It’s hard to remember all the social pressures that students feel. Everywhere they go, labels are highlighted and people are outcast. For students to break this mold and show acceptance to all people, they have to get WAY outside of the norm.

Acts 20:1-4 NIV
When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement
to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months. Because some Jews had plotted against him just as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia. He was accompanied by Sopater son of Pyrrhus from Berea, Aristarchus and Secundus from Thessalonica, Gaius from Derbe, Timothy also, and Tychicus and Trophimus from the province of Asia.

Colossians 3:11-12 NIV
Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Holy God of compassion, you invite us into your way of forgiveness and peace. Lead us to love our enemies, and transform our words and deeds to be like his through whom we pray, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Remember when you were in high school? If somebody were to tell you that God has a “plan for your life,” that would’ve seemed confusing, wouldn’t it? But the truth is, God’s plan isn’t always as big and “out there” as students think. It’s often just about doing the next right thing.

Share a High and a Low from the past week.

• Do you ever feel like God has a plan for other people, but not you? What makes those “other people” different from you in your mind?
• Why do you think it’s easier to believe that God’s plan for your life happens later, not now?

Acts 16:6-10 NLT
Next Paul and Silas traveled through the area of Phrygia and Galatia, because the Holy Spirit had prevented them from preaching the word in the province of Asia at that time. Then coming to the borders of Mysia, they headed north for the province of Bithynia, but again the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them to go there. So instead, they went on through Mysia to the seaport of Troas. That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Lord God, with endless mercy you receive the prayers of all who call upon you. By your Spirit show us the things we ought to do, and give us the grace and power to do them, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. AMEN.

Your students are probably scared to death to question or rethink anything about God. They’re afraid that they’ll be judged, condemned, or scolded. But the truth is, every good relationship allows us space to learn new things and rethink what we thought we knew before. The same is true for God. Knowing God is not a destination. It’s a journey—a process. And in that process, we are continually learning!

Share a high and a low from the past week.

• What’s the best road trip you’ve ever been on?
• Why do you think people have a tendency to “stop thinking” when it comes to God?

Acts 9:1-9 NIV
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the
synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to
Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. 

Romans 12:2 NIV
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will