Youth Leader & Resources

Youth

Leader & Resources

Ready for School?

Living for God (Romans) We’ve Got Issues

Youth Leader & Resources

Youth Leader is published quarterly by Gospel Publishing House, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Spring ield, Missouri 65802.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

To ind out more about quality discipleship resources for all ages, visit our website at www.GospelPublishingHouse. com or call toll-free 1-855-642-2011.

664100 978-1-60731-826-2

GETTING STARTED What’s in Every Lesson?.............................................................................. 4 About Your Students.................................................................................... 6 Feedback Survey.......................................................................................... 7 About This Quarter..................................................................................... 9

LESSONS 1 READY FOR SCHOOL? September 6 September 13 September 20 September 27 October 4

Senior Legacy .................................................................. 10 Heading to Class.............................................................. 16 What’s for Lunch?............................................................ 22 Science Lab (Doubters & Cheaters)................................ 28 Strategy to Win................................................................ 34

2 LIVING FOR GOD (ROMANS) © 2026 by Gospel Publishing House, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Spring ield, Missouri 65802. All rights reserved.

Printed in the United States of America

October 11 October 18 October 25 November 1

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Start with Jesus .............................................................. 40 Choose to Overcome Temptation.................................... 46 Choose to Live Fully God’s Way..................................... 52 Keep Your Focus on Jesus (Not Others)......................... 58

WE’VE GOT ISSUES

November 8 November 15 November 22 November 29

Unraveling Us vs. Them.................................................. 64 Poverty Perspectives ...................................................... 70 The Discrimination Dilemma ......................................... 76 Gender Guidelines............................................................ 82

WELCOME to Radiant Life Youth!

Thanks for choosing Radiant Life Youth for your group! This quarter, we’ll look at what God’s word has to say about some important topics.

As your students get settled into this school year, Ready for School? explores how Elijah “graduated” to heaven and Elisha picked up his mantle. Using everyday school experiences like heading to class, eating lunch, sports, and pop quizzes, you’ll explore how Elisha got to see God do even more incredible miracles through him.

Being back in school probably brings challenges for your students too. So Living for God looks at highlights of Paul’s teaching in the book of Romans. Your students will be challenged on the basics like salvation and facing temptation as well as how to live God’s way around both believers and unbelievers every day.

We’ll wrap up with a series talking about topics that can be divisive. We’ve Got Issues begins by addressing when us-vs.-them thinking goes too far. Then we’ll explore what God’s word has to say about poverty, discrimination, and gender roles.

God cares about the people on all sides of these issues, and His word can help us know what He wants us to do in response.

Remember to access the bonus Powerpoint slides at RadiantLifeCurriculum.com/ Youth-Resources too.

Thanks for teaching!

Director of Curriculum and Sunday School teacher

P.S. Do you have any feedback that you’d love to share with us? Please scan this QR code or send in the survey on page 7. Help us make Youth resources even better!

Scan this QR code to complete the survey.

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What’s in Every Lesson?

EXPLORE contin

ued

Can you ima gine seeing someone in jacket? It wou your s ld action to show be pretty shocking! In Old deep emotion He could’ve . There are a been distress co ed by being now facing. left It could even have been for be Just think, Elija both h was the one the world as who took E a prophet of Israel. Elijah can almost also w feel the emo tional connectio father! My fath n bet er!” (2 Kings would have 2:12). Elijah been very emo had b tional for Elis ha.

What are som e things peo ple do whe n Has anyone here had a spiritual par relationship enta work?

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GETTING REA t per studen Student, 1 • Youth ? Slides for for School ady Re • this lesson iz 2 Page • Pop Qu t per studen pencils, 1 • Pens or

