Life; Purpose/Meaning

 

Students will learn that the “Great Commandment” and “Great Commission” are commands, not options.

 

Basketball Mashup – Form at least two teams. Get two 5-gallon buckets or trashcans. Collect 10-15 different objects (an assortment of sports balls, candy bars, paper wads, erasers, flying discs, and whatever else you can imagine) for each team. These objects need to be small enough to toss into the “baskets” and are of varying weights to ensure the relay will be a challenge. Players will take turns shooting the objects into the “baskets” from behind whatever boundary you determine will work in your meeting space until all items have successfully been tossed in. Loop “World Changers” by Audio Adrenaline while the teams race – that will get the lyrics percolating in the minds of the students.

 

• Which item was hardest to get into the goal?

• Which was the easiest?

• Did you try to score with what you perceived as the easiest or the most difficult object?

 

Say, “Your life carries a mission. Sometimes the easiest path won’t be the one your mission takes you on. Despite the path, there is a goal to aim for—and success will require relentless focus on the objective.”

 

Hand out Student Guides and pens. Tell students that “World Changers” by Audio Adrenaline was the song playing during the game they just played. Point them to the Catch Phrase section of the Student Guide and ask them to write in correct words in blanks as they listen. Here are the missing words: design, rise up, every, love, silent, brave, we will go.

 

Ask:

• Have you ever heard of the “Great Commandment” in the Bible?

• Have you ever heard of the “Great Commission?”

 

Either read aloud—or have a student read aloud—each passage. Then, facilitate the entire group in discussion OR divide into smaller groups for a more compact discussion style. Make sure you are prepared to explain both the “Great Commandment” and the “Great Commission” to your students.

 

The Great Commandment Matthew 22:37-40

• What are the main points in this passage?

• What is an example of loving God with all one’s heart?

• What is one example of loving others as much as self?

• How difficult is truly loving God with every part of your life and above everything else?

• What is one example of something that people your age put above God?

• Why are some people harder to love than others?

• What are some practical ways to show love to the most difficult people to love?

 

The Great Commission Matthew 28:18-20

• What is the main point of this passage?

• How does being a Christ follower affect your daily experience?

• Have you seen someone trying to tell others about Jesus? What happened? • Where are some places that you can tell people about Jesus?

• Would you have a hard time giving up everything around you right now and going to a brand-new place just so you could tell people about Jesus? Explain.

• What are some things you would have a hard time giving up to talk about Jesus?

• What are some feelings that come to mind when realizing this passage is a command to you?

 

Say, “Knowing that God commands me to love Him above everything else, love others—even the difficult ones—like I love myself, and be willing to go anywhere on this planet to tell others about Him, is very humbling. Following Christ means there will be times we won’t feel like loving but will have to push through. Following Him on the mission that is my life may mean giving up familiar people, personal possessions, or even a career path so that I can tell people about Him wherever He leads me.”

 

Pause for reflection. Maybe play the song again and allow students to bow their heads and reflect on the Bible study. Then, close by brainstorming and praying together about how the group can band together to live out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission in, around, and way beyond your church.