Survival Kit for Youth

Group study plan for leading youth through a 12-week study

J. Wayne Jenkins

his study plan involves youth in a 12-week group study of Survival Kit. The short-term group plan is designed for new Christians and for Christians who want to grow spiritually through this study. Youth work individually five days of the week. Weekly group-study sessions are based on the youths study during the previous week.

General Preparation Preparing to Lead Each Session

The material for each session includes suggestions for preparation. Also, for each session: Prepare the Testimony Outline chart and the Survival Kit Blueprint chart as illustrated below and on the following page. Put these charts on the wall for every session. Use colored construction paper to cut out a large dot to use with the Survival Kit Blueprint chart. Title three sheets of newsprint: Prayer Sheet, Joy Sheet, and Want to Know. Place these three charts on the wall of every session. Provide the following items for every session. -Bible -Survival Kit -Newsprint -Felt-tip markers

[leading youth through a 12-week group study]

Testimony Outline
1. My Life and Attitudes Before Following Christ 2. How I Realized God Was Speaking to Me 3. How I Became a Christian 4. What Being a Christian Means to Me

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Survival Kit Blueprint

Danger Preoccupation with First Joy Overconfidence, Playacting Cease Growth Listening to Any Leader Hoarding Gods Love Cure and Growth One Body: Being a Part Two Natures:Giving Daily Control to the Holy Spirit Three Aspects of Salvation: A Lifelong Way of Life Four Sources of Authority: Measuring all by the Scriptures Five - And - Five Principle: A Personal Plan for Sharing

Stage

Excitement

Fight

Doubt

Panic-Search

Silent

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[leading youth through a 12-week group study]

Session 1

ORIENTATION
Session Goal: Youth will work through the introduction to Survival Kit. They will develop a covenant and a prayer-contact chain.

Preparing to Lead the Study

Call each youth who will attend the study. Briefly promote the study and get an attendance commitment from him. Does he have a Bible? If so, tell him to bring it with him. If he does not, tell him that you will provide one at the meeting. Instruct each youth to bring a notepad for taking notes. Gather the following materials for the session. -Bibles for youth who do not have their own -A copy of Survival Kit for each youth -Construction paper, felt-tip markers, and masking tape for making name tags -Registration forms to record youths name, address, phone number, and school Use the Testimony Outline (p. 2) to prepare your own personal testimony. Use two sentences for each point.

Leading the Study [leading youth through a 12-week group study]

As youth arrive, ask them to register and to prepare name tags. Read Philippians 1:2-6. Pray, using the names of the youth present. Share your testimony. Then place on the wall the Testimony Outline. Instruct youth to copy the outline. Suggest that they use it as a guide in composing their own testimonies, using two sentences for each point. Comment on Philippians 1:6. Emphasize that the youth are beginning a growth journey with God. Stress that this study is the beginning point in their spiritual growth. The church offers lifelong opportunities for growth through Bible study, discipleship, Sunday School, missions organizations, and ministries of the church that develop and direct spiritual gifts. Explain that opportunities for growth will continue until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil. 1:6). Introduce the Bible as the basic textbook for these sessions. Be sure that each youth has a Bible. Show how to use the table of contents as a guide to Scripture references. Begin with a list of four meaningful Scriptures, such as John 3:16; Romans 8:38-39; 10:9-10; and Proverbs 3:5-6. Lead youth in finding these in their Bibles. Instruct them to write these references on the flyleaf of their Bibles. Indicate that the Bible will be their companion/guide throughout their lives. Encourage youth to love it, to trust it, and to depend on it. Emphasize the importance of using the Bible for study and for meditation. Name other opportunities that youth will have to use their Bibles, such as Sunday School, and Discipleship Training. Distribute copies of Survival Kit. Direct youth to turn to the inside front cover and write their name, date of their conversion, date they joined the church, and date they began Survival Kit for Youth. Lead youth to begin plotting their progress on the chart on page 9 of Survival Kit.

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After the Study

Prepare copies of the group covenant and the contact chain. Print these on cards small enough to fit into youths purses or billfolds.

