2016
LIVING ON MISSION
SMALL GRO UP
LE ADE R BO O K
SMALL GROUP LEADER BOOK
IN TRO D U CTIO N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
TU E S D AY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
WE D N E S D AY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9
THU RS D AY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 7
F RID AY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 7
INTRODUCTION
OUR THEME
Every...One, Thing, Day, Where: Living on Mission
T HEME VER SE
1 Peter 2:9 “ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who
called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”
P URP OS E
To emphasize the importance of showing that the Bible is a bigger story — God’s plan for restoration and redemption — and YOU fit into that story.
Overall Reflections
• helping students to know that the Bible is real
• bridging the value of Scripture with the metanarrative and their personal life
• help them to start thinking “bigger than them, bigger than us”
• for the students to pick up on the fact that this life is more about Him than about me
• how does “my life story” fit into His life story?
• that the Bible is not a bunch of random stories — reiterating that (even their week at Caswell is not just a random moment)
IMP ORTANT FACTS
Mandatory meeting at 4:00 PM on Monday in Classroom 101, gender-specific classes, volunteers only teaching middle school aged students,
materials provided, Tuesday-Friday morning at 8:30 — tips for that day’s teaching will be led by Merrie Johnson in Classroom 101 to assist you in
making most of that day’s lesson.
Tuesday’s Lesson: God’s Big Picture for Everyone
Wednesday’s Lesson: Free to Be Me, Everything about who I am is found in Jesus
Thursday’s Lesson: It’s What You Do Every Day
Friday’s Lesson: Share God’s Story Everywhere
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Greetings,
As a member of the Youth Weeks’ faculty, you are a very important part of the 2016 Caswell experience. Thank you for your willingness to serve as a
small group leader.
Enclosed are your teaching materials and a schedule for the week. The planning committee has prepared excellent small group study material, which
is an integral part of each day’s theme and the week’s theme, “Every…one, thing, day, where: living on mission.” The guide should be self-explanatory
and must be followed during small group time. Some material referenced will be in the student workbook, which will be given to the students
Monday during registration. You will see these items marked in your teaching guide. All other needed teaching items will be provided in the resource
box given to you at the teacher’s meeting at 4 p.m. Monday in Room 101 of the Classroom Building, located behind Hatch Auditorium. The resource
box will include supplies such as markers, newsprint and pencils.
Preparation is essential. We suggest you read through the material to get a feel for each session, then spend time preparing for each study. If
you have questions, please call me at (800) 395-5102, ext. 5568, before May 13. After May 13, please email your questions to me at mjohnson@
ncbaptist.org.
**This summer we are trying an experiment at 8:30 each morning in Classroom 101 with a 20 minute tip for teaching that day’s lesson. We want the
small groups to provide a place for students to understand the lesson more and assist you in making most of the time that day.
Please remember that every small group study teacher must be at the 4 p.m. meeting on Monday in Room 101 of the Classroom Building to
review the material and last minute plans.
Each classroom needs two co-teachers. You may have someone from your church who has volunteered to co-teach with you, or we can connect you
with someone during the Monday meeting. Small group study classes are gender specific, so females will teach females, and males will teach males.
This summer all volunteer small group leaders will teach middle school aged students. We are trying something different with our BeDoTell staff
leading the high school aged students to provide consistency in what they are learning.
Please make sure you complete the background check procedure as outlined in the Background Check Policy provided with camp materials. A
background check verification form must be brought to camp at the time of registration.
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Here are some frequently asked questions:
How many small group study co-teachers does my church need to provide?
We need a minimum of two volunteers per church, and if your church has four or more adults coming to camp, we would appreciate more than two
volunteers. College students ages 18-21 are welcome as co-teachers with an older adult. One can teach and one can assist, or both can teach and
swap out days, but two adults must be in the small group studies each day. This should be considered when choosing your chaperones. If you bring
an even larger group, it would be helpful to provide more volunteers. We need same-gender teaching and assisting this year: Adult ladies will teach
the girls; and adult men will teach the guys.
How old do you have to be to teach?
You must be 18 or older. Background check information is not available to the public on a minor. All chaperones, whether teaching or not, must have
background checks. (For attendance at camp, all adult chaperones must have a background check completed.)
Can husband and wife teach together?
No, because of gender-specific classes and legal issues in which a husband or wife cannot testify against their spouse. If an issue were to occur, we
would be unable to properly pursue the issue without accounts from minors.
Can I choose whom I want to work with?
Yes. Please let Merrie Johnson’s assistant, Laura Sampson, know the names of your small group leaders before May 13 by visiting www.bedotell.com/
onmission and completing the online form on our camp website or by calling (800) 395-5102, ext. 5566. You can specify whom you would like to work
with at that time. Please keep in mind that we need same-gender co-teachers this year: Adult ladies will teach the girls, and adult men will teach the
guys.
What if I don’t have anyone to work with?
You will be paired with another volunteer when you get to camp.
What is the difference in responsibility for the co-teachers?
Co-teachers can share the teaching responsibility, assigning specific days or portions of the lesson to each teacher, or one leader can be designated
as the lead teacher who is primarily responsible for presenting the small group study and facilitating questions with the other leader as the assistant
who handles much of the crowd control and discipline. This will be discussed between the co-teachers prior to small group time.
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Do I have to get the supplies and bring them to camp?
No. The camp provides these for you. Each small group teaching team receives a resource box that contains all supplies needed to teach each lesson.
This box is given to you at the Monday meeting at 4 p.m. You will only need to bring your copy of the small group study.
What if I have never taught a small group before?
Talk with your pastor or youth pastor. They should be able to provide you with training or literature. If you do not feel comfortable teaching then
please, choose to assist or join in the youth leader class lead by Merrie Johnson in Hatch Auditorium. If you are not comfortable, then the students
won’t be either. We want to provide a positive experience for them.
