ALIVE: COLLIDE WEEKEND 2017
SESSION 1: ALIVE
SCRIPTURE: Ephesians 2:1-10
KEY TRUTH: God grants new life to those who surrender their lives to Jesus.
LEARNING GOALS:
●
●
Students will examine the link between sin and death and the promise of new life for believers.
Students will evaluate their own lives and commitment to Christ to determine whether they are
fully alive or spiritually dead.
CONNECT
Get students ready to learn. Introduce the session with one or both of the following activities.
YOUR WORST ENEMY
Begin by asking students to imagine their worst enemies. After a minute or two, ask: What came to mind
when I asked you to envision your worst enemy? Was it a person? A thing? A challenging task?
Allow students to respond, but be sure to lead the discussion away from specific people. To get the
conversation moving, feel free to share a personal story about your own “worst enemy” in middle or high
school.
After everyone who wants to has responded, point out the wide variety in answers. Then share that none
of those things are the worst enemy we’ll ever face. There’s nothing worse than death. It’s the ultimate
worst thing that could ever happen to us, and it’s something that we all have in common. Explain that this
session is about our common enemy and what God has done to defeat it.
ZOMBIE WALK
Using pillows and cushions, create an obstacle course for students to navigate. Explain that they have to
make it from one side to the other doing the “zombie walk.” Instruct students to close their eyes, hold their
arms straight out in front of them, and adopt a stiff-legged gait as they stagger through the course. Make
it a race by timing students to see who can finish fastest. After each student has had a turn, gather the
group together and ask the following questions:
●
●
●
What was the most challenging thing about this game? Not being able to see? Walking stiffly?
The obstacles in the way?
What could have made it easier?
How is walking like a zombie similar to walking through life without Jesus?
After students respond, point out that zombies, a.k.a. the living dead, are a mockery of true life. Though
they have the appearance of being alive, it’s clear to anyone watching that there’s no real life in them.
They stagger around without direction or purpose because they’re dead inside. Close by sharing that
apart from Christ, we are just like zombies stumbling around in the world. Though we appear to be alive,
inside we are dead. It’s only in him that we’ll ever find true, abundant, and eternal life.
EXPLORE
Lead students to study Scripture. Use the Bible study to focus on the key truth; then lead students in a
deeper discussion with the questions that follow.
BIBLE STUDY: ALIVE
Before you turn to the study, spend a few minutes in prayer for your students. Ask God to speak to you
through His word and to grant students the courage they need to respond in faithfulness.
Introduction: As human beings, we all have two things in common: at some point we were born, and at
another point we will die. Despite all our differences, we share a common enemy: death. We’re powerless
to defeat it, but the Bible promises that God has not left us to face it alone. By the power of his death and
resurrection, Jesus Christ has defeated both sin and death once and for all for those who believe in him.
Read Ephesians 2:1-10. Use the following outline as a guide to lead students in a discussion of the text.
1. Before trusting Jesus, we are dead people walking in sin (Ephesians 2:1-3).
Ask: What exactly is sin? Can you define it in your own words? Discuss answers with
students, then share the following information about sin.
●
●
●
●
●
Sin is a rejection of God and His ways. It’s any behavior, action, or thought that is
contrary to His will. (1 John 3:4)
Sin always leads to death. (Romans 6:23a)
Everyone (except Jesus) is a sinner. (Romans 3:23)
Because everyone sins, and sin leads to death, everyone dies. (Romans 5:12)
Therefore, without Jesus, we are as good as dead. (John 3:36b)
Reread Ephesians 2:1-3. In these verses, Paul, the author of Ephesians, says that when people
are in sin, they are basically dead. The death that he’s talking about isn’t just physical. It’s
spiritual. When we are apart from Christ, our spirits are lifeless.
Take a few minutes to list some of the characteristics of things that are physically dead
(Examples: Dead things rot, smell, and decay. Things that are dead have no future or purpose to
fulfill.) Then, using Eph. 2:1-3, list some of the characteristics of spiritual death:
●
●
●
●
Those who are spiritually dead are marred by sin. Their lives are filled with things that
displease God, and they’re stuck in a pattern of sinfulness (Ephesians 2:1).
Those who are spiritually dead follow the ways of the world. They are guided by
what is popular and culturally acceptable rather than the word of God (Ephesians 2:2).
Those who are spiritually dead are deceived by Satan. They are constantly being led
astray by Satan, who is a master of manipulation and deception (Ephesians 2:2).
Those who are spiritually dead are controlled by the flesh. They believe that if it feels
good, it must be right, so they do it without concern for consequences (Ephesians 2:3).
●
Those who are spiritually dead are subject to God’s wrath and bound for
destruction. They will face judgment for the sin that has marred their souls, and the
punishment for sin is eternal separation from God in hell (Ephesians 2:3).
Paul paints a very vivid picture of what it looks like to live without Christ. He says that life without
Jesus isn’t real life at all. It’s an imitation of the real deal. People who are in sin may look like
they’re living it up, but in reality, they’re digging their own graves.
Illustration: Without Jesus Christ, we’re like cell phones that have never been plugged in.
Eventually, our batteries will run out, and we’ll die. Jesus is the giver of all life, but sin makes it
impossible for us to connect to him. If we want to live fully alive, we must repent from our sin, plug
into him, and allow his power to flow through us. Without that life-giving, resurrecting power in our
lives, we will surely die.
2. But God is more powerful than sin and death (Ephesians 2:4-5).
On our own, we’re powerless to make the move from death to life. It’s only by God’s tremendous
grace and mercy that we stand a chance. He’s the only one who can conquer death.
Reread Ephesians 2:4-5. Ask: What’s the difference between mercy and grace? After students
respond, share the following definitions.