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[leading youth through a 12-week group study]

Display the Survival Kit Blueprint chart (p. 2). Preview the introduction of Survival Kit for Youth. Note the dangers and the five cures and growth agents. The five stages are introduced on pages 6-8 of Survival Kit. During this study, youth will be memorizing one Bible passage each week. Focus attention on the bottom of page 9 in Survival Kit. Inform them that week 1, day 2, they will begin memorizing their first verse. Point out the Scripture memory cards in the center of Survival Kit. When youth begin memorizing a passage, they will cut that card out of their books. Suggest that youth glue an envelope in the back of their Survival Kit to hold the cards. During the next 11 weeks, this group will be vital in the lives of the youth. Group members should be committed to the study and to one another. Lead youth to form a covenant expressing their commitment to the study and to one another. Ask for suggestions of points that should be included in the covenant. Suggest daily work in Survival Kit, helping one another, asking for help, keeping in contact with one another, sharing concerns, and attending all sessions. Facilitate discussion. Determine contents of the covenant. When youth decide, fasten a sheet of newsprint to the wall. Write the covenant on it. Communication among members is essential to keep one another aware of prayer requests, to support and encourage one another, and to keep one another aware of news and events that relate to the group. Lead youth to form a contact chain. Pass a sheet of paper. Ask each youth to list his name and home telephone number. Explain that at the next session each youth will receive a copy of the covenant and the prayer chain. Explain that each week the first person on the list will call the second person on the list, who will in turn call the next, and so on, until the chain is complete. Place yourself at the end of the chain. Instruct group members to select the person to start the chain. Make youth aware of the importance of setting aside a time each day for Bible study, prayer, and meditation. Suggest that each youth decide when and where he will have his daily quiet time. Suggest that each youth write that information inside the front cover of his Survival Kit. Scan pages 10-17. Show youth how to use Survival Kit this week. Instruct youth to use their quiet time on the other two days to prepare for Sunday School and Discipleship Training. Remind youth of this weeks three assignments: (1) Tomorrow, complete the section in Survival Kit for week 1, day 1. Caution members to do only one days exercise at a time. (2) Write a personal testimony. (3) Begin memorizing Scriptures. Close the session by forming a circle. Ask that each youth, one at a time, kneel in the center of the circle while each youth prays aloud for the one who is kneeling.

Session 2

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Session Goal:

THE INDWELLING CHRIST

During this session, youth will share how God worked in them this week. They will discuss problems and joys they experienced in establishing a quiet time. They will share preconversion/post conversion differences that they are aware of in their lives.

Preparing to Lead the Study

Write the group covenant on a sheet of newsprint and place it beside the Testimony Outline chart. Bring the individual copies of the group covenant and the prayer chain. Provide chalk and a chalkboard. Prepare a colored dot for the Blueprint chart.

Leading the Study

Ask: How are you progressing in locating references in your Bibles? Allow for responses. Lead youth to practice together by locating 2 Corinthians 5:17. Ask a volunteer to read the verse. Ask: What are some things that were different about you last week? Initiate responses. Begin a series of sentence prayers, thanking God for the difference He makes in the lives of Christians. Direct youths attention to the Testimony Outline chart. Instruct them to read their testimonies to the group. Be encouraging and supportive. Explain that the purpose of this exercise is to help youth gain confidence in giving their testimonies. Distribute copies of the group covenant and the contact chain. Explain the chains method and purpose. Say: During the coming weeks, you will encounter words and phrases that you do not understand. We do not want to let any of these remain unclear. Fasten the Want to Know chart to the wall (see p. 2). Ask: What have you heard or read this week that you would like to have explained? (Write responses on the chart.) If you cannot give a brief answer immediately, promise an answer at the next session. Lead the group to repeat the memory verse for the first week. Ask for volunteers to say the verse individually. Praise youth for memorizing the Scripture verse. Sketch a large hand on the chalkboard. Ask youth to turn to page 15 in Survival Kit. Ask them what they wrote in the palm on the hand illustration. Write it in on the drawing. Put the colored dot beside the word Excitement on the Survival Kit Blueprint. Elaborate on the cure and growth agent. Emphasize the importance of a quiet time. Ask the group to turn to pages 1011 in Survival Kit. Underline the five quiet-time principles. Ask: Which of these was the most difficult for you? Encourage youth to share their difficulties. Be understanding and supportive. Encourage youth to put this principle into practice. Ask them to report next week. Ask: What did you discover this past week as you studied your Bible? Allow time for responses. Ask: What are some decisions that you made this week which might not

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have been the same if Christ had not been controlling your life? Allow time for discussion. Help youth see that Satan does not come in a Halloween costume, obvious to see and refuse. He comes in many forms, subtly catching us. Make assignments for next week: Scripture memory; look for a discovery in Bible study; rewrite and memorize their personal testimonies; prepare a report on their pre-Christian impressions of the words denomination, church, baptism, and holy. Ask youth to join hands and pray silently for one another. Close in prayer.

Session 3

ONE BODY: ITS LIFE

Session Goal: Youth will be able to explain what baptism and the Lords Supper symbolize. Youth will be able to explain what it means to be a part of the body of Christ.

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Preparing to Lead the Study

Call the contact-chain starter at least two days before the study. Ask him to begin the calls. Each youth should encourage the person he calls and remind him of the assignments for the next session. Ask each youth to bring a picture or some other item that reminds him of another person. Provide items necessary for serving the Lords Supper. Enlist a youth to read 2 Corinthians 5:17 and another to lead in prayer.

