Before the Session
Facilitator: In advance of the session
- Have the Bible Background Video ready to view.
- Review today’s scripture text and the session activities to help better facilitate the discussion.
- Encourage your group to listen to the Faithelement podcast ahead of the next session (Share the link via email or social media)
Context (From the Media Session Page)
Play The Hunger Games movie clip and ask:
- What is the most extravagant event you have ever attended? What made it extravagant?
- If you had recently survived a traumatic life and death situation caused by the people throwing this party, how would you feel?
- If you had lived literally hungry most of your life and then you were invited to this party, how would you feel?
- How would a drink that makes you sick so you can eat more make you feel if people in your home state were starving?
- If you spoke up against the people throwing the party in this movie clip, what do you think the reaction would be?
Content (From the Current Session Page)
Read Luke 4:21-30, then watch the Bible Background Video.
Ask questions like these:
- What truths did Jesus reveal in this passage and in what ways did people respond to those truths?
- What impact do you think it had that Jesus used stories the people already knew?
- In what ways did these familiar stories pack a “punch” that increased the listeners’ emotional response?
- The Bible background video suggested that Jesus is holding up a mirror that “calls out” areas that need to change in our lives.When have you experienced a similar sort of “mirror” that showed something you preferred not to see?
- Why do you think we act the way we do when people “call out” areas that need repentance in our lives?
Closure (from the Youth Session page)
Show the Skit Guys Video and ask:
- What did you think was the best part of this video and why?
- In what ways do we make it seem that we want God to do tricks for us rather than shape us into who God wants us to be?
- If Jesus were holding up a mirror to you, what do you think he’d want you to see and why?
- Which of Jesus’ teachings seems to be the hardest for you to follow and why?
- In what ways can we best react to people who we know are unwilling to do what is right?
- In what ways can we best support people who are trying to do right?
Close with a prayer that everyone can truly hear what Jesus might be trying to tell them, and be willing to take the message to heart.