●
●
●
Justice: Getting what you deserve. Since death is a consequence of sin, and we’re all
sinners, we all deserve death.
Mercy: Not getting what you deserve. The just punishment for sin is death, but God
shows us mercy by withholding punishment.
Grace: Getting something better than you deserve. Not only does God keep us from
eternal death, but he gives us eternal life instead. This is grace.
Paul says God is rich in mercy and his love for us is great. Explain that there is no limit to his
mercy or boundary to his love. His grace is abundant and free to all who surrender to him. His
love is greater than our darkest sin.
Remind students that Jesus’ death and resurrection prove that God is more powerful than sin and
death. The resurrecting power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power at work within
believers, reviving our lifeless spirits and filling us with eternal life (Ephesians 1:19-20).
Illustration: Trying to measure the limits of God’s mercy, love, and power is like standing on the
edge of the ocean and counting the drops of water within. It’s impossible. God’s love for us is as
vast as the ocean. It’s an endless supply that he pours out on us with abandon. Nothing we do
could ever test the limits of that love. We could never even come close.
3. After trusting Jesus, we are made alive to walk in good works (Ephesians 2:6-10).
Read Ephesians 2:6-10 aloud. Share that God has done the same thing for believers that he did
for Jesus when he died on the cross: He has given us new life and promised us a heavenly
inheritance. How does he do this? By grace through faith.
Paul makes it clear that it’s the grace of God that saves us, nothing else. Salvation is an
unearned gift. It’s not a reward for something we’ve done. We can’t work our way into heaven.
Only the grace that God gives to those who trust in his son will do it. When we place our faith in
Jesus Christ, God gives us grace by filling our lifeless spirits with eternal life.
The move from death to life changes everything for believers. Compare the characteristics of the
spiritually dead (from the first section) to those who are alive in Christ, listed below.
●
●
●
●
●
Those who are alive in Christ are cleansed from sin. When we believe in Jesus Christ
and repent, our sins are washed away (Romans 10:9-10, 1 John 1:9).
Those who are alive in Christ follow the ways of God. Followers of Jesus seek his
ways over the world’s, even when it’s unpopular (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Those who are alive in Christ are guided by the truth of God’s word. Knowing what
the Bible says is the first defense against Satan’s deceptive ways (Psalm 119:105).
Those who are alive in Christ are controlled by the Holy Spirit. After surrendering to
Jesus, believers are filled with the Holy Spirit, who serves as a guide to help them walk in
holiness (John 14:25-26).
Those who are alive in Christ are subject to God’s grace and bound for heaven.
They will receive grace rather than judgment and spend eternity as the adopted children
of God (John 3:16).
Illustration: Everyone loves a good makeover story. Whether it’s a stunning home transformation
on HGTV or an extreme weight loss show, there’s something fascinating about the change from
drab to fab. God has offered us the makeover of a lifetime. The before and after story of the
believer should be jaw-dropping. We have been moved from death to life. From unclean to clean.
From rags to riches. We have been made alive with Christ. Now it’s time to walk in it.
Conclusion: Remind students of the two things we all have in common: we have all been born, and we
will all die. God has promised new life to all who surrender their lives to him and trust in Jesus. Close by
asking: Are you living life fully alive in Christ, or are you going through life like a zombie?
DEEPER DISCUSSION
Use the following questions to get students talking about the lesson.
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
What’s the connection between sin and death?
If sin leads to death, why is it so hard to resist?
What do you think is the biggest lie Satan uses to lead us into sin?
How have you personally experienced God’s grace and mercy in your life?
What’s one way your life has changed since you became a Christian?
What are some good works that God is calling you to walk in?
Name some ways this group can point others to true life.
TRANSFORM
The following activities challenge students to live differently. Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit ultimately
brings about change, so help students draw near to Him.
BEFORE & AFTER
Begin by asking students to silently consider their own lives. Ask the following questions:
●
●
●
●
Do you believe that you’re a sinner in need of grace?
Have you placed your faith in Jesus and repented of your sinfulness?
If not, what’s stopping you? If so, are you living abundantly now?
How is your life different now than it was before you met Jesus?
Make sure students know you’re available to talk privately with them and pray with them after the session.
Lead students to consider their before and after stories. Ask for volunteers to share ways their lives have
changed since meeting Jesus. Feel free to share your testimony to help students open up.
BUT GOD
Call attention to Ephesians 2:4, particularly the two words at the beginning of the verse, “But God.” Share
that those two tiny words are some of the most powerful in the Bible. They change everything. Point out
that all believers have had at least one “But God” moment in their lives.
Remind students that nothing is impossible with God—there is nothing that he cannot overcome. Ask:
How have these two words made a difference in your life? Lead students to fill in the blanks of the
following statement: I was _________________ but God ________________. (Examples: “I was dead,
but God gave me life.” “I was lost, but God found me.” “I was broken, but God healed me.”) Ask for
volunteers to share answers.
After discussion, praise God for the many ways he has worked in your students, then close in prayer for
God’s continual work of transformation in their hearts and lives.
CLOSING PRAYER
Ask for prayer requests or if anyone wants to talk privately, then close the session in prayer for your
students. Pray for the Lord to reveal himself to them over the course of the weekend. Ask God specifically
to help them live abundant lives for his glory at home, in school, and in the world.
ALIVE: COLLIDE WEEKEND 2017
SESSION 2: GUILTLESS
SCRIPTURE: Colossians 2:13-14, Psalm 103:8-13, Romans 8:1-2
KEY TRUTH: Those who are alive in Christ are free from guilt.
LEARNING GOALS:
●
●
Students will examine the truth that sin no longer has power over believers.
Students will consider what it means to live a guiltless life.