Leading the Study

Use the Survival Kit Blueprint chart (p. 2) to introduce the study and to explain what the group will do. Ask youth to update the chart on page 9 of Survival Kit. Ask the enlisted youth to read 2 Corinthians 5:17. Then, call on the enlisted youth to lead in prayer. Deal with any leftover questions from the Want to Know chart. Then ask youth to add words or phrases at this time. Deal with these, or promise to do research before the next session. Ask: How have you made your testimony more understandable? Allow time for discussion. Ask several youth to share their testimonies with the group. Ask youth to share their pre-Christian impressions of denomination, church, baptism, and holy. Say: The word holy means set apart for a special use. It does not mean perfection. It means that whatever is set apart is reserved for Gods special use, and Gods presence cleanses the holy thing or person. Allow time for questions and discussion. Check for correct understanding of these terms. Ask youth to show the items that they brought and to tell why those items remind them of certain persons. Emphasize that the item is not the person. Rather, it is a symbol that reminds them of the person. Explain symbolism. Show the Lords Supper trays and say: The juice and the bread that these

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trays contain are also symbols. Their purpose is to remind us of something more significant than the juice and the bread themselves. Ask: Do you remember what the juice and the bread symbolize? Allow discussion. Be sure that youth understand the symbolism of the Lords Supper. Lead youth to the baptistry. Ask them to reflect on the feelings that they had as they stood in the baptistry at the time of their baptism. Lead youth to compare those feelings with present feelings as they revisit the baptistry. Be sure to mention that baptism also symbolizes the believers entrance into the body of Christ. Ask: What does it mean to you to be a part of the body of Christ? Allow time for reflection and for sharing. Ask: How does being a part of the body of Christ affect the way you relate to other members of the body? Encourage questions and discussion. Lead youth to quote together Romans 12:4-5. Form a tight circle with arms around one another, creating a group hug. Close with prayer.

Session 4

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Session Goal:

ONE BODY: ITS SERVICE

Youth will distinguish between spiritual gifts and talents. Each youth will identify one of his gifts and will explain how that gift can be used for service in the body of Christ.

[leading youth through a 12-week group study]

Preparing to Lead the Study

Provide one sheet of construction paper, one pair of scissors, and a sheet of aluminum foil for each youth. Using sheets of construction paper, cut pieces to resemble a body with a head, arms, and legs as shown in the illustration on the next page. Two days before the session, ask the contact-chain starter to begin calling group members, reminding them of the next meeting. Be sure chalk and chalkboard are available. Enlist a youth to lead in prayer.

Leading the Study

Introduce the study, using the Survival Kit Blueprint chart. Ask youth to update the chart on page 9 in Survival Kit. Read 1 Corinthians 13. Call on the enlisted youth to lead in prayer. On a chalkboard, list different ways the word love can be used. Invite the group to share first. Fill in ways not mentioned. (For example: I love you; I love cake; Id love to come over.) Distribute sheets of construction paper and scissors. Ask each youth to cut a piece of paper to resemble an arm, a leg, a hand, (whatever each wishes). They are to do this without knowing what the other youth have chosen. After all have finished, ask one youth to put all the parts together to form one body. Since youth chose what they would cut out, the body may have several of one part and none of another. Share with youth that God did not make His church this way. Encourage youth to contrast this body to the way the church functions. Read

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[leading youth through a 12-week group study]

[leading youth through a 12-week group study]

1 Corinthians 12:18 and then ask youth to say it with you. Assemble on the wall the construction paper body that you prepared in advance. Say: Each part has a special and an important function and is related to each part. Each part is a gift, and the gifts fit the churchs needs. All of the gifts are united to the body, the church, by love. Love should be expressed only to persons. Love of things is idolatry or covetousness. Lead youth to discover the difference between spiritual gifts and talents. Emphasize that we receive talents when we are born and gifts when we are born again. Gifts like love and service may be expressed through our talents for the good of the body. Distribute the sheets of aluminum foil. Ask youth to find in their Bibles Ephesians 4:7,11-13; Romans 12:4-7; and 1 Corinthians 12:28. Lead them to note that these gifts are examples of gifts God gives His people. Ask each youth to use the aluminum foil to make some symbol of one of the gifts, such as a towel for service, a coin for giving, a book for knowledge. After each has explained the symbol, collect the foil symbols. Tell members to give their first reaction to what you are about to do. Squeeze all the symbols into one ball. Try to communicate by your expression that what you are doing is constructivenot destructive. Ask youth to share their reactions to what you have just done. Say: The ball is the church; the gifts make up the church but do not stand out alone; only as a part of the ball (the body, the church) do they have meaning. Gifts are given to individuals to be used in the body of Christ. Ask youth to brainstorm ways that they can serve others in the church. Write the responses on the chalkboard. Add some thoughts that youth may not think about. Say: Keep in mind that this service is from God through us to people. It is not service to things or to institutions. Lead the youth to recite all of the Scripture verses that they have memorized. Form a circle and join hands. Close with prayer.

