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WHAT WE DO WITH JESUS

Connect 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: Local Church information for students to be “Local Church Engaged.”

Verses to have ready: John 14:6 and James 4:8.

Key Takeaway: Make your relationship with God a priority by seeking Him, trusting His plans, growing in faith, living out His purpose, and showing His love to others. As you get closer to God, He will guide and strengthen you. Stay connected to Jesus, your Club, and your church to grow together and help others know God’s love.

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.

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 has been “What we do with Jesus.” 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: Thank you for another incredible week and the privilege of gathering here at First Priority. I’m so grateful for everyone who has joined us today to experience your presence. Thank you for the gift of the local church, where we can find community and grow alongside other followers of Christ. 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: John 14:6(NIV) – “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

SPEAKER | TOOL TIME – 10 MINUTES

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!

SPEAKER | DIG IN: WHAT’S NEXT? – 10 MINUTES

Let’s dig into God’s Word in the book of James.

James 4:8(NIV) – “Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

As you navigate through your educational journey, it is important to remember that your relationship with God should be a top priority. Each day presents a new opportunity to deepen your connection with Him, to seek His guidance, and to discover what lies ahead in your relationship with God. So, what’s next for you in your walk with Him? Let us explore together.

Seek Him Diligently:
The first step in progressing in your relationship with God is to seek Him with all your heart, mind, and soul. Don’t settle for a stagnant faith; instead, pursue Him relentlessly. Read His Word, spend time in prayer, and meditate on His Promises. Seek His Presence in every aspect of your life, and let His Truth shape your thoughts and actions.

Surrender Completely:
To move forward in your relationship with God, surrender is key. Release your doubts, fears, and desires into His hands.

Surrender your plans, dreams, and ambitions, trusting that He knows what is best for you. Let go of your own will and submit to His divine guidance. Surrendering to God allows Him to work in and through you, leading you to places you never imagined.

Grow in Faith:
As you progress in your relationship with God, allow your faith to grow. Embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for spiritual growth. Seek to deepen your understanding of who God is and how He works in your life. Lean on Him in times of uncertainty, knowing that He is faithful and will provide for all your needs. Trust that He has a perfect plan for you, even if it may not align with your own.

Embrace His Purpose:
God has a unique purpose for each one of your lives. As you draw closer to Him, He will reveal His plans for you. Be open to His leading and guidance, for He knows the desires of your heart. Trust that His purpose for you is greater than anything you could ever imagine. Seek His Will and align your desires with His, and you will find true fulfillment in living out His purpose for your life.

Share His Love:
Lastly, as you grow in your relationship with God, share His love with others. Let your life be a testimony of His grace, mercy, and compassion. Reach out to those in need, show kindness, and share the hope that you have found in Christ. By being a light in the lives of others, you not only deepen your own relationship with God but also help others discover the love of God for themselves.

Conclusion:
Students, the journey of your relationship with God is ongoing. It is a journey of seeking, surrendering, growing, embracing, and sharing. So, as you contemplate what’s next in your relationship with God, remember to draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you. May your relationship with God be a source of strength, guidance, and joy as you continue to walk with Him throughout your lives.

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. How can I practically seek God with all my heart, mind, and soul on a daily basis?
  2. What are some practical ways to surrender my desires and plans to God and trust in His divine guidance?
  3. How can I actively share God’s love with others and be a light in their lives?

HOST | PRAYER TIME – 3 MINUTES (OR TIME REMAINING)

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 this time together, for the opportunity to reflect on how we can grow in our relationship with you. We recognize that our walk with you is a journey, and we commit to seeking you with all our hearts, surrendering our plans to you, and growing in faith. We trust that your purpose for our lives is greater than we can imagine, and we ask for your help to share your love with others. As we go into this week, may we draw near to you and experience your presence in everything we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

HOST | ANNOUNCEMENTS – 1 MINUTE

The next cycle is our last one of the year! Join us to talk about Evangelism and what it means to share God’s love, our sin, Christ’s sacrifice, and our choice to accept Him with others!

Leader Notes:

  • Remember to file the report on this week’s Club numbers!
  • Review leader roles for next week! Use this as an opportunity to recruit new leaders!

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).