Middle School Week 1: Calling Over Comfort
The Main Thing:
Following Jesus means letting go of comfort.
Start Talking (Conversation Starter):
Time for a new pillow! Which would be the most uncomfortable: a pillow made of nails, sandpaper, bees, or a block of ice?
Need some movement-based icebreakers for your group? Find some options here!
Explore the Scripture:
Read Matthew 4:18-22, Luke 5:27-28, and Mark 10:21-22 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 called Peter, Andrew, James, and John while they were working. They immediately left their nets to follow Him. Why do you think leaving everything behind like that would have been such a big deal for them?
Jesus told the rich man to sell his things and follow him. Why do you think Jesus told him that? Why did the rich man respond how he did?
Think back to the message you heard. What takeaways did you have?
Own It:
Make the Scripture personal.
Following Jesus doesn't always mean leaving something like the disciples did, but it does mean letting Him become more important than anything else. What are some "comfortable" things middle school students can hold on to instead of fully following Jesus? (e.g., fitting in, social media, sports, routines, entertainment, always choosing what's easiest, etc.)
Is comfort always a bad thing? When can we know our comfort is a problem?
What’s something comfortable getting in the way of you following Jesus? What would it look like to take a step in putting your calling over that comfort?
Share something from the message that challenged you to put your calling over your comfort.
Live It:
Take action to apply what you learned.
This week, take the ALL IN CHALLENGE. Do at least one of the following!
Spend 15 minutes praying each day. Ask Jesus to help you follow Him!
Go on a social media fast. Read your Bible instead!
What’s something you wish someone would do for you? Do that thing for someone else!
Prayer:
End your meeting challenging the group to step outside their comfort zone by having someone pray out loud for the coming week.