CONNECT
Get students ready to learn. Introduce the session with one or two of the following activities.
WHOSE LINE IS IT
Instruct students to stand in a circle. Explain that you’re going to start a story. Begin the story-telling by
saying: “I woke up feeling guilty today.” Instruct the next person in the circle to add a sentence or two
to move the story along. After making the rounds a couple of times, bring the story to a close.
End the activity by explaining that no matter how you feel, if you are alive in Christ, God has declared you
free from guilt. Share that this session is about the freedom believers have in Christ.
DOUBLE JEOPARDY
Ask students what they know about the legal concept of double jeopardy. After students respond, explain
that double jeopardy prevents someone from facing criminal prosecution for the same offense more than
once. If necessary, provide an example: Let’s say you’re on trial for stealing your neighbor’s pet duck. At
the end of the trial, the jury declares you not guilty. You’re once and for all cleared of those charges, and
you can never face prosecution for stealing the same duck again.
Explain that our sin is a crime against God, but when we place our faith in Jesus, he drops the charges
and declares us not guilty. Just like in double jeopardy, we’ll never face prosecution for the charges
again.
GUILTY AS CHARGED
Start the conversation by calling for one or two volunteers to answer the following questions. Feel free to
share a story from your own life.
●
●
●
●
Can you think of a time when you were guilty and facing punishment? If so, tell us about it.
What happened next? Were you punished or forgiven?
If you were forgiven, how did that make you feel?
Did it change anything about the way you acted after the incident?
After all students who want to have responded, state that this session is about our guilt before God and
what he has done about it.
EXPLORE
Lead students to study Scripture. Use the Bible study to focus on the key truth; then lead students in a
deeper discussion with the questions that follow.
BIBLE STUDY: GUILTLESS
Before you turn to the study, spend a few minutes in prayer for your students. Ask God to speak to you
through his word and to grant students the courage they need to respond in faithfulness.
Introduction: A guilty conscience is a terrible thing. Whether we’ve messed up big time or just a little bit,
the weight of guilt can be crushing. We feel the heaviness of every single thing we’ve ever done wrong:
all the words we shouldn’t have said, all the things we shouldn’t have done, all the places we shouldn’t
have gone. It’s unbearable. As sinners, we all stand guilty and ashamed before God, but the Bible
promises that the charges of sin against believers have been dropped. We’re guiltless and free as
long as we are in Jesus Christ.
Use the following outline as a guide to lead students in a discussion of the text.
1. At the cross, God dealt with sin once and for all (Colossians 2:13-14).
Read Colossians 2:13-14. Remind students that the transition from death to life changes
everything for believers, including our level of guilt before God. Emphasize the fact that God
has forgiven all our trespasses. Not just the little ones. Not just a few of them. All of them.
When we turn to Christ in faith and turn away from sin in repentance, God forgives every sin we
have committed in the past and every sin we will commit in in the future. Past, present, and
future. It’s all forgiven.
Ask: What did God do with the record of our sins? (Answer: He nailed it to the cross.) The
power of sin died along with Jesus. It cannot hurt us anymore. Explain that the fancy church word
for this process is justification, which simply means that God made it just as if we never sinned
in the first place. He has wiped our record clean and expunged it from the system so we can
stand guiltless and free before him.
Illustration: In the movie Home Alone 2, Kevin (Macaulay Caulkin’s character) checks into a
fancy New York City hotel without his family. He spends days there alone, ordering anything his
heart desires from room service and charging all of it to the room’s account. By the end of his
stay, he’s racked up a bill of nearly $1,000 that he can’t pay. We’re just like Kevin. Every time we
sin, we add another charge to an astronomical bill that we’ll never be able to pay, but Jesus
settled the debt for us with his blood. When we surrender our lives to him, God takes the bill,
writes paid in full across the top, and never looks at it again.
2. Because God has already dealt with sin, he will not hold it against us (Psalm 103:8-13).
Read Psalm 103:8-13. Ask: What do these verses say that God has done with our sin? Why
does he do it? (Answers: He has taken it from us and thrown it away. He does it because of his
endless love, mercy, and grace.) After discussion, point out that it’s impossible to measure the
distance between east and west—they each stretch out into infinity. The point here is that God
has thrown our sins so far away from us that they will never touch us again. They’re hurtling
endlessly through space, on an infinite path away from us.
Other passages in the Bible say that God chooses to forget about the sins of those who are in
Christ (Isaiah 43:25, Hebrews 8:12). That means that when we are in Christ, God doesn’t see our
sin—he sees his son. Our sinfulness is replaced with Jesus’ righteousness, and we are justified.
Illustration: Everyone knows the dread of accidentally deleting something that you wanted to
keep. Maybe it was a photo. Maybe it was a text message. But either way, once it’s erased, it’s
gone forever. When we believe in Jesus and repent of our sin, God purposefully deletes the
record of our sin from his books. The data has been wiped clean. It’s gone forever.
3. Therefore, those who are alive in Christ are free to live guiltless lives (Romans 8:1-2).
Read Romans 8:1-2 aloud. Explain that the word condemnation is a courtroom word used to
describe a pronouncement of guilt. Here, Paul says that there is no guilty verdict for the people of
God. Instead, we are declared innocent by the blood of Christ. Jesus has taken on our guilt and
shame and paid the penalty for it on the cross. The guilt has been dealt with. We bear it no more.
Ask: When you have done something wrong and messed up, how do you feel when a
teacher or parent gives you grace instead of a punishment that you deserve? Allow
students to respond, then share that we should feel the same feelings of relief, joy, and gratitude
over the grace that God has given us. The freedom that we have in Christ is the freedom to live
our lives on purpose for the glory of God. Without the weight and guilt of sin pulling us down,
there’s nothing left holding us back.