Session 5

TWO NATURES PART ONE: THE NEW NATURE

Session Goal: Youth will identify good fruit in their lives as a result of Christcontrol. They will identify ways to put Christ in control.

Preparing to Lead the Study

Provide pieces of fruit and a bowl. Write JOE PERSON on a piece of construction paper and tape it to the side of a serving bowl. On a sheet of construction paper in large letters write CONTAINER. On another sheet, write YOUR OWN NAME. On a third sheet, write JESUS. On smaller pieces of construction paper, write the fruit of the old and new natures listed in Galatians 5:19-23. Write your name on a half sheet of construction paper. Two days before the session, call the contact-chain starter to begin the calls. Each caller should ask youth to bring a piece of fresh fruit to the session. Enlist a youth to read Philippians 4:8 and to lead in prayer.

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Leading the Study

Ask the enlisted youth to read Philippians 4:8 and lead the group in prayer. Move the dot on the Survival Kit Blueprint to the second section: Fight. Point out the cure and growth agent. Ask two volunteers to give their testimonies. List and deal with new words or terms that need to be discussed. Lead the group to repeat in unison Galatians 5:22-23. Call attention to the fruit that the youth brought. Give fruit to members who forgot to bring any. Ask youth to place the fruit in the serving bowl. Ask a youth to read aloud Luke 6:43-45. Point out that each piece of fruit came from its particular kind of tree or vine. Give each youth one slip of paper with the name of one fruit of the old nature. Instruct him to exchange it for his piece of fruit in the bowl. Ask: What is the bowl full of now? (All sorts of bad fruit.) Empty the bad fruit. Ask youth to place in the bowl a slip of paper listing good fruit of the Spirit. Ask: How did the good fruit get in the bowl? (We put it there.) How did the bad fruit get in the bowl? (We put it there.) Turn in Survival Kit to page 32 and read the last two paragraphs, emphasizing the words your own choice. Place on the wall the sheet with the word container on it. Then place your own name sheet over the word container. Relate this to the learning experience on pages 36-38 of Survival Kit. Say: Before you invited Jesus into your life, the fruit of your life was that listed in Galatians 5:19-21. Attach some old-nature fruit on the container sheet. Say: When Jesus enters and is given control, a different result becomes evident: There is new fruit, the fruit of the Spirit. Cover the other sheets with the sheet containing the words Jesus Christ. Say: The new nature has Christ within and controlling all. The result is the fruit of the Spirit. Place the fruit of the Spirit labels so that they stick out from the Jesus Christ sheet. Say: These symbolize how the fruit of the Spirit blesses beyond the person. Ask: How can a person put Christ in control of his life? Ask youth to find at least three ways in Colossians 3:1-5. Ask for volunteers to share what they wrote in response to the thought question on page 35 in Survival Kit. They may read their own response to the question, What commitment would you like to make for your life today? Take time to allow the youth to eat the fruit. Repeat Galatians 5:16 together and join hands. Pray for the presence of good fruit in the youths lives.

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[leading youth through a 12-week group study]

Session 6

TWO NATURES PART TWO: THE OLD NATURE

Session Goal: Youth will discover two ways that Satan tempts them to let the old nature control them.

Preparing to Lead the Study

Gather enough newspapers for every pair of youth to have one paper. Initiate the contact chain. Be sure chalk and chalkboard are available. Enlist a youth to read Romans 7:22-25; 8:5-9, and to lead in prayer.

