may be the first time you have realized that the Holy Spirit empowers Christians to share the gospel. Read each of the verses below. How can the Holy Spirit make a difference in your life through each of these promises? HOW DOES IT AFFECT ME? 4 Guide: The Culture section allows you to encourage students to apply this session to their lives this week. Spend time applying their answers to real life situations they will face this week. EPHESIANS 1:13 He guarantees our salvation. ROMANS 8:26 He prays for us when we do not know what to pray. GALATIANS 5:22-23 He makes our hearts and actions more like Christ. 5 Pray: Close in prayer, asking God to remind each student of their access to His limitless power when they trust in Him. Pray for them by name and ask God to empower them to share the Gospel beyond their abilities. 2 CORINTHIANS 3:17 He is our freedom. 1 CORINTHIANS 2:12-16 He helps us distinguish God s wisdom from the world s wisdom. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 10 6 Follow Up: This week, connect with your students via , text, a written card, or social media to remind them of their value, purpose, and the incredible power God has given them in Himself. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE 12