Illustration: It’s impossible to live a life that pleases God while we’re still in sin. It’s like trying to
swim upstream with concrete blocks around your ankles. You just can’t do it. But Jesus removes
the weight of sin from our feet and points us in the right direction so that we’re free to swim with
nothing dragging us down.
Conclusion: Remind students that apart from Jesus Christ, we all stand guilty before God and deserve
judgment, but he promises to remove the guilt of sin from anyone who trusts in him. Close by asking: If
you were on trial before God right now, would he pronounce you guilty as charged or innocent by
the blood of Christ?
DEEPER DISCUSSION
Use the following questions to get students talking about the lesson.
●
●
●
●
●
●
What does it mean to be guilty?
How does knowing you’re guilty make you feel?
Is there any way for us to attain guiltlessness without Jesus?
Why do you think God went to such great lengths to remove our guilt?
How does the knowledge that Jesus paid the price for your sin make you feel?
What do you think it means to live a guiltless life?
TRANSFORM
The following activities challenge students to live differently. Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit ultimately
brings about change, so help students draw near to Him.
MAKE THINGS RIGHT
Share that after we become Christians and accept God’s forgiveness, sometimes we still mess up. Faith
and repentance go hand in hand. They’re two sides of the same coin. When we turn to Jesus in faith,
we’re also necessarily turning away from sin in repentance.
Becoming a Christian doesn’t mean you’ll never falter, but it does mean that you’re committed to turning
back to Jesus and turning away from sin every time it crops up. Even though we’re still forgiven and
counted guiltless, sin damages our relationship with God and can drive us away from him. The sooner we
make things right, the faster we’ll be back on track.
●
●
●
First, we need to confess our sin. This is the hardest part. Admitting that we’ve done something
wrong is never easy, but it’s necessary.
Next, we need to repent. That means that we promise not to do it again. We commit to changing
our ways and living according to God’s ways.
Last, we need to worship. Thank God for his goodness. Praise him for his mercy, grace, and
love. Give him the honor that he deserves.
Close the activity by reminding students that God is faithful. He has promised us forgiveness, and he will
grant it to all who come to him with a humble and contrite spirit.
HOW CAN IT BE?
Play Lauren Daigle’s song “How Can It Be” for students. Ask them to listen carefully to the lyrics. When
the song ends, call for volunteers to share their favorite line. Allow students to answer, then point out the
song’s emphasis on the work that God has done for us so that we can live guilt-free lives.
Ask: How should we respond to all that God has done for us? (Answers may include repentance,
faith, gratitude, thanksgiving, worship, living lives that honor him, etc.) Prompt students to think of one
specific way they should respond to God’s work in their lives. Give students a chance to share what God
is doing in their lives and encourage them to move forward in faithfulness.
CLOSING PRAYER
Ask for prayer requests or if anyone wants to talk privately, then close the session in prayer for your
students. Pray for the Lord to draw students closer to him throughout the rest of the weekend. Thank God
for all he has done for us—especially Jesus’ work on the cross to save us from sin. Ask for the Lord to
make his presence known and that he would be glorified in the rest of your time together.
ALIVE: COLLIDE WEEKEND 2017
SESSION 3: FEARLESS
SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 1:7, Hebrews 13:6-7
KEY TRUTH: Those who are alive in Christ are empowered to live fearlessly.
LEARNING GOALS:
●
●
Students will examine the truth that fear has no place in the believer’s life.
Students will consider ways to overcome their fears and live fearlessly in Jesus’ name.
CONNECT
Get students ready to learn. Introduce the session with one or both of the following activities.
NAME THAT PHOBIA
Read the following list of phobias out loud and have students try to guess the fear associated with them.
(For example: “Arachnophobia is the fear of ___________________.” Most students will know that it’s the
fear of spiders. Other phobias will be more difficult to guess.)
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Ophidiophobia: Fear of snakes.
Trypophobia: Fear of holes.
Claustrophobia: Fear of small spaces.
Glossophobia: Fear of public speaking.
Monophobia: Fear of being alone.
Aerophobia: Fear of flying.
Agoraphobia: Fear of open or crowded spaces.
Acrophobia: Fear of heights.
Hippopotomonstrosesquippedaliophobia: Fear of long words.
Omphalophobia: Fear of belly buttons.
After discussion, share that we’re all scared of something, but as believers, we shouldn’t let fear hold us
back from leaning in to the purpose that God has for us. Share that this session is about living fearlessly.
ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK??
Begin discussion by asking students if they were afraid of the dark as children. After they respond, prompt
them to consider their current biggest fear. Allow them a couple of minutes to think, then share one of
your fears with the group. Be honest and authentic about your struggle to overcome the fear. Then ask for
volunteers to share something they’re afraid of, whether it’s silly or serious.
After everyone who wants to has responded, remind students that in Jesus Christ, we have no reason to
fear. He has given us everything we need to face the fears that hold us back. Share that this session is
about being fearless in the name of Jesus.
EXPLORE
Lead students to study Scripture. Use the Bible study to focus on the key truth; then lead students in a
deeper discussion with the questions that follow.
BIBLE STUDY: FEARLESS
Before you turn to the study, spend a few minutes in prayer for your students. Ask God to speak to you
through his word and to grant students the courage they need to respond in faithfulness.
Introduction: Fear is a funny thing. When it grabs hold of us, our hearts beat faster, our palms grow
damp, and all we can think about is how to get out. Right. Now. Fear is real, and it’s paralyzing. When it
has you under its thumb, it can distract you from the things that are really important and keep you from
growing into the person that God created you to be, but you don’t have to let fear control you anymore.
This session is all about the ways that God has empowered us to live fearless lives.
Use the following outline as a guide to lead students in a discussion of the text.