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Elisha more about ready to talk , let’s look at some As we get role o his new heading int might face. you ns ctio distra ct you ngs distra of these thi bell How many to class before the g from gettin ich rings? discuss wh slides and • Show the distracting. things are

step closer ts are one , your studen r seniors leave year begins l you legacy wil new school honor roll a at s the Wh . on —A Series duation ll they be About the s how these wait for: gra be like? Wi most can’t ool? explore the prophet ts want to to the event will younger studen ady for Sch shadowed o Elisha, Re rneys. Elisha the life of the mantle behind? Wh s? Through ed about our faith jou sha chose to pick up pas ely ask or bar ven, Eli ns can be ated” to hea h him. same questio ntor “gradu ible miracles throug me his seter dealt with Elijah. Aft more incred how Elisha had barely d do even ’ll look at and see Go Class, we life. Elisha ts Heading to pose for his icized him. Studen n pur —I d’s son Go Les crit About This ctions while fulfilling ers questioned and we have to distra en oth us down, but ing God may backs and prophet wh en to slow from follow r may threat new role of us se bea his p a the e un kee t olv like beg ks ly won’t inv tractions tha that setbac growing. Dis response (that probab will learn to continue aggressive keep going ional and ent int an require attack).

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Young children often pretend clothes. It’s to be their pare part of prep nt aring for wha followed Elija t’s next in h. But now, Elisha was as a leader exchangin and prophet.

Starting som ething new emotions take can be intim idating, over for too long it. Instead, He let Elisha expr . God didn’t scold Elisha’s life after this even ess himself and the t, it is clear close to Elija that God s h. God prov ed this imm Let’s read abo ediately by d ut it in 2 Kin gs 2:13–15.

What did the other prophets do when they The other prop hets immedia successor, and tely recogniz ed that E they showed Elisha’s role , they had thei their respect by bowin r doubts abo doubts seem ut what had stra Elisha that Elija nge since these are som e of h was going away! Yet may the ve Some years earlier, Elija be it wa h told one of servant was nervous abo the king’s s ut saying that was worried Elijah would that “As soon as I leave you knows where” , the Spirit (1 Kings 18:1 place to plac 2). So, maybe e. Anyway, the Elijah was just up the road prop . And their dou hets had questions a 2:16–18. bts even star ted to aff What did the other prophets suggestion do that con ? vinced Verse 17 says that the othe r prophets kept with their requ est. Elisha kne urging Elish he’d just seen w that it wou him fly off in ld be a wast Still, he let the a chariot of fire others sway Elisha was his mind. Fifty led by hors right. Elijah men search really was gon e.

phet for the t major pro be the nex ropes of the s chosen to wed him the , and Elisha Elisha wa fire , Elijah, sho ed about how o came before him chariot of a talk in we what God ven e, Last tim up and do prophet wh up into hea p e en ste Th tak to el. s n Isra d from tur ated,” he wa people of e distracte s Elisha’s Elijah “gradu riverbank. Now it wa backs that could hav job. When set the e on som ed nding Elisha fac t was left sta Bu do. him to was calling life. pose for his God’s pur

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h friends Chatting wit your phone Checking sing kis es s• Coupl you with que r stopping • A teache tions om the bathro use to ng ding • Stoppi at the ven ng a snack • Grabbi machine g lost d • Gettin ing you nee ting someth • Forget the list? you add to can s ng thi What other

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Youth | Hea ding to Clas

s

EXPLORE 1. LOOK FO

hman were a fres T BACKWARD cess. If he ed his RWARD, NO e, Elisha was set up for suc oks, follow to step s and textbo

dy plie for some tim full of sup He was rea bell rang. ing Elijah asked a backpack before the After follow , he’d have carried er all, he’d ool the classroom t prophet to Israel. Aft ak, and had God in high sch his seat in nex ’s clo and chosen him as the y, had Elijah to find out how Elisha en istr giv schedule, min had gs 2:12 that God phet. ’s prophetic pro Kin role jah 2 of d Eli the o role of rea int the s on. Let’s in successor nched into pressure wa finally lau to be the ma up. Now the s gone, and he was left? backing him en Elijah mentor wa wh his er did aft way he reacted a acted the think Elish ss Why do you ading to Cla Youth | He

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for School? d the Ready • Downloa e, Slides.

Quiz 2 Pag ies of the Pop • Make cop t.

1 per studen their and ts den your stu • Pray for uests. prayer req

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EXPLORE continued

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? What do you think it looks like to respect God’s authority today?

3. POP QUIZ: WHAT DID WE LEARN FROM ELISHA TODAY?

Just like at school, our lesson wouldn’t be complete without a pop quiz to see what we’ve learned.

• If you aren’t using the Pop Quiz 2 Page, read the statements to the students and let them answer as a group.

