Series: BREAD CRUMBS (Feb. 27th - March 20th)

SERIES OVERVIEW

Before Jesus was born, Scripture was already buzzing with anticipation about who he was and what he would do. From Genesis to Malachi, the Old Testament contains countless prophecies about the coming King and Savior who would restore order to the world. For example, the book of Isaiah, written 700 years before Jesus’ birth, prepares people for his divine identity, his passionate mission, and his sacrifice for their sins. This series will help students understand Jesus more deeply by seeing him through the lens of the Old Testament.

Week 1  What Would Jesus Be Called? | Isaiah 7:14; 9:2, 6-7 (2/27/18)

About 700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah revealed that Jesus would receive some incredible titles. By exploring these names of Jesus, students will better understand his unique identity. They’ll also be challenged to commit themselves more deeply to their relationship with him.

Week 2  How Would People Get Ready for Jesus? | Isaiah 40:1-11 (3/6/18)

Long before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah encouraged people to prepare for Jesus’ arrival. Ultimately, this was fulfilled in the Gospels when John the Baptist pointed people to Jesus. By seeing Jesus’ arrival through the lens of Isaiah and through the work of John the Baptist, students will better understand how to get ready for Jesus to enter their own lives.

Week 3  Why Would Jesus Suffer? | Isaiah 52:13–53:12 (3/13/18)

Some 700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah revealed the terrible suffering that Jesus would endure for us. The dramatic account about the Suffering Servant in Isaiah 52 and 53 indicated that Jesus would willingly lay down his life to bear the sins of the whole world. By seeing Jesus’ sacrificial work through the lens of Isaiah, students will better understand Jesus’ identity as their personal Savior.

Week 4  Why Would Jesus Come? | Isaiah 61:1-3 (3/20/18)

Centuries before Jesus was born, the prophet Isaiah revealed that the Messiah would come to restore the world, which had been devastated by sin and sickness. Isaiah predicted that the Messiah would bring the “good news” (gospel) of healing and freedom to people in desperate need of salvation. By viewing the good news of Jesus through the lens of Isaiah, students can better understand Jesus’ mission and be challenged to live for him in all they do

Series: WITH US (November 28th - December 12th)

Big Idea of the Series: Sometimes, it’s difficult to enjoy Christmas when we’re too busy to stop and savor the holiday. For most of us, it feels like the Christmas season gets shorter and shorter each year. This sermon series takes congregations back to the foundation of the Christmas story, revealing the joy and celebration it brings to all those who place their faith in Christ. Christmas changes everything. God has come to us in the form of Jesus! He is literally “God with us.”

Week 1 No Ordinary Baby | Matthew 1:18-25 (11/28/17)

Jesus is no ordinary baby, but literally “God with us.” Jesus’ birth is not just a story, but a life-changing event that should give our lives purpose and direction. This lesson will focus on finding ways to bring the focus of Christmas back to the person of Jesus Christ. Sometimes, when we take the “Christ” out of Christmas we make Jesus’ birth feel like more of a story, and less of a life changing event in our own lives.

Week 2 Awkward | Luke 1:26-38 (12/5/17)

Jesus wasn’t born into a wealthy family with powerful connections, the situation was awkward at best; his earthly parents included a teenage girl and her middle to lower class fiancé. Your life, family, or situation might not be ideal, but don’t worry, the nativity story teaches us that God can use all for His glory.

Week 3 Unstoppable | Matthew 2:13-23 (12/12/17)

No matter how hard he tried, Herod could not halt the plans of God. Despite the difficult circumstances that come your way, know that nothing can separate you from God’s love, forgiveness, and redemption. He is God with us. God had a plan to bring grace and mercy to humanity through Jesus Christ. Nothing could stop this from happening. You might face difficult circumstances—even evil—but be rest assured that though those things may hurt the body, they cannot touch the soul that has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit.