1. When you’re afraid, remember that fear is not from God (2 Timothy 1:7).
Read 2 Timothy 1:7. Ask: If God doesn’t give us a spirit of fear, where does it come from?
Allow discussion, then remind students that our lives are caught up in a spiritual battle. We have
a very real Enemy who wants nothing more than to see us fail in our purpose as God’s people.
One of the ways that Satan accomplishes this task is by planting seeds of fear within us.
This fear is the kind of fear that keeps us from speaking up and sharing the gospel with a friend.
It’s the kind of fear that keeps us from doing the right thing because we’re afraid of what others
will think. And that kind of fear has no place in a believer’s life.
Instead, Paul says that those who are alive in Christ should be filled with power, love, and
self-control. Where does this power come from? The Holy Spirit himself. We have the Spirit
living within us to empower us and equip us for every situation that comes our way. When we tap
into that power, we can overcome anything, even the fear we have trouble seeing past.
Illustration: The kind of fuel you put in your tank matters. Literally. If your vehicle requires diesel
and you fill it up with regular gas, you’re not going to make it very far down the road before you
come sputtering to a halt. When we fill up on fear rather than the power of the Spirit, it breaks us
down and makes it impossible for us to move forward in our Christian walk.
2. When you’re afraid, remember that God is with you (Hebrews 13:6).
Read Hebrews 13:6. Point out that fear has a way of isolating us and making us feel like we’re all
alone, but if you are in Christ, you are never alone. The very heart of the gospel is that God
saw us in our deepest distress and came running to help us. He came, and he will never
leave us alone.
Remind students that if they have surrendered their hearts and lives to Jesus, he is with them
always. He will not abandon or forsake his people. He has sent the Spirit to comfort us, to guide
us, and to help us make it through this crazy life. When situations arise that seem
insurmountable, we would do well to remember that God’s power is made perfect in weakness.
When we can’t do it, he can.
Illustration: If your life was a wrestling match, and God was your partner, you could never lose.
That’s because nothing is more powerful than God. As long as he’s in your corner, nothing can
hurt you. He’s already conquered our worst enemy: death. What’s left to be afraid of?
3. When you’re afraid, remember that your leaders are there to help you (Hebrews 13:7).
Read Hebrews 13:7. Share that stepping out in faithfulness is difficult, but looking to the
examples of godly people around us can help us take the leap. If you’re wondering what might
happen if you pursue God wholeheartedly and serve him without fear, all you have to do is look at
the people around you who are already doing it. Their lives are living proof that it’s worth it.
Explain that if students want to live the abundant life that God has planned for them, they must be
willing to set aside the fear that’s holding them back and replace it with courage and confidence
that comes from God. Asking trusted leaders to help them move past fear is a good place to start.
Illustration: No one wants to have anything to do with the stomach bug. It’s miserable, and it’s
highly contagious. If one person in the house gets sick, chances are that the rest of the family will
be down in a matter of days. It sweeps through households and sets them reeling for a week or
so before life can get back to normal. Faithfulness is a lot like the stomach bug. It’s highly
contagious and easily caught from people who are doing it right. If you want to grow in
faithfulness, spend time with faithful people. It’ll rub off on you before you know it.
Conclusion: Fear will only debilitate you if you let it. When you’re feeling scared, look to the truth of
God’s word, the comfort of the Holy Spirit, and the guidance of your leaders to help you get past it so you
can live fully alive in the fearless life that God has planned for you.
DEEPER DISCUSSION
Use the following questions to get students talking about the lesson.
●
●
●
●
●
●
What do you think are the three biggest fears that teenagers deal with?
Are the fears any different for Christian teens? If so, how?
When you’re feeling afraid, what helps you get through it?
Why do you think it’s so important for believers to move past fear?
How does knowing that God is with you make you feel?
What do you think it means to live a fearless life?
TRANSFORM
The following activities challenge students to live differently. Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit ultimately
brings about change, so help students draw near to Him.
WHAT’S THE BEST THAT COULD HAPPEN?
Sometimes we get so caught up in thinking about the worst thing that could happen that we forget to
consider the opposite. Ask students to call to mind a situation or area that they’re feeling particularly
fearful about. Ask: What’s the worst that could happen if you did what God is leading you to do?
Allow students a few minutes to consider possible outcomes, then ask: What’s the best that could
happen if you stepped out in faithfulness?
Ask if anyone wants to discuss answers with the group. Feel free to share a personal story if you feel led.
Close the discussion by reminding students that choosing faith over fear is always worth it. God rewards
faithfulness in ways that are beyond our wildest imaginings. We may not see the reward in this life, but we
can rest assured that there’s a reward waiting for us in eternity.
IN IT TOGETHER
Explain that it’s hard to live faithfully when you’re trying to do it on our own. The good news is that God
doesn’t expect us to do it by ourselves. He has given us the Holy Spirit as a helper within us, and he has
given us Christian friends as helpers alongside us. Use the following questions to lead discussion, then
close the session with prayer.
●
●
●
●
●
What are some ways we can help each other overcome fear?
Why do you think it’s easier to face problems together than it is alone?
How can you, as a group, encourage one another to choose faith over fear?
What do you think might happen if this group was fearless? How might people at school react?
Will you commit to hold each other accountable? To stand beside one another? To face down
fear together?
CLOSING PRAYER
Ask for prayer requests or if anyone wants to talk privately, then close the session in prayer for your
students. Pray for the Lord to continue to make his presence known to your students in the time you have
remaining. Pray specifically for God to replace fear with love. Ask God to enable and empower them to
live fearlessly for the sake of Christ no matter where they are are who they’re with.
