Equip Week
Reminder: Club time is designed to last 25-30 minutes. If your Club has less time, adapt the EPIC Guide to best fit your 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: 1 Peter 3:15: Romans 1:16: John 3:16: Romans 3:23: Romans 5:8: and Romans 10:9.
Happening This Month: It’s the first month of the school year! Whether you’re starting a brand-new Club or coming back together after the summer, this is an exciting new beginning. Be intentional about making your first INVITE Week impactful, and consider hosting a Kickoff Celebration or party to start the year strong. Don’t forget to invite as many friends as possible to hear the Gospel and join in the fun as we set the tone for an amazing year ahead!
Be sure to check out the calendar at the beginning of the EPIC Guide for any events that are coming up.
Key Takeaway: As followers of Christ, we must always be prepared to share the Gospel, just as 1 Peter 3:15 instructs us to give a reason for our hope with gentleness and respect. God has given us the tools—His Word, the Holy Spirit, and opportunities—to share His love and salvation with others. Being equipped means actively using these gifts to boldly and compassionately share the message of Jesus.
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’re so excited you’re here today! This month, we’re focusing on Evangelism and how to be equipped and ready to share our story with others. Today is EQUIP Week.We want to encourage and prepare you with practical tools to help you boldly share your faith. Let’s get started with prayer!
Opening Prayer: God, thank you for bringing us together today for our first week of First Priority. We are grateful for your love, and we ask that you prepare our hearts to learn how to share your truth with others. Help us grow in boldness and love as we live for you. 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.”
SPEAKER | TOOL TIME – 10 MINUTES
Supplies: The FOUR materials (bracelets, cards, slides, etc.)
Today, let’s talk about The FOUR as a practical way (outline) to help each of us to share the Gospel. The FOUR uses four simple icons—The Heart, The Division, The Cross, and The Question Mark—that help us explain the Gospel clearly and confidently. To introduce The FOUR, we’ll go through each icon, read a corresponding verse, and discuss what it all means through guided questions.
The Heart: God Loves 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.”
God’s love is the foundation of the Gospel. He created us with a purpose and desires a relationship with each of us. We can see this in the Creation Story in Genesis, Chapter 1 in the Bible.
The Division: I Am Separated from God
Romans 3:23 (NIV) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Sin separates us from God, leaving us in need of rescue.
The Cross: Jesus Rescues Me
Romans 5:8 (NIV) “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Jesus’ sacrifice bridges the gap, offering forgiveness and new life.
The Question Mark: Will you Choose to Follow Jesus?
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.”
Salvation requires a personal response—choosing to trust and follow Jesus.
Discussion Questions:
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.
- Which of The FOUR symbols resonates with you the most, and why? How has this truth shaped your personal faith journey?
- Why is it important for people to understand the concept of sin and separation (The Division) before they can fully embrace the message of the cross? How can we share this truth with compassion?
- What does Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (The Cross) mean to you personally, and how can this understanding motivate you to share the Gospel with others?
- How can we help others see the importance of making a personal decision to follow Jesus (The Question Mark), and how can we support them in taking that step?
The FOUR is a reminder that sharing the Gospel doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s a simple, powerful way to tell others about God’s love, rescue, and hope.
SPEAKER | DIG IN: LIVING EQUIPPED FOR THE GOSPEL – 8 MINUTES
Let’s dig a little deeper by looking at God’s Word. Keep The FOUR tool in mind that we just talked about, God’s Word shows us how to use this in our daily lives.
1 Peter 3:15 (NIV): “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Imagine you’re a firefighter, trained and equipped to respond to emergencies. You’re dressed in protective gear, with tools ready to rescue those in danger. But what if you never used your training? The equipment would be wasted, and people might miss out on the help they desperately need.
In the same way, as followers of Christ, God has given us the tools we need to live equipped for the Gospel. He’s provided His Word, the Holy Spirit, and opportunities to share the Hope we have. However, we must actively choose to use what He’s given us.
Being “equipped” means being prepared to live out our faith in every situation—whether that’s sharing the Gospel, encouraging a friend, or standing firm in what we believe. Let’s unpack how we can live equipped for the Gospel.
Discussion Questions:
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.
- What does being “equipped” for the Gospel mean to you?
- Why do you think Peter emphasized being prepared to explain the hope we have? How can this apply to our daily lives?
- What challenges might you face in sharing your faith, and how can being equipped help you overcome them?
HOST | PRAYER TIME – 5 MINUTES (OR TIME REMAINING)
TIP: Have Student Leaders pass out Prayer Cards.
As we end our time together today, let’s spend some time praying for our friends and peers who may not know Christ. Think of a few friends who need the Hope of Christ in their life and take a moment to write their names down so that you can be praying for them this week.
Leader Tip: 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: Heavenly Father, we thank you for bringing us together today and for the opportunity to meet and grow in our faith.
Before we continue, let’s have a moment of silence to lift up the names of friends or loved ones who don’t know you as their Savior. (Pause for silent prayer.)
We lift up those in our lives who don’t yet know you as their Savior. Open their hearts to your truth and use us as a light to guide them to your love. Amen.
HOST | ANNOUNCEMENTS – 1 MINUTE
Announcement suggestions:
- Confirm any changes to the school schedule with your Faculty Sponsor.
Leader Notes:
Remember to file the report on this week’s Club numbers!
Prepare for PREPARE Week:
Use the guide at the beginning of the month to make any plans or changes. Or, use the First Priority Club app to keep leadership roles organized.
Leader Tip: Use this time to recruit new Student Leaders and assign responsibilities.
