Synergy Discussion 11-5-24


Icebreaker

Have everybody pick a number between 1 and 1,000. Open the link below, go around the group, and ask the numbered questions. Try to get everybody to participate!


Icebreaker Questions

Read 2 Timothy 3:16-17 - "All Scripture is inspired (breathed out) by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work."


Purpose of these Lessons - “ALL Scripture is useful for teaching us, convicting us, correcting us, and training us to be more like Jesus. That’s why we are going through the ENTIRE story of Scripture in this series.”

Discussion Questions: Here are a few questions about each of our lessons so far. It’s okay if you don’t make it through all of them or if you want to skip any to get to another one. Just make sure everybody is back to the youth room and ready to sing by 7:45.

#1 - Choice (Adam & Eve) 

Main Point: “We have the freedom to choose to follow God or go our own way.”


Ask (Funny Answers Only): What’s a “difficult” choice you make every day? (What underwear to choose? Oreos or Chips Ahoy?) - Take 2 or 3 answers then move on.


Ask: Why does love require choice? Why wouldn’t God want us to love Him automatically?

  • Possible Answer: It isn't truly love if there isn't a choice to reject somebody. You wouldn't want somebody to date you just because they have to.

#2 - Faith (Abraham) 

Main Point: “Salvation comes through believing in God, not just by doing good deeds.”


Share (Personal Story): Any stories of seeing somebody else do a good deed? Even a story about someone else in this room?


Ask: No matter what good we do, we will still never do enough to earn our way to heaven. Why is that a good thing?

  • Possible Answer: It takes the pressure off. We don't have to earn our own salvation because Jesus already did it.

#3 - 10 Commandments (Moses) 

Main Point: “Though we always fall short, God’s commandments provide guidance for living a fulfilling and moral life.”


Ask (Funny Answers Only): What commandment would you add to a list of “the 10 Commandments of Synergy”? - 3 or 4 answers max

  • Example: "Thou shall not talk during announcements or you shall be yelled at by Chris Brooks"

Ask: Have you ever broken one of the 10 commandments (the real ones)?

  • Only Correct Answer: Yes. If you said "no" you just lied.

Ask: If Jesus’s sacrifice covers our sin, why should we even bother trying to follow God’s commands?

  • Possible Answer: We want to honor Him and thank Him for what He has done for us. Following His commands are still the best way to lead a fulfilling life. God created life and He knows what is best.

#4 - Pattern (Judges/Kings of Israel) 

Main Point: The cycle of rebellion and repentance shows our need for God to restore us.


Ask: What does TRUE repentance look like? (Give examples)

  • Possible Answer: True repentance is not just saying "sorry", feeling guilty, or avoiding responsibility. True repentance is turning away from that sin and allowing it to lead to life transformation.

Leaders: Share if you’ve ever been on the giving or receiving end of true repentance. OR share a story about (remember to keep your sharing brief)

#5 - Prophecies (Prophets) 

Main Point: God had a plan to restore humanity, which was revealed through the prophets.


Ask: The prophets pointed out sin and pointed to God’s way. Why should we have people like that in our own lives?

  • Possible Answer: We will all try to justify our own sin if it helps us feel better. We have blind spots that only somebody else can see. God gave us the gift of the Church so we can work together and help each other look more like Jesus.


Leaders: Share if you have somebody in your life or if you have personal experience with accountability. 

Overall Theme: "Assume I Know Nothing"


Ask: Why is it helpful for anyone at any point in their faith to look at the basics of Scripture?

  • Possible Answer: For those new to faith, we need to solidify what we really believe. We also need to know exactly what Scripture says, not what others think. 
  • Possible Answer: For mature believers, we need to be ready to share WHAT we believe and WHY we believe it. Studying this keeps the gospel fresh in our minds.


Ask: What could go wrong if we assume somebody knows specifics about our faith?

  • Possible Answer: We could talk over somebody's head and completely miss an opportunity. Fortunately, the Holy Spirit does the work of drawing somebody to Himself and there is grace when we mess up.

Synergy Discussion 2-7-24


Icebreaker Question (try to get everybody to answer)

What is your favorite (or least favorite) fruit to eat?


