Sunday Curriculum Choose Spring 2018
Kickstart: Week 1 Choosing Faith Hand out cards to each student in your group. Have each student write down something that they follow or someone they are a fan of. (examples: sports team, particular actor, artist, musician, video game, tv show, etc.) Collect the cards and show 1 or 3 cards to the group. Ask them: what do you think of what s written of the card? Are there good reasons to follow them? Like what? Are there reasons not to? Discussion: (Keep in mind the speaker will explain the scripture reference in his/her teaching, so please do not reexplain the scripture.) 1. In our world, we talk about following a particular music group or sports team. What does that mean? When someone follows (one of the things mentioned on the cards), what are they doing? We pay attention to their work. We care about what happens to them. We commit our own efforts to them, attending their games, concerts, watching their shows, or playing their video games. 2. When we talk about following Jesus, is it the same thing? In what way? How is it different? We pay attention, we care, we commit our efforts, all much the same. But with Jesus there is a return on the investment, he is real in our lives; he communicates with us. The Speaker will explain verses Numbers 13:27-33, 14:1-4, and Joshua 4:14-18 3. Read Joshua 24:14-15. The Israelites had to make a choice. What choice did they have to make? (whether they were going to serve the Lord, and if not which god they were going to serve. 4. What was Joshua s personal decision? (he and his family will serve the Lord). 5. Why might serving the Lord seem undesirable?
6. What other gods exist in our culture? There are many religions within our society, so we could talk about different gods of island, Hinduism, etc. But when we enlarge our thinking to the forces that people serve, we get some gods that are truly tempting to us. 7. Read verse 16-18. What did the Israelites decide and why? (they chose to serve the Lord, because of all he had done for them.)
Week 2 Choosing Faith Instructions: Read the following scriptures and answer the questions. Discussion: a. Matthew 19:16-22 Who had a choice to make? This rich man What were the options? He could sell everything and live a poor life with Jesus or stay rich but miss out on the eternal life Jesus was offering. What choice was made? He decided to stay rich in earthly possessions, but not to follow Jesus. Why do you think this choice was made? The text says it s because he owned a lot of stuff. Apparently, he was willing to do certain religious things to gain eternal life, but his wealth was too precious. b. John 6:66-68 Who had a choice to make? The twelve disciples are the focus. What were the options? Leaving, like many other followers, or staying with Jesus. What choice was made? Peter speaks on behalf of the others when he says they are staying. Why do you think this choice was made? Where else are they going to go? Jesus has the words of eternal life. He is the Holy One of God. What would you do? c. In some of these passages, Jesus seems to make it very hard to follow him. Why does he do that? Do you really have to be homeless to follow Jesus? Do you have to reject your family? Do you have to sell your possessions?
Week 3 Choose Your Reaction Instructions: Read the following scriptures and answer the questions. Discussion: a. Proverbs 3:5-12 When we trust the Lord, following his ways, he provides direction and blessing. Discipline and delight are both interesting words in the text. How does God discipline us? Why does he need to? What are some consequences of not trusting in God? Provide examples. b. Matthew 7:17-27 This is a tough talk from Jesus, who says that our actions reveal our character. Like trees, we bear fruit according to what kind of people we are. It is not just claiming to be a Christian that counts, its committing ourselves to doing what he wants, building our lives on his words. Does this mean that we earn heaven through our actions? (no) What does it mean for Christians to bear fruit? (Galatians 5:22) What is the outcome of when you bear fruit? c. Galatians 6:7-10 We reap what we plant. If we try to please our own passions, we will reap destruction. But if we cultivate a life led by God s spirit, we will reap spiritual blessings. What does it mean to sow into the spirit? Are we making fun of God when we live in a way that ignores him? How can you sow into your relationship with God?
Kickstart: Week 4 Call to Action Instructions: Discuss the following questions. One testimony video will be showed. 1. Aaron s dad left the family just a year and a half before the interview. How did he feel about that? He talks about shock, pain and sense of betrayal. He was upset with both God and his father. It would be hard to forgive to his dad. Have you ever felt abandoned? Explain. 2. How hard would it be to forgive his father? How do you think he got to the place where he could do that? Aaron said, I really prayed about it a lot and felt God tugging my heart and softening my heart toward my dad, almost giving me a feeling of sorrow for him. I feel bad for the mistakes he has made, but he is my father and regardless of how much respect I lost for him, I still love him. Are there people in your life you do not want to forgive? Why aren t you forgiving them? If your struggling to forgive someone who hurt you, don t rush the process. It takes time and prayer. It is a choice you make to turn justice into mercy. 3. Aaron says his relationship with God actually grew stronger. How do you think he was able to work through his doubt and anger? Aaron says he felt God becoming a father to him, when he needed a father. 4. Marcus Goodloe said that forgiveness not only releases the person from the burden of the offense towards you but it enlightens us, it lifts us, it moves us from the past into the future. What does he mean by that?
Week 5 Call to Action Instructions: Discuss the following questions. Please do not explain or re-teach the scripture, but rather a have a discussion about the following questions. 1. Read James 1:19-20. Does this describe you? Why do we do this or not do this? How can we practice this? 2. Read James 1:21 Think of the things in your life that make you do wrong. How can we take those things and do right? 3. Read James 1:22-25 Why is it difficult for us to do what the word says? How can we do what the word says? 4. Read James 1:26-27 What does the bible mean by controlling your tongue? Why is that important? Closing activity: Take time to think about the things you want to change this summer. Have each student share what that one change is. Then pray together about that change.