ALIVE: COLLIDE WEEKEND 2017
SESSION 4: PURPOSEFUL
SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 2:9-12
KEY TRUTH: Those who are alive in Christ have a God-given purpose to fulfill.
LEARNING GOALS:
●
●
Students will learn about the purpose God has planned for believers.
Students will consider ways they can fulfill the purpose God has for their lives.
CONNECT
Get students ready to learn. Introduce the session with one or both of the following activities.
SHARE THE LOVE
Note: This activity requires some planning. If you want to include it, make sure to have a pack of gum or
bag of candy on hand. Select a student to play along with the activity and pull them aside beforehand to
explain that when the session begins, you’re going to give them some candy that’s meant to be shared
with the whole group. Ask them to ignore your instructions and hoard the candy for themselves, even
eating and enjoying some of it in front of the group, until the activity is over.
As students gather, share that you’ve enjoyed your time with them over the weekend and you have a gift
for them. Produce the candy and give it to your pre-selected student. Explain that the candy is for
everyone, but it’s up to the first student to share it. Continue talking about the weekend for a few minutes
and allow the student to enjoy the candy in front of everyone. After a few minutes, ask students how they
feel about the student that’s hoarding the candy.
After discussion, explain that as believers, we’ve been given a tremendous gift that’s meant to be shared
with everyone. We’re not supposed to keep it to ourselves. It’s our job to pass it along. Close the activity
by instructing the first student to distribute the candy among the group. Then begin the Bible study.
THE RIPPLE EFFECT
Start a conversation with students using the following questions as a guide.
●
●
●
What happens to the surface of the water when you throw a rock into a pond?
Is there any way to keep the ripples from spreading?
How can something so small make such a big impact?
After discussion, point out the impact that one small rock can have on the surface of the water. Share that
when we enter into new life with Christ, the change in our lives should cause a similar ripple effect in the
people around us. Everyone around us should be affected by our relationship with God. Share that this
session is about the way that God intends for us to spend our new lives in Christ.
EXPLORE
Lead students to study Scripture. Use the Bible study to focus on the key truth; then lead students in a
deeper discussion with the questions that follow.
BIBLE STUDY: PURPOSEFUL
Before you turn to the study, spend a few minutes in prayer for your students. Ask God to speak to you
through his word and to grant students the courage they need to respond in faithfulness.
Introduction: Have you ever wondered why God would save us? Nothing he does is by accident. He has
a reason for everything he does, so he must have a reason for giving us new life and filling us with his
Spirit. It’s true that God saves us because he loves us, but it’s also true that he saves us for a reason.
There’s a big SO THAT attached to our salvation. In this session, we’ll explore what it is.
Use the following outline as a guide to lead students in a discussion of the text.
1. Believers have a new identity (1 Peter 2:9).
Read 1 Peter 2:9. New life in Christ comes with a new identity attached. In these verses, Peter
says that we have a new identity as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a
people set apart as God’s very own. Using the information below, take a few minutes to discuss
the implications of each these identities with students.
●
Chosen Race: Race is an integral part of our identity. By calling Christians a chosen
race, Peter means that God has made a NEW race out of believers. He’s saying that
there are two “races” of people in the world: those who have been born again and those
who have not. Our second birth into new life in Christ makes us a new type of people.
●
Royal Priesthood: Believers have been adopted into the family of God. We belong to
the household of the king, and we are called into his service. In the Old Testament,
priests helped others make things right with God. On this side of the cross, believers
serve God by showing others how to make things right with him.
●
Holy Nation: To be holy is to be set apart for special use. It’s the difference between
paper plates and fine china. When Peter says that Christians are a holy nation, he means
that we have been called out from the world to be God’s people. We shouldn’t be like
everyone else. We should be different. We should be like God.
●
God’s Own Possession: God offers us grace and gives us new life so that we may be
his. Why? Because he loves us and wants us. When we trust in Jesus, we surrender our
lives to him and hand him the reigns. We become his people, and he becomes our God.
Illustration: If you’re in the witness protection program, you have to leave your old identity
behind and put on a new one. To ensure your safety, you must take on a new look, new name,
new home, and new occupation. Entering the program changes everything about who you used
to be. The same thing is true for believers. When we trust Jesus, we surrender our old identity
and take on a new one. Faithfulness changes everything.
2. Believers have an important purpose (1 Peter 2:10-12).
Read 1 Peter 2:10-12. With this new life and new identity also comes new responsibility. God has
saved us and set us apart because he has a task for us to fulfill. Our sole reason for existence
is to glorify God and call attention to what he has done for us. As people who have
personally benefitted from his tremendous mercy, love, and grace, we are called to shout it from
the rooftops and proclaim it to anyone who will listen.
Discuss: What does it mean to proclaim something? When something good happens, don’t
you want to tell everyone about it? What makes God more excellent than anything or
anyone else? After students respond, share that we can proclaim God’s excellencies with both
our words and our actions.
●
With our words, we tell others about all that God has done for us. We open up and
speak on his behalf. We share the good news that there is forgiveness of sin through
Jesus Christ. We praise him for the good work he has done in our lives. We use our
words to point others to him. We make a big deal out of his goodness and take
advantage of every opportunity to tell people how God is at work in our lives.
●
With our actions, we show others what God is like. We do good works so that we can
demonstrate his love, mercy, and goodness to the watching world. We love others with
abandon because that’s what he has done for us. We feed the hungry and care for the
sick to share his goodness. We give mercy and show love to a lost and dying world so
that they may come to know him. Everything we do should point others to Jesus.
Illustration: Kids love show and tell day at school because they get to bring one of their favorite
things to school and share it with all their friends. Our job as Christians is one of showing and
telling. With our lives and actions, we show people what God is like, and with our words, we tell
them all about him.
Conclusion: Our new life in Christ changes everything for us, including our identity and life’s purpose.