Leaders: Feel free to swap in another icebreaker question if you have a better one. The goal is to get everybody talking before you dive into the text.

Read Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT)

19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

 

Ask: How do you react to reading this list? Do you see anything that people around you struggle with? (Not looking for right/wrong answers, just general discussion)

 

Leaders: Remind students THEY ALSO struggle with things on the list in Galatians 5:19-21. If you are willing share about something on this list you once struggled with and how the Spirit guided you toward truth.

Read Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

 

Ask: A more literal translation of this verse says, “The fruit (singular) of the Spirit is…” - Why doesn’t Paul say, “The fruits (plural) of the Spirit are…”?

  • Possible Answer: These are ALL expected from believers who have the Holy Spirit. We can’t pick and choose which evidence of Jesus we want to show. I can’t say, “It’s okay to lack self-control because I’m still generally kind.” It all works together!

 

Ask: How do these evidences of Jesus look different from the world? Can you think of any specific examples of how these could be shown?

  • Possible Answers: I can show love by sticking up for a classmate who is bullied at school. I can be joyful even if I’m frustrated with a teacher or friend. I can show peace and self-control by not escalating a frustrating situation at practice or a game. I can show kindness by helping somebody carry something heavy.

 

Leaders: Share about somebody you know who really displays the fruit of the Spirit. Why do you enjoy being around this person? Feel free to ask the students for examples if they have any. 

Read Galatians 5:24-26 (NLT)

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

 

If we have time, go into these questions. If we are running short or the conversation is heading another (productive) direction, feel free to summarize as leaders.

 

Ask: Generally speaking, what does it mean to belong to something? More specifically, what does it mean to belong to Jesus Christ? (V24)

 

Ask: Don’t name any names, but do you think guys/girls your age struggle with being conceited, provoking one another, or being jealous of one another? Why do you think that is? (V26)

  • Possible Answer: We all lack self-confidence and overcompensate by putting others down and puffing ourselves up. We do this when we are looking for fulfillment in things other than Jesus.

 

Leaders: Take prayer requests and have a leader or two pray over the students. Include time for prayer that the Holy Spirit would convict us where we fall short and that we would show the fruit of the Spirit this week!

Synergy Discussion 11-8-23

 

Forged & Refined

Spend a few minutes talking about goals for Forged & Refined. Collect points from students who haven’t given them to you. Use this smaller group time to connect with all of your students and also ask students who AREN’T signed up how they are doing.

 

Icebreaker

Ask everybody to share about their favorite gift they ever gave or received.


Lesson Preview

In today’s lesson we see the early church was interdependent.  Believers from Asia and Greece sought to minister to the Jewish church in Jerusalem.  Some of these believers did not have a lot of resources but they still gave out of love and because of the power of the resurrection.  It is important that we show generosity and give to others in the body of Christ.  We also need to be gracious receivers of gifts and be grateful.

 

Leader Introduction

Leaders/Student Leaders – Share about WHY we just packed shoeboxes earlier tonight. Don’t just stay on the surface, dig deep into why that is important.

  • Examples: We are blessed with so much and should want to help others. There are people in need all over the world. Even the simple gift of a box filled with toys and other supplies can help a kid have a great Christmas.

 

Discussion

#1 – Read 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 and discuss…

  •  What observations do you have about these verses? What is happening? (Sample Answer: Paul is reminding the believers to take a collection (offering) at their worship services.)
  • Who is Paul talking to? (Answer: Believers in the church at Corinth)
  • Who are they sending the collection to? (Answer: the saints in Jerusalem, see verses 1 & 3)


#2 – Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 and discuss…

  • When we give to others, what should be our attitude? Why? (Answer: We should be cheerful because…)


#3 – Interact with this statement (it’s from Pastor Brant’s sermon and Jack D. will read it before we split into our groups: “Interdependence of believers is the willingness to volunteer and meet the spiritual and physical needs of others while allowing others to meet your needs, too.”

  • We’ve already talked about why we should be willing to GIVE. Now let’s discuss why we should be willing to RECEIVE when somebody shares with us.


Prayer - Ask for prayer requests in your group and pray together before we finish.

