Students will understand their need for the Gospel by examining what Paul writes in Ephesians. 

 

Lightning is said to never strike the same place twice, yet is this true? Prepare a challenge game about lightning with your students. Google “10 facts about lightning” and use these ten facts as the questions on ten different cards. On the other side of the question write the correct answer and three fake answers. Read a question to your group, and then the four answers. See who can identify the correct answer.

 

Say, “Lightning, as we know, rarely strikes the same place twice. In this lesson we are going to look at what happens when the Holy Spirit comes!”

 

Instruct the group, “Pay attention to which metaphor in this video and song lyrics jumps out at you strongest.” When you are finished watching, have volunteers share with the group a metaphor they noticed and why they resonate with that metaphor.

 

The Afters sang about life change. Did you catch the way they described their life before Jesus and after? What words did they use? After when they gave their life to Christ Jesus they describe the Holy Spirit coming like a freight train. They also described something else- what did they describe? How about you? Where do you stand with God? 

 

Can any of you recall a time when lightning stuck near you? When it is close you feel the hair on your neck rise up and then the air explodes around you with a terrific noise. If you are lucky lightning never strikes you, yet statistics say one in 30,000 will be struck!

 

Those are some incredible odds. Yet, God says that when we give control of our lives over to Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes (John 14, 15:26-27) and our lives should be transformed. Remember, in the video we heard, The Afters described this experience like lightning striking as they danced in the rain. Paul describes it differently in Ephesians 5:8-14. (Read the passage).

 

Paul says that we will encounter trouble. He reminds us that those who disobey Jesus love things that are evil and dark. These individuals love indulging in secretive behavior that is done in the dark. Jesus exposes these dark places and we are offered a chance to change or flee from the light. Paul encourages us to run to Jesus as He exposes our sin. Lightning cannot but help light up the sky and everything around it.

 

When we choose to give our lives to Jesus we receive a new name. What does Paul remind us we are called in verse 8? Paul also challenges us to discover what pleases the Lord, and rather than make us wonder, he spells out what this looks like: all goodness, righteousness, and truth.

 

Maybe you have good luck with thinking about good things and believing the best about all circumstances, but most people do not! How then can Paul write this? Because of Jesus’ words in John 15:26-27. God sends the Holy Spirit into our lives to help guide and lead us more into the likeness of Jesus. Therefore, as we grow in our relationship with Jesus we will act more and more like Him and thereby grow into truth, goodness, and righteousness.

 

Many people stop here or even get the wrong idea about Jesus. Many think once they ask Jesus to take control of their life things will never go wrong and they will never have trouble. Yet, The Afters remind us in their video that there will be days of trouble. There will be times we are caught in between what God wants and what we want. Remember the Holy Spirit helps us grow to be more like Jesus.

 

How about you? Have you chosen to give your life over to Jesus? Do you live for Him and can you see your life changing? Or do you see more of you and darkness? Christ Jesus wants to shine upon you and set you free, this is why Paul wrote: “Wake up! Sleeper rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

 

Has Jesus shined His light on you? If so, what are you doing about it? We are called to flee from the things that pull us away from Christ Jesus. If this is you, what do you need to confess so you can share the life you have in Christ Jesus with others? If you are not a follower of Jesus, what is holding you back? Jesus will save you from yourself and your sin. Will you let Him?

 

Give an altar call and pray for your students. Be ready to pray with students and provide them with a way to grow.