Youth Group Discussion: Tithing

Bible Verse 1: Leviticus 27: 30-34 (consider also reading Malachi 3:8-12?)

         

Video:  Skit Guys: The Skinny on Tithing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQRQY3R_Ty4

Bible Verse 2:  Luke 21: 1-4

Five Questions:

1.     Money is hard for people to talk about.  Does your family ever talk money?  How does the subject come up?  (as a parental beating “We can’t afford that!” or honest discussions)

2.     Can anyone give me a good definition of tithing?  You just read a couple of Bible passages and saw a video, what did they say?

3.     Why is God so worried about what we do with “our” money?

4.     Do any of you have a regular job or get paid for doing chores?  Do you have a lot of money?

5.     If you have little or no money, how can you tithe?  What other ways could you give to the church?

Leaders please mention the flyers for the trip to the Alpha Family Center this Sunday.

Giving is a tough subject to tackle. We live in a stuff-oriented culture. Wherever we turn, we’re reminded of more “things” we can accumulate. Everything in our culture says to gather and hoard, and the accumulation of possessions becomes a mad pursuit. God wants us to be generous, because it's a direct reflection of our priorities. Giving can be the elephant in the room, but developing this discipline is critical for spiritual health.

The tithing  is not just about giving what we owe God. It was a reminder that we owe everything to God.  Sharing is always an easier concept to grasp when you’re on the receiving end and not the one giving. With God, we are the ones who receive. Ultimately, God is the one who gives us everything. In Psalm 24:1, the Psalmist wrote that the earth and everything in it belong to God. That covers it all. Everything belongs to God because he is the creator of everything!

God wants us to give joyfully.  Tithing is one important way to worship God, even though many Christians may not think of it in those terms. We give our tithe and offerings because of our love for God, not because we are required to give.

You may be thinking, well I don’t have anything I can give to God, I have no income. Giving to God is more than giving money. All of us have twenty-four hours in a day. We can give God a tenth of our day in studying and meditating in the Word and praying. We can give a tenth of our time to pray for the needs of others.  We also give our talents to God, finding ways to serve God and others with our skills. 

Close in prayer and ask for prayer requests.

Joseph

Story

 (Show the cover of the story) Say: This is Joseph.  Look at that fancy coat he is wearing!  Listen carefully to hear Please help me tell the story today!  When Joseph is having a good day put your thumbs up.  When Joseph is having a bad day put your thumbs down.

Read:  “Joseph" the Favorite Son” in any children's story bible 

Lesson

Say: What happened in this story that was thumbs up? (Joseph got a new coat, Became ruler in Egypt).  How did Joseph’s first thumbs up moment make his brothers feel? (angry, jealous)  What happened that was thumbs down? (thrown in a pit, became a slave, thrown in jail). 

Joseph’s life had lots of good things and bad things.  Do you remember who was with him no matter what? (God).  Right, God was with Joseph, even during thumbs-down times.  We can trust God to be with us in good and bad times too!

Big Idea

We can trust God to be with us in good times and bad times, just like he was with Joseph.      

Memory Verse

Trust in the Lord with all you heart. – Proverbs 3:5a

Prayer- Ask for Joys and Requests

Say a prayer thanking God for sending his son to save us and for his return someday. 

Craft

Children will color cut out and assemble the colorful coat craft (http://www.dltk-bible.com/crafts/mpaperjoseph.htm).  

Youth Group Discussion: All In-Trusting God (Philippians 3:4-14)

Courtesy of Michael Walden

Bible Verse 1: Philippians 3: 4b-14

         

Video:  Skit Guys “What keeps you from following God?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXBQQOPHr94

Bible Verse 2:

Five Questions:

1.     In the passage from Philippians, Paul talks about what? Tell me in your own words.

2.     What does it mean to you to “trust’ God more than you “trust” yourself?

3.     The video is about stuff that stops us from following and trusting God. What keeps you from following God?

4.     When you were little kids trying to do something and your dad or mom tried to help, what did you say to them?  Why did your parents try to help you?

5.      Tell me three things this week that we can do to trust God instead of ourselves.

Close in prayer and ask for prayer requests. 

Children's Lesson: The Ten Commantments

Story

Say: Today’s story is found in the Old Testament of the bible.  Raise your hand if you have heard of the 10 Commandments.  Today’s story is about how God gave the 10 Commandments to his people through Moses.