Series: FREEDOM! (October 24th - November 7th)

Teenagers are starving for attention, popularity, recognition, and notoriety. They believe their identity is found in how their peers view them more than how Jesus views them. For too many young people, their worldviews are based around what society says is socially acceptable. Their “realities” and “truths” are based on false hope, the latest fads, and trending topics. This three-lesson series will engage our students in thought-provoking conversations about what it means to live a Jesus-centered life and how to systematical prioritize what matters most. They’ll discover God’s desire for them to rest in the truth that when they are in relationship with Jesus, they are his children and their identity is found in him. They will find liberation and freedom in knowing they do not have to please an audience of many; they only have to please an audience of one.

Lesson One: The Freedom Factor | John 8:31-32 (10/24/17)

When we believe Jesus is the truth and begin the journey of following him, we can experience freedom—freedom that comes from being Jesus’ disciple, knowing truth, and following a Jesus-centered path. This lesson will help teenagers discover that their true identity is found in knowing that Jesus is the truth and he can set them free from guilt, brokenness, judgment, shame, hurt, and pain. Jesus offers a promise and reassurance for those who believe in him. He said that if we are truly his disciples, we will know the truth, and the truth will set us free. Jesus’ point is simple, focused, and all-encompassing. It leaves no room for questioning or compromising. Remaining connected to or “dwelling” in Jesus and his teachings is the true measure of discipleship. It is what separates people who are really free from those who merely appear to be free. It also speaks to how our identity is found in Jesus and not in the ways of the world. Jesus is the pathway to truth and the only way to experience freedom.

Consider building your conversations around these questions:

• Do you find it difficult to believe Jesus’ love for you is unconditional? Why or why not?
• What does it mean to you to remain faithful to Jesus’ teachings?
• Have you ever felt like your relationship with Jesus was based on your behavior or how good or bad you were? If so, why have you felt that way? If not, how might you help a friend who feels that way?

Lesson Two: Be Real with Yourself | John 8:33-37 (10/31/17)

“Honesty is the best policy” is an age-old saying that reminds us that when we are candid and truthful about our life situation, we can effectively begin to move toward a better place. From a spiritual standpoint, we must be honest about who we are and how much we need God, because when we are in denial about our sins, we remain slaves to those areas of sin and struggle. This lesson will challenge teenagers to see that they are sons and daughters who have been adopted by God through Christ and that they have a right to experience all of the amazing benefits and blessings he has for them. In this passage, Jesus spoke about what being part of his family really looks like. Slaves have no permanent rights in the home; those rights are reserved for the children of that household. Jesus’ objective was to get people to understand the importance of being a son or daughter who is adopted into God’s family.

Consider building your conversations around these questions:

• What does it mean to you to be part of our family? What are some of the benefits?
• How can you be adopted into God’s family?
• Once adopted into God’s family, what do you think are the benefits to being part of his family? 

Lesson Three: Family Feud | John 8:38-47 (11/7/17)

Life is all about choices. Teenagers struggle daily to make the right choices because they want to identify with things they feel are right. Living the Christian life is all about making the choice to follow Jesus. This lesson will help teenagers discover how freedom and liberation can take place for those who are true disciples and followers of Jesus Christ. In our final lesson, we brought it all home by exploring John 8:38-47, where the conversation between Jesus and the Jews escalated to the point where it became pretty heated. It reached a place where Jesus drew a line in the sand and challenged people to consider if they were legitimate children of God.

It is so important for teenagers to learn how to choose well. The spiritual choices they make will determine whether or not they spend eternity with Jesus. As we conclude this series, challenge and encourage your teenager to understand the value and benefits of being part of God’s family—and how the most important thing in life is passionately pursuing a deep love for Jesus.

Here are some questions that can help fuel your conversation this week:

• What people have shaped or influenced your spiritual journey? How have they been like spiritual fathers or mothers to you?
• What are some characteristics or traits of Jesus that you’ve seen displayed in other people’s lives? Be as specific as possible.
• What are some spiritual truths God has been teaching you recently?