Again, thank you for your willingness to be an important part of the 2016 Youth Weeks. I look forward to seeing you at Caswell. Please join me in
praying for all seven weeks of camp. My prayer is that God will move in such a way that we all hear Him calling to us to follow Him NOW in missions
and ministry to this generation!
– Merrie Johnson
Senior Consultant, Youth Evangelism & Discipleship
Evangelism & Discipleship Group
Baptist State Convention of North Carolina
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2 016 S U M M E R Y O U T H W E E K S S C H E D U L E
Monday
1:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
5:00-6:30 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.
10:00 p.m.
11:00 p.m. 11:45 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday Daily Schedule
7:30-8:15 a.m. 8:15 a.m.
8:30 a.m.
8:45 a.m.
9:00 a.m. 10:10 a.m.
11:15 a.m.
11:25 a.m.
Noon 1:30 p.m.
2:30 p.m.
5-6:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m.
11:00 p.m.
11:45 p.m.
Saturday
Registration
Volunteer teachers meet in classroom building, Room 101, located behind Hatch Auditorium
Supper
Main leader meeting in classroom building, Room 101
Worship
Church group devotions
Clear campus — those having devotions in the classroom building should be back in their residence building by 11 p.m.
Lights out
Breakfast
Quiet time – printed in back of student workbook
Teaching Tips for Volunteer Small Group Leaders with Merrie Johnson – Classroom 101
Doors open at Hatch Auditorium
Morning session in Hatch Auditorium
Dismiss to small groups, assigned classrooms and adults in Hatch
Dismiss to celebration in Hatch Auditorium
Morning Celebration in Hatch Auditorium
Lunch
After Lunch Opportunities: Track Times, Change This World, Youth Ministry University
Free time
Supper
Worship
Church group devotions
In rooms
Lights out
S PE C I A L F E AT U R E S
Breakfast, pack up and leave for home
Splash & Dive Contest at the Swimming Pool
Wednesday at 3 p.m.
Beach Sand Castle Building Contest
Thursday at 4 p.m.
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T U E S D AY
T U E S D AY
T U E S D AY M O R N I N G
Session Title: God’s Big Picture for Every One
Purpose: To help students see that the Bible is not a random collection of stories, but God’s big story.
Scripture: Genesis 2:4-25; 3:1-19; 6:5-7; Isaiah 6:1-4; John 3:16; Colossians 1:15-23; 1 John 5:1-4; Revelation 21:1-5; 1 Peter 2:9
Session-At-A-Glance:
Introduction (10 minutes)
Common Thread Relay (10 minutes)
A Closer Look (20 minutes)
God’s Story – Your Story (10 minutes)
Closing (5 minutes)
Materials Needed:
Resource box
Nametag materials: Lanyards, nametag holders, cards for nametags, pens
Cords (2 cords wrapped with a rubber band)
Guess the picture card set
Student workbook
A Closer Look
Note to teachers: These sessions are to last 55 minutes! Please do not keep the students longer than the time allotted.
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T U E S D AY
The Session
INTRODUCTION (10 minutes)
As the students arrive, both co-teachers will welcome them to the class as you hand them a lanyard, being certain to mix up the four colors. (These
four colors will be used to form groups throughout the week.) Place markers, nametag cards and holders in the middle of the floor and instruct the
students to write their names and church on the tag and then place it in the holder. Ask them to wear the nametags so you can get to know their
names. Instruct the students to leave their nametags on the table after each session and to retrieve them when they arrive each morning. This helps
ensure they have a nametag and helps you know who is not attending.
When the nametags are completed, collect the markers and put them back in the resource box.
Ground Rules
Say: Your attitude and participation are the keys to this being a good time for all of us. Here are some simple things in which we need your assistance
for all to go smoothly.
1. Please wear your nametag. This will help all of us get to know you and be able to call you by name. It will be on the table when you arrive,
and you are asked to leave it on the table after the session.
2. Make every effort to get here on time. If you come in late, it may cause an interruption that distracts everyone.
3. Listen and pay attention – or at least act like it. You may not care about the subject being discussed, but your neighbor could. Don’t ruin
things for others.
4. Be present. If you are not in here during this session, you are somewhere you should not be. If the Caswell staff finds you wandering, you will
be taken to your group leader. If you are not in here, your leader will be notified. To make it easy on everyone, just plan to show-up each day.
5. Bring your student workbook and Bible each day. The workbook includes a lot of our activities, and we don’t want you to miss anything.
Say: To introduce ourselves, we will go around the room; say your name, where you are from, and what your favorite book or movie is.
When they have finished, ask: What is it that makes a good story or plot line? Why are these books and movies your favorites?
Answers will definitely vary. Give time for students to answer.
Ask: Have you ever read or seen a series (e.g. Hunger Games, Chronicles of Narnia, Divergent, Star Wars, Toy Story, Harry Potter)? What do you like
about reading a series of books or watching a series of movies?
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T U E S D AY
Once again, answers will vary.
Ask: When you think about the Bible, do you consider it to be a collection of different stories or one continuous story? Explain your answer.
Allow time for answers, and be okay with leaving the question unanswered. The goal of this session is to answer the question.
Say: We are going to talk about this more in depth today. But first, let’s play a game.
COMMON THREAD RELAY (10 minutes)
Form students into two groups and give each a cord from the supply box.
Say: Each group will form a circle with your feet close together. You are in a race against each other, and your goal is this – you need to string your
cord through each shoe in your group around the circle. If you have shoes with laces, you need to string it through an eyelet on each shoe. If you
have sandals you need to string it around the straps on your sandals. If you have slip-on shoes and have no place to loop the string then wrap it
around your ankles. Whatever type of shoe you have on, you have to find a way to string it up. The group that gets all the shoes in your group strung
up first, wins.
If they complete the relay quickly, let them do it a second time.
