THE PAYMENT FOR OUR SIN

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 “The Payment for our Sin.” 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: Philippians 2:8(NIV) – “And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”

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 dig into God’s Word.

Isaiah 53:4-5(NIV) – “4 Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by His wounds, we are healed.”

Today’s Club is centered around the powerful symbol of the Cross. The Cross represents the ultimate sacrifice of love and redemption through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a reminder of the incredible lengths God went to reconcile us to Himself. However, as we reflect on the significance of the Cross, let us also consider what our lives would be like if not for the Cross.

Illustration 1: Imagine Life Without Forgiveness
Close your eyes and imagine a world without forgiveness. A world where every mistake, every wrong, and every offense is met with resentment and retribution. No second chances, no opportunities for growth and reconciliation. It would be a world full of bitterness, broken relationships, and endless cycles of pain. Thankfully, the Cross offers us the gift of forgiveness. Through Christ’s sacrifice, we have the chance to experience forgiveness from God and extend forgiveness to others, fostering healing and restoration in our lives.

Matthew 6:14(NIV) – “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Illustration 2: Imagine Life Without Hope
Imagine a life without hope, where every setback, disappointment, and loss feels insurmountable. A life filled with despair, where there is no light at the end of the tunnel. The Cross brings us hope. It reminds us that no matter how difficult our circumstances may be, there is always Hope in Christ. Through His Resurrection, we have the assurance that even in the darkest moments, God is working all things together for our good.

1 Peter 1:3(NIV) “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,”

Illustration 3: Imagine Life Without Love.
Imagine a world devoid of genuine love. A world where self-centeredness and indifference reign, where no one cares for the needs of others. It would be a cold and lonely existence. The Cross demonstrates the immeasurable love of God for us. Jesus willingly laid down His life for our sake, showing us the depth of God’s love. Through the Cross, we are invited to love sacrificially, putting the needs of others before our own, and making a positive impact on the world around us.

1 John 3:16 (NIV) – “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.”

Conclusion:
The Cross is not merely a symbol, but a powerful reminder of the immeasurable love, forgiveness, and hope that God has given us through Jesus Christ. As we reflect on the significance of the Cross, let us be grateful for the transformative power it holds in our lives. May we embrace forgiveness, cling to hope, and walk in the love that was demonstrated on the Cross. In doing so, we can truly live out the purpose God has for each of us.

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?
2. How can we remind ourselves that Jesus is the only way to Heaven this week?

Allow 2-3 minutes for students to share their prayer requests and pray for one another’s needs. Spend a few minutes praying for local churches.

Let’s close in prayer.

Closing prayer suggestion: God, thank you for the ultimate gift of the Cross and the incredible sacrifice that Jesus made for us. We are grateful for the forgiveness, hope, and love that His death and Resurrection provide. Help us to remember that without the Cross, we would be lost. Give us the strength to live lives that reflect the love and grace you’ve shown us. As we go into this week, may we continue to embrace forgiveness, hold onto hope, and love sacrificially as Christ has shown us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Join us next time as we start our new cycle talking about the choice we have to make. God gave us Jesus but we must accept Him into our lives. We are going to be digging deeper into this decision and how we can share it with others.

Leader Notes:

• Remember to file the weekly club report!
• Review leader roles for next week!

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 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).