Leader Guide

Objective
Students will understand a greater need of praise that comes from the overflow of the joy inside of them through following Jesus Christ.

Warm Up
Web of Praise - You will need a ball of yarn for this activity.

Gather your group in large circle. Give the ball of yarn to one person. Instruct them that they are to throw the ball of yarn to anyone that is not right beside them (preferably across the circle) and say one thing that they admire about that person or positive quality they see in them.

(A good leader, easy to talk to, always serving, good at sports, etc.)

Transition

• As you heard people say things about you, how did that make you feel?
• Were you surprised with anything that was said about you or who said it to you?
• Was it easy or hard to come up with something to say to someone?

The Video
Play the music video for “Easy To Praise” by Patrick Mayberry.

Transition

• When you think about the lyric, “It’s not hard to give the glory to the One Who changed my life.” What comes to mind?
• How has Jesus changed your life?

(Give students or other volunteers an opportunity to share. Be ready to lead out in sharing, if needed.)

Bible Study
Called us out of the grave.
Read Ephesians 2:4-7
God made us alive - even though we were dead! Spend some time talking about how God makes us alive vs. us being spiritually dead. Use this passage to help students understand what it means to have a relationship with Jesus and the difference Jesus makes in a person’s life.

(This might be a good place to have a student share their testimony.)
Reflect on the opening activity and recall some of the ways Jesus has changed students’ lives.

• What are the characteristics or meaning of a spiritually dead life, one that is disconnected from God?
• What does it signify, or what are some attributes of a life that is filled with Jesus?
• What does it mean right now, in your life, that Jesus is alive in you?

Set my feet on a solid rock.

Read Habakkuk 3:19
God is our strength and gives us the power to accomplish His work in our lives. Spend some time talking about how God strengthens and empowers His followers.

• Can you think of a time in your life when something happened that can only be explained because of God?
• How has God strengthened you to do something?

(Witness to a friend, speak up for someone/something, courage for a task, etc.)

• What might God be asking you to do right now that you need His strength to accomplish?

God is always at work and using each of His followers in certain ways. Sometimes we feel like we can’t accomplish the task, but God can equip us with exactly what we need. Can I pray for us to be bold in those tasks this week?

Give us a whole new start.

Read Galatians 2:19-20
Life is often filled with confusion, struggles, and temptations, leading to regrets and guilt.

God’s love and forgiveness offer a fresh beginning today.

• Have you invited Jesus into your life for forgiveness and a relationship with Him?
• If you have, can you share how that moment happened and who was involved in your decision?

When we invite Jesus into our lives, we become new creations with His empowerment. This journey leads to joy and makes praising Him easy.

Wrap Up
Let’s play the song one more time. As it plays, think about the things we have talked about and what you need to make it easy to praise God in your life.

If you are ready to follow Jesus, you can ask me, any of our leaders, or students who you know follow Jesus.

Maybe you need strength from God right now for something - to set your feet on solid ground. Pray. Ask God for strength. Ask a friend to pray with you and help hold you accountable.

Playlist
This song is featured on “The Linc: Praise” 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.