This October at Youth Group, our series will be called, “write.rewrite.” Below, you will get an idea of what we will be talking about each week. This series is going to be great for those of us who are busy doing our own thing…writing our own story. Instead, we need to align our lives with God’s story. We will start with the “Prodigal Son” parable from Luke 15 and go from there.
Parents, be sure to take note of the “Parent Cue” for each session. This gives you an idea of what you can talk about at home. The question(s) are intended not just to be asked by you, but to be responded to by BOTH you and your child(ren). Use this opportunity to find out what God is teaching your child(ren), and allow your child(ren) to see what God is teaching you as well.
SERIES OVERVIEW:
We are all drawn to great stories—whether that’s on the big screen, small screen, in a book or elsewhere. But we may be completely unaware of one simple truth—that our lives are a story as well. The decisions we make every day are shaping the plot. The things we do, believe and trust determine what is being written. And for many of us, the story we are scripting could be so much more if we let God write, or even rewrite, our story. It’s the story we long for, the one our hearts truly desire.
“The Prodigal” (October 2, 2011)
It’s one of the most famous stories Jesus ever told, the story of the lost son. And while many of us read this story and think about how much God loves us, and about His grace and mercy, the reality is that Jesus told this story to illustrate something very specific. Something most of us completely ignore. Because at the heart of the story of the prodigal is a story about how we show God’s love to one another.
Parent Cue: Together read Luke 15:1-2, 11-31. Knowing the context of why Jesus was telling this story (in Luke 15:1-2), how could this affect the way your family responds to “lost sons” both within your extended family and in your church?
“A Bigger Story” (October 9, 2011)
Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or someone who minimizes risks, we all long for a great story. A great romance. A great adventure. A great mystery. And it could be that the reason we yearn for something so big is because God made us that way. Believe it or not, a big story is unfolding around us, a story God is telling that started long before us and will continue to unfold long after we are gone. The things that draw us, that captivate us, that pull us in are the things that make God’s story great. The question is, are we a part of that story? Are we telling His story? In other words, are our lives reflecting something bigger?
Parent Cue:
• What are some of your favorite stories (in movies, books, etc.)? What specifically about those stories do you love?
• Read Ecclesiastes 3:11. Do you ever wish your life was “more” than what it is now? If yes, why?
“Lost in the Story” (October 16, 2011)
So if we all long for God’s story, then how do we settle for so much less? How does our story get so off track? It happens subtly. Oftentimes, without ever realizing it, the focus of our story shifts—God is moved from a place of prominence, to a place of convenience. But stay this way for long, and it is easy to see a story that has gotten off track. Small changes, seemingly harmless, can take our story to a place it doesn’t belong. Sometimes we think the story is better left in our own hands. But what if we allowed God the control, the freedom and the power He deserves? What if we allowed Him to tell the story? Where would His story take you?
Parent Cue:
• (This question is for the parent to answer.) Have you ever found yourself in a place in your life where you wondered, “How did I get here?” If you retraced your steps, what were the decisions you made that led you there?
• Each one of you take a decision in your life (whether good or bad) and track the steps that led you to the end result.
“Rewriting the Script” (October 23, 2011)
If you find yourself living in a lesser story, how do you begin to let God rewrite your story? You follow Him. You follow His lead. And that path may sometimes be very clear, and other times it may feel very mysterious. But following Him wholeheartedly, regardless of what we may or may not understand as we go along, is the only way to allow God to write your story. Instead of taking the reigns, embrace God’s direction—join Him, get on board and embrace everywhere His story just may take you.
Parent Cue:
• What holds you back from trusting God completely?
• What would it take for you to surrender that reluctance?
• How might your life become a bigger story than the one you live now?
PLEASE NOTE: We will not have Youth Group on October 30, due to the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. We will start back on December 6 with our Christmas series.
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