Church guide

LIVE // Think about everyone in authority in your life: your parents, stepparents, teachers, coaches, boss at work, and even your Small Group Leader at church. Did you put them in a position of leadership, or did someone other than you appoint them? When it comes to those in authority over us, we typically have little—if any—say as far as WHO is in charge. And not only who is in charge, but the decisions they make along the way. While we can’t control what our leaders do or say, the Bible makes it clear that we are in control of our own actions and responses to that authority. AND, we are to act as representatives of Jesus Himself. Today, when you’re around those in authority, be intentional about responding to their direction in a way that sets you apart as a follower of Christ.

HEAR // Whether you realize it or not, you likely have authority or leadership over someone. Maybe you’re the oldest child in your family. Maybe you regularly babysit for a neighbor. Or maybe you’re a team captain or sit on your school’s student council. When you’re the one in charge and calling the shots, how do you hope those you lead will respond? In obedience, of course! And not just reluctantly, but wholeheartedly. In the same way, God has called us as followers to obey those in authority over us. And not just obey half-heartedly, but enthusiastically! Take some time to memorize this verse this week, and then recall it every time you’re tempted to respond to authority with anything less than eagerness and obedience.

LIVE // Is there a law you find ridiculous or unnecessary? It could be anything from the speed limits on your way to school or having to walk your dog with a leash in your neighborhood. Regardless of how these laws came about or who put them into place, it was someone’s responsibility in leadership to create these laws in order to keep the people in your community safe. As believers, the Bible tells us we have a responsibility, too. In fact, our main responsibility is to obey those in charge, always being ready to do what is good. Knowing God has called you to a standard of obedience, how will you work to obey the laws, rules, and leadership around you this week?

TALK // Have you ever been asked to look after something valuable? Maybe it was when your friend asked you to hold his or her phone, or when your parents entrusted you with their car. Being responsible for valuable items is definitely not something to take lightly. But, have you been asked to watch your sibling for an evening or babysit a neighbor? Being tasked with the responsibility of valuable PEOPLE is even more important. In the same way, God has entrusted leaders around you with the task of authority and direction over His most valuable possession—you! This week, text a leader in your life—a Small Group Leader, coach, teacher, parent—thanking them for their leadership and guidance.

PRAY // Have you ever had a teacher you felt you could out-teach? How about a coach or instructor you knew for sure you could out-coach or out-instruct? When we are supposed to follow those we don’t think are doing a good job leading us, we tend to push back against their authority over us, using it as an excuse not to follow their direction. However, the Bible tells us those in charge don’t always get there because they have earned the right to do so by our standards. In fact, God urges us to submit because HE is ultimately the One who has put authorities in place. Is there someone you have a hard time submitting to as an authority figure? Today, pray that God will give you what you need to follow their lead. And be encouraged that by following their lead, you’re ultimately following Him.

Humility is one of the hardest things to live out day to day. Why? Because it means putting others before yourself—including those who are in authority over you. The older we get, the easier it is to think we know everything and have it all figured out. But Peter reminds us that rejecting authority is actually a form of pride, which is the exact opposite of humility. It takes a lot of humility to accept any type of authority, but the great news is that we don’t have to manufacture it on our own. God promises to give us the grace needed to be humble. Today, pray and ask God to help you choose humility over pride and accept the authority in your life.

LIVE // Have you ever done something wrong and then lived with that sinking feeling you’d get caught? Maybe you lied to your parents, or maybe you cheated on a test. The fear and guilt that follows is awful, and never worth whatever it was we were trying to accomplish in the first place. On the other hand, Paul reminds us what it’s like when we choose to do the right thing and the honor that comes along with it. God always wants what’s best for you, and He knows obeying authority is really for your benefit. So, the next time you are tempted to do something you know you shouldn’t, remember that God wants you to live without fear or guilt. Aim to make the choice to do what is right. You’ll be glad you did!

TALK // Think about your Small Group Leader. What do you admire most about him or her? Maybe it’s their kindness, patience, wisdom, or humor. Or maybe it’s how well they faithfully serve others—including you! Your leaders at church often do a lot of things and wear many hats, but one of the most important things they do is live their life as an example of faith for those they lead. This week, reach out to your Small Group Leader and ask him or her to share with you the good that has come from living a life of faith. Then, take some time to note what connects the most with you, and then work to follow their lead.