ACTIVITY: POP QUIZ 2 PAGE

Slides & More!

• Hand out the Pop Quiz 2 Page and pens or pencils to each student.

On your page are the things we learned from Elisha and some street signs. Match the phrase with the street sign that you think best goes with it. Then we’ll talk about what you chose together.

• Give students time to complete the page.

Not everything fits in the Leader & Resources.

So scan the QR code to check out the extras!

• Discuss the answers together.

1. Looking backward at the wrong time can slow you down. (U-turn) 2. You have to keep going in order to keep growing.

(One way)

2

Write the letter in the box next to the phrase with the street sign you think goes best with it.

1. Looking backward at the

wrong time can slow you down.



A

2. You have to keep going in



3. God’s authority should never



C



D

order to keep growing.

be ignored.

4. Following God may require the intentional elimination of distractions.

© 2026 by Gospel Publishing House. All rights reserved.

B

Permission to duplicate for local church use only.

3. God’s authority should never be ignored.

(Stop sign) 4. Following God may require the intentional elimination of distractions. (Dead end)

Write the letter in the box next with the street sign you think go

1. Looking backward at the



2. You have to keep going in



3. God’s authority should never



wrong time can slow you down.

Which is the most challenging for you?

REFLECT Ephesians 3:17 Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

order to keep growing.

? How did Elisha live out this verse?

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As you look back at what we’ve learned from Elisha, remember that people might try to doubt, criticize, or distract you when you’re walking with God. Focusing on God’s love will keep you strong. The more you trust Him, the more you will grow, much like Elisha did as he moved forward without Elijah, but with God. • Close in prayer.

Salvation (Add this if you sense someone needs to respond.)

The most important thing Jesus wants is to have a relationship with you. He loves you and wants you to know Him better. If you are ready to make that decision, I’d be happy to pray with you.

• Give students the opportunity to invite Jesus into their lives as their

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be ignored.

4. Following God may require the intentional elimination of distractions.

Savior.

Youth | Heading to Class © 2026 by Gospel Publishing House. All rights reserved.

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Youth | Fall 2026



For the Leader 1

3

school get so ups Testament time et that they started ripp ing their s, tearing clot ouple of reas hes was a sym ons why Elis bolic ha might have ehind by his mentor or by done this. the responsi h those reas bility he was ons.

Elisha from plowing in the fields behind would have helped Elisha oxen into mature spiritua tween the two lly. You as you read Elisha crying become a sort out, “My of parental figu re, and his exit they experie

al figure in

nce deep emo tions like this ? their life? How did that

ts by walking in n life. In a way their shoes or putting on their , Elisha had done that as ng his old clot he hes as a follo wer for his new cloak , but it’s imp ortant that we don’t let our d Elisha for feeling distress ed and show en move on. ing From the mira culous we see stayed close to him, just in like He doing another miracle for ever had stayed yone to see.

went to mee t Elisha?

Elisha truly was chosen

by God to be ng. But even Elijah’s though they acknowledged d happened to Elijah. At one level, thei ery same prop r hets who had asn’t so stra earlier told nge for Elija h. servants to announce his arrival. Tha d be there whe t n the king arriv of the LORD will carry you ed. Why? He away to who s known for bein about whether g moved by God from Elijah was gon fect Elisha.

Let’s keep read e for good or ing in 2 Kin gs

d Elisha to

go along with

their

ha until they convinced him te of time to to go along look ses of fire, acco for Elijah. After all, mpanied by hed for thre a whirlwind! e days just to learn that

?

What do you thin k was going through for the search Elisha’s min to end? d while he As soon as waited thre Elisha stepped e days into the role by the search God had give for Elijah. Did n him, he prophet? Of that mean that he cour wasn’t the righ appeared to be sidetrac thing new, but se not! There will alwa ked t person for ys be challeng the important the role of es The lesson and thin g is that we setbacks whe we can learn don’t let n we start som from Elisha you down, and eis that looking them stop us from mov you have to ing forward. backward at keep going the wrong time to keep grow ing. can slow 2.

Every lesson begins with a page just for you. You’ll get an overview of both the series and the lesson you’ll lead. Every lesson also has a theme verse, and most lessons also include a Bible character as an example.

