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In-N-Out Week 5: The Purpose of Your Story What we want students to learn: God wants to use your story to bring you and others closer to Him. Don’t waste it! What we want students to do with what they’ve learned: Be confident in and share their unique story wherever they go. Scripture Focus: Acts 8:1-6. The Main Point Students, and often times even still adults, struggle with caring about how people view them. However, as a student in a world where you are walking side by side with hundreds of people your age, the pressure to impress can often feel overwhelming. Tonight, we want our students to understand that their story is unique and personal for a reason, and God intends to use it for a purpose. We want our students to know their story and how to spread the gospel through it without the fear of what others think or say about them. INTRODUCTION • If you could have any unique talent, which talent would you want to have? Often times, we want things to be “unique” about us. Whether that be a talent, accent, hobby, or anything of the sort. Often times, in our desire to have or be something different, we neglect the fact that Jesus has given each of us a unique story. This is to say, Jesus died for every single person and that is consistent, but often times the way he is at work in our lives individually is unique. PRAY as you begin small group tonight that your students would recognize the individual love Jesus has for each of them. LESSON Have your students read Acts 8:1b-6. Acts 8:1b-6 - “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2 Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison.” 4 Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. 5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. 6 When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. • Why did the people in this story have to move to different places? • • • o They were being persecuted for their faith. In fact, it would have been dangerous for them to stay where they were. What does it mean to be persecuted for your faith? o The dictionary definition of persecute says… ▪ Subject to hostility or ill-treatment, especially because of their race or political or religious beliefs ▪ Harass or annoy persistently When have you faced “persecution” (or even just been made fun of) for your faith? What did the people do as a result of being persecuted and having to move? o According to verse 4, they “preached the word wherever they went.” LIFE APPLICATION In response to the trials and tests in their life, they made a decision to use it to glorify God. While we may not face this type of persecution, we all still endure tests and trials of various kinds. We must choose whether or not we will choose to see God working through it. God desires to use the tests and trials in our life to point ourselves and others to Him. Last week we talked about some practical ways we can share our story. Now, we want our students to recognize that one such way they can share the gospel is by telling their story, how God has been at work in their life. • What does it mean to have a story? o We all have a story. The biggest question is whether or not we have ever recognized the role God has been playing in our story. Often times we limit the word “story” or “testimony” to the moment of salvation. However, before, during and after salvation God is at work. • What is something God has done for everyone? o While we all have unique stories, we must first agree that there is something that unites all of our stories together. Christ lived, died, and rose for each of us to have the opportunity to have a relationship with Him. • Although God sent His son to die for everyone, there are still some specific things He can do and is doing in your life. What are a few unique things that you believe God has done in your life? • How has God used events in your life to bring you closer to Him? o For students who are still new to faith in Christ or even new to church, have them consider how God could use events in their life to bring them closer to Him in the future. • How has God used events in your life to bring others closer to Him? o For students who are still new to faith in Christ or even new to church, have them consider how God could use events in their life to bring others closer to Him in the future. MVMT – This is the last time your small group will be meeting before the MVMT registration deadline. Take a few minutes to talk to your students about MVMT and answer any questions your students have. The registration deadline is July 1st at movementconf.com. TAKE IT OUT Close small group out with prayer requests. Pray that your students would be encouraged that God cares about their unique story and wants to draw them and others closer to Him through it. After prayer, be sure to remind them of any upcoming group serving activities or student events and THE WEEKEND!
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