What Do I Do When Things Fall Apart?
| Session | Focus | Scripture |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Belonging to Jesus | I find comfort in belonging to Jesus Christ. | Acts 16:16-25; Romans 14:8; Q&A 1 |
| 2. What We Need to Know | My heart knows three things that assure me I belong to Jesus. First, how I sin everyday; second, how Jesus saves me from my sin; and third, how I can show my thanks by serving God. | Acts 16:25-40; Q&A 2 |
| 3. In Need of Forgiveness | I know I am a sinner in need of forgiveness; I also know that God is a forgiving God. | Genesis 4:1-16; Matthew 22:37-40; Q&A 3 |
| 4. The Way We Are | No part of my life is free from sin. | Genesis 3; Q&A 4 and 5 |
| 5. Our Just and Loving God | God is both just and merciful. | Genesis 6-9; Q&A 6 |
| 6. Jesus, Our Savior | God loves us and gave us Jesus Christ who saves us from our sins. | Matthew 3:1-17; John 3:16; Q&A 7 and 8 |
Dear Family Text
This year our group will experience the true story of God’s love shaping our lives! It can be hard to hear the Good Shepherd’s voice over the buzz of screens, smartphones, and social media; that’s why our time together is so precious. Each week we’ll hit the “pause” button in our busy lives so we can dive into God’s story and listen, imagine, wonder, create, discover, and grow!
For the next six weeks we’ll be exploring what it means to belong to Jesus and reflecting on our need for a Savior. We will dive into these stories, pairing them with important teachings from the Reformed/ Presbyterian confessions:
Session 1: Acts 16:16-25. Belonging to Jesus (Paul and Silas in Prison)
Session 2: Acts 16:25-40. What We Need to Know (Earthquake, Jailbreak, and the Jailer’s Conversion)
Session 3: Genesis 4:1-16. In Need of Forgiveness (Cain Kills Abel)
Session 4: Genesis 3. The Way We Are (Adam and Eve Sin)
Session 5: Genesis 6-9. Our Just and Loving God (Noah and the Flood)
Session 6: Luke 1:76-77. Jesus, Our Savior (John Prepares the Way for Jesus and Baptizes Him)
Pass it On
Here are two ideas for talking about faith with your young teen:
- Pull out some old photos of yourself as a child, teen, or young adult and have fun together laughing at your hairstyles and clothes. Talk about how old you were when you came to know in your heart that you belong to God. What was that like for you?
- Young teens have turbulent lives! The next time a crisis erupts, take a minute to share how your relationship with Jesus has given you comfort during a difficult time.
If talking about faith doesn’t come naturally to you, start small. Even a brief conversation can leave a lasting impression!