The moment we choose to follow Christ, our lives stop being about us and start being about him. As we
grow in godliness and are conformed to his image, we become living proof of his mercy and grace. When
we do that, our lives are like flashing neon signs pointing others to Jesus. That’s what new life is all about.
DEEPER DISCUSSION
Use the following questions to get students talking about the lesson.
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
How has God demonstrated his excellency in your life?
What keeps you from being a proclaimer?
How can we, as a group, be proclaimers of God?
How can you encourage one another to be proclaimers?
What are three practical things we can do to proclaim his goodness?
How is God at work in your school? Your home? Your community?
In what ways can we participate in that work?
TRANSFORM
The following activities challenge students to live differently. Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit ultimately
brings about change, so help students draw near to Him.
LIFE ON PURPOSE
Provide index cards and pens for students.
Admit that sometimes we get so busy and caught up in our everyday lives that we forget to stop and
consider how we can serve God. Explain that God doesn’t want us just going through the motions. He
wants us to live on purpose for his glory. Pass out index cards and instruct students to write these
questions:
●
●
●
How can I glorify God today?
What is God calling me to do for him today?
Who do I need to tell about Jesus today?
Instruct students to tape the questions on their bathroom mirrors at home. Encourage them to consider
the questions each morning as they’re getting ready to help them live a purposeful life that honors God.
MIRROR, MIRROR
Hold up a mirror or a phone with a selfie camera for students to catch a glimpse of their appearance.
Then ask: What do people see when they look at you? Can they find any evidence of God’s work in
your life? Remind students that as we grow in our relationships with God and learn more about him and
who he is, we should also be growing more like him.
Ask: What have you been learning about God lately? Which of his characteristics are you trying to
reflect? What are some practical things we can do to reflect his ways? Call for a volunteer to share.
If no one responds, feel free to share a personal testimony. Close the activity by reminding students that
we’re God’s adopted children. The more time we spend with him, the more we should resemble him. This
is one of the best possible ways we can glorify him with our lives.
CLOSING PRAYER
Ask for prayer requests or if anyone wants to talk privately, then close the session in prayer for your
students. Pray for the Lord to continue to make his presence known to your students in the time you have
remaining. Pray specifically for God to give them a renewed sense of purpose as his chosen people. Ask
the Lord to enable them to be effective witnesses who boldly proclaim his excellencies in word or deed.
Pray that he would be glorified in their lives now and forever.
ALIVE: COLLIDE WEEKEND 2017
SESSION 5: ETERNAL
SCRIPTURE: 2 Peter 1:3-11
KEY TRUTH: Salvation is simply the starting point of a lifelong journey of faith that stretches into eternity.
LEARNING GOALS:
●
●
Students will examine the link between salvation, holiness, and the promise of eternity.
Students will evaluate their own lives and commitment to Christ to determine if they are living fully
alive now as they wait for eternity.
CONNECT
Get students ready to learn. Introduce the session with one or both of the following activities.
THE LONG HAUL
Begin discussion by asking: What does it mean to be in it for the long haul? After students respond,
share that being in it for the long haul means that you’re committed to sticking with it until the very end.
You won’t give up. You won’t walk away. You’ll keep on keeping on until it’s all over. Explain that the
Christian life is a long haul life. It doesn’t begin and end with a one-time decision to believe in Jesus. It’s a
day in, day out commitment of faithfulness to Christ that starts now and goes on into eternity. Close the
activity by sharing that this session is about following Jesus for the long haul.
STARTING LINE VS. FINISH LINE
Using toilet paper, set up a racing “tape” in the room. Direct students’ attention to the line and use the
following questions to lead them in a discussion.
●
●
●
●
Is this a starting line or finishing line?
How can you tell?
Do runners act differently at the beginning and end of races?
Does anyone want to demonstrate the difference?
After discussion, share that sometimes we treat the moment we believe in Christ as the “finish line” of
faith. We mistakenly think that we’ve arrived at our destination and that the race is over, but the truth is
that conversion (coming to faith in Jesus) is just the starting point of our journey of faith. Share that this
session is about training in godliness so we can be effective followers of Jesus and run with endurance
the race that’s set before us.
EXPLORE
Lead students to study Scripture. Use the Bible study to focus on the key truth; then lead students in a
deeper discussion with the questions that follow.
BIBLE STUDY: ETERNAL
Before you turn to the study, spend a few minutes in prayer for your students. Ask God to speak to you
through his word and to grant students the courage they need to respond in faithfulness.
Introduction: Take a few minutes to review past sessions with students. Remind them that God has
invited us to leave behind our old, dead lives of sin and join him in life that’s fully alive, guiltless, fearless,
and purposeful. Introduce this session by stating that true life begins the moment we turn to Jesus in faith,
but it doesn’t end there—it stretches out in an unending line from now until eternity.
Read 2 Peter 1:3-11. Use the following outline as a guide to lead students in a discussion of the text.
1. Life in Christ is blessed life (2 Peter 1:3-4).
Read 2 Peter 1:3-4. Point out that these verses assure us that God has given us all things that
we need for both life and godliness. By his tremendous power, he has resurrected our dead
spirits and filled us with life. He has forgiven us of our sins, setting us free from the bondage of
guilt and shame. He has filled us with his Spirit and empowered us to live boldly without fear.
Finally, he has given us a new identity and purpose as his people.
Call for volunteers to name some of the “precious and very great promises” (v. 4) that they are
claiming. If you need to get the conversation moving, share a personal testimony of how God’s
promises have granted you comfort or assurance. After discussion, share that God has held
nothing back from his people. He has lavished his blessings on us in an endless flow, and we
show our gratitude for these immeasurable gifts by using our lives to give him glory.
