May 6
What we’re learning this week:
In Acts 28, Paul is shipwrecked on Malta, bitten by a snake, and immediately judged by the people around him; first as evil, then as a god. In this teaching we see that people’s opinions can change quickly, whether they are criticizing us or praising us, but neither should define who we are. Instead of letting hate discourage us or hype fill us with pride, we should let Jesus define us and keep faithfully following Him.
Bottom Line: Let Jesus Define You
Scripture: Acts 28:1-6; Galatians 1:10
Small Group Time:
Tonight we are going to encourage our students to write down a lie/pride they believe. Then, go through the attached sheet of what God says about their identity through Him. We want to give our students a verse to memorize or point back to anytime they feel themselves struggling with the lie/pride they believe. We want you to start small group time off with this spiritual practice and then walk through the small group questions. Below are instructions.
Start your small group off by handing out to each student a index card and pen.
Have them write either one lie they believe about themselves or something they are prideful in.
Next read aloud or hand out the paper with Biblical truths for student to write under their lies/prides with the verse attached to it.
Encourage your students to share aloud the lie they believe, or pride they struggle with, and have another student repeat the Biblical affirmation and recite the verse.
At the end pray over your students.
Small Group Questions:
Have you ever had someone say something negative about you that really affected you? How did you respond?
Why can praise and compliments sometimes be just as dangerous as criticism?
Which of the three statements stands out most to you: “Don’t let their hate define you,” “Don’t let the hype inflate you,” or “Let Jesus define you”? Why?
What does it look like in middle school to care more about what God thinks than what other people think?