Synergy Discussion 11-1-23

 

Forged & Refined - Spend 5 minutes talking about goals for Forged & Refined. Collect points from students who haven’t given them to you. Use this smaller group time to connect with all of your students and also ask students who AREN’T signed up how they are doing.

  •  NOTE: Students are welcome to jump into F&R at any point if they’d like


Icebreaker

  • Ask the students “What is something you are looking forward to?”
  • Try to get answers from as many as possible. It could be a single event, an annual event like camp, or even a gift they have asked for and haven’t yet received.



Lesson Preview

  • Today’s lesson talks about the hope we have of eternity with Jesus. One day all of our sin and pain will be gone and we will be with Him. This gives us HOPE!

 

Leader Introduction

  • Leaders – Before getting into the text, share about how the hope of eternity with Jesus encourages YOU in your personal walk with Him.

 

Read - Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-58 (have leaders read so students can just pay attention).

  • This section is somewhat wordy. Feel free to use a version like the New Living Translation for ease of reading for students.

 

Discuss

1. Look at verses 35-41 and ask…

  • What different aspects of nature does Paul use to illustrate our resurrection bodies? (some answers might include wheat, grain, animals, sun, moon stars)


2. Look at verses 45-49 and ask…     

  • What differences do you notice between Adam and Jesus?
  • What do you think it means that we shall also bear the image of "the man of heaven"?


3. Look at verses 54-57 and ask…

  • The gospel tells us our victory over death comes through the merits of Jesus and not of ourselves. (We don’t earn our own salvation) Why is it significant that we realize this truth? What hope do we gain from holding to this?


 

Final Question - How do believers view death differently from others? What has Christ done to give us a new perspective?

  • Spend some time here really digging into the gospel. Leaders, feel free to share from personal experience what Jesus has done for you or the hope you have of seeing believing loved ones again in eternity.

 

Prayer - Ask for prayer requests in your group and pray together before we finish.

Synergy Discussion 10-18-23


Forged & Refined - Spend 5 minutes talking about goals for Forged & Refined. If students haven’t picked their prayer & self-discipline goals yet, encourage them to do it before they leave. If they still don’t, make sure you exchange contact info so leaders can check in. Encourage students to sign up if they haven’t, BUT make sure they don’t feel like they have to do it to attend the next 4 weeks. Next week will discuss how we did with Week 1 goals.

 

Leader Introduction - Like Ryan said before we split, the next few passages we will study focus on the HOPE we have in the gospel.

  • Leaders - Share with your group about when and why you first decided to follow Jesus. You don’t have to have a date and location, just general life circumstances and what led you to make that decision. Keep in mind we have several questions to discuss so don’t share your full testimony, just enough to help the students get to know your story a little.

 

Read - Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 (have a leader read so students can just pay attention).

 

Scripture Recap - In this passage, Paul begins his great defense for the resurrection of believers by proclaiming the Gospel again to the Corinthians. He reminds the Corinthians that because our Savior lives, we know that we will live too. Jesus' resurrection is the basis for our own. 3 defenses Paul lifts up for the resurrection of Jesus Christ are: the authority of God's Word, the accounts of eyewitnesses, and the acts of God's grace. 

 

Discuss

  1. Look at verses 1-4 and ask…
  • Why is it important that believers are continually reminded of the Gospel?
  • Why is it important that things happened “in accordance with the Scriptures” (the Old Testament prophecies)?


  1. Look at verses 5-7 and ask…
  • What types of individuals does God use to be His witnesses? (Hint: Anybody) If you think it will help your discussion, go through each person and group (Peter, the Twelve, etc.) and talk about how their witness gives more credibility to the resurrection.
  • How might you be a witness to the truth of Jesus Christ and the hope that you have in Him?


  1. Look at verses 8-11 and ask…
  • How does Paul point to the work of God's grace in his life? (Who was Paul BEFORE the grace of God found him?)
  • Speak to how God has graciously worked in/through your own salvation (students can share about their salvation here if they’d like)

 

Final Question - How does remembering the truth of Jesus' resurrection lead us in greater hope for our future?

 

Prayer - Ask for prayer requests in your group and pray together before we finish.