thrive: session 1€¦ · thrive session 6:thrive: session 1 9/11/10 14:35 page 2 the disciples...

Materials: Jelly Babies, 30cm plastic ruler

Ask for three pairs of volunteers. Each pair takes it in turn to place a jelly baby on the end of theruler on the table, hit downwards and catapult the Jelly Baby into the air, to be caught by theirpartner in their mouth. Repeat this three times for each pair.The one who catches the most JellyBabies in their mouth is the winner.This can also be played as a team game. Although the activity takes longer, two teams willguarantee a fiercely competitive game!

Session 6

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Theme: To go and make disciples of all nations

Aim: To feel confident sharing your faith with others

Bible verses: Matthew 28:18-20 / Romans 1:16 / Colossians 3:1-10

Logging-on: The early church was a secret society meeting in people’s housesfearful that if they were caught they would be killed.Today, it is alot easier to be a Christian, however the challenge to share ourfaith with others remains.At the end of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus commanded His disciples togo and make disciples of all nations.We are called to share our faithand that means stepping out of our comfort zones, beyond thefour walls of the church building and taking a few risks.

Homepage >>>

Faith = RISK!

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Interface Leap of faith >>

....Interface >>> Leap of faith*

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Soundbyte >>> It’s a courage thing$

Filmclip >>> Armageddon1

Download >>> The challenge.../

Chatroom >>> Gift of the gab9

Network >>> Big stories&

Connect >>> My faith is like2

Standby >>> The beginning...q

THRIVE session 6:Thrive: Session 1 9/11/10 14:35

Have you ever heard of the saying ‘a leap of Faith’? Usually the term is used to describe somethingassociated with a high-adrenaline activity such as a first parachute jump, or something that requiresconfidence in a scary situation such as facing your fears and phobias.

Questions:

• Have you been in a situation where you have needed confidence in a scary situation?• What happened?

Overview:When a massive asteroid is heading towards earth, who will save the world from destruction? Withtime ticking, the world is united as they devise a plan to detonate a nuclear bomb that must beplanted on the advancing asteroid.The search begins to find someone qualified and brave enough tolead the mission.

Illustration:Harry Stamper, an oilrig worker, steps up to the challenge and asks his team of skilled friends to joinhim on the ultimate mission to save the world.

Questions:

• Do you think the men in this scene have truly thought through their decision?• Why or why not?• Is following Jesus an easy decision?• What is the true cost of becoming a disciple of Jesus?

In Luke 14:27 Jesus says:“And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple”

• The cross is a symbol of suffering.Why does Jesus say this to His disciples?

Soundbyte It’s a courage thing? >>$

Filmclip Armageddon >>1

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Movie: Armageddon (1998 PG/13)

Duration: 0:01:15

DVD Chapter: 5

Start time: 0:32:15

End time: 0:33:30

Start cue: Everyone sits down for coffee

End time: Rockhound says:‘You think we’ll get hazard pay?’

Being a Christian is more than going to Church, reading the Bible and praying. Following Jesus is somuch more as he calls us to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). Divide everoneinto small groups and read Luke 9: 1-6:

Questions:

• Why do you think Jesus sent His disciples in pairs and not alone?• What happened?• Why did the crowds listen to the disciples?• Read Luke 9:10-17:Were 5,000 there because of what happened in Luke 9:1-6?

Download The challenge... >>/


The disciples found it easy to say they were followers of Jesus, preach to the crowds and heal thesick when Jesus was alive. However, when Jesus was crucified, even when He rose from the dead, thedisciples still struggled to find the courage to proclaim their faith.That was until the Holy Spirit came!Remember what happened to Peter on that day? Read Acts 2 again.

Questions:

• What gave Peter the confidence to talk about Jesus so freely?

Read Acts 4:1-22

• What basic facts did Peter consider essential in discussing his faith?• What obstacles did Peter have to overcome to talk about his faith?• What obstacles do you encounter when trying to share you faith?

Chatroom Gift of the gab >>9

Divide the group into teams. Give each one a large piece of paper (lining paper works quite well)and the name of a major Bible figure (Noah, Moses, Mary, Jesus, Paul etc). Have them draw around amember of the group. Ask them to write ideas and examples of how these people shared their faith:

Questions:

• What did they do which showed other people what they believed?• How did they say what they believed?• Did they use stories or sayings?• Can the group think of particular examples of when these people

shared what they believed?

