GOD’S WORK ON THE CROSS

Invite 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 centered around “God’s work on the Cross.” Today is INVITE Week!

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! We pray for our guest speaker today ______ as they share their story. We pray that our hearts would be open to hearing how much you love each one of us. In Jesus name, Amen.

Game – Optional (if time allows): Optional (if you have time): 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.”

Let me ask you a question: Have you ever seen a rescue story—maybe in a movie or the news—where someone was saved from danger just in time? Those stories grab our attention because deep down, we all long for rescue. And the truth is, the greatest rescue story isn’t just something we watch—it’s something we’re a part of. Let me explain.

We’re All in Need of Rescue
Imagine you’re out in the middle of the ocean, struggling to stay afloat. The waves are huge, and no matter how hard you try, you can’t swim to safety. That’s a picture of our condition without God. The Bible says in Isaiah 53:6, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray; each of us has turned to our own way.”

In other words, we’ve all wandered away from God’s perfect plan. That wandering is called sin. It’s the wrong things we’ve done—like lying, being selfish, or hurting others—and it separates us from God. And no matter how hard we try, we can’t save ourselves. We need someone to step in and rescue us.

God’s Amazing Rescue Plan
Here’s the amazing part: God saw us struggling, and instead of leaving us, He made a rescue plan. That plan is centered on Jesus Christ. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Let me paint this picture for you: Imagine a lifeguard jumping into the waves to save someone who’s drowning. That’s what Jesus did for us but on a much greater scale. He left heaven, came to earth, and took the punishment for our sin by dying on the cross. He didn’t wait for us to “get it together” or clean ourselves up. He loved us as we were.

But here’s what makes this story even more incredible: Jesus didn’t stay dead. Three days after His death, He rose again, defeating sin and death forever. Because of His sacrifice, the way back to God is open. It’s like He threw us a lifeline and said, “Grab hold—I’ve got you!”

A Rescue you Can Accept
So, how do we grab hold of that lifeline? It’s not about being “good enough” or earning it. It’s about faith—trusting in what Jesus has already done for you.

Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works so that no one can boast.”

That means you don’t have to earn God’s love or forgiveness. It’s a free gift. But like any gift, you have to accept it. It starts with admitting that you need rescue—that you’ve sinned and can’t fix it on your own. Then, believe that Jesus died for you and rose again. And finally, choose to follow Him, letting Him lead your life.

Why This Matters Now
Maybe you’re thinking, “That sounds nice, but I’m not sure I’m ready.” Let me encourage you: there’s no better time than now. None of us knows how much time we have, and God’s invitation is open today. 2nd Corinthians 6:2 says, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

Think about it: Jesus already did everything necessary to save you. All that’s left is for you to say yes. When you do, you’re not just rescued from sin—you’re also invited into an incredible relationship with God. He gives you peace, purpose, and the promise of Eternal Life. That’s a rescue worth saying yes to.

(intro to response time)

Conclusion:
So here’s my question for you: Do you want to grab hold of the lifeline Jesus is offering? If so, it starts with a simple step—talking to God. In a moment, I will lead us in a simple prayer, and I encourage you to listen to God’s calling in your life. If you are ready to take that step toward Him, pray this prayer with me.

And, If that’s something you’re ready to do, don’t leave here without telling someone. Talk to me, a leader, or a friend who knows Jesus. We’d love to celebrate with you and help you take your next steps.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I come to you broken and in need of forgiveness. I believe in Jesus, who died for my sins and rose again to give me life. I ask you to forgive me, cleanse me, and fill me with your Spirit. I surrender all that I am to you and commit to living for you each day. Thank you for loving me and calling me yours. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Thanks for listening today. Remember, the greatest rescue story isn’t just something to hear—it’s something to live. And you’re invited to be part of it.

Before we leave today, our Student Leaders are going to pass out Response Cards for you to fill out. If you related to or felt moved today, please take a moment to fill out a Response Card. As you will see on the cards there are 5 boxes asking about your response to today’s Club.

The first box ‘Today I trusted in Jesus for the first time.’ This is if you made the decision to follow Christ and put Him first in your life for the first time.

The second box ‘Today I reaffirmed my faith in Jesus.’ This is if maybe you made the decision to follow Christ in the past, but have fallen short and got caught up in sin for a while and you want to recommit your life to Christ.

The third box ‘I would like more information about the Gospel.’ This is to let us know that you would like to dive deeper into the Gospel of Christ and the calling that the Lord has for your life. We would love to connect with each of you on this level.

The fourth box ‘I have already trusted in Jesus before today.” This is maybe for those of you who are already walking with Christ and have made the decision to follow Him wholeheartedly. If this is you, we still want to connect with you and walk alongside you. We hope that you continue to come to Club and join this Faith Community as we connect with each other through the Gospel.

The last box is for anyone who is not interested in what you heard today in Club. If this is you, we want to encourage you and let you know that no matter your beliefs or place in life, you are still welcome and wanted here. We love having each and every one of you. There is space here for everyone no matter where you are on your walk with Christ, even if you may not be walking with Christ yet.

As you finish filling out your card, we want to thank each of you for joining us today and we cannot wait to connect with you and see you next week! Let’s take a moment to pray together and then we will discuss any announcements…

Let’s close in prayer.

Closing Prayer suggestion: Heavenly Father, we are humbled by your presence among us. Thank you for the opportunity to testify of your goodness. If anyone was touched by what they heard today, may they draw near to you and find the fullness of your love. And for those who weren’t here but need to hear of your salvation, Lord, lead them to this gathering in the future. Amen.

(This is the place for the Club to make any announcements for the upcoming week and or month)

If today was your first time with us and you’re wondering what First Priority is all about, don’t miss Connect Week next week. It’s a great way to explore what God has for you, get connected, and experience community.

Leader Notes: Remember to file the report on this week’s Club numbers!

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).

FOLLOW UP: Collect all Response Cards and sort them before leaving the room after Club. Follow-up is key and can be urgent for a new believer. If there is no time for the team to sort them, have a Student Leader take them and sort them within the next few hours (Do not do this during class time when you should be working or paying attention!). Send the name of each person who made a decision to the person who brought them or another friend so they can follow up appropriately. Make a plan to review and pray over them with your Campus Coach and Adult Leaders. Plan to connect soon with any students who had questions or made a decision – you want them to know that they are important to you.

See the Follow-Up Guide on www.firstpriority.club/resources for more details.

Prepare for CONNECT Week: Who will be responsible for the areas listed in the First Priority Club app (or the planning guide at the beginning of this month?