Read “The Ten Commandments” in any children's story bible

Lesson

Say: Why do you think, “You shall have no other gods before me" is the first commandment? (God wants us to put Him above all things. Before our toys, TV, even before our friends.)  What is an idol? (Anything that keeps you from spending time with God.)  “Honor your father and Mother" must be important because it too is on the list. Why? (Parents want what is best for their children, so they teach and guide them. Children are still learning and really don't know everything yet.)

The Ten Commandments are hard to follow.  

Everyone has failed one time or another. However, the 10 Commandments are a gift and not a burden.  God gave us the 10 Commandments so we can have a better relationship with God through them.  Keeping the 10 Commadments is not what makes us Christians.  What makes us Christians is placing our faith in Jesus. Through Jesus, our sins are forgiven. Because He died on the cross for us, we have everlasting life with God. If you would like to know more about that you talk to one us, your parents, or Pastor. 

Big Idea

God gave us the 10 Commandments so we can have a better relationship with God through them. 

Memory Verse

People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16: 7 

Prayer- Ask for Joys and Requests

Say a prayer thanking God for loving us and for giving us the 10 Commandments.

Craft

Moses and the 10 Commandments craft (http://www.dltk-bible.com/t.asp?b=m&t=http://www.dltk-bible.com/crafts/images/bpaperten.gif) 

Youth Discussion : Children of the light

Bible Verse 1: Ephesians 5:8-20

         

Video:  “Light Shines”

Five Questions:

1.     Hey who turned out the light?  Are you afraid in the dark or of the dark? Why?

2.     The passage we read is from a letter by Paul about how to behave in the world, to live in the light and avoid the darkness.  Tell some things that people do in the dark.

3.     The video is about Jesus, His life, crucifixion, resurrection and His being “light”. “Light” is mentioned around ninety times in the New Testament.  What kind of “light” do you think Jesus talked about?

4.     Sometimes we want to do things that we know are wrong or bad for us and others.  What could help us avoid these things? 

5.      How can we trust that God wants us to live in the “light”?  What bright lights has he given us?

Close in prayer and ask for prayer requests.

David is Chosen

Story

Say: Today’s story is found in the Old Testament of the bible.  In this story God chooses an unlikely hero to the next king of Israel.  In this story each time you hear the word, king you will say, “All hail the king!” Let’s practice once… “All hail the king!”

Read “David is Chosen” in any children's story bible  Pause when appropriate.

Lesson

Say: Why did God choose David as king? (He had a kind heart, he was filled with joy and love)  How did God know that David would be a good king? (God looked past his outside, and saw who he was inside) 

God knows us inside and out!  What do you think God sees inside of you? (Allow time for kids to answer) 

Even though God had many brothers to choose from, God chose David to be king.  God saw inside David, and knew he was the right person to become king!  God sees and loves you inside and out too!

Big Idea

God sees and loves you inside and out just like David!

Memory Verse

People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16: 7

Prayer- Ask for Joys and Requests

Say a prayer thanking God knowing and loving us inside and out!

Craft

Children will decorate and assemble a crown (http://www.firstpalette.com/tool_box/printables/crown2.pdf) 

Children's church lesson: The Boy at the Temple

Story

Say: Today’s Bible story comes from the book of Luke in the New Testament.  In this story Jesus is a boy.  During the story Jesus’ parents are going to call for him, yelling “Jeeeeeeesuuussss!!!”  When it’s time, you call for him too!  Let’s practice! (Jeeeeeesuuuussss!!!)

Read “The Boy at the Temple”  in any children's bible.  Pause when appropriate.

Lesson

Say: What happened during the trip to the temple in Jerusalem?  (Mary and Joseph lost track of Jesus)  Where did Jesus’ parents find him? (In the temple).  Who did Jesus teach an talk with about God in the temple? (Teachers)

Who do you teaches you about God? (Affirm all answers)  Who can you teach about God? (take all answers)  What kind of things can you teach about God? (Affirm responses, highlighting those related to God’s love and the gospel). 

Even though Jesus was young in today’s story he knew as much about God as the grown-ups did!  In this story, the young Jesus even taught adults about God!  Even though you are young, you can teach others about God, just like Jesus did! 

Big Idea

Even though you are young, you can teach others about God, just like Jesus did! 

Memory Verse

Jesus grew, in size, wisdom and favor with God and the people.  – Luke 2:52.

Craft

Children will decorate and assemble “Jesus went to church craft).