Current Series Teaching Plan

Family Meeting

In this series, we’ll have an honest conversation about the gap that exists between the community we say we are and the community we actually are. Students will explore what it means to love one another, welcome others, use our words to build people up, and commit to one another in meaningful ways. Our goal is to become a community that doesn’t just call itself a family, but actually lives like one, known by our love for one another.

September 16th

Topic: We’ve Got a Problem…
Big Point: We like to say that Calvary Students is “a family”, but do we love one another that way?

Key Passages: 1 Corinthians 13:1–8; John 13:34–35

What We’ll Talk About:
This week we’ll kick off our year by having an honest “family meeting” about the kind of community we want to be. Students will talk about the difference between simply showing up and actually belonging, and how easy it is to know people without really knowing them. We’ll look at 1 Corinthians 13 and Jesus’ command in John 13 to “love one another”, recognizing that our love for each other should be one of the clearest ways people know we follow Jesus. Students will be challenged to take a step toward someone they don’t know well and begin building real community.

Parent Follow-Up Question:
Who is someone you could get to know better at church or youth group?

September 23rd

Topic: A House With Open Doors
Big Point: Biblical hospitality is something we are all called to, regardless of our personality or gifting.

Key Passages: Genesis 18:2–8

What We’ll Talk About:
This week we’ll talk about hospitality and what it means to actively make people feel welcomed, wanted, and included. We’ll look at Abraham’s example of going out of his way to welcome strangers. Ultimately, we’ll see that our model for hospitality is Jesus, who welcomes us despite our sin and at great personal cost. Students will be challenged to move beyond simply having an “open door” and instead look for specific ways to make someone else feel like they belong.

Parent Follow-Up Question:
Can you think of a time when someone made you feel really welcomed? What did they do?

September 30th

Topic: “Just Joking”
Big Point: Our words matter, even when we’re “just joking.”

Key Passages: Ephesians 4:17–32, 5:4; James 3:1–12

What We’ll Talk About:
This week we’ll talk about the way we use our words, especially when we hide hurtful comments behind “I was just joking.” We’ll look at Paul’s instruction to put off the “old self” and allow the Holy Spirit to transform the way we speak. Instead of simply asking whether something is technically allowed, students will be challenged to ask whether their words build others up, meet a need, and benefit the person hearing them. We’ll also talk about owning our words when we hurt someone rather than using “just kidding” as an excuse.

Parent Follow-Up Question:
How can you tell when a joke has crossed the line and stopped being funny?

October 7th

Topic: Family Goals
Big Point: Real community is worth the cost!

Key Passages: Acts 2:42–47

What We’ll Talk About:
This week we’ll look at the early church in Acts 2 as a picture of what real Christian community can look like. These believers were devoted to learning together, sharing life together, eating together, and praying together. Their commitment to one another went far beyond simply hanging out. They were willing to sacrifice their time, possessions, comfort, and resources for each other. Students will be challenged to imagine what God could do in Calvary Students if we became a community that was genuinely for one another and known for our love.

Parent Follow-Up Question:
What would you love to be able to say about our youth group one year from now?

This month on Sunday Mornings we are exploring our first Bible Study Tool: Understanding the overall story of the Bible. We’re talking about Creation > Rebellion > Redemption > Restoration as if they were four “Acts” in a single play. Understanding which “Act” a passage represents helps us to better understand the Bible as a whole.