About the Lesson

DON’T GET DIS TRACTED BY DIS

Sometime later RESPECT , when Elisha distraction. had finally mov But this one ed on from Jeri had a very diffe what happen cho, he was rent outcome ed. faced with ano . Let’s read ther 2 Kings 2:23 to learn How would you expect Elisha to resp ond to this Before we talk name calling? abo names. Differen ut Elisha, we need to make somethi t Bible translati ng clear abo to describe ons call them ut the people them is used different thin calling him for men who men, not little gs. The Heb are old enough children, yelli to get married rew word that’s used ng at Elisha.

At this poin . So, these are t, river and puri Elisha had done some young ama fied a spring that had been zing miracles with God confident in ’s help: He’d his calling. harming peop When we’re divi be the time le. He must obeying God when we face have been feeli ded a and walking the most opp ng pretty people like our with osition. Som Him closely, friends or fam etimes, the lives that dist ily who aren opposition com that can ract us from ’t Christians. es from what God has Other times, called us to it’s from thin What are som do. gs in our e things that might distract som eone from follo Elisha’s dist raction came win g God ? from this grou seems like thei p who disrespe r insults were cted him by get a better just about his mocking him idea of why . At first, it they might have physical appearance.

Let’s read 2 decided to call Kings 1:7–8 How is Elis him “baldy.” to ha’s mentor, Elijah, describ ed in verse Elijah was kno 8? wn as a hair y man, and not have been Elisha, as we . But the youn can guess base g men’s wor taunt, “go awa ds d on the insults, y” is more liter went more than talking abou may ally translate t how d from Hebrew skin deep. The other part same if he were Elijah had recently gon of their as “go up.” It’s e up and were likely they were tioned, but the a legitimate prophet. Not taunting Elis ha for not doin only was Elis God he serv ha’s position ed was also g the 2:24–25 to find being made as a out what hap prop het being ques fun of. Let’s pened next. keep reading in 2 Kings Does what happened in these verses shock you?

This wasn’t Why or why an overreac not? tion to a few just insulting kids who sim and belittlin ply didn’t kno g Elisha’s auth God’s prophet, w any better. ority. Because His represen They weren’t self. tative, it was these young men were moc like they wer e insulting and king When Elisha belittling God faced opposit God. So, wha himion in the form of t can we lear distraction, n from this whoever and it was scen agg whatever is distracting us ario? Should we pray that ressively removed by learn two thin in God takes out gs from Elis ha’s encounte the same way? Of cour and followin se r: God’s auth g God may requ not. Instead, ority should we can ire the intentio never be take nal eliminat n lightly, ion of distract ion.

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Engage your students with opening discussion questions to focus in on the topic.

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Students will Explore what the Bible has to say. They’ll read Bible passages shown in blue and discuss together. Getting Youth Student makes it really easy for everyone to follow along.

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Most lessons have a Slides activity, too.

These bring in visuals and tie into the lesson theme.

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Lessons wrap up with Reflect questions, so save time for students to hear from God at the end of your class time. Most lessons also have a Salvation feature. Listen for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

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We’ve made it easy to add the Activities in the lesson. Just make copies of this final page to work on together. There’s a variety of activities from group input to art to math.

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t to the phrase oes best with it.

A B C D

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The first lesson in most series includes a QR code for a survey. We want to discover what students think about the topics before each series begins. We hope to see some perspectives change as they discover what God’s word has to say.

Permission to duplicate for local church use only.

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About Your Students While we hope that everyone in your group is pursuing a close relationship with Jesus, we know that most likely you have a variety of students and range of interests in faith. So we’ve tried to make sure that Radiant Life Youth helps everyone feel welcome and challenged to grow. Here’s who we keep in mind.

Discipleship Dylan

Isolated Isabella

He loves God and is all in on his faith journey. He engages during class time, most likely has personal devotions during the week, and probably shares his faith with friends who don’t know Jesus.

Lots of reasons make someone feel like an outsider. Their socioeconomic status, ethnicity, difficult home situation, and being new to the whole church experience are just a few of the reasons she might feel left out.

Brainiac Brooklyn

Have-to-Be-Here Hunter

She’s influenced more by scholarly opinions that counter faith than by faith itself.

Creation vs. evolution and other doubts might cloud her beliefs that God and the Bible are real.

