Jesus Year RESOURCES

Week 1: David & Goliath
Big Idea: No matter the circumstances, God fights for us.

Primary Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:4-7, 17:8-11, 17:32-35, 17:36-37, 17:45-47, 17:48
Supporting Scripture: Romans 12:9b, Galatians 6:9, John 14:1, Romans 15:13, Ephesians 1:19-20


1.Have any of you ever watched a movie on a VHS tape? If so, what was it? If not, what’s the oldest movie you can remember watching?

2.Apart from David and Goliath, do you have any favorite underdog stories, either from the Bible, movies, or real life? Why do you think we tend to like these stories so much?

3.What do you think it must have been like for David to be the only one willing to fight Goliath? What would you have thought if you were in that situation?

4.In this story, David faced off against a literal giant. What are some “giants” that you or other students in your grade face on a regular basis? How easy or difficult is it for you to trust God before facing those “giants”?

5.Ask a student to read John 14:1. How might knowing how God has rescued His people (like David) in the past encourage you to put your trust in God?

6.Ask a student to read 1 Samuel 17:46-48. David seems pretty confident here. So confident, in fact, that he’s willing to fight a giant one-on-one. If you had the same confidence that David had, what “giant” would you fight (or what difficult thing would you attempt), since you knew for sure that God would be with you?

7.Ultimately, David stood up for what was right, even when no one else would. How might God be calling you to stand up for what’s right in your world (even if no one else does)?

8.How can we as a group pray for and encourage each other throughout the week?

Week 2: Jonah & The Big Fish
Big Idea: No matter the circumstances, God loves and cares for all people.

Primary Scripture: Jonah 1:1-3; 1:17-2:1; 3:1-5; 3:10; 4:1-4, 4:9-11
Supporting Scripture: Romans 8:39, Philippians 4:6-7, John 3:16


1.Have any of you ever actually rented a movie from a video store? What do think might make that experience of picking out a movie at a video store different from picking a movie to watch on a streaming service?

2.Considering the description of the Assyrians (“Nineveh was a major city of the Assyrians, a cruel and warlike people who were longtime enemies of Israel. Assyrian artwork emphasizes war, including scenes of execution, impalement, flaying the skin off prisoners, and beheadings.”), can you understand why Jonah might have been reluctant to go to Nineveh? How does understanding the historical context change your perspective on Jonah's actions?

3.Why do you feel Jonah wanted Nineveh destroyed so badly? Even after God had rescued him from the big fish, he still hoped God would destroy the people. Have you ever had a time when it was difficult to love others like God loves them?

4.Do you find it comforting or frightening that we can’t hide from God? Explain.

5.Reread John 3:16. How would you reword this passage to explain it to someone who has never heard it before?

6.During this story, we see God responding to the prayers of the people working on the boat, Jonah, and the Ninevites. How have you seen God respond to your own prayers (or the prayers of people you know)?

7.What are some practical ways that you can share God’s love with others this week? In your home? In your school? How can we help?

8.How can we as a group pray for and encourage each other throughout the week?

Week 3: Moses & The Red Sea
Big Idea: No matter the circumstances, God is in control.

Primary Scripture: Exodus 14:3-4, 14:11-12, 14:13-14, 14:16-18, 14:23-25, 14:30-31
Supporting Scripture: Exodus 15:13; Matthew 5:14-16; Romans 8:28


1.If you could bring back anything nostalgic (or old or obsolete) that no longer exists, what would you bring back and why?

2.The Israelites faced a seemingly impossible situation at the Red Sea. Can you think of a time in your life when you faced an impossible situation? How did you respond?

3.During the lesson, we heard that, “God always keeps His promises.” How have you seen this play out in your own life (or in the lives of people you know)?

4.What would it look like for you to take one of the stories we just shared with each other and share it with someone who isn’t part of a youth group like ours?

5.If “God always keeps His promises,” why do you think it was so difficult for the Israelites to keep from panicking? Do you think it’s any easier or more difficult for us than it was for the Israelites?

