EQUIP WEEK 5
Our Glorious Treasure
HAPPENING THIS MONTH:
No special events happening this month!
START UP:
Welcome:
- Say: Welcome to First Priority! (Be sure to welcome guests) We are so glad that you have chosen to join us today! Our focus this month is going to be centered around “New.”
- Say: What are things that we would rather have new than old?
- Say: Today is Equip Week. Today, we want to equip and encourage you on how to better share your faith with your friends.
Opening Prayer:
- Say: God, thank you for another great week that we get to be here at our First Priority club! I am thankful for those that 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:
- See Game List (www.firstpriority.club/games)
- Feel free to select a game that fits your needs best!
DIG IN:
Our Glorious Treasure
Read: Matthew 13:44-46
- While I was in junior high, my hobbies were playing football and collecting sports cards. My favorite team was the Miami Dolphins, and my favorite player was Dan Marino. I tried to get every Dan Marino football card. After a couple of years, I built up a glorious collection of those cards. I was very proud of my display, until one day I came across a Dan Marino cardI did not have. It was the rookie card, and my collection was worthless without it. I traded nearly every football card I had for that Marino rookie card—I had to have it!
- In these two parables, Jesus is comparing the kingdom of heaven to two treasures. The first parable compares the kingdom of heaven to a treasure found in a field. The man who found it sold everything he had to buy the field, so he could have the valuable treasure. The second parable compares the kingdom of heaven to a pearl of great price. The pearl merchant also sells all he has to buy this great pearl.
- What was Jesus saying in these two parables? Receiving the kingdom of God is nothing less than exchanging all that you are for all that He is. Are there things in your life you are trying to keep for yourself? You cannot hold on to the things of God and the things of this world at the same time. You must let go of one or the other. Only the kingdom of God will last forever.
- The things of the world are passing away. Don’t let the most glorious treasure slip away for lesser corruptible disappointments.
Pruitt, Shane. Who’s Your One? 30 Day Devotional for Students. North American Mission Board.
Questions:
- What do we tend to ask God for the most in our lives?
- Some people view God as nothing more than a vending machine, I want, please give!
- God never promised prosperity in a relationship with him.
- In fact, he promised the opposite, that the world will hate those that love God.
- Are you ready to stand for Christ this new year on your campus?
- What are some ways we can be bold for Christ this year?
TOOL TIME:
Supplies:
- Bracelets
- Posters
- Bibles
The Question Mark: Will I Choose to Follow Jesus?
- God totally loves you! His love is boundless and unconditional. The love of God has shown itself through Jesus Christ. This loving God can be experienced, He is real and He wants nothing more than for you to experience His love personally and to discover the purpose of your life in your relationship with Him.
- 1 John 4:16
- Psalms 16:11
Questions:
- God’s love is unconditional, what does that mean?
- How comforting is it to know that God loves us even when we make mistakes
- Demonstrating God’s love can be tough, what is a different way this week, you and your club can express God’s love to your campus?
Prayer Time:
- Take 2 – 3 minutes to allow students to give different prayer requests and pray for the needs of the students.
- Ask students to pray for their friends that don’t knowChrist.
Announcements:
- Say: 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)
PREPARE WEEK 5
Don’t Be Distracted by Peer Pressure
START UP:
Welcome:
- Say: Welcome to First Priority! (Be sure to welcome guests) We are so glad that you have chosen to join us today! Our focus this month is “New.” Today is PrepareWeek! Today, we want to see what God has to say about prayer. Specifically, the privilege of praying for others.
Opening Prayer:
- Say: God, thank you for another great week that we get to be here at our First Priority club! I am thankful for those that 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:
- See Game List (www.firstpriority.club/games)
- Feel free to select a game that fits your needs best!
DIG IN:
Don’t be Distracted by Peer Pressure
Read: Mark 6:14-29
- I was once talking to a group of high school boys in a question/answer type setting. I asked them, “What is the hardest thing to deal with while being in high school?” Out of a group of 20, eighteen of them said peer pressure was the hardest thing to deal with. Peer pressure is a problem for young and old alike. We’ll allow people to talk us into actions that go against our better judgment. Although we may be coerced into trouble, we’re still ultimately responsible for our own actions.
- In Mark 6:14–25, King Herod is first tempted by his flesh and then encouraged into action by those surrounding him. Herod knew there was something different about John the Baptist. The king knew John could possibly be a man from God. However, Herod had John the Baptist murdered because it was more important for him to keep his friends and his evil wife happy than it was for him to do what was right.
- It’s amazing how often so-called “friends” will keep us from doing what is right, and ultimately, they will keep us from God. Most of the time doing the will of God means going against what the crowds want.
Pruitt, Shane. Who’s Your One? 30 Day Devotional for Students. North American Mission Board.
Questions:
- Why is it so hard to do what is right when our friends are looking?
- Make a list of things that we get peer-pressured into that are not pleasing to God!
- What are some practical steps that will help us with peer-pressure?
TOOL TIME:
Let’s spend some time preparing to do our part to reach our campus for Christ.
Learning to share your story:
Sharing your story outline
- What was your life like before you encountered Jesus?
- When and where did you first encounter Jesus?
- When did you pray the prayer of salvation and start following Jesus?