While they are still strung together, say: Look at all the different shoes in your group that are strung together. There are many different colors,
shapes, styles, and designs. But there is one common thread that runs through them all. In a similar way, there is one common thread that runs
through the Bible.
Ask: Is it easy to read different parts of the Bible and recognize it is all one continuous story? Why or why not?
Students will probably find it difficult because of the different styles, themes, characters and topics addressed in different parts of the Bible.
Instruct students to unstring their shoes, return the cords to you, and return to their seats.
A CLOSER LOOK (20 minutes)
Say: One of the reasons we do not read the Bible well is that we see it as a bunch of random stories. But there is a common thread that runs through
the whole Bible. There is a larger story of God and His plan for us that resounds through the entire Bible. We call this the biblical Metanarrative.
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T U E S D AY
Ask: Does anyone want to guess what that means? Biblical metanarrative?
Say: Turn to Tuesday’s small group Bible study session in your workbook where it says “Define it.” You will see this phrase broken down into three
parts that help us figure out exactly what it means.
Say: Biblical is pretty self-explanatory, right? It means it is of the Bible.
Say: What does the prefix meta- mean? Does anyone know? It is a Greek prefix meaning “beyond.”
Say: And all good English students know what a narrative is. What is it? A story.
Say: So when you put it all together, you have a story from the Bible that is “beyond” – something that is beyond the smaller books and stories
themselves. You could call the biblical metanarrative the “bigger story” of the Bible.
Say: In a series of books or movies there are always plot lines and themes that carry throughout the whole series. Can you name some of the plot
lines and themes that carry through the whole Bible?
Answers will vary widely. Some suggestions to get students thinking could be God’s love for us, God’s desire to have a relationship with us, and the
grace of God.
Say: There are many big themes that carry through the Bible. Today we are going to focus on four themes that together tell the story of the Bible in a
nutshell – creation, fall, redemption and restoration.
Say: In your workbook, you will see these four themes that make up the bigger story of the Bible — creation, fall, redemption and restoration. I will
divide you into four groups and assign one of the themes to your group. You have 10 minutes to read through the Scriptures in your section and
answer the questions so later you can share with the whole group.
Break students into four groups according to the colors on their lanyards, and assign each of them to one of the themes.
Give them 10 minutes to complete the sections in their books, and give each group 2-3 minutes to share with the larger group. Here is a copy of their
workbook section with suggested answers:
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T U E S D AY
T HE 4 TH EM ES
Creation
Read: Genesis 2:4-25; Isaiah 6:1-4
What is God doing in the Genesis 2 passage? Creating humans.
In Genesis 1, we read about God creating everything. What does the Isaiah 6 passage say about creation? The whole earth is full of His glory.
Imagine the world as God originally created it with no sin, and imagine that sin never entered the world.
How would your friendships, family, school, etc. be different for you without sin?
Fall
Read: Genesis 3:1-19; 6:5-7
What big thing happens in the passage from Genesis 3? Sin enters the world.
What does the Genesis 6 passage tell us? Sin got so bad that every thought in human hearts was evil all the time.
What are some results in your life of the fall (sin entering the world)?
We don’t always recognize how much sin has affected our lives, but imagine a world without sin. How different would your life be? How
would your friendships and relationships look different?
Redemption
Read: John 3:16; Colossians 1:15-23
What is the main message of John 3:16? God provided a way out of our sin.
What is the main message of the Colossians passage? Through Jesus’ blood shed on the cross, we are reconciled (made right) to God.
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T U E S D AY
What is redemption? The act of saving or being saved.
What does redemption mean for you and your life?
Restoration
Read: 1 John 5:1-4; Revelation 21:1-5
What is the promise of the passage in 1 John? We have overcome the world through Jesus.
What is the vision of the passage from Revelation 21? A new Heaven and earth where God dwells with us and pain and suffering are gone
forever.
What does this mean for you and your life? We know God has a perfect plan for the future that we can be a part of.
How can this change the way you live and treat other people? This present life is not all there is, so the little things do not matter as much; you
are able to let things go.
GOD’S STORY – YOUR STORY (10 minutes)
Say: The Biblical metanarrative is the story beyond the smaller stories. Every character, story and book in the Bible are all a part of this larger story
of creation, fall, redemption and restoration. Creation is the way things were. Fall is the way things are. Redemption is the way things could be.
Restoration is the way things will be.
Say: When we look at the Bible this way, we see that God’s main plan is for His glory to be shown, and He will do crazy things, including sending His
son to die for our sins to make sure His glory is known.
Get the “Guess the Picture” set out of the resource box.
Say: We are going to do a short activity. I am going to show you pictures that are zoomed way in, and I want all of you to try to guess what the object
is in the picture. See how many of these you can figure out.
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T U E S D AY
Go through the pictures with the group. Show the zoomed-in picture, allow time for the students to guess what they are looking at, and then reveal
the zoomed-out picture that shows the full object.
Say: When we read the Bible we need to keep in mind that there is a big story that God has for us that runs throughout the whole Bible. We also
need to remember this in our lives. Our lives are a small piece of that same big story, and we are called to bring the gospel story of creation, fall,
redemption and restoration to the world. We are like the zoomed in pictures. If we just look at ourselves and our own lives, the picture often is fuzzy
and does not make sense. But when we realize that we are part of a much bigger picture God is piecing together, we find meaning and purpose in
our lives.
CLOSING (5 minutes)
Say: The theme verse for this week is 1 Peter 2:9. Someone tell me what that verse says.
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
Say: This week we are going to be talking a lot about how you are a part of God’s story – you are chosen! You are a royal! You are holy! God
considers you to be His special possession!
Say: Specifically, in our small group this week, we want to focus on the idea that because of our special calling, we also have a responsibility to share
this incredible news in the world. We want you to see that God has equipped each of you with everything you need to be on mission for Him every
day of your life, everywhere that you go. As a follower of Christ, you are called to be part of bringing this metanarrative to the world.