TUESDAY (Day 2) HEAR // Think about a time your parents or a teacher disciplined you, a sibling or a classmate. It could have been after curfew was broken, a room wasn’t cleaned, or a classroom rule wasn’t followed. While it never feels good to fall short, the Bible tells us there is wisdom in learning from correction. Discipline is meant to fine-tune our behavior—for our good! That’s why Solomon warns us in the book of Proverbs that we’d be foolish to reject correction. Today, write this verse down or type it into a note on your phone. Then the next time you face correction, pull out the verse to help you see that correction as a learning experience.

PRAY // Think about a time you were told you had to do something you didn’t want to. Did you immediately want to obey, or was your first thought about how you didn’t want to do it? No one likes to be bossed around. Submitting to authority is hard and not something we’re naturally wired to do. However, God doesn’t ask us to submit to those in charge simply for submission’s sake. In this verse, Peter tells us it’s actually for God’s sake that we submit. And because it is God who’s ultimately prompting you to obey authority, you can rest assured that living a life honoring authority is in your best interest, too. This week, ask God to give you the ability to submit to authority—even when it’s hard!

Having a blast at #kerseyvalleylasertag !

Sometimes we tend to see our families as temporary—something we can’t wait to escape when we graduate. But no matter how far you go or how much time goes by, you can’t change the fact that ultimately, family is forever. As we look back at the story of Jacob and Esau this week, we’ll see that when we begin to embrace our families as forever, we can choose to be the ones who impact the future of our families for good. #RealityShowSeries #XP3HS

HEAR // Is there anything more annoying than being super thirsty and not having anything to drink? It can literally be painful. It’s human nature to have more than one type of thirst, too. We can be thirsty for attention. For money. For help. Jesus told His followers that faith in Him would satisfy all their thirsts forever. In other words, no relationship will ever be more fulfilling than the one with Him. What does this statement tell you about the importance of our relationship with Jesus?

PRAY // Have you ever had to learn a new skill? Like surfing, playing a new video game, or calculus? Chances are you didn’t kill it on your first try. The Bible encourages us to persevere, to keep trying. One thing is certain in life—you will encounter struggles, temptations, and hurts. But the Bible says you’re “blessed” when you don’t give up. Spend a few minutes talking to God about an area you need to persevere in.

LIVE // Do you ever wish there were more hours in the day? School, homework, jobs, friends, sports . . . it can be a challenge to get everything on our to-do lists done. But the Bible asks us to add one more thing . . . action. It’s not enough just to read His words; God asks us to put them into action. Loving others is the easiest way to do that. That might mean you have to forgive when you don’t want to. You might have to have a conversation you don’t want to have. You may have to sacrifice what you want for what’s better for someone else. But that’s when we’re the most like Him.

TALK // It’s so easy to get caught up in the “have-nots”—all the things we want. Maybe it’s a car, a phone, or a watch—there always seems to be something we lack. Only . . . the Bible tells us that this isn’t true. The Bible tells us that as long as we have a relationship with God, we don’t actually need anything else. Take a few minutes to call or text a family member, telling them how grateful you are for them

How much money is in your pocket right now? No matter how much money you have, you probably feel like it’s not much. Because when you’re in high school, what can you really do about money? In a lot of ways you feel powerless with how much you or your family earns and how it’s spent. But what if you have more power than you realize? You have the power to help your family, change your habits, and even impact others in a big way. The truth is, money matters. Right here. Right now. And when you choose to change the way you think about it, when you choose to own your attitudes and your decisions with the cash you do have, God can do some big things in you and even bigger things through you. #OwnItSeries #XP3HS

We’re kicking off a new series this week called Hello My Name Is! Okay, question: Who are you, really? The answer may be simpler than you think. In our new series, Hello My Name Is, we’ll discover that when we look to God for the answer, we can live confidently knowing our identity is found in Him. #HelloMyNameIsSeries #XP3HS

If you had something great—something that had the power to change the course of someone’s life—you’d shareit with them, wouldn’t you? Well, believe it or not, you do. As we look at the way Solomon views our words, we’ll realize the potential we have to change lives when we refuse to keep our nice thoughts to ourselves. #PlayingWithFireSeries #XP3HS #XPSstudents