- Where do you attend church? Talk about your youth group and how it has impacted your life.
- When were you baptized?
- How has your life been different since you started following Jesus?
- Close with what you want others to know. This is a good place to share your favorite scripture and challenge others to follow HIM.
- Share the Gospel message using the four.
For two more ways to learn to share your story and God’s story, go to: https://firstpriority.club/website_cacb1588/storytraining
Prepare for Invite Week:
Who will be responsible for these areas:
- Pizza/Donut Order
- Welcome/Opening Prayer
- Game
- Guest Speaker
- Guest Speaker guidelines
Prayer Time – PREPARE:
- 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!
Prayer Cards:
- Use the Prayer Cards that were provided for the club.
Invite Cards:
- Use the Invite Cards that were provided for the club.
- Make sure to fill them out.
Announcements:
- 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).
INVITE WEEK 5
Gospel Presentation
The Four: God Loves / Sin Separates / Jesus Died / Relationship with God is life’s answer
START UP:
Welcome:
- Say: Welcome to First Priority! (Be sure to welcome guests). We are so glad that you have chosen to join us today! Our focus this month has been centered around“New.” Today is Invite Week!
Opening Prayer:
- Say: God, thank you for another great week that we get to be here at our First Priority club! We pray for our speaker today (use their name) as they share their story. We pray that our hearts would be open to hearing how much you love each one of us. In Jesus name, Amen.
Game:
- See Game List (www.firstpriority.club/games)
- Feel free to select a game that fits your needs best!
DIG IN:
Gospel Presentation:
I am going to read a series of Questions. I am looking for honest answers and would like as many of you who feel comfortable to share. When someone answers, we are not going to debate because that is their answer. Half way through, we will switch to reading a Bible verse and also ask your thoughts on what that verse means. Let’s be respectful, open, and listen.
- Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs?
- To you, who is Jesus?
- Do you think there is a heaven or hell?
- If you died, where would you go? If heaven, why?
- If there was an easier way to know how to get to heaven, would you want to know?
Read a verse and ask “What does this say to you?
”For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.Romans 3:23For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Romans 6:23
Jesus answered, ”I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”John 14:6
But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess and are saved. Romans 10:9-10
As scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Romans 10:11,13
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.Ephesians 2:8-9
And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.2 Corinthians 5:15
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Revelation 3:20
- Are you a sinner?
- Do you want forgiveness for your sins?
- Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you and rose again?
- Are you willing to surrender your life to Jesus Christ?
- Are you ready to invite Jesus into your life and into your heart?
Heavenly Father, I have sinned against You. I want forgiveness of all my sins. I believe Jesus died on the cross for me and rose again. Father, I give You my life todo with as You wish. I want Jesus Christ to come into my life and into my heart. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen
TOOL TIME:
- Response card
- Clear invitation and opportunity to respond to the gospel message
- Invite students to come back next week to Connect week.
- EAT PIZZA / DOUGHNUTS
Announcements:
- 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).
CONNECT WEEK 5
Called to Serve
START UP:
Welcome:
- Say: Welcome to First Priority! (Be sure to welcome guests) We are so glad that you have chosen to join us today! Our focus this month has been “New.” Today is Connect Week and we are so excited to share with you the many ways to connect with God through the local church.
Opening Prayer:
- Say: God, thank you for another great week that we get to be here at our First Priority! I am so thankful for those that committed their lives to follow Jesus last week. I am also thankful for the local church. Thank you, God, that you have placed people in groups that love you and that will help each other walk faithfully. In Jesus name, Amen.
Game:
- See Game List (www.firstpriority.club/games)
- Feel free to select a game that fits your needs best!
DIG IN:
Called to Serve
Read: John 6:1-14
- I wonder how often people hold back their services and offerings to God because they think they are too small to make any kind of difference. How many times have you held back your talents and gifts from God’s use because you thought they were insignificant? People are guilty of using their “insignificance” as an excuse for not doing anything for the kingdom of God.
- The Gospel of John records an account of the Son of God feeding more than 5,000 people. Jesus and His disciples looked upon a large hungry crowd, and then He looked for someone to make an offering. A small boy decided against keeping his lunch for himself and gave it to Jesus. Jesus took the five barley loaves and the two fish, blessed them and fed the whole crowd until they were full.
- Can you imagine the blessing and enjoyment the young boy received from giving his small offering to the Lord and serving others with it? What if the boy had kept his lunch for himself, either because he was selfish or because he thought it was too insignificant?He would have really missed out on a huge blessing! No offering or act of service is too small or insignificant. Use what you have for His glory and the good of others!
Pruitt, Shane. Who’s Your One? 30 Day Devotional for Students. North American Mission Board.
Questions:
- Serving others can be really hard to do! We tend to want others to serve us.
- What are some ways the First Priority club can serve the school?
- How can you personally serve someone this week?
- Let’s challenge each other to serve someone this week, and ask how it went at the next club meeting.
TOOL TIME:
Prayer Time – CONNECT:
- 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.
Connection:
Christ:
- Anyone want to share their connection to Christ story? (How they came to a relationship with Christ.)
Club:
- Who can we connect to club this next week?
Church:
- Ask students what churches they go to?
- Why do they go to their church?
- What do they love about their church?
– Mentor share about their church!
Announcements:
- 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).