Close in prayer, then collect the nametags.
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W E D N E S D AY
W E D N E S D AY
W E D N E S D AY M O R N I N G
Session Title: Free to Be Me, Everything about who I am is found in Jesus
Purpose: To help students understand true identity is found in Jesus Christ. This study will help students evaluate the false voices around them that
distort their true value and true self and will also help students respond to truth by trusting in God’s Word rather than in false voices.
Scripture: Ephesians 1:4-7 and many others.
Session-At-A-Glance:
Mask-arade (10 minutes)
Mask Management (5 minutes)
Descriptive Mask (15 minutes)
Behind the Mask (20 minutes)
Closing (5 minutes)
Materials Needed:
Resource box
Mask for each Bible study leader
Laminated large poster of an outline of a head (with eyes, nose and mouth)
Laminated poster of a blank or clear mask that fits over the head outline poster
Student workbook
Blank lines page for Mask-arade
Mask Picture
Group Scripture Passages pages
Prayer Prompts page
Reminder to teachers: These sessions are to last 55 minutes! Please do not keep the students longer than the time allotted.
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W E D N E S D AY
The Session
Bible Study leaders, please put on your mask before students arrive to your small group and LEAVE THEM ON until instructed to remove them in
leader guide in the “Mask Management” section!
INTRO AND “MASK-ARADE” (10 minutes)
Say: Our theme this summer is Every One, Every Thing, Every Day, Every Where – Living on Mission. We have been chosen to live our lives on mission
to spread the gospel by living out everything we do to focus on reaching others. Yesterday, in our small group, we looked at the ultimate plan of
God ... the whole reason He does all He does …for His Glory! God reveals Himself through Scripture as a God who is in need of nothing. He also
reveals Himself as pure and unconditional love.
Today, we are going to look at how everything about who I am is found in Jesus. My identity comes from God.
Say: As I am speaking to you, it appears that you are a little distracted. I’m sure you’ve noticed by now that I have on an extra piece of clothing … this
mask. And you’re wondering ,“why?”
Say: There are a lot of reasons that people wear masks. Let’s brainstorm as many different types of masks as possible in two minutes.
Say: Break up into four groups (middle schoolers, based
on your lanyard color; high school students return to the
small groups you were in yesterday).
Today’s quiet time devotion is located on page 77.
Turn in your workbook to page 27 where it says,
“MASK-ARADE.” Do as it says and, as a group, list
as many types of masks as possible.
Make a group list of as many types of masks as possible. At
the end of the game, we’ll compare all of the groups’ lists,
and whichever group has the most unique mask types wins.
“Unique” means that no other groups can have the same
answer or it’s cancelled out. On your mark, get set, go!
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W E D N E S D AY
Leader, give two minutes for groups to write down as many masks as possible.
Say: STOP! Pens down. Let’s see which group has the most unique answers.
Leader, begin with the group that has the MOST answers and get one person from that group to call out their answers one by one. If any other group
has the same answer, that answer is marked off of every group’s list and does not count toward the final score for any group. After the first group
shares its complete list, move on to another group and have them read answers that have not been shared, until all groups have had the chance to
share their answers.
Leader, congratulate the winning group.
Say: We’ve just heard about LOTS of masks people can wear. There are different reasons why people may choose to wear a mask. What are some
reasons?
Give students an opportunity to respond, naming different reasons why people would wear masks. Answers could include: to scare people, to
pretend to be someone they’re not, to avoid passing germs, to protect them in sports or in construction, to rob a bank, firemen wear one to breathe,
as a dust mask, or scuba diver mask. All of these masks have a purpose.
MASK MANAGEMENT (5 minutes)
Say: So there are many kinds of masks people wear for a variety of reasons. I think we all have seen that. So let me ask you a question: How many
people in this room are wearing masks right now?
Give students a chance to respond. Students may say “one” or “two” depending on if you and another leader are wearing masks.
Say: It is very likely some of you are wearing masks right now. Maybe not literal masks like this one (LEADER, remove your mask and hold it up). But
some of you are probably wearing a mask outwardly to pretend to be someone you want others to see. This type of mask is what we will focus on
today. This kind of mask is a cover up of who we really are in order to gain something from others. One example would be a student who behaves
one way on Sundays around certain people, but a completely different way on other days when he/she is around different people.
Say: What words might be used to describe someone who wears that kind of a mask … pretending to be someone they’re not?
Give students a chance to respond. Some answers could include “insecure,” “fake,” “hypocrite” or “poser”.
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W E D N E S D AY
Ask: Is it possible for others to pressure us to wear a mask? How?
Allow time for students to respond. An example could be someone who isn’t typically a mean girl, but around certain friends, she says hurtful things
to fit in.
Say: There are people who speak into our lives who can try to lead us to pretend to be someone different than who we really are and different than
who we are created by God to be. These people or groups may influence us to adopt certain behaviors or attitudes to “fit in” or to belong. Maybe
you’ve heard the phrase “go along to get along.” This means to do what others are doing so that you can avoid conflict and fit in. Who are some of
the people, things or groups that influence us to wear a mask?
Answers may include: music, media, peers, friends and parents among other answers.
DESCRIPTIVE MASK (15 minutes)
Say: Get back into your small groups and turn to the page
in your student workbook to the picture of a mask. As a
group, write on the mask different words that describe
how people may pretend to be in order to be accepted
or belong. For example, words could include “mean” or
“rich” or “smart.”
Say: All groups, please turn this way. I have a big picture
up here of a face, and it’s wearing a mask (point to the
large picture). Let’s see some of the answers your group
came up with for the masks teenagers can wear. Send
one representative from your group to write down
esponses on this big mask.