She’s more likely to describe herself as atheist or agnostic rather than Christian.

He’d rather be pretty much anywhere else other than church. But his parents make him come.

Superficial Sophia She knows what’s expected of her to say at church, but who she is around her friends doesn’t quite match up.

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Regardless of where each of these students is on their faith journey, they all have one thing in common—Jesus loves them and died for them. Thanks for investing in them!

JUNE SEPTEMBER Contentfor Ready Control School? (Elisha) As Texta new school year begins, your students are one step closer to the event most can’t wait for: graduation. This series explores how Elisha shadowed the prophet Elijah and asked for a double share of his spirit. Then after his mentor “graduated” to heaven, Elisha picked up the mantle and got to see God do even more incredible miracles through him.

JULY OCTOBER Religions: Top 5(Romans) Living for God In this series, we’ll explore how salvation is Text a gift, not something we earn. But that’s just the beginning of our lives with God. We’ll also look at how His word guides us as we resist temptation and live out our faith in front of others, both believers and nonbelievers. Most importantly, we need to do all of this with a heart of love and gratitude like Paul did.

NOVEMBER AUGUST We’ve SpreadGot theIssues Word As our world is becoming more connected every Text day, people’s viewpoints on many things seem to be getting more diverse. This series begins by addressing when groupthink goes too far. Then we’ll explore what God’s word has to say about poverty, discrimination, and gender roles as well as what He wants us to do in response to these issues.

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Lesson

6

START WITH JESUS What’s the focus?

Salvation comes through our faith, not our efforts to please God with our actions.

Why does it matter?

LIVING FOR GOD (ROMANS)

Faith in Jesus and what He did for us gives us the opportunity to become Christians.

How should we respond?

Place your faith in Jesus to be your Savior and then choose to live for Him as your Lord.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

FOR THE LEADER

About the Series—Have you discovered that it’s not quite as easy to live as fully for God as you thought it would be? Thankfully, Paul offers a lot of wise advice in the book of Romans to help us out. In Living for God, we’ll explore how salvation is a gift, not something we earn. But that’s just the beginning of our lives with God. We’ll also look at how His word guides us as we resist temptation and live out our faith in front of others, both believers and nonbelievers. Most importantly, we need to do all of this with a heart of love and gratitude like Paul did rather than out of mere duty.

About This Lesson—We have to earn most things in our lives—money, free time, respect, and trust, to name a few. But salvation, the most important thing of all, comes as a gift. Through the examples of Abraham and Paul in Start with Jesus, students will learn that eternal life can’t be earned on our own. Nothing we do will ever be good enough. And that’s actually good news. God doesn’t limit salvation based on our backgrounds or what we have to offer. He just wants to be in a relationship with us.

YOU WILL NEED

GETTING READY

• Youth Student, 1 per student

• Download the Living for God Slides.

• Living for God Slides for this lesson

• Make copies of the Traditions Page, 1 per student.

• Traditions Page

• Pray for your students and their prayer requests.

• Pens or pencils, 1 per student • Stopwatch or smartphone

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Romans 6:23

FOR THE STUDENTS (Adjust as needed to fit available time.)

ENGAGE WELCOME

Welcome guests and introduce them to the group. Pass out the Youth Student for this lesson.

INTRODUCTION

? What is your dream vacation destination? Why do you want to go there?

Paul, the man who wrote most of the New Testament books, really wanted to travel to Rome to visit the church there. He had heard that their faith in Jesus was being talked about all over the world (Romans 1:8). In his letter to these believers, Paul wrote that he wanted to encourage them in their faith and share the good news of Jesus with nonbelievers in Rome at the same time. Paul has a lot to say in the book of Romans, but today, we’re going to focus on the first step of becoming a Christian: accepting salvation through Jesus.

EXPLORE 1. SALVATION: WE CAN’T EARN IT

? H ave you heard about Abraham in the Old Testament? What do you know about him?

Paul used Abraham’s life as an example of what it looks like to have incredible faith in God. Faith means having complete commitment to and confidence or trust in someone or something. Abraham is so well-known for his faith that he’s sometimes called “the father of our faith.” So what did he do to get that title?