Leading the Study

Call on the enlisted youth to read the Scriptures and to pray. Deal with new words or terms that need to be discussed. Review this weeks memory verse. Instruct each youth to quote a favorite verse from previous verses memorized. On the chalkboard, list the fruit of the old nature (Gal. 5:19-21). Ask a youth to write responses on the chalkboard as the group calls them out. Ask: Which of these are evident in you? Which of these will overcome you? (Only those you allow in your life by letting the old nature control.) How can you have victory over these? (By letting Christ control.) Explain that the next exercise is to show how Satan seeks control, not by overwhelming force, but by sneaky, devious methods. Ask members to work in pairs. Give each pair a newspaper and ask them to find articles, invitations, or ads that subtly lure an individual to the old nature. Allow 10 minutes. Call for reports. Explain that this exercise is aimed at sharpening the insight and making better choices. If Satan cannot lure the person to put the old nature in control, he will try to interest the Christian in a good choice instead of the best choice. Heres an example. Good Best Ask the pastor to come Ask for help, pray for guidance, and let the by to witness to my parents. Lord help me witness to my parents. Ask youth to take five minutes to write out some good-best choices that touch their lives. Discuss a few of their ideas. Ask: Have you heard the expression If it feels good, do it? Do you know some Christians who believe or act as if any good feeling must be sinful or evil? Do you know some Christians who seem to base their decisions on what makes them feel good? Allow youth to discuss their responses. Emphasize that neither Jesus nor any inspired author of the Scriptures ever suggested that any of the senses were, by themselves, evil and sinful. Jesus taught that what comes from a persons heart determines how the senses are used. If it feels good, do it! is a false basis for life, because the old nature is in control. It is equally wrong to assume that a thing is wrong simply because it produces good feelings. Read Romans 8:35-39. Lead in Prayer.

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Session 7

THREE ASPECTS OF SALVATIONPART ONE: ITS BEGINNING AND COMPLETION

Session Goal: Youth will be able to explain why they know they are saved, and they will realize that spiritual growth is normal.

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Preparing to Lead the Study

Write on a sheet of construction paper the words start, now, and future. Enlist youth to bring the following materials for use during the study. The tube from a paper towel roll A sheet of construction paper on which is written start, now, and future A seed that will produce a large plant Initiate the contact chain. In addition to other requests, ask youth to bring their baby pictures or some member of their family. Enlist three youth to participate in Bible reading and prayer as indicated in Leading the Study.

Leading the Study

Call on the enlisted youth: one to read Philippians 1:3-11, one to read Philippians 1:6, and one to pray. Place the dot at the Doubt line on the Survival Kit Blueprint chart. The past week and the coming week are studies that emphasize discipleship as a lifelong way of life. Update the chart on page 9 in Survival Kit. Ask youth to name some things that can be undone. List the suggestions on the chalkboard. Examples might be a shoelace, a ribbon, a tie. Say: There are some things that cannot be undone. You cannot undo something born: a tree, a person, any life. You cannot be un-reborn. Lead a Bible drill to see how quickly students can find verses in their Bibles. Call out these verses from previous work in Survival Kit: Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 2:3-6; Romans 8:9-11; 1 John 4:12-16; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Romans 5:12; Romans 6:23; 2 Corinthians 5:1-9. As youth locate each verse, ask one of them to read it. After the Bible drill, mention that the Scriptures used deal with the three aspects of salvation. Ask youth to discuss the three aspects. Ask volunteers to show their baby pictures and to compare their weight and length at birth with their present weight and height. Show the seed. Ask members to identify it. After it has been identified, ask members to describe the plant it will produce. Be sure they understand that the plant will be many times the size of the seed. Help youth to comprehend that they are in the seedling stage of their spiritual growth. Ask: What do these factors about the growth of living things say about your spiritual growth? Allow time for discussion. Show the sheet of construction paper on which is written start, now, and future. Hold the paper in one hand, close one eye, and look at the paper through the paper-towel tube. Say: I can see only one word at a time. It is like having tunnel vision. When the sign is placed on the wall, however, sight is not limited. I can see the whole page, from start, to now, to future. Someone said that God can see time like this, from start to finish. We can see only our small segment of it.

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 Ask youth to turn to 1 Peter 1:3-9,13 and find descriptions of salvation past, present, and future in these verses. Ask for volunteers to quote the Scripture passage for the week. Pray for continued spiritual growth.

Session 8

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THREE ASPECTS OF SALVATIONPART TWO: A DAILY PROCESS

Session Goal: Youth will be able to define salvation. Youth will be able to state the importance of daily quiet time, of Christs understanding and intercession, of being filled with the Spirit, and of working out your salvation.

Preparing to Lead the Study

Obtain a deed or a real estate title for use during the session. Initiate the contact chain. Ask each youth to read Philippians 1:2-6 to the person he calls. Enlist a youth to lead the group in prayer.

