Prayer

Take the first 10 minutes of your time together to listen to what God is doing in one another’s lives and pray for any specific needs people in your group may have.

Today we celebrate all of our students and teachers with Back to School 2016.

Discussion Questions

Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom

“I am fundamentally an optimist. Whether that comes from nature or nurture, I cannot say. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.”

Tell us about a time when you have hoped for something to come to pass?

What does it mean to have hope?

Where does hope come from?

How does hope shape a generation?

Matthew 13:18-23

“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

What would you say are the most pressing issues amongst teens and young adults today? Why do you think that is?

What would you say to a young person who is struggling with one of those issues?

How does the hope of Christ help a person stand firm in his/her conviction to follow Jesus?

In what ways might we be givers of hope to this younger generation?

ChristianityToday.com

“Six in 10 young people will leave the church permanently or for an extended period starting at age 15, according to new research by the Barna Group. And for the generation now coming of age, it’s more than the usual “driver’s license to marriage license” joy ride, according to the pollsters. For church leaders, the question is, what will we do about it?”

Why do you think young people have been turning away from the church at a record pace over the past decade?

How does the Truth of the Gospel confront, or speak to, those reasons?

Closing Thought

What can we do to change that trend and those perceptions of Jesus and the church amongst the next generation?