BOTTOM LINE

Jesus is inviting us to a life of following Him.

SCRIPTURE

Mark 1:16-18 ESV
Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” And immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Psalms 139:13 ESV
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

GOAL OF SMALL GROUP

To show students what it means to live the full life Jesus is inviting us to and to encourage them to see that they can start living the YOU+ life right now.

Create meaningful conversations. Adjust the questions as needed, and don’t feel like you need to answer all of the questions.

ICEBREAKER

What is the most creative prom proposal or pick-up line you have ever heard?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What does it mean to live life just for YOU? Do you ever find yourself living the YOU life?
2. Why does living the life for YOU, leave us feeling unsatisfied?
3. Read Psalms 139:13 together – How does it feel to know that God created every person’s ‘inmost being’?
4. Jesus invites us to help people find their way back to God, what does it look like to help others find their way back to God? Have you ever helped others grow in their faith?
5. Read Mark 1:16-17 – What does Jesus mean when He says He will make us to be ‘fishers of men’? Why did Jesus want them to be ‘fishers of men’?
6. We believe Jesus is the son of God, He invites us to follow Him, would you be open to accepting that invitation? Have you ever felt Jesus call you to follow Him before?
7. If you were starting a church today, who would be the people you would ask to join your team?
8. Read Mark 1:18 – What is stopping you from saying yes to Jesus’ invitation and following Him?

BOTTOM LINE

Jesus is inviting us to a life of community with himself and with others.

SCRIPTURE

Mark 5:20 NIV
“So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.”

GOAL OF SMALL GROUP

To show students what it means to live the full life Jesus is inviting us into by stepping out of isolation and welcoming the life of community that Jesus intends for us..

ICE BREAKER

What kind of content do you like to see on social media?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What takes up the most of your time when you are online?
2. On a scale of 1-10, how lonely are you? Why do you think his current generation of teens is lonely?
3. The story of the demon-possessed man shows us that we were not meant to be isolated. What are ways you have been isolated currently or in your life?
4. Read Mark 5:18-20. What does this part of the story say about Jesus? What does it say about how Jesus has a better way for us when we are isolated?
5. What is a way you can create meaningful community and relationships starting here at camp?
6. What are some fears you have that may keep you from being in community and friendship?
7. Find a partner in your cabin, preferably someone you do not know so well. Spend some time praying with your partner and asking God to help each other step out of isolation and into a Godly community.

BOTTOM LINE

The You+ Life calls us to commit it all to Jesus

SCRIPTURE

Mark 14:1-9 NIV

Now the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were scheming to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. “But not during the festival,” they said, “or the people may riot.” While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

ICE BREAKER

What is the greatest gift you have ever received or given?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. In the story, the perfume was seen as a luxury item. Worth close to a year’s wage, What do you think the modern equivalent is?
2. Could you ever see yourself destroying that valuable thing? Why or Why not?
3. We could all agree, destroying such a valuable item seems ridiculous, but yet we read in Mark 9, Jesus say,“She has done a beautiful thing to me…” why in your own words do you think he said this?
4. We talked tonight about what could possibly keep us back from breaking our jars before Jesus. Do you relate to any of these?
   a. Nervous to be the center of attention
   b. Embarrassed to be known as a religious person
   c. Fear of friendships changing or seen as different
5. What do you think led this woman to do what she did, despite these fears?
6. What would it look like in your life to surrender your most valuable gifts and life to Jesus? What is one step you can take tonight?

BOTTOM LINE

It is IMPOSSIBLE to be good enough for God on your own. The only way to inherit the Kingdom of God is to be filled with the grace God freely offers those who put their faith in Jesus and follow him.

SCRIPTURE

Mark 10:17-31 NIV
” As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ‘Why do you call me good?’ Jesus answered. ‘No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’ ‘Teacher,’ he declared, ‘all these I have kept since I was a boy.’Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!’The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.’ Then Peter spoke up, ‘We have left everything to follow you!’ ‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus replied, ‘no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.'”

ICE BREAKER

What are some questions you would ask God? These don’t have to be serious. It could be like what is the best ice cream flavor! Actually why don’t we have everyone share their favorite ice cream flavor first!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What was the question the rich guy asked Jesus? Why do you think he asked this?
2. If you were to be face to face with Jesus here at camp, what would you ask him?
3. Have you ever felt like you weren’t good enough? Good enough for who? And why?
4. What are some reasons why we might not feel good enough for God?
5. In the story, it says Jesus looked at the rich young ruler, and he loved him. Why do you think it says that?
6.  The Scripture passage tells us that he goes away sad. Why do you think that is?
   A.  YES, the obvious answer is that he had great wealth and he didn’t want to give that up. But could it also be that, his whole life he tried to do everything he could for God and it didn’t seem good enough? And now it seems like he’s being instructed with an impossible task…
7. It’s clear that our best efforts are not good enough to make things right with God and live a flourishing you+ life in connection with him. So how do we get there?
   A.   He has to come to us. Amidst all our imperfections… He loves us.
8. Ok, so back to the scenario where you see Jesus here at camp. Assuming he knows everything about you, what do you think he would say to you? How do you think he feels about you?
   **Small Group leader, take this as an opportunity to EMPHASIZE the gospel (good news). God is pleased with each and every one of these kids in your group. And he wants a connection with them. He is inviting them to a flourishing life where you don’t have to constantly strive for approval.**
9. What do you anticipate life will be like when you go back home? What would you like it to look like?
10. If you find yourself drifting from God, what will you do? What are some things that can help you restore that connection?