Leading the Study [leading youth through a 12-week group study]

Use the Survival Kit Blueprint chart to introduce the study. Update the chart on page 9 of Survival Kit. Ask volunteers to repeat their favorite memory verses. Sing one verse of a favorite hymn. Call on the preenlisted youth to pray. Use the Want to Know chart to deal with words that need to be discussed. Ask a youth to list on newsprint some of the daily activities of group members as the youth state these. For example: get dressed, eat, go to school, work, help around the house, watch TV. Then list some activities done at regular intervals: final exams, homecoming, Youth Week. If no one mentions quiet time, worship, Bible study, or discipleship, add these. Then ask someone to tell what quiet time means to him. Ask the youth to imagine a small child with an ice cream cone. Ask: Who can understand the delight of the ice cream cone? Why? Because we have experienced it. This is how Jesus understands our human predicaments. He lived a fully human life, experienced temptation as all people do, but He did not sin. On the chalkboard, write IN-CAR-NATION. Explain that this word means infleshed,or wrapped in flesh. When used of Jesus, it means that God wrapped Him in flesh so that He could experience humanity. Eventually the final experience of His humanity was death. Read 2 Timothy 1:10 and note that the word abolished in the original language more nearly means put it into its proper place. So the verse means that Christ put death in its proper place. Ask youth to read Hebrews 2:18 in unison. Ask youth to open Survival Kit to page 59. Emphasize that the presence of the Holy Spirit is given at salvation. Read again Ephesians 1:13-14. Be sure youth understand the meaning of being filled with the Spirit. Say: Someone said, It is not how much of the Holy Spirit you have, but how much of

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you the Holy Spirit has. The statement Be filled with the Spirit is about His control in our lives. Ask youth to underline this sentence: And you tremble to think of living your life without His presence being fully in charge of your personality (p. 61). Ask youth to discuss what it means. Review the definition of salvation on page 62. Use the illustration of the transfer of ownership with a title of a car, a deed to a house, and the closing activities in which ownership is transferred. Ask youth to complete page 96 in Survival Kit. Instruct each youth to tear it out and give it to you. Read again Romans 5:10 and 1 Corinthians 10:13, then ask youth to repeat these verses with you. Form a circle and lead the youth in a series of oneword prayers, expressing to God their commitment to His salvation gift.

After the Study

Mail Christian Growth Study Plan forms immediately.

Session 9

FOUR SOURCES OF AUTHORITYPART ONE: THREE INADEQUATE SOURCES

Session Goal: Youth will explain why tradition, experiences, and intellect are inadequate standards for determining truth.

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[leading youth through a 12-week group study]

Preparing to Lead the Study

Enlist one youth to tell the story of the blind men and the elephant found below in Leading the Study.

Leading the Study

Lead a Bible drill, using the memory verses listed on page 9 in Survival Kit. Instead of calling on a youth to read, wait until all have found the passage. Instruct them to close their Bibles and repeat the Scripture passages. When the drill is complete, lead youth in sentence prayers of thanksgiving. Call attention to the Survival Kit Blueprint. Move the dot to the PanicSearch-for-Truth stage. Say: It is dangerous to assume that one who uses standard religious words, overpowering logic, or has magnetic appeal is an authority. The standard by which to measure is the Bible. It is consistent with itself; therefore, the Bible is its own best interpreter. Lead youth to name some traditions they enjoy. (Special events at church, family rituals at Christmas.) Lead youth to name traditions that are obsolete. Note some good aspects of traditions and some drawbacks. Say: Traditions can be started even for comical reasons; traditions can be ended just as quickly as they began; traditions can have a practical beginning that could be solved easily in a later day. Say: Religious traditions need to be evaluated. We should ask whether or not they really help us do what is found in the Bible. Examples might be the order of a worship service, the way we practice the Lords Supper, or the way we practice baptism. Some people allow their experiences to

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determine their religious ideas. They think their faith is proven by what they feel. This is a dangerous way to determine your beliefs. God is with us regardless of our feelings. Call on the enlisted youth to tell the following story of the blind men and the elephant: One blind man was led to the trunk of the elephant and took hold. He said, This animal is round and long and has an open mouth on one end. Another took hold of a leg, and said, Oh, no, this animal is like a tree. Another felt of the tail, and said, You are both wrong; this animal is very small like a snake and has hair at the end. The final blind man argued, as he sat atop the elephant: How wrong can you be; this animal is like a blimp. Ask youth to share examples of times when their senses fooled them. Lead youth to respond to and to discuss this statement: Believe only what you can see or document. Say: Intellect ultimately rests on faith. Can a person see and document emotion, thoughts, ideas, love, electricity, atoms? We live by and accept much that we cannot see and ultimately cannot prove. Ask youth to turn to page 64 in Survival Kit and refer to the chart in which they filled in four sources of authority. Ask them to identify the important distinction in the definitions listed in the chart. (Three sources of authority come from sources that man has determined. The distinctive Christian stance in all religion is: God reveals. It is Gods initiative, choice, and amazing love.) Ask one youth to read aloud Romans 12:1-2. Encourage youth to write the verse in the flyleaf of their Bibles. Close by forming a circle. Ask youth to decide on a blessing from God which would enhance the spiritual growth of the person to their right. Suggest that one at a time each youth turn to that person and say, I pray for you this week Gods blessing of...

