GOD’S WORK ON THE CROSS

Connect Week

Student Leader Roles:

• Promo – Promote the Club through social media, announcements, and any other outlets the school allows.
• Welcome – Stand at the door and welcome students to the Club as they arrive. Be sure to welcome any new students and connect them to the Club and Leadership so they feel like they have a place.
• Host – Start the Club with the Welcome, Prayer, Game (if applicable), and Memory Verse.
• Speaker – Lead the Club through Tool Time, and Dig In, using the EPIC Guide, and any supporting materials.
• Follow-up – Follow up with new (or newer) students, and students who accepted Christ for the first time or want to know more. This role requires follow-up every week, not just after INVITE Weeks.

Welcome: Welcome to First Priority! We are so glad that you have chosen to join us today! Our focus this month has been “God’s work on the Cross.” Today is CONNECT Week and we are so excited to share with you the many ways to connect with God through the local church.

Let’s start today’s club with prayer.

Opening Prayer: God, thank you for another great week that we get to be here at First Priority! I am so thankful for those who committed their lives to follow Jesus last week. I am also thankful for the local church. Thank you, God, that you have placed people in groups that love you and that will help each other walk faithfully. In Jesus name, Amen.

Game – Optional (if time allows): Feel free to select a game that fits your needs best! Click here to see the list of games available.

MEMORY VERSE: Ephesians 1:7 (NIV) – “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

Leader Tip: do this next part in groups or ask just a few volunteers for each section.

Let’s take a moment to share about how we are connected to Christ, Club, and the local church and how we can get those around us to be connected as well!

Christ: Anyone want to share their connection to Christ story? (How they came to a relationship with Christ.)

Club: Who can we connect to this First Priority Club next week?

Church: Ask students

1. What Church do they go to? Where does your church meet and what time does it start?
2. Why do they go to their church?
3. What do they love about their church?

Leader Tip: Invite a Club Coach to share about their church!

Let’s take a moment to think about what the Cross really means. It’s more than just a symbol of death—it represents life! It reminds us of God’s deep love and how far He went to save us. Because Jesus died for us, we can be forgiven, have hope when life gets hard, and learn how to love others the way He loves us. Imagine how different our lives would be if we didn’t have the Cross to guide us.

Now, think about a world where no one ever forgives. Every mistake you make stays with you forever, and no one gives second chances. Without the Cross, the weight of our sins would be too much to carry, and forgiveness wouldn’t be possible. But because Jesus took our sins on Himself, we can be free. He wipes away our past and gives us a new start.

Matthew 6:14 (NIV) says, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” The Cross not only gives us forgiveness, but it also teaches us to forgive others.

Now, imagine a life with no hope. Every hard time, every disappointment feels like it will never end. Without Jesus and the Cross, it would be easy to feel lost. But because Jesus rose from the dead, we know that no matter what happens, there is always hope.

1 Peter 1:3 (NIV) says, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy, He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” This hope gives us the strength to keep going, even when life is tough.

Finally, think about a world with no real love. A world where people only care about themselves and don’t help each other. Without the Cross, love might feel fake or something we have to earn. But Jesus showed us real love when He gave His life for us.

1 John 3:16 (NIV) says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.” Because of the Cross, we know how to love others by putting them first and caring for them the way Jesus does.

The Cross is more than just a symbol—it’s the center of our faith. It reminds us of God’s love, forgiveness, and the hope we have in Jesus. Without it, we would be stuck in sin, hopelessness, and selfishness. Today, let’s be thankful for the Cross. May it remind us to forgive, to hold on to hope, and to love others every single day. When we do this, we show the world who Jesus is.

Leader Tip: Break into small groups or have a large group discussion based on Club size. Give students 1-2 minutes per question based on Club time.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are other ways people try to get to heaven besides embracing the sacrifice of the Cross?
2. How can we practically remind ourselves and others that Jesus is the only way to eternal life this week?

Take 2-3 minutes to allow students to give different prayer requests and pray for the needs of the students. Spend a few minutes praying for local churches.

Let’s close in prayer.

Closing prayer suggestion: God, thank you for the incredible gift of your work on the Cross. We are humbled by your love and the sacrifice of Jesus to pay the price for our sins. Help us to understand the depth of your grace and to live in the freedom and joy that comes from being reconciled to you. Strengthen us to share this Good News with others and to reflect your love in our daily lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next cycle, we are going to be talking about the question that is posed to all of us. God invites us to accept Christ as our Savior. Next time we meet, we are going to be talking about our response to the question “What will we do with Jesus?”. If you feel like God may be calling you to serve as a Student Leader, we would love to talk to you and see how we can get you plugged in! Feel free to come talk to one of our Student Leaders!

Leader Notes:

• Remember to file the report on this week’s Club numbers!
• Review leader roles for next week! Use this as an opportunity to recruit new leaders!

Announcement suggestions: This is the place for the Club to make any announcements for the upcoming week and or month. This is a great spot to add Student Leaders to your team and give responsibilities to them. It is also the place to check on the upcoming school schedule for days off or breaks (your Faculty Sponsor is a great resource for this).