Leader, instruct the representatives to take turns writing
one or two words each on the mask until the mask is full
of words.
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W E D N E S D AY
Say: Wow, that could be a scary mask! What is scarier is knowing that many students are wearing a mask that can be similar to this one, missing out
on who they REALLY are created to be in Jesus Christ! God’s Word, the Bible, tells us so much about who we really are and how we can know our real
identity through a relationship with Jesus. I can’t wait for your group to discover some amazing things God says about YOU! God loves the person
behind the mask.
Leader, remove the large mask from the poster, revealing the blank face.
BEHIND THE MASK (20 minutes)
Say: Return back to your small groups and take a few minutes to discover what God’s Word says about who He created us to be. Turn to pages 29
through 31 in your student workbooks. Each group will be given a list of Scriptures to look up and discover one-word answers or short answers to the
sentence: “In Christ, I am….”
Leader, make group assignments from the following lists of Scriptures. If you have more than 4 groups, assign some groups the same lists of
Scriptures. Give 7-8 minutes for groups to work on this assignment. The student books do not have the short answers printed below. They only have
the Scripture passages.
Group 1
• Ephesians 1:4-7; Accepted, loved, adopted and forgiven
• Romans 8:16; A child of God
• John 15:14; A friend of Jesus
• Ephesians 2:8; Saved by grace
• John 15:16; Chosen
• Colossians 2:10; Complete
Group 2
• Galatians 3:13; Redeemed
• Colossians 1:13; Rescued
• 1 Peter 5:7; Cared for
• Ephesians 1:3; Blessed
• 1 Peter 2:24; Healed
• 1 John 5:11-12; Eternal
• 2 Corinthians 5:17; A new person
• Ephesians 2:10; A masterpiece
• Romans 8:17; An heir
Group 3
• 1 Peter 2:5; A temple
• Ephesians 5:1; An example
• Romans 3:24; Declared not guilty
• Romans 8:1; Not condemned
• 2 Corinthians 5:21; Made right with God
• Romans 8:14; Led by the Spirit
• 2 Corinthians 5:7; Living by faith
• Romans 12:1-2; Being transformed
Group 4
• 2 Timothy 1:7; Not afraid
• Ephesians 6:10; Strong in the Lord
• Romans 8:37; Victorious
• 1 John 4:4; An overcomer
• 1 Corinthians 3:9; A co-worker with God
• Philippians 2:13; A workman
• Galatians 3:28; One in Christ with other believers
• Ephesians 5:29-30; Part of the Church
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Say: All groups, please turn this way. Now let’s see some of the answers your group came up with for words that describe who we REALLY are in
Christ behind the mask! Send one representative from your group to write down responses on the poster.
Leader, instruct the representatives to take turns writing one or two words each on the face until the face is full of words.
CLOSING (5 minutes)
Say: Everyone wears a mask sometimes. Maybe today God’s Word spoke to your own heart about who He created you to be in Christ. Would you
take a moment with just you and Jesus and write down a brief prayer that expresses your heart? You can even start with one of the three prayer
prompts in your workbook. Today’s theme is about everything in our lives being real so others will be able to see how our decision to follow Jesus
changes everything in our lives.
Close in prayer, then collect the nametags.
P RAY ER PROMPTS
• God, thank You for loving me, the REAL me, behind the mask. I confess that the mask I’m wearing
includes these things:
• God, I need You to help take off my mask and to help me be free to be me in Christ! I am really thankful
to know that in Christ, I am…
• Help me to love You, love others and love myself. And help me to live a life of glorifying Jesus every day,
to everyone, everywhere.
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T H U R S D AY
T H U R S D AY M O R N I N G
Session Title: It’s What You Do Every Day
Purpose: To help students examine their lifestyles to see if they show Jesus to others and allow Him to show off through them.
Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9, Luke 10:25-37, other selected passages
Session-At-A-Glance:
Introduction (2 minutes)
“Find Someone Who” game (8 minutes)
Characteristics of Royalty (5 minutes)
Good Samaritan Stories (20 minutes)
It’s What You Do — Christ Followers Pictionary (15 minutes)
Who Needs a Samaritan? (4 minutes)
Closing Prayer (1 minute)
Materials Needed:
Resource box
IT’S WHAT YOU DO; Christ Followers Pictionary (four cards)
Student workbook
“Find Someone Who” game
Good Samaritan Character studies
Who needs a Samaritan? sheets
Reminder to teachers: These sessions are to last 55 minutes! Please do not keep the students longer than the time allotted.
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T H U R S D AY
The Session
INTRODUCTION (2 minutes)
Say: Our theme this summer is Every One, Every Thing, Every Day, Every Where – Living on Mission. Today we are going to focus on how we live each
day so others know by our reputation that we are Christ followers.
Ask: Can you name some famous people?
Give them a chance to answer; it helps them connect to the lesson.
Ask: What are some things that make them famous?
If they need help with an answer, suggest that it may be some special ability they have, their celebrity status, etc.
“FIND SOMEONE WHO” GAME (8 minutes)
Say: Each of us is unique in our experiences, talents, etc. Turn to the “FIND SOMEONE WHO” page in your book. In the next few minutes, get as many
signatures from other people in our group who match the descriptions listed on the page. You can only have a maximum of two descriptions signed
by a single person on your page.
1. Find someone who is a first time Caswell attender
2. Find someone who is an only child
3. Find someone who has served on a mission trip
4. Find someone who was born in a different state or country
5. Find someone who has met someone famous
6. Find someone who has shared their testimony
7. Find someone who plays a musical instrument
8. Find someone who has an autograph of someone famous
9. Find someone who has a summer birthday
10. Find someone who rode a hooptie church vehicle to get here
BONUS SIGNATURE: Find someone who is related to someone famous
After they have had a few minutes to complete this activity, or when you have a winner, bring the group back together.