Session 10

FOUR SOURCES OF AUTHORITYPART TWO: ONE TRUE SOURCE

Session Goal: Youth will be able to explain why the Bible is the one true source of authority for the Christian life.

Preparing to Lead the Study

Gather the following materials from your pastor or church library. Bible translations (as many different kinds as you can find) The Baptist Faith and Message tract A read-the-Bible through tract A Hebrew text and a Greek text Initiate the prayer-contact chain. Instruct youth to review the memory verses and references as they relate to the hand illustration. Write on slips of paper the verses for the opening responsive reading. Display as many different Bible translations as you have available. New Christians are often intrigued by Hebrew and Greek texts and can be introduced to some amazing facts of Gods providence through them.

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Leading the Study

Demonstrate the reliability of Scripture by showing youth verses of Old Testament prophecy about the Messiah and corresponding New Testament verses of fulfillment. Ask youth to read the following verses: Birth: Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-6; Hosea 11:1; Matthew 2:13; Malachi 3:1; Luke 1:76. Crucifixion: Isaiah 53:5-9; Matthew 27:13-14; Matthew 27:38; Matthew 27:57-60; John 19:1-4; John 19:34; John 20:25; Psalm 22:18; Matthew 27:35; Psalm 31:5; Luke 23:46. Thank God for the amazing consistency of blessing and assurance throughout the Bible. Read aloud the statement on the Bible in The Baptist Faith and Message. Lead youth to discuss the meaning of the statement. Direct them to look up a few of the Scripture verses referenced. Show how the historical setting of the Bible is important to clearly understand its teachings. Ask a volunteer to read Matthew 27:51. Explain that the ripping of the veil of the temple at the time of Jesus death may not at first seem too important to a new Christian. Explain that in the Old Testament only the chief priest had direct access to the holy of holies and he could only enter one time a year. The holy of holies was seen to be the very presence of God. Explain that, when you understand the history, you can understand why it was important that the veil was torn. It symbolically said that now every believer has direct access to Gods presence. Introduce the youth to the Bible in the light of Christ. The verses read at the beginning of the session show the Bible as the Word of God. John called Jesus the Word of God. Show the Bible as a progressive revelation of God. Say: God revealed only as much as men could understand or would accept in the Old Testament. It all leads up to Christ, and the climax of Gods revelation is in His Son (Heb. 1:1-2). Display the collection of different Bibles. If you were able to get a Hebrew text and a Greek text, show these. Say: The Scriptures were written originally in Hebrew and Greek, and a small portion in Aramaic. Point out the miracle of the Bible passing through so many years and remaining the same. There is a need, however, for newer translations because the language changes. The Bible does not change. An example is Matthew 19:14, which in the King James Version says, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me. The common usage of suffer changed over the years; more people today would understand the use of the following words: Let the children, or Permit the children. If someone has a newer translation, ask him to read this verse to the group. Introduce youth to the difference between a paraphrase and a translation. Say: A paraphrase adds interpretive words and phrases to give expanded meaning but could be subject to translator interpretation. A translation stays more closely to a word-for-word transfer into our language. Note that one translation or paraphrase may be preferred for easy reading, while another may be superior for interpretive study. After youth have looked through the display of Bibles, invite testimonies of what the Bible has come to mean to each of them so far. Ask each to quote his favorite Scripture verse. As a closing, lead youth to choose a memory verse they think will be particularly applicable to the person on their left. Say: Turn to the person on your left, recite the Scripture verse, and say, The word of God is with you.

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[leading youth through a 12-week group study]

Session 11

n
Session Goal:

THE FIVE-AND-FIVE PRINCIPLE: FIVE YOU CAN WIN BY PRAYER

Youth will prepare witnessing testimonies and will practice witnessing.

Preparing to Lead the Study

Place the dot beside Silent on the Survival Kit Blueprint chart. Prepare question sheets for youth. List the discussion questions in Leading the Study. Initiate the contact chain. Request that each youth share in confidence the name of one person on his prayer list from Survival Kit.