Abraham grew up in a city called Ur. Eventually, God told him to leave his home to move to a new place far away. In faith, Abraham obeyed God. Much later, Abraham and his wife, Sarah, had their son Isaac. God used Isaac to test Abraham’s trust in Him, and Abraham passed with flying colors! He was obedient to God, and God honored him for his faithfulness by making him a “great nation.” In fact, Abraham’s 12 great-grandsons became the foundation for the tribes of Israel. Let’s read Romans 4:1–3.

? According to verse 3, what did Abraham do for God to consider him righteous?

Abraham didn’t earn righteousness because he did some good things. He believed that what God was saying was true. Does that mean Abraham never had doubts about God’s plan? Of course not. Abraham was human—he had worries, fears, and doubts, just like we do. He even made some pretty big mistakes. But through all of that, his faith in God was bigger than anything he was facing. He didn’t earn God’s favor—he simply believed in God in response to God choosing him.

? How many of you have a job with a paycheck? How many of you wish you did?

When we have a job, we get paid for the work we do. In some jobs, you even get a bonus when you go above and beyond what you’re told to do or when you work extra hours. Our paychecks are earned. It’s not the same as money someone might get on their birthday or at Christmas. Let’s read what Romans 4:4–5 has to say about that.

? How does it make you feel to know that salvation is a free gift from God, not something you have to earn?

Youth | Start with Jesus

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EXPLORE continued When it comes to salvation, we can never do enough or give enough to deserve the gift Jesus offers us. Think of the kindest person you know—someone you think is totally deserving of every good thing coming their way. Maybe your grandma or a missionary comes to mind. But even with all their goodness, they still fall short of earning salvation.

This gift of salvation is bigger than you or I can imagine. We can’t earn it. We can’t volunteer our way into heaven. Being on the worship team or serving soup to people who are homeless are good things, but they don’t help us earn our salvation, no matter how many times we do them. Let’s read Romans 4:14–15 to see why being good enough isn’t even the point.

? What do you think the world would be like if we had no rules to break? ? Does it make sense to you that even following God’s law can’t make us righteous enough? Why or why not?

The rules and Law we see in the Old Testament reveal our sinfulness (Romans 7:7) and our inability to make things right with God. They help us know what is sinful and wrong, but they can’t make us right with God. And no matter how hard we try, we can’t follow them perfectly anyway. The solution to this problem is God creating a way to bring us up to His standard and make us right with Him. He chose to do that by having Jesus die on the cross for us.

?W hy do you think God chose to give us a way to be made right (righteous) through Jesus?

2. SALVATION IS GOD’S GIFT FOR EVERYONE, INCLUDING US So who exactly is this amazing gift of salvation for? The first believers in the early church were mostly Jewish. It makes sense because these were the people Jesus had spent His time with and ministered to while on earth. But we see in the book of Acts that these believers began sharing the good news with other people groups. We read about Ethiopians, Romans, Greeks, Macedonians, and people from other cultures who chose to believe in Jesus. God was starting to fulfill His promise to Abraham that he would be a father of many nations.

A question the church had to answer early on was: “Do these believers need to follow Jewish traditions in order to follow Jesus?” Let’s find out what Paul had to say about this in Romans 4:16–18.

ACTIVITY: TRADITIONS PAGE

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HOLIDAY TRADITIONS Name some traditions for these special days (special foods, deorations, things you do, etc.).

CHRISTMAS

Before we talk more about which faith traditions are important, let’s see some other traditions we have in common.

runs out. Then, we’ll compare answers and see how many of us have similar traditions.

• Hand out the Activity Page and pens or pencils to each student.

• Set the timer for 3 minutes or whatever seems right for your group.

Name as many of your traditions as possible for these special days before the timer

• Encourage the students to share what they wrote with the group. Then talk about which traditions you have in common.

____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________

EASTER ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________

BIRTHDAY ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________

© 2026 by Gospel Publishing House. All rights reserved.

hat’s your favorite holiday tradition? ?W ? H ow about Christian traditions? Which one stands out to you?

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Youth | Start with Jesus

Permission to duplicate for local church use only.

For Christians, some activities, like communion and water baptism, are done because Jesus commanded us to continue them. But neither of these are a way to earn God’s grace and forgiveness. The gift of salvation is available to all of us who have faith to receive it.