Illustration: There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to put together a puzzle with half the
pieces missing. It’s impossible. Life apart from God is the same way. Thankfully, he has given
believers everything we could ever need not just to make it through this life, but to thrive in it and
in the one to come.
2. Life in Christ is godly life (2 Peter 1:5-9).
Read 2 Peter 1:5-9. Admit that it’s easy to commit to follow Christ at a retreat or event like Collide
Weekend, but it’s harder to stay the course when you go back to real life. Explain that salvation
is just the starting point of a lifelong journey of faith. God wants so much more from us than
a one-time decision. He wants our everything. He wants it all.
In The Pursuit of Holiness, author Jerry Bridges says that true salvation brings with it the desire to
be made holy. That means that if you truly have faith in Jesus, you’ll naturally want to be more
like him. Thankfully, God sends the Holy Spirit to live within us to spur us on toward godliness.
The first step of spiritual growth is to admit that you can’t do it on your own and pray for the
Spirit’s help. When you feel like he can’t, be assured that he can.
Lead students in a discussion of the qualities mentioned in verses 5-7. Ask: Do you feel like
you’ve mastered any of these? Which of these do you need to work on? After discussion,
re-read 2 Peter 1:8-9, and remind students that cultivating godly qualities helps us be effective
and productive followers of Jesus.
Illustration: Every survivalist knows that you should never drink water from stagnant pools. If you
want water, you have to get it from a fast-moving stream. The movement keeps the water fresh.
As believers, we should be like those streams: constantly moving and growing more like Jesus.
When we stop growing, our faith grows stagnant, and we lose sight of the purpose he has for us.
3. Life in Christ is eternal life (2 Peter 1:10-11).
Read 2 Peter 1:10-11. Remind students that we are saved by grace alone through faith alone, but
we demonstrate our faith by practicing godliness. We don’t try to be good so that we can be
saved; we try to be good because we are saved. It’s the natural result of a heart that has been
made alive by the power of God.
Ask: How does the promise of eternity in heaven affect your life today? After discussion,
share that knowing what lies ahead should change the way we live in the here and now. That’s
what Peter means when he says we should do everything we can to make our calling and
election sure—those who are truly alive in Christ are those who are becoming more like him day
by day in preparation for spending eternity by his side.
The becoming-like-Jesus process won’t be complete until we get to heaven, but as believers, we
have the assurance that when our time on earth is done, we’ll live on in eternity in a heavenly
home that’s beyond our wildest dreams.
Illustration: Have you ever been in a game that it was obvious you were going to win? It
changes the way you play. Without the pressure of pulling off a win, you can relax and simply
enjoy the game. The same thing is true in real life. Knowing that we’re guaranteed to win in the
end changes the way we live now. Without the weight of sin, fear, and guilt dragging us down,
we’re free to dive deep into the abundant life that God has planned for us.
Conclusion: Wrap up the session by reminding students that life in Christ is a full and abundant life that
lasts forever. God has given us a chance to live a life that’s fully alive, guilt-free, fearless, purposeful, and
eternal. Have you taken him up on the offer?
DEEPER DISCUSSION
Use the following questions to get students talking about the lesson.
●
●
●
●
●
●
What’s one thing that stands out to you from the weekend?
How has God spoken to you?
Are there any changes you need to make when life gets back to normal?
Name some of the challenges of staying faithful to Christ at home and at school.
What are some practical ways you can show your commitment to the Lord in your everyday life?
What is God calling you to do as a result of this weekend?
TRANSFORM
The following activities challenge students to live differently. Keep in mind that the Holy Spirit ultimately
brings about change, so help students draw near to Him.
GROWING IN GODLINESS
Call students to evaluate their lives in light of 2 Peter 1:3-11. Use the following questions to help them
think through the issues.
●
●
●
●
●
How have you changed since becoming a Christian?
Would you say that you’re basically the same as you were before, or are you growing in
godliness?
Think back over the list of virtues that Peter listed. Which one do you need to work on?
What are some practical things you can do to cultivate that quality in your life?
How can you help each other grow in godliness?
Ask for volunteers to share with the group. After discussion, close the activity by encouraging students to
lay aside distractions and pursue Christ with abandon. Since we’ll be with him in eternity, it only makes
sense to start pursuing him now.
PRACTICALLY SPEAKING
Using the list below, spend some time discussion practical ways students can grow in godliness.
●
●
●
●
Prayer. Consistent time in prayer is one of the best ways to grow in godliness. As we turn to God
in prayer, we ask for him to help us know him better, we request help and guidance in our daily
lives, and we offer him praise and thanksgiving for his goodness.
Bible Study. God has chosen to reveal himself to us through his word. If we want to know him
better, we need to spend regular time in his word. If you don’t know where to start, try the book of
John. Read a chapter a day and write down things you’re learning in a journal or notebook.
Accountability. It’s nearly impossible to keep up your momentum and stay faithful all by yourself.
God never intended for us to do it alone; he wants us to help one another. Gather a group of
fellow believers together and commit to hold each other accountable.
Mentoring. If you’re serious about growing in godliness, you need to find a spiritual mentor to
guide you. Find a leader in your church and ask if they would be willing to mentor you. One of the
best ways to figure out what it means to live a faithful life is to watch someone else doing it.
After discussion, encourage students to pick one of these areas and commit to start practicing it when
they return to real life.
CLOSING PRAYER
Ask for prayer requests or if anyone wants to talk privately, then close the session in prayer for your
students. Thank God for all that he has done throughout the weekend. Pray for the Lord to lead and guide
students as they go back to real life. Ask God to reveal himself to them, that they may know him better
and become more like them. Pray for the Lord to light an everlasting fire within them that will burn brightly
for his glory.