Equip Week
Reminder: Club time is designed to last 25-30 min. If your Club has less time, adapt the EPIC Guide to best fit what your Club specifically needs. Use the Holy Spirit’s guidance to discern what is best to cover during the time you have.
Resources Needed: Prayer Cards and The FOUR material
Verses to have ready: Romans 1:16; Matthew 28:19-20; John 3:16; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8; and Romans 10:9.
Happening This Month: It is the last month of the year! Whether you have been following this EPIC Guide all year, or just started a few months ago and are skipping to the end, you are likely preparing your last few weeks of Club! Be intentional about your last INVITE Week, and if you can, do something special like a party or a celebration, Don’t forget to invite as many friends as you can to hear the Gospel one more time before the summer!
Key Takeaway: The FOUR is a simple way to understand and share the Gospel: God loves us, sin separates us, Jesus rescues us, and we must choose to follow Him. These symbols help us remember God’s story of love and offer us a chance to share it with others.
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 connect any new students to the Club and Leadership so they feel like they have a place.
- Host – Start the Cub with the Welcome, Prayer, Game (if applicable), and Memory Verse.
- Speaker – Lead the Cub 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.
HOST | STARTUP – 2 MINUTES
Welcome: Welcome to First Priority! We are so glad that you have chosen to join us today! Our focus this month is going to be centered around “Personal Evangelism.”
Today is EQUIP Week where we want to equip and encourage you on how to better share your faith with your friends.
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 thankful for those who are here today and thankful for your love for each of us! Prepare our hearts now to hear your Word. 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: Romans 1:16(NIV) – “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
SPEAKER | TOOL TIME – 10 MINUTES
Today, we are going to talk about The FOUR as a whole. The FOUR is a simple and powerful tool made up of four symbols that represent the key parts of the Gospel story. These symbols—The Heart, The Division, The Cross, and The Question Mark—give us a clear and memorable way to explain and share the Gospel with others. Let’s explore how these four icons work together to tell the greatest story ever told: God’s story of love, rescue and hope for humanity.
The Heart: God Loves Us
The story begins with God’s incredible love for us. God created each of us with a purpose and desires a personal relationship with us. His love is boundless, unconditional, and demonstrated through His plan to restore us.
John 3:16 (NIV) – “For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The Division: I Am Separated From God
Sin is what breaks the perfect relationship we were created to have with God. It separates us from Him and leaves us spiritually lost. On our own, we can’t fix this divide.
Romans 3:23 (NIV) – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
The Cross: Jesus Rescues Me
The Good News is that God didn’t leave us separated from Him. Jesus came to rescue us! He died on the Cross to pay the penalty for our sins and rose again to offer us new life. His sacrifice bridges the gap and restores our relationship with God.
Romans 5:8 (NIV) – “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The Question Mark: Will you Choose to Follow Jesus?
The final part of the story is our response. God offers us forgiveness and a new life through Jesus, but we must choose to accept it. Saying “yes” to Jesus means trusting Him, following Him, and letting Him guide our lives.
Romans 10:9 (NIV) – “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Leader Tip: Break into small groups or have a large group discussions based on Club size. Give students 1-2 minutes per question based on Club time.
Discussion Questions:
- Which part of The FOUR stands out to you the most, and why?
- How do these four symbols together help you better understand the Gospel?
- Who can you share this message with this week?
The FOUR reminds us that the Gospel is simple yet life-changing. Each of these symbols represents a piece of the amazing story of God’s love and plan for us. Take time to reflect on how this story has changed your life and how you can share it with others.
SPEAKER | DIG IN: EMBRACING THE GREAT COMMISSION – 8 MINUTES
Let’s dig into God’s Word today by reading a few verses from the book of Matthew.
Matthew 28:19-20(NIV) – “19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Imagine you are hiking up a steep mountain, filled with beautiful landscapes and breathtaking views. As you reach the summit, you come across a sparkling, refreshing spring. The water is pure, life-giving, and invigorating. You can’t help but take a long drink and experience the rejuvenation it brings to your weary body. Now, imagine that water representing the Gospel, and you, as a student, are the one carrying it to others who are spiritually thirsty. That’s the essence of the Great Commission.
As students, we often find ourselves immersed in the journey of education, striving to learn and grow academically. However, there is a greater purpose that awaits us beyond the walls of our schools and colleges. Jesus, before ascending to heaven, entrusted us with a powerful mission known as the Great Commission. He called us to share His love, truth, and salvation with everyone around us.
Just like the hiker who discovered the refreshing spring, we have tasted the living water of Christ’s grace and forgiveness. It has transformed our lives and given us hope. But this water is not meant to be kept to ourselves; it is meant to be shared with others who are spiritually thirsty. We are called to go out into our schools, communities, and the world to make disciples and lead them to the life-giving water of the Gospel.
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:
- How does the illustration of the hiker and the refreshing spring relate to our role as students in fulfilling the Great Commission?
- Why do you think Jesus specifically mentioned “all nations” in the Great Commission? How does that impact our perspective on sharing the Gospel?
- What are some practical ways we can actively engage in fulfilling the Great Commission as students, considering our unique contexts and relationships?
HOST | PRAYER TIME – 5 MINUTES (OR TIME REMAINING)
Have Student Leaders pass out Prayer Cards.
Before we finish, let’s take some time to reflect on those around us who may be longing for the peace and joy that Christ offers. Write their names on a piece of paper as a reminder to pray for them throughout the week.
Give them time to fill out Prayer Cards.
Allow 2-3 minutes for students to share prayer requests and pray for one another.
Closing prayer suggestion: Gracious God, we thank you for bringing us together in fellowship and faith.
Take a moment now to silently lift up the names of those who need to know you. (Pause for silent prayer.)
We pray for those who have not yet come to know you as their Savior. May your Holy Spirit work in their hearts, and may we be a reflection of your love for them. In Jesus name, Amen.
HOST | ANNOUNCEMENTS – 1 MINUTE
Next week is PREPARE Week ! If you’ve been working on your Faith Story and feel ready to share, talk to a Club leader about being one of two speakers. Whether it’s a short 2-3 minute story or a longer testimony, we’ll support you and help you share with confidence.
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).
Leader Notes:
- Remember to file the report on this week’s Club numbers!
- Prepare for PREPARE Week by reviewing the planning guide at the beginning of this month.
Leader Tip: Use the First Priority Club app to keep leader roles organized so you can reference this list on the go!