It doesn’t matter who you are, who your family is, where you come from, or how much money is (or isn’t) in your bank account. When we invite Jesus into our lives to be our Lord and Savior, we become part of a very large family—one that stretches all the way back to Jesus dying on the cross so we can be forgiven of our sins. But it doesn’t end there. Each time we share our faith with others, and they choose to follow Jesus, they automatically become part of this same family too.

? What kinds of things come to mind when you think of family?

People have positive, negative, or complicated feelings about families. Our family of believers can be complicated sometimes too, but it’s important to remember the One who’s holding us all together: God. He’s the Father we have in common no matter where we come from. Through Jesus, we all get the opportunity to start fresh as a member of God’s family.

3. SALVATION GIVES US A NEW BEGINNING Reading Abraham’s story in the Bible from our viewpoint today makes Abraham look like someone who always had extreme faith. We see all the wonderful things that happened because Abraham trusted God. But Abraham couldn’t really see how it would all turn out from where he stood. He was an ordinary person, like you and me, who trusted God for extraordinary things.

? What kinds of things might weaken someone’s faith?

Abraham made mistakes, like so many other men and women in the Bible. He learned that he couldn’t please God or do what He asked without His help. He understood that he needed God’s wisdom and strength to accomplish what God gave him to do. Let’s read Romans 4:22–25.

? According to verse 25, why was Jesus handed over to die? Why was He raised to life?

When we put our faith in Jesus, we’re made new. All our sins are covered by Jesus’ sacrifice, and we’re given a new beginning. Paul knew exactly what it meant to be forgiven when he didn’t deserve it.

Paul’s Story When we first meet Paul in the New Testament, he was called Saul. He was not just present as a Christian named Stephen was stoned to death. Saul was in favor of it (Acts 8:1).

Stephen was the first Christian the Bible records being killed, or martyred, for his faith. At that time, Saul was an enemy of Christians. In his eagerness to uphold what he understood as Jewish law, he hunted down Christians to put them in prison. In fact, he was on his way to Damascus to arrest Christians when his whole world was turned upside down. Let’s find out what happened to Paul in Acts 9:3–9.

?W hat surprises you more—that Jesus chose Paul or that Paul chose to follow Jesus? Why?

ACTIVITY: WHAT IF IT HAPPENED TO YOU? (SLIDES) • Show the slides for this lesson as you share the following information.

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EXPLORE continued Imagine if what happened to Paul happened to you. How would you react if . . .

• Show slide 1: Bright light.

A light shone all around you on your way to school, and you heard a Voice call you by name and say, “Why are you persecuting me?” How would you respond?

• Show slide 2: Staring up.

This Voice, seemingly out of nowhere, told you to stop what you were doing, go to the next town, and wait for instructions. Would you go? Why or why not?

• Show slide 3: Person who’s blind.

What if you suddenly couldn’t see anything? What would you miss seeing? What challenges would you have?

• Show slide 4: Jesus.

? H ow do you think your relationship with Jesus would change if something like this happened to you?

REFLECT ? H ave you ever felt that you had to be good enough to earn your salvation instead of accepting it as a free gift? Why do you think that is?

? What would you say to someone who feels this way now?

Even though Paul had a history of imprisoning faithful believers, God chose him to spread the good news all over the world. Paul recognized his sinful ways and turned his eagerness for putting Christians in prison to pursuing God and encouraging others to do the same. And Paul counted his forgiveness as joy. Let’s read Romans 4:6–8.

? When you think about God giving you a fresh start through salvation, what emotion do you feel?

The gift of salvation wasn’t given because of anything we could have done or could ever do in the future. God gave us this amazing gift of a relationship with Him simply because He wanted to.

• Close in prayer.

Salvation (Add this if you sense someone needs to respond.)

The most important thing Jesus wants is to have a relationship with you. That’s why He came—to make this free gift of salvation possible (Romans 6:23). He loves you and wants you to know Him better. If you’re ready to make that decision, I’d be happy to pray with you.

• If you sense the Holy Spirit’s leading, give students the opportunity to invite Jesus into their lives as their Savior.

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Youth | Start with Jesus

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS Name some traditions for these special days (special foods, deorations, things you do, etc.).

CHRISTMAS

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BIRTHDAY

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