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Ask some follow up questions such as: Who are some of the famous people who have been met by members of this group? Where have some of you
served on mission? Is anyone here related to someone famous? If so, who?
Say: There are a lot of famous people in all countries. Some famous people include kings and queens.
CHARACTERISTICS OF ROYALTY (5 minutes)
Ask: What are some of the characteristics of a king, queen and/or royal family member?
Possible answers: wealthy, privileged, powerful, influential, superior status, etc.
Ask: How does someone become royalty?
Answer: Generally, with very few exceptions, you must be born into royalty from a royal family. You have a royal bloodline or you marry into a royal
bloodline.
Read: Our theme verse is 1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.
Ask: According to this Scripture, what are some of the characteristics of God’s royal priesthood?
Possible answers: Chosen for a purpose, a special possession of God.
Ask: How do we become part of God’s royal priesthood?
BE SURE to give the students a chance to answer first.
Say: Thanks to Jesus’ gift of the payment for our sins on the cross, we can become a part of THE royal bloodline. We are a son or daughter of the King
of kings when we accept Jesus.
Leader note: This is intended to be a QUICK reminder of the need to have a relationship with Jesus! Encourage them to speak with you or one of their
leaders later TODAY if they feel the calling to accept Jesus, but stick to the main lesson plan here.
Say: Those who are royalty in God’s Kingdom have a purpose different from what we think about with human royalty. We are to live a life that “shows
off God.” In the next few minutes we are going to look at how we live that type of life.
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GOOD SAMARITAN STORIES (20 minutes)
Say: Do you know someone who always asks teachers, “Is this going to be on the test?” whenever the teacher gives a lesson? Are you maybe one of
these people? Some of the questions youth workers are often asked are: “How far is too far to go in a dating relationship?” “Is it ok for me to party
if I don’t get drunk?” “Am I really lying if I don’t flat out say something that isn’t true, but I just don’t give all of the facts?” It seems like all too often
we want a line drawn to tell us what we have to do to get by. What the minimum requirements that are needed to be “OK” with God are what many
people want to know. However, if we are to live like God’s royalty, we need to go way beyond minimum requirements. Jesus encountered a person
who in a way, wanted to know, “What is on life’s test that I have to master to be ok with God?” Jesus’ response was one of the most famous stories in
the Bible.
Read Luke 10:25-37
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What
is written in the Law?” He replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all
your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,”
Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from
Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half
dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too,
a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the
man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he
put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them
to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of
these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one
who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Say: We are going to split into the four groups we have been in earlier this week. I will assign each group a character from this story. Using the guide
in your student book, your group will tell their character’s backstory in a modern day setting. Here are the four different characters/perspectives:
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The Levite – A person concerned with following the religious rules, but not necessarily the heart of faith.
For this activity, we are going to define a modern “Levite” as a person concerned with following the religious rules but not necessarily the heart of faith. Do
you know of people like this who do not do “bad things” like abusing drugs, drinking, viewing pornography, having sex outside of marriage, etc., but do not
really seem to care about others?
Let’s say they witnessed a student being bullied by other students to the point that this victim was physically hurt. However, this modern “Levite” did
nothing to help the victim. Pretend you are the modern-day Levite and write your explanation for not helping here.
The Priest – A person concerned with religious ritual and prestige, but not necessarily service.
For this activity we are going to define a modern “priest” as a person concerned with religious ritual and prestige, but not necessarily service. Do you know
people like this? They are at church all of the time. They are active and a leader in their youth group, go on mission trips and do mission projects at their
church. However, outside of their church activities/trips they don’t do much at all to help others.
Let’s say they witnessed a student being bullied by other students to the point that this victim was physically hurt. However, this modern “Priest” did
nothing to help the victim. Pretend you are the modern-day priest and write your explanation for not helping here.
The Samaritan – A person who was not accepted in that society but who had what was necessary to help the victim.
For this activity, we are going to define a modern “Samaritan” as a person who is not fully accepted in society, but who both has and uses what is
necessary to help a victim. This may be the person who is seldom thought of as a leader or has friends but is definitely NOT in the “popular kids” group at
school. However, whenever someone needs help, they offer it, even if it is rejected or they are made fun of for doing so. It’s what they do!
Let’s say they witnessed a student being bullied by other students, to the point that this victim was physically hurt. This modern Samaritan went to the
victim and helped them. They helped them get medical treatment and even paid for their pain meds. Pretend you are the modern day Samaritan and write
your explanation for why you helped here.
The Victim – A person who has had their possessions taken away from them along with their dignity and security.
Every school, community, etc. has at least one of these people in their population. A victim is a person who has had their possessions taken away from
them along with their dignity and security.
Sometimes this happens from physical attacks; sometimes this happens through social attacks, on and
offline, where people are treated horribly. They are usually a bully’s favorite target.
Let’s pretend you are that person, a victim. You have been physically attacked and are lying on the ground in pain. You have been stripped and are totally
humiliated as well as injured. While you were lying there, you saw two people who are considered religious people, leaders in their youth groups, just pass
you by. Then one of the less popular people came by and helped you. They got you help and even paid for your pain meds, as you and your family have no
money. Explain here how you feel to those who didn’t help you and to the one who did.
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Leader note: This may not be a classical description of each character, but is intended to be a description to help the students be able to relate to the
different types of people they are and/or encounter in life.
Say: The character study in your student book will give you the instructions you need. We will come back together in a few minutes to share.
Break into small groups for a few minutes, then come back together and have a representative from each team share what they recorded in their
student books. This should be a QUICK wrap up.
PLEASE KEEP TRACK OF YOUR TIME.
Ask: As you heard these stories, can you identify yourself with one of these characters? I don’t want to embarrass anyone by having you answer
this out loud, but are some of you like the priest or Levite? Unfortunately, there may be times when each of us could identify with each character.
