Leader Guide

Objective
Students will develop an understanding that they can rely on God’s love, which surpasses all else, even in times when they perceive a scarcity of God’s blessings.

Warm Up
Splash Relay Challenge – (Best played outdoors!) Divide the group into relay teams. Set up a bucket of water for every team, along with plastic cups with holes in the bottom. Place clear containers at the opposite end of the play area.

Teams must transfer water to the containers by running or using a bucket brigade. No plugging holes with fingers allowed. Start the race and measure water levels after a set time. Reward the winning team with prizes!

Transition
In the midst of life’s challenges, we often find ourselves feeling depleted, like empty cups. The pressures, losses, distractions, and temptations we encounter can drain us, leaving our souls parched as if we’re wandering through a desert without water.

Whether we find ourselves in seasons of drought or caught in a storm, we can rest assured that God’s love remains steadfast and overwhelming, offering us sustenance and strength.

Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships, established in 1978, brings hope and healing by sending volunteer professionals on hospital ships. They provide life-changing surgeries to those in need. Ousseynou and Assane’s bowed legs improved after receiving surgery aboard the Africa Mercy, which their mother learned about through a local nurse. Today, the twins walk with straight legs.

Mercy Ships recently constructed the Global Mercy™, a new ship with 200 patient spaces, six operating rooms, and various clinics. Over the ship’s 50-year lifespan, it aims to transform over 150,000 lives through surgeries and train African medical professionals for greater community impact.

The Video
As we watch this video turn to the Build A Boat section of your Student Guide and write down anything that jumps out to you, or doodle any imagery that comes to mind.

Play the “Build A Boat (with Mercy Ships)” video by Colton Dixon.

• Reflecting on the lyrics of “Build A Boat” and the story of Mercy Ships, how does the concept of relying on God’s faithfulness during times of drought or challenges resonate with you personally?
• The song mentions building a boat in the sand where it never rains, symbolizing an act of faith and trust in God’s provision.
• What are some practical ways we can build our faith and trust in God, even in seemingly dry and challenging seasons?
• Just as Mercy Ships provided healing and hope to those in need, how can we actively extend God’s love and compassion to others in practical ways, both locally and globally?

Bible Study
Read Psalm 63
David expresses his deep longing for God’s presence and describes God’s love as better than life itself.

• How can we cultivate a similar hunger and thirst for God in our own lives?
• What practical steps can we take to prioritize seeking God’s presence and experiencing His love on a daily basis?
• How can we find true satisfaction and contentment in God, rather than seeking fulfillment in worldly pursuits or temporary pleasures?
• How can we build and strengthen our trust in God, especially when faced with doubts, fears, or uncertainties?

Wrap Up
As you reflect on your life, think about the struggles, temptations, losses, and difficult experiences you have faced. Now, imagine writing your own version of a Psalm, either as a poem of praise or as a prayer. In your reflection, consider the moments when you have felt spiritually dry or disconnected from God. Write about those hardships and what caused them.

At the same time, focus on the incredible characteristics of God’s nature. Think about His boundless love, His ability to satisfy your deepest needs, and His role as a helper and protector in your life. Picture Him as the steadfast support that never wavers, always there to lift you up with His mighty right hand.

Take your psalm home. Pray it, read it, or sing it throughout the week. Think of God’s amazing love and His provision.

Playlist
This song is featured on “The Linc: Faith Within Trials” Spotify playlist – which is the perfect way to remind your students what you’ve taught them in this session. To share it with them, click the live link on the web version of this study.