Week of 12-6-15 A Most Unlikely Guest JOY OVERFLOWS IN CHANGED BEHAVIOR Wealth doesn t bring joy What is joy? What does joy look like in your life? Agree or Disagree your opinion of God will determine your joy. In Luke 19, we see a Most Unlikely Guest visit and stay at the house of the rich tax collector, Zacchaeus. As a result of this encounter, this guest left behind a most unlikely response joy. Read Luke 19-1:3 As Christ entered the city in Jericho, an interruption took place right in the path of the Savior. How did Christ handle this interruption? How did Zacchaeus handle it? Today, we are rich in many ways; however, many are deprived of true joy. Where do people look for joy? Is joy found in temporary things or eternal things? Why? What is standing in your way of seeing Jesus as your true source of joy and salvation? Jesus brings joy. Read Luke 19:4-6 Verse 6 states that Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus joyfully. Notice there was not a word spoken by Zacchaeus, no cheer, no yelling, nothing just the expression of joy. What are some moments in your life when you were overcome with joy? What are some moments in your life when you were overcome with joy in Christ? How was your joy different during both of those times? Do others see the Joy of Christ on display in your life? Jesus had a purpose for being at Zacchaeus house it wasn t so Zacchaeus could have a special guest or be recognized in the community. The greater purpose was a relationship that resulted in joy. Actions reflect your joy Read Luke 19:7-10 Verse 7 states all who saw it began to complain. Why did the people complain? Some of the people may have complained because they were jealous that Jesus did not come to their homes. How have you seen other Christians act this way? How did Zacchaeus demonstrate his joy? Why would this have been so amazing to others? Why would someone else see this as evidence of his joy? How has the gift of salvation brought you joy? What are you doing to display that joy? Wrap it up Encourage the students to either e-mail or text each other this week with words of encouragement and praises of joy. Zacchaeus was overwhelmed with joy and was willing to give half of his possessions to the poor. As you go through the week, focus each day on doing something for someone else. In what ways has Jesus changed your life? Has the impact of what Jesus has done for you made a change in the way you live? If so, how?
Week of 12-13-2015 The Desire to Aquire TRYING TO FIND CONTENTMENT IN STUFF IS DANGEROUS Wrong Priorities False Security In Luke 12, Jesus spoke to a gathering of many thousands of people (v.1) While talking to the masses, there was an interruption in the form of a request from an individual asking Christ to demand that his brother give him his half of the family inheritance. Read Luke 12:13-15 By calling Christ Teacher the man was acknowledging that like a Rabbi, Jesus was someone that could render a judgement (v. 14) in moral dilemmas if He wanted to. Do you turn to Christ when you have a moral dilemma? Do you value your material possessions as more important than acknowledging the completeness of Christ? Self Dependence Read Luke 12:16-19 Jesus seized the opportunity to take a simple question and turn it into a change to minister not only to the individual but to the entire crowd. What happens when trying to find contentment in stuff? When you have been given much what do you rend to do? Do you keep things to yourself or do you share you wealth? What did Jesus say was the most important? Why is the philosophy of eat, drink, and enjoy yourself so prevalent today? What is your greatest ambition in life? Read Luke 12:20-21 In the Expositor s Bible Commentary it states Fool is not used lightly by like in the Old Testament sense of one who rejects the knowledge and precepts of God as a basis for life Do you tend to put material things and the temporary joy they may bring before the ultimate and eternal joy that is found in Christ? In verse 21 and in Matthew 6:19 the masses are given a warning about what happens to those who store up treasures. Those things will rot away. What can we learn from these two verses? Wrap It Up What is the main lesson from this parable? This week before you spend time with your stuff, what would it look like if you spent time with your creator? How could making this time a priority affect your attitude toward the rest of your stuff? How can you be truly rich in God? What steps could you take this week to increase your spiritual riches?
Week of 12-20-2015 Guilt or Gift? UNCONFESSED SIN WILL KEEP YOU FROM BEING JOYFUL Sins rob our Joy Do you experience remorse only when you are caught doing something wrong or do you get upset when you realize you have done something wrong? Read Psalm 51:6 David recalled that God desires integrity and that it was God who taught him wisdom. In his moment of sin, however, David abandoned his integrity and wisdom. What is integrity to you? How does the world define it? What do you think it means to seek wisdom from God? How do you do that? Within this prayer/confession we see that David realized that those who give themselves over to sin are foolish; those who have God s passion int heir hearts are wise. Confession restore our Joy What does it mean to confess your sins? Read Psalm 51:7-9 Hyssop was a plant used in cleansing ceremonies. David knew his sin and he was aware of his guilt, so he did what we do often he was repetitive in his prayer. The repetition was used to emphasize David s deep desire for God s cleansing. When have you cried out to God like this? In verse 8, David said let the bones you have crushed rejoice. A shepherd would do anything to keep his sheep close by, even break a leg. David was petitioning the same of God. Crush me so that I might rejoice. God Completes our Joy. Read Psalm 51:10-12 David asked the Lord for a clean heart (v10) What did he mean by that? How does sin affect our relationship with God? In verse 12, David asked the Lord to restore the joy of his salvation. In what ways does experiencing God s grace and forgiveness restore our joy? Is there a need for your joy to be restored? How can we pray for you right now? If you followed David s pattern for prayer, how different would your prayer life be? Wrap it Up How has covering up sin in your life backfired? How have you experienced God s grace and mercy when you have confessed your sin? Are your prayers impacted by your life, or is you life impacted by your prayers? What s the difference? For each student, provide a 4x6 card upson which you have printed the text of Psalm 51:6-12. Encourage students to use the back of the card to record their prayers to God during the week.