Recognizing this fact can help us reject the excuses we use when we don’t live like God’s royalty. Then we can begin to live lives that change the world
one life at a time.
IT’S WHAT YOU DO; Christ Followers Pictionary - (15 Minutes)
Leader’s note: If you are running out of time, shorten the game time to only one or two rounds instead of four to catch up. If time isn’t a problem,
allow the students to enjoy the game for the full amount of time allotted. Even if you do shorten this activity, please be sure to read the introductory
statements, as they tie all of this together.
Say: Usually we tend to learn more from what we see than by words alone. This is why Jesus often used stories that were easy for people to visualize
to teach His message. There is a line of commercials out now that show different comical representations of groups, animals, people etc. and say “If
you are (what is being shown) then you do such and such.” The tag line they always end with is “It’s what you do.” The Bible is clear that as God’s
royalty (Christians), there is a way we are to live … “IT’S WHAT YOU DO!” We are going to begin to wrap things up today by looking at a few of these
passages in a little different way.
Say: Pictionary is a game where you are given a word or phrase and you have to draw something to get your team to guess that word or phrase. We
are going to play a similar game. Each of your four groups is a team. You will each have a chance to draw one or some of the characteristics of “WHAT
YOU DO” as God’s royalty from the cards provided.
You will have 4 cards in your teaching kit. Each one will have one of these Scriptures. A representative from each team will draw hints to what the
Scripture says to try to get their team to figure out what we are “TO DO” from these Scriptures. No one should say what the Scripture is, as many
may know these verses.
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PLAY GAME
Verses for each card:
Matthew 25:35
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you
invited me in.
Mathew 25:36
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.
James 1:27
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep
oneself from being polluted by the world.
1 John 3:16
This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers.
These arefour verses that help us live out what Jesus has asked us to do. Brainstorm ways you can live these verses out each day.
How do you clothe people, feed people, love people, look after needy people in your community?
After a time of brainstorming, ASK: What ideas have you heard that would make these verses real? Example: You may know of a teenager whose
parents are hardly ever around. What can you do to help?
Do you really see people that are in need? Do you take time to think of ways to help?
All week you have heard of others who have chosen to make a difference. If you have accepted Christ, this is not an option – you are called to live life
on mission. You just need to do one thing. What one thing could you do?
Say: There is a very old saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” The reason this saying is so accepted is that it is true. The story of the Good
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Samaritan is a beautiful representation, or picture, if you will, of loving your neighbor. In the same way our lives should be a living picture of what it
means to live life as a royal priesthood, one of God’s chosen.
WHO NEEDS A SAMARITAN? (4 minutes)
Say: In the space provided in your student workbook on
page 45, put the name or names of someone you know who
has been “beaten up” by current youth society. (This does
not have to be a physical beat down, but that can be
included as well.) List why you think they need a Samaritan
to help them and list how and when you will be that
Samaritan.
CLOSING AND PRAYER (1 minute)
Close in a prayer of commitment for those needing a
Samaritan. Give the students opportunity to share those
names. Finally, pray for the students to follow through in
sharing with those in need.
Collect the nametags.
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F R I D AY
F R I D AY
F R I D AY M O R N I N G
Session Title: Share God’s Story Everywhere
Purpose: To help students develop a strategy and plan to share Jesus with others as requested in Acts 1:8.
Scripture: Acts 1:8
Session-At-A-Glance:
Introduction (5 minutes)
Why? (10 minutes)
Where? (15 minutes)
Who and How? (10 minutes)
When and Where? (10 minutes)
Game Plan (5 minutes)
Materials Needed:
Resource box
N.C. Department of Transportation map
Markers
Soda bottle lid
Crayons/colored pencils
Pens
Copies of The Lifebook
Student workbook
Israel in Jesus’ Time
My Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria
Who and How?
Reminder to teachers: These sessions are to last 55 minutes! Please do not keep the students longer than the time allotted.
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F R I D AY
The Session
INTRODUCTION (5 minutes)
Say: Most people would agree that John 3:16 is one of the most popular Bible verses. It is one we are encouraged to memorize as kids. It is seen
written on signs and shirts at ball games and other places where a crowd has gathered. In reality, it probably shares the whole message of God better
than any one verse in the Bible. There is another verse quoted by pastors, youth ministers and missionaries almost as often as John 3:16, and that
verse is Acts 1:8. How many of you know what this verse says? Can anyone quote it for us? It says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit
comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
Acts 1:8 has been the theme for many churches and youth groups. It has even been used to challenge churches to get out and tell others about
Jesus. Ed Newton, who has been one of the speakers here at Caswell, uses this verse as the foundation of his My8 study, which challenges youth to
make sharing the message of Christ’s love a priority in their lives.
Say: Today, we will look closely at this verse as we try to develop a strategy or plan for you to share the gospel or “good news” of Jesus with people
who live around you as well as with those in faraway places.
WHY? (10 minutes)
Instruct the students to find a partner. If there is an odd number, you or your co-teacher
will need to partner with one of the students. Inform the students to find a partner and
get ready to play, “Rock, Paper, Scissors.” Explain the rules of the game (see diagram),
and have the students do a practice run. Then have them play three times, and the
person who wins two out of three is to remain standing, and the other is to sit down.
Ask: What percentage of the class is seated?
Of course the answer is 50%.
Say: According to many polls taken over the past several years, less than 50% of Americans
attend church each Sunday. That is about the percentage sitting down in this room.
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Continue with another round of the game. When this next group sits down, ask the students what percentage of the original participants are still
standing. The answer should be 25%.
Say: This 25% is the number that a study from churchleaders.com says is more realistic of the number of Americans who are really active in church.
Continue with the game until you get to two players.
Say: Now this little percentage of the original students is close to the percentage of Christians who actively share their faith with people around
them.
Finish the game and get a winner.
