Middle School Week 2: My Actions

The Main Thing:

God's Word changes how I treat people.

Start Talking (Conversation Starter):

If you had to spend an entire day attached to one person, which would be the worst option: your sibling, a teacher, someone who never stops talking, or someone who chews really loudly?

Need some movement-based icebreakers for your group? Find some options here!

Explore the Scripture:

Read Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:27-36, Matthew 25:40, and Ephesians 4:32 as a group. Help students start talking about it together. What stands out? What doesn’t make sense? Are there things that confuse them or words they don’t understand?

Unpack It:

Discuss what you read and what you heard.

• Jesus says to treat others the way we want them to treat us. Why is that easy with some people and really difficult with others?

• In Luke 6, Jesus doesn't just tell His followers to love their friends. He tells them to love their enemies and do good to people who mistreat them. Why do you think Jesus asks us to treat people that way?

• Think back to the message you heard. What takeaways did you have?

Own It:

Make the Scripture personal.

• If someone watched the way you treat your family, friends, classmates, teachers, and people you don't like, what would they learn about what you believe? Does the way you treat people match what you say you believe?

• How do you treat people who are difficult for you to love?

  • How does following Jesus change the way we treat people? Why?

• Share something from the message that challenged the way you treat people. Now that you know what God says, how will you live it out?

Live It:

Take action to apply what you learned.

• This week, don't wait for someone else to treat you well before you treat them well! Choose at least one:

  • Include someone who's usually left out.

  • Do something kind for someone who annoys you.

  • Show honor to a parent, teacher, or coach without being asked.

  • Look for a practical way to help someone who can't do anything for you in return.

Prayer:

End your meeting by giving students a quiet moment to think of someone who's difficult for them to love. Pray together for those people, and ask Jesus to help your group treat others the way He would.