Leading the Study

Use the Survival Kit Blueprint chart to introduce the final division of the study. These last two weeks are designed to lead youth to develop a personal witness to discover Gods power to witness. Update the chart on page 9 of Survival Kit. Ask youth to pray silently for the group in this final phase of its study. Use the Want to Know chart to clarify words or terms from the study. Ask youth to choose partners for witness practice. First, each is to share his own testimony as he has written it. Write the Roman Road Scripture references (Rom. 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-10) on a sheet of newsprint and ask the pairs to develop a third testimony, using only these Scripture verses. Ask them to write the new testimonies to share next week. Ask: Since you became a Christian, have you tried to witness to a person who either refused to listen or turned you off? How did it make you feel? What did you do? Ask youth to share experiences that they have had. Allow time for discussion. This discussion probably will evoke some deep feelings. If a youth is especially burdened or disappointed, pray as a group for the youth and for the person to whom he tried to witness. Be sensitive and supportive as youth share. Ask youth to recall this weeks topic in Survival Kit. Ask: How did you react to the idea that you can win people without witnessing to them? Ask: Does the fact that we can win people without witnessing to them mean that we should not witness? (Of course not. We should witness to every person who will receive us.We pray for those who refuse to listen. The lost person may still say no. Praying and witnessing does not mean you will win every one.) Lead youth to share the feelings they had as they prayed for the five people who would not hear their witness. Group youth by twos or by threes. Instruct these groups to use the remainder of the time to participate in the following prayer experience: (1) Each youth will share with the others in his group the name of one person on his prayer list. (2) Each youth will tell why he cannot witness to that person. (3) Each youth will tell how he has been asking, seeking, and knocking for the one on his prayer list. (4) Each group will pray together for the lost persons mentioned during the sharing.

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[leading youth through a 12-week group study]

Session 12

THE FIVE-AND-FIVE PRINCIPLE: FIVE YOU CAN WIN BY WITNESSING

Session Goal: Youth will practice witnessing, and they will plan to use their witnessing skills.

Preparing to Lead the Study

Prepare seven role-playing assignment slips as follows. Assignment 1Be a non-responsive person. You do not really care; you are uninterested. You are impatient, but polite. Assignment 2Be a preoccupied person. You are busy. Your favorite TV program is on. Assignment 3Be a disillusioned person. Some Christian or some church has disappointed you. You know some church leader who you think is a hypocrite. Assignment 4Be an argumentative person who knows how to debate. You have serious questions, but you want ideal answers. Assignment 5Be a sensitive, artistic person. You are preoccupied with living the good life. You see religion as only for bad times.You are defensive about your lifestyle and see Christianity as a threat to it. You see Christianity as being no fun. You are not interested in the future, only in the now. Assignment 6Be a partier. You are anxious to defend your drinking, drug use and sex. You compare yourself with immoral Christians. You are addicted to your sin. You adopt a hopeless attitude about your sin and its consequences. You blame fate for what will happen to you. Assignment 7Be a good personmoral, generous, kind, and loving. You love your family. You are a good worker. You work in charity projects. You have no bad habits. You never got around to joining the church. Initiate the contact chain. Remind youth of their assignment to prepare another witnessing testimony. Prepare refreshments to serve as youth arrive at this last session. Bring Christian music CDs and a CD player.

Leading the Study

Fellowship during snacktime. Play Christian music. Pray a special prayer of thanksgiving for this group. Ask youth to share the witnessing testimonies they prepared, using the Roman Road. Distribute the role-playing assignment slips. Tell youth not to reveal their assignments. Explain that the group will practice witnessing. One youth will play the part assigned to him, using his Roman Road witnessing testimony. Allow 5 minutes for youth to review their testimonies and to consider how they will play their assigned roles. Select one youth with a secret role-playing assignment. Enlist another youth to witness to him. After the role play, evaluate it. Invite suggestions for witnessing in such a setting. Follow the same procedure with the other role-playing assignments. Emphasize that although the role plays have emphasized negative responses to a witness, many will respond eagerly to a simple witness. Remind youth that they are still at the beginning of their walk with Jesus Christ. Encourage youth to attend Sunday School, discipleship, worship, choir, and missions activities to assist their spiritual growth.

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[leading youth through a 12-week group study]

 Join hands. Pray aloud, asking God to continue guiding the youth. Thank Him for them.

After the Study

Talk with each youth individually to help him determine what the next step in his spiritual growth should be. Here are a few suggestions for follow up resources available from Student Publishing at LifeWay Church Resources. A Students Guide to Studying the Bible, Tommy Lea and Ann B. Cannon (Item 0-6330-0454-5). Standing Tall When Tempted, Jimmy Knott (Item 0-6330-0459-6). In Gods Presence, Youth Edition, T.W. Hunt and Claude V. King (Item 0-7673-0000-9). The Student God Uses, Henry Blackaby and Tom Blackaby (Item 0-7673-9368-6). My Identity in Christ, Student Edition, C. Gene Wilkes (Item 0-6330-2992-0). Setting You Free to Make Right Choices, Josh McDowell (Item 0-8054-9828-1). Leaders Guide (Item 0-8054-9829-X). To place an order, obtain a catalog or get more information: WRITE LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113; FAX order to (615) 251-5933; PHONE 1-800-458-2772; EMAIL CustomerService@lifeway.com; ONLINE at www.lifeway.com or visit the LifeWay Christian Store serving you.

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[leading youth through a 12-week group study]