Leader Guide

Objective
Students should understand that God has pursued and called them by name to do what He wants. With their obedience to follow him, He will provide for their needs. All they have to do is trust Him.

Warm Up
Tootsie Roll Mold - Buy a few bags of tootsies rolls (1-2 for each team). Have the students break up into teams and give them a set amount of time to chew up as many pieces of candy and mold them into a sculpture. Then have them explain their artistic creation. The best explanation and sculpture wins. Have a gift for the winning team. (P.S. Please provide plastic gloves for those who are actually sculpting the slobbery chewed up candy!)

The Song
Play the video for "Stars" by Skillet. As students are watching the video have them answer the questions below.
•    What imagery comes to mind as you listen to the song?
•    What line(s) stick out the most for you from the song?

Bible Study
Joshua 1:1-9 - As Moses' life and time as leader of Israel was coming to an end, a new leader needed to be appointed. Joshua 1 picks up with the death of Moses and God handing the reigns over to Joshua to lead the nation. God promised Joshua to protect them, to give them victory anywhere their feet touched, and no one would be able to stand against him for his entire life.

God called Joshua by name. He has also called us all by name and commissioned us with the task of carrying His message throughout the world. All God asked of Joshua was to be strong, courageous, and careful to obey the Law and not turn from it. The same is true for us. God wants us to be strong, courageous, and to follow His commands without turning from them.

When you listen to Skillet's "Stars" you hear the same message of being called by name by the creator of the world. God holds the stars in place and He can surely hold us up when times get tough and help us find victory. Our role is to commit our lives to Him, to be obedient and faithful. We have to lift our heart to God, the maker and holder of the stars.

Discuss:
•    What promises did God make to Joshua?
•    Moses had a little bit of a hard time leading the hardheaded Israelis. Their disobedience led them to an extra forty years wandering in the wilderness. If you were Joshua, would you have wanted the responsibility? Why or why not?
•    What was Joshua's part in taking the leadership reigns?
•    How important was obedience to God's commands for Joshua as a leader?
•    What would the story of Joshua look like for you if you were called to lead young people today to Christ?
•    Would you be willing to answer the call?
•    Does God's promise to always be with you and never leave you or forsake you make you more likely to take a stand for Him? Why or why not?
•    What might God be calling you to do for Him in your school?

Wrap Up
God has called us all to lead others to Him. He isn't going to put a task on us that He won't provide the necessary support that we need to carry it out. He isn't going to abandon us in the middle of the task either. However, we can't bail out on Him either. He has called us by name and promised to take care of us. All we have to do is be obedient and trust that He will take care of us. He made the stars and holds each one in place. If placement of stars is important to Him, how much more important are those that serve Him?