WHAT WE DO WITH JESUS

Prepare 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 connect any new students 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 is on “What we do with Jesus.” Today is PREPARE Week where we will be preparing to share our stories and the Gospel of Jesus with others. As we begin, we will also take a look at the ultimate decision you will make.

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! Thank you for the privilege of prayer. I pray that we would be found faithful to pray for our friends to know you. Give us the strength to speak out. 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: Proverbs 14:12 (NIV) – “There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.”

Student Testimony – Optional: If no student is prepared, do not worry! Keep walking through this each month. Consider the Student Leadership team going first to set the tone for the rest of the Club. Testimonies can be life-changing (both for the speaker and listener) and that is why we are here.

Let’s spend some time preparing to do our part to reach our campus for Christ.

Learning to share your Story: Use the My Faith Story Sheet.

Leader Tip: Have Student Leaders hand out the My Faith Story Sheet.

Let’s take a moment to talk about how you can share your Faith Story. It can be very simple! Using the My Faith Story Sheet, it guides you to focus on three parts: your life before Christ, how you encountered Jesus, and your life since knowing Him.

Start with what life was like without Christ—your struggles or things that felt missing. Then, talk about the moment Jesus became real to you—through an event, a person, or a realization. Finally, share how He’s transformed your life—how faith gives you hope and direction now.

Today, let’s dive into the third part of our story: how Jesus has transformed your life.

This is the most exciting part! It’s the part that everyone needs to hear because they need to hear how God can change their story too!

Start by sharing how God changed your life and changed your ‘keyword’. For instance, if your keyword is shame, explain how God has turned your shame into something better. In Section 4 of the worksheet, you’ll find some suggestions for words to describe you now. Maybe it’s a word that’s the opposite of your keyword, like ‘forgiven’ instead of ‘ashamed’.

In addition, share what God is doing in your life right now. God doesn’t stop changing us after we follow Him. He keeps changing us, challenging us, and growing us until the day we die. Sharing what you’re learning from studying the Bible, what God did through you recently, or even what God is calling you to do in the future are great ways to show others that God is faithful and will be with them forever.

Remember, your story is powerful. Take some time to pray and write down the story of how God has changed you and is still changing you. Then, share it with someone here—it might be exactly what they need to hear!

Leader Tip: Give students time to work on and discuss their stories and have Student Leaders help those who may be new to this. Encourage students to practice sharing their stories with a friend in the Club. If time is limited, make sure students finish writing out their stories at home.

We are going to dig into the Word of God in the book of Joshua.

Joshua 24:15(NIV) – “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord”

In a world filled with countless choices and paths to follow, there is one decision that stands above them all—the choice to choose Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. This decision is the most significant and life-transforming choice we can ever make. It is a choice that impacts not only our present but also our eternal destiny.

When we choose Jesus, we choose to embrace the love and grace of God, who sent His only Son to save us from sin and reconcile us to Himself. It is a choice to surrender our lives to Him, acknowledging that our own efforts are insufficient to save us or provide true fulfillment. It is an act of faith, recognizing that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6) and that no other path can lead us to Eternal Salvation.

The choice to follow Jesus is not always an easy one. It requires us to let go of our selfish desires, worldly pursuits, and the temptations that entangle us. Jesus Himself said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23 NIV). Choosing Jesus means laying down our own will and embracing His will for our lives.

But why should we choose Jesus? Because in Him, we find unconditional love, unwavering forgiveness, and unending hope. In Him, we discover our true identity and purpose. In Him, we experience the transformative power of His Spirit, who guides us, comforts us, and empowers us to live a life that honors God.

Choosing Jesus means entrusting our lives to a faithful and loving Savior who promises to be with us every step of the way. He assures us that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and that nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). Jesus offers us abundant life both now and for all eternity.

As we make the choice to follow Jesus, let us remember that it is not a one-time decision but a daily commitment. It requires us to seek Him wholeheartedly, study His Word, and cultivate a deep and intimate relationship with Him through prayer. It involves aligning our thoughts, words, and actions with His teachings and living as His ambassadors in a world that desperately needs His love and truth.

Today, I encourage you to reflect on the choice you have made or the choice you are considering. Choose Jesus, for in Him you will find peace amidst chaos, joy amidst sorrow, and hope amidst despair. Choose Jesus, for He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Choose Jesus, for His love will transform your life and lead you to everlasting glory.

Leader Tip: Break into small groups or talk as a big group. Give 1-2 minutes per question, depending on your time.

Discussion Questions:

1. How can I practically live out my choice to follow Jesus on a daily basis?
2. What are some challenges I may encounter when choosing Jesus, and how can I overcome them?
3. How can I share the love of Jesus with others and be an effective ambassador for Him in the world?

Invite Cards: Have Student Leaders pass out Invite Cards to students.

Before we leave Club, we’re going to take a moment to fill out the Invite Cards we provided. Make sure to write down all the details clearly so they’re ready to hand out. Once you’re done, use them to invite your friends and classmates to join us next time!

Give students a moment to fill out Invite Cards and ask any questions.

Take 2-3 minutes to allow students to share different prayer requests and pray for the needs of the students.

Spend a few minutes praying for next week. Pray specifically for students’ lives to be forever changed by the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Let’s close in prayer.

Closing prayer suggestion: Lord, thank you for this time of encouragement and growth. As we go out this week, give us opportunities to share your hope with others. We pray for our friends who are far from you—may they come to know the fullness of life in you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Homework: Be sure to continue writing out and practicing your stories! If you need help, or maybe want to hear an example, don’t hesitate to come ask a Student Leader and we would be happy to help you! As we are getting closer to the end of the year, we want to make sure we are prepared to tell our story at any given time and circumstance.

Announcement suggestions:

• Share upcoming club events or special activities.
• Remind everyone about upcoming school breaks or schedule changes.

Leader Notes:

• Remember to file the report on this week’s Club numbers!
• Prepare for INVITE Week! Review the leader roles and keep everyone on the same page. Use the as an opportunity to recruit new leaders!

Club Coach Tip: During next month’s PREPARE Week, up to two students will have the option to share their Faith Stories. Be intentional about recognizing students who may be ready and offer support outside of the Club to help them prepare.