EVANGELISM

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 you’re here today! This week, we’ll focus on the importance of connecting with Christ, your Club, and the local church. Each connection is crucial in growing your faith, building community, and sharing God’s love with others.

Let’s begin with prayer!

Opening Prayer: God, thank you for bringing us together today. We are so grateful for the opportunity to connect with you, with each other, and with the local church. Help us to see how these connections strengthen our faith and equip us to live out your purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Game – Optional (if time allows): Choose a game, video, or icebreaker. Select one that fits your group’s 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.”

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!

Connections are so important to build a strong faith in Jesus. Let’s look at God’s Word to see what it says about connecting to Christ, this Club, and a local Church.

1. Connecting with Christ:

John 15:5 (NIV): “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.”

In John 15:5, Jesus describes our relationship with Him as a vine and branches. When we stay connected to Him through prayer, worship, and reading His Word, we grow and bear fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing of lasting value. Connecting with Christ is the foundation for everything else in our faith journey.

2. Connecting with your Club:

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV): “24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 highlights the importance of meeting together and encouraging one another. your Club is a place where you can grow in your faith alongside friends, share your struggles, and celebrate victories. It’s a community where you can be inspired to live boldly for Christ and reach others for Him.

3. Connecting with the Local Church:

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.”

The local church is God’s design to help believers grow spiritually, serve others, and share the Gospel. When we connect with a local church, we join a larger family of believers who can help us deepen our faith and give us opportunities to serve in our community. The church equips us to carry out the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20—to make disciples of all nations.

Imagine these three connections like a three-legged stool. If one leg is missing, the stool wobbles or falls. In the same way, our spiritual growth is strongest when we stay connected to Christ, our Club, and the Church.

Discussion Questions: (if time is short, choose a couple of questions from the list)

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.

1. Why is staying connected to Christ so important for your faith?
2. What role does the local church play in helping believers grow in their faith?
   • What role do you play in helping believers grow in their faith? [because the church is a group of people, not a building]
3. What can you do to strengthen your connection with Christ this week?
4. How can your Club work together to invite others to join and learn about Jesus?

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 gift of connection—with you, with one another, and with your church. Help us to remain rooted in Christ, build meaningful relationships in this Club, and find ways to grow and serve in the local church. May we boldly share your love with others this week. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Next week, we will be starting a new cycle centered around God’s Love! If you are interested in being a Student Leader or want to become more involved, please feel free to come talk to one of us and we will see how to get you plugged in!

Announcement suggestions: This is the place for the Club to make announcements for the upcoming week or month. Encourage Student Leaders to take an active role by making announcements or organizing events. Don’t forget to check the school calendar for upcoming breaks or days off.

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

Prepare for EQUIP Week and next EPIC Cycle: There is a printed guide at the beginning of this month to keep leader roles organized or you can use the First Priority Club app to keep the list current on the go!