Network Big stories >>&

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Feedback what they’ve come up with. How did the key players in the Bible share theirfaith? Read 1 Peter 3:8-16:

Questions:

• What does this passage tell us about sharing our faith?

You may have heard the advert slogan – ‘It’s good to talk’. Well, people like to gossip aboutanything and everything.What about religion? Believe it or not, your friends are curiousabout the Christian faith.They may have confused ideas and preconceptions about Church and Christians, howeverthe majority have no experience or know anyone who says they are Christian.Talking aboutour faith can sometimes be confusing or just seem weird, but God provides us withwonderful opportunities to share what we believe and why!However, we must be careful that we don’t end up preaching and boring them. Verse 16encourages us to be ready to share our faith with others, but also to be sensitive. Peopledon’t want to be told they are wrong or forced to accept our point of view.They are not looking to be judged, condemned or pressured into anything. God providesus with opportunities to share our faith.The big question is are you ready for the challengeand prepared to take the risk?


Materials: Pens; paper; random objects e.g. apple, torch, bottle of water, a map,mobile phone, compass, first aid kit, a shoe, book, pebble, toothbrush etc;post-its and another packet of Jelly Babies!

Preparation: Prepare a tray with all the random object listed above.

Invite the group to sit in a circle and hand out several post-its to each person. Encourage them tothink about how they would summarise their faith. See if they can write key words that describewhat their faith means to them.What is it that’s so important about what you believe? How does itmake a difference in your life?After a few minutes, encourage the young people to share their words and why with the rest of thegroup and place the post-its in the centre of the circle for all to see.It might also be useful for the leaders to join in the task as it will be useful for the young people tohear your story and might give them some useful tips.

Often out of the blue, someone can ask us why we believe or why we go to Church. Place the trayin front of the group and invite a member of the group to choose an item and say how it shows orexplains something about their faith.Their explanation can be as simple, thought provoking or cheesyas you like.The key is to get the group talking about their faith. For example:

Torch: source of light during sad, lonely timesShoe: Firm foundation/leads me in the right directionApple: Helps me grow as a Christian

After everyone has had a go, place the bowl of Jelly Babies in the middle of the circle. In a time ofquiet, get the group to think about who they think they need to try and tell their faith story to.Whois it that God is calling them to talk to about what they believe? Is it someone they know from schoolwho always asks a lot of questions or is it someone who is always making fun of them.Once they have thought of someone, invite the young people to take two Jelly Babies - one to eatnow, and one to take home as a reminder to talk to that person. Spend the rest of the time justquietly praying for the person they chose, for the opportunity to share their story, and strength andcourage to talk openly about their faith.Conclude by reading Matthew 28:18-20 out loud together and emphasing the last verse:

Backup: some questions might surface after the closing prayer and as this is the last session leave timeto answer them at the end.

Connect My faith is like... >>2

Next time...This is the last session of ‘Thrive’. Hopefully the young people will have a better understanding ofChristianity, their faith and the Church. Encourage the group to continue to study the bible as agroup and individually. If you would like some ideas, resources etc, please contact Dan Jones, theDiocesan Youth and Children’s Adviser on [email protected] | 0117 906 0100

Standby The beginning... >>q

Then Jesus came to his disciples and said;

All authority in heaven and on earth

has been given to me.Therefore go and make disciples

of all nations, baptising them in the name

of the Father and of the Son and of the

Holy Spirit, and teaching them

to obey everything I havecommanded you.

And surely I am with you always,

to the very end of the age.


What did they do which showed other people whatthey believed?

How did they say what they believed?

Did they use stories or sayings?

Can the group think of particular examples of whenthese people shared what they believed?

What does this passage tell us about sharing our faith?1 Peter 3:8-16Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, becompassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing,because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lipsfrom deceitful speech. He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursueit. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer,but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer forwhat is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened”. But in yourhearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone whoasks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness andrespect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your goodbehavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

BigstoriesBig Stories: NoahSession 6







BigstoriesBig Stories: MosesSession 6







BigstoriesBig Stories: MarySession 6







BigstoriesBig Stories: JesusSession 6







BigstoriesBig Stories: PaulSession 6


My faithMy faith is like...Session 6


thrive: session 1€¦ · thrive session 6:thrive: session 1 9/11/10 14:35 page 2 the disciples...

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