Say: There is only one person left standing. This represents each of you. Only you can reach out to those around you and tell them about Jesus and
His love for them. Jesus told each of us to be His witnesses and to share the “good news” to those around us.
Say: We have already quoted Acts 1:8, but I want you to look in your Student Workbook in Friday’s small-group section, and let’s read the verse
together. (Read together)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
Say: Why should we share Jesus with others? The first reason is because Jesus told us to, and the other is that there are a whole lot of people who
obviously don’t know much about Him. Think about it ... who could do a better job of telling a friend about Jesus than a friend? Today, let us commit
to do a better job of sharing Jesus with others! As Scripture tells us, we will be given power to do the task. God’s Holy Spirit will be there to lead us
and guide us through the process.
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F R I D AY
WHERE? (15 minutes)
Say: Where are we to share the gospel? We just read Acts 1:8. Where did it tell us to
share the message of Jesus? (Ask the students to answer this. You may have to help
them by reading the verse again!) Look in your Student Workbook at the “Israel in
Jesus’ Time” page. This should give you a little idea of what Jesus’ followers would be
hearing. Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria were the areas around them. What do you think
our Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria would be? Our Jerusalem would be our hometown
or community, or even our county. Our Judea could be seen as the state we live in.
Our Samaria could be other states or even countries that are relatively close to us. The
“uttermost parts of the earth” is not hard to figure out – it is simply everywhere else in
the world.
For this part of the study, we are asking one person from each church to come to the
front where the N.C. Department of Transportation map is located and put an X on the
location of their church. They may not be able to get it exactly, but ask them to get it as
close as possible.
Say: You are going to be figuring out where you live! I know you actually know where
you live, but you are going to be marking it on your map. We are asking one person
from each church to come to the map and mark an X over the area where their church is
located.
After each person has marked where they live, ask them to go back to the map and draw
a one inch diameter circle (use provided soda bottle lid) around their X. Explain to them
that this does not have to be perfect, but is simply an exercise to show a ten-mile radius
around where they live.
When the group has finished, ask them to look at the map and see what areas of the
state are represented and what areas are not (mountains, coast, central, north, south,
east, west, etc.). Most of the state should be covered. Share with the group the fact
that our state should be an area where Christ is shared with the majority of the people.
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F R I D AY
Next, instruct the students to turn to Friday’s small-group section in their workbooks. They will find a page with the heading, “My Jerusalem, Judea
and Samaria.” On this page, they will see a map of North Carolina. They will be asked to use a crayon or colored pencil to color the county in which
they live (You may have to use the big map to assist some of the students in finding their county!) Ask them to use another color and fill in the
counties surrounding their county.
MY JERUSALEM JUDEA AND SAMARIA
WHO AND HOW? (10 minutes)
Say: To put it in simple terms for us as we get ready to go home tomorrow,
let us consider our community, hometown, or county to be our “Jerusalem.”
Let us consider our state to be “Judea” and then our nation to be our “Samaria.”
If you will turn to the page following the map in your student book, you will find a
page entitled, “Who and How?” In your groups, your task is to try to determine who
would be in your “Jerusalem,” “Judea,” and “Samaria” who would need to hear about
Christ. Examples may be classmates, people from other places, tourists, migrant workers,
etc. After you finish filling in these blanks, your group will need to come up with a creative strategy
for sharing the gospel in any or all of these areas. Let’s see which group can be the most creative!
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F R I D AY
Who and How?
List five people-groups in the areas below that would need to hear about Jesus. Don’t use specific names – use things like homeless people,
migrant workers, etc.
Your Home Area – Town, Community, etc. (Jerusalem)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Your State (Judea)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Your Nation (Samaria)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What is your plan for sharing the gospel with a person or persons in one of these groups?
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F R I D AY
WHEN AND WHERE? (10 minutes)
Say: Students often ask when and where they have opportunities to share Jesus with their friends. The best strategy for sharing Jesus is to make sure
that our lives point people to Jesus in all we do. Think about the following questions:
Do my texts point people to Jesus?
Do my Facebook posts point people to Jesus?
Do my conversations with friends point people to Jesus?
Do my “selfies” point people to Jesus?
Do my Snapchats and Instagram messages all point people to Jesus?
What good is it to try to tell someone about Jesus if our lives don’t back it up?
Say: In your groups, take about three minutes to come up with an answer to this question:
• When and where am I around the most people who need to hear about Jesus?
Say: Be ready to share with the larger group.
Have each group share.
GAME PLAN (5 minutes)
Say: We want to give you something as you leave. It is a copy of The Lifebook. This little book is basically a copy of the book of John from the Bible.
It has some notes and questions and is really a cool little book. These are provided free by the Gideons, and youth pastors can get them free.
Say: We want you to take this book and give it to someone you feel needs to know about Jesus and His love for them. This little tool may be the way
you can lead someone to Christ. If you are here and do not have a relationship with Jesus, keep the book and read it yourself. If you are shy and do
not feel you can give it to someone, leave it where someone can get it and read it.
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F R I D AY
Say: Whether it is your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria or anywhere else, we are to do whatever we can to tell people about Jesus. If you can share your
story with someone – that is great! If you are not too good at that, be creative in finding ways to share the gospel.
Say: Remember Acts 1:8. It tells us that the Holy Spirit will always be there to give us the power we need!
Close with a prayer of blessing.
Say: Dear God,
We come before You today to ask Your blessings on each one of these students. As they leave tomorrow to go back to their homes, we now
commission each of them as Your missionaries. Show them opportunities to share Your message at home, in their communities, in their schools and
throughout the world. Give them the boldness to always share and the power to minister. Once again, bless each of these students. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.
Today is the last day that students will gather in this small group, so ask them to take their nametags with them. Please bring your resource box to the
storage closet located across from the restrooms in the classroom building. Thank you for leading this week!
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