6.How do these stories we’ve looked at the last three weeks (David/Goliath, Jonah/Whale, Moses/Red Sea) ultimately point toward Jesus?

7.What is one practical way that you can glorify God this week?

8.How can we as a group pray for and encourage each other throughout the week?

Week 1: Ehud & Deborah
Big Idea: God uses unexpected people in unexpected ways.
Primary Scripture: Judges 3:12-30; 4:4-21
Supporting Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

1.If you were unexpectedly recruited for a top-secret mission, what skill would you bring to the team?

2.Have you ever felt overlooked or underestimated? How did that make you feel? Who helped you in that season?

3.What parts of Ehud’s, Deborah’s, or Jael’s stories stood out to you the most—and why?

4.Why do you think God chooses to use unexpected people to do big things? What’s one thing you feel God nudging you to do?

5.What are some things that hold you back from believing God can use you in big ways?

6.Deborah encouraged Barak to trust God. Who in your life might need that same kind of encouragement—and how could you offer it? Do you want to take that step this week?

7.After hearing this message, what’s one prayer you want to start praying—either for yourself or someone else?

8.How can we, as a group, pray for each other this week?

Week 1: Ehud & Deborah
Big Idea: God uses unexpected people in unexpected ways.
Primary Scripture: Judges 3:12-30; 4:4-21
Supporting Scripture: Ephesians 2:10

1.If you were unexpectedly recruited for a top-secret mission, what skill would you bring to the team?

2.Have you ever felt overlooked or underestimated? How did that make you feel? Who helped you in that season?

3.What parts of Ehud’s, Deborah’s, or Jael’s stories stood out to you the most—and why?

4.Why do you think God chooses to use unexpected people to do big things? What’s one thing you feel God nudging you to do?

5.What are some things that hold you back from believing God can use you in big ways?

6.Deborah encouraged Barak to trust God. Who in your life might need that same kind of encouragement—and how could you offer it? Do you want to take that step this week?

7.After hearing this message, what’s one prayer you want to start praying—either for yourself or someone else?

8.How can we, as a group, pray for each other this week?

Week 1: The Chaos of Anticipation
Big Idea: We needed Jesus more than we knew.  
Primary Scripture: Isaiah 9:6-7
Supporting Scripture: Micah 5:2-5a; John 10:24; John 10:30-31; Romans 10:9
 
 
1.What is the most “socks at Christmas” gift you’ve ever gotten—something you didn’t think you wanted, but ended up really loving?

2.Can you think of a time when you got something you didn’t even know you needed until you had it? What made it so perfect?

3.If you knew nothing about Jesus’ birth story, how would you imagine God showing up on earth?

4.Why do you think God chose to be born in a manger? What does that say about Him?

5.Isaiah calls the Messiah “Mighty God” and “Prince of Peace.” How does it change things to know Jesus isn’t just sent by God but is God?

6.When you think about your school, family, or social media, where do you see chaos or people in need of peace?

7.If you wanted to make God’s peace more visible this week, what’s one thing you could do—even if it feels small?

8.How can we, as a group, pray for each other this week?

Week 2: The Chaos of Incarnation
Big Idea: Jesus became one of us.
Primary Scripture: John 1:1-5, 14
 
1.What’s one Christmas tradition your family has that you are grateful for?

2.What’s a piece of technology or app you use every day that would’ve blown the mind of someone from a previous generation?

3.During our lesson, we heard that “Jesus didn’t just become like us—He became one of us.” Why do you think that detail matters?

4.Read John 1:1-5, 14. What stands out to you about how John describes Jesus?

5.John describes Jesus as being light in the darkness. What does darkness look like for people your age today? Do you think that’s different than how people experienced “darkness” in previous generations?

6.What’s one way you can remind yourself this week that “that TINY baby is a BIG God”?

7.Who in your life might need to experience the love of Jesus through your actions this week?

8.How can we, as a group, pray for each other this week?