Week of 12-27-2015 Take A Look Around GOD HAS BEEN SO GOOD TO US His Creation What causes you to rejoice? What do you think causes God to rejoice? Did you know that you can put a smile on God s face? Read Zephaniah 3:17 God is a warrior fighting for His children. He rejoices over and delights in those who belong to Him. How does a truth like that impact the way you see God and the way you think about yourself? As His child, you bring a sense of gladness to the Lord; you put a smile on the face of the Creator of the universe. What is your reaction to the idea that God sings or rejoices over you? God delights in you! The Lord is proud of you! Faith and obedience Read Hebrews 11:6 What pleases God? Why do you think it is impossible to please God without faith? How are you drawing near to God on a daily basis? Is you personal time with the Lord deepening your faith and your desire to obey? Read 3 John 4. What does this verse mean to you? How can you walk in the truth of God s word? How do you know if you are walking in a manner that pleases God? When sinners repent Read Luke 15:1-10 What is a parable? Why was it important for Christ to communicate this way? A parable can be described as an earthly store with a heavenly meaning. What is the meaning of this parable? What type of rejoicing is described in verse 7-10? How is it even possible for there to be more joy in heaven? Heaven rejoices when one person repents of sin. Offer an opportunity for student to repent of sin by using the plan on salvation materials in the KNOWN leader guide or student book. WRAP IT UP How has your understanding of joy and contentment changed as a result of our study this month? What could you do this week to honor God and bring Him joy? What is a proper response when you realize that God is rejoicing over you? Spend several minutes, either in worship or in a time of prayer, allowing students to express their praise and adoration of God. Encourage students to express their gratitude and love for God.
Week of 08-30-2015 OUR LIFE BECAUSE CHRIST LIVES IN YOU, YOU ARE TO BEHAVE IN A GODLY MANNER THAT REFLECTS HIM. WE ARE CALLED TO CHANGE OUR ACTIONS. Blindfold a student and instruct him or her to walk around the room and find a seat without bumping into anyone or receiving any assistance. Allow the student to stumble or bump into a few pieces of furniture, then remove the blindfold. How did it feel to navigate around the room in the dark? Did you bump into anything? How did that make you feel? Were you frustrated? Read Ephesians 4: 17-19. List words and phrases Paul used to characterize people who are without Christ. How do people who live in this kind of darkness treat others? (In darkness, we focus on ourselves and our needs and desires.) How should becoming a Christian change our behavior? As Christians, we have the light of Christ and are no longer blind or ignorant. We shouldn t walk as the world does; we should walk in the light according to God s standards. How can departing from God s standards and purpose harm your life or others? What has happened in your life when you ve departed? What is the world s measure of success? How does it compare to God s standards for our lives? CHRIST HAS GIVEN BELIEVERS A NEW NATURE. Read Ephesians 4: 20-24. As Christians, we are to put on a different wardrobe. We must take off the old behaviors and put on the new self. We aren t supposed to behave like the rest of the world. There is a difference between worldly and godly behavior. Is there a worldly characteristic that dominates your life? Explain. In what areas of your life are you living according to the world s standards rather than God s? What changes do you need to make this week to better reflect God s standard? On an Old Nature New Nature scale, where are you currently living? Are you clothed in righteousness and living according to God s standards in all parts of your life? Or are you the old self, corrupted and only concerned with your own desires? OUR LIVES SHOULD BE CHARACTERIZED BY TRUTH. Read Ephesians 4: 25-28. According to this passage, what behaviors or qualities should a Christian possess? Pick one quality and work together to create a public service announcement informing Christians about the importance of embodying that characteristic. Take a few minutes and evaluate your own life. As a leader, your students are constantly watching you. Many teens today see hypocrisy in the church, which causes them to be somewhat jaded. Your faithfulness to live authentically cannot be overemphasized. Ask yourself if you are modeling a life of truth. What does it mean to you to speak the truth? When are we supposed to speak the truth? Does this apply to every topic? Explain. OUR WORDS AND ATTITUDES SHOULD REFLECT CHRIST. Read Ephesians 4: 29-32 What behaviors or qualities should a Christian possess?