​It’s Christmas. Nativity scenes are everywhere. You know, Mary, Joseph, shepherds, angels, and the drummer boy (who wasn’t actually there). Maybe you grew up seeing these scenes and wondered what they were all about. Or maybe you’ve heard the story a million times. Either way, there’s another story we bet you haven’t heard, characters you barely know, scenes you don’t see in the plastic nativity on your neighbor’s lawn. As we explore two often-untold parts of the Christmas story, we discover that God had something bigger in mind from the very beginning. And, just as it was true for those at the first Christmas, He may just have a bigger story in mind for us as well.

by Reggie Joiner

You are inviting kids and teenagers into a bigger narrative—one where they are designed to play a significant role.
Why do you think…
     Luke Skywalker in Star Wars,
     Frodo in Lord of the Rings,
     Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia,
     and a boy named Harry
have such an appeal to the hearts of kids?

It’s because they remind us of…
     the struggle between good and evil.
     the existence of a supernatural and miraculous power.
     the potential to be personally restored and transformed.

Why do you think the same themes are recycled so many times?

Maybe it’s simply because the idea of story originated with God.

If every story was written by an author who is created in God’s image, maybe that’s the reason so many reflect His ancient narrative.
     No wonder stories inspire us.
     No wonder stories incite faith.
     No wonder stories give us hope.

Isn’t that the kind of perspective you want kids and teenagers to have about this world? Don’t you want them to know life’s connected to a bigger story where God is the Author?

A bigger story perspective...
     prepares them to face whatever happens.
     compels them to take risks and do something significant.
     moves them to keep believing that good will ultimately win.

​Life will be hard.

It will be harder for some than for others. The only guarantee in everyone’s story is there will be conflict.

That’s why everybody loves a good story. You latch onto someone who is going against the odds. You identify with their struggle to push through.

Did you know the script for Harry Potter was written during J.K. Rowling’s darkest hour?

Here’s how she describes that time in her life: “An exceptionally short-lived marriage had imploded, and I was jobless, a lone parent, and as poor as it is possible to be in modern Britain, without being homeless…I was the biggest failure I knew. I was set free, because my greatest fear had been realized, and I was still alive, and I still had a daughter whom I adored, and I had an old typewriter and a big idea. And so rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life.”

So, Rowling captured the imagination of a generation with a story.

The story of a boy named Harry—an unusual boy, marked for a specific destiny from birth.

As he discovered his true identity and embraced his purpose, he grew in wisdom and strength. His closest friends followed him everywhere, facing grave opposition, but they could not always understand what he understood. They could not follow him into the very final battle against an evil enemy, where he entered into death itself…and defeated it. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? Regardless of what you think about Harry, you have to agree.

Stories are powerful—especially when they reflect God’s story.

Stories over time matter—especially when they come from parents and leaders who care.

So, do whatever you can to amplify the best stories around you.
Read them.
Watch them.
Tell them.
Create them.
Write them.
Illustrate them.
Film them.
Live them.
Collect them.

Stories can make history for a child. Stories can transform his or her perspective. They can make life fuller, faith deeper, and hope stronger.

Stories over time move us to imagine a world beyond ourselves.

​This week, we’re going to tap into two opposing desires that most middle schoolers have. The first is their desire for comfort. Because, let’s be honest, the middle school experience already comes packed with more than enough awkwardness and discomfort for a lifetime. Of course, people of all ages try to avoid discomfort whenever possible, but a desire for comfort is particularly strong in middle school when students are insecure, emotional, very sleepy, and very, very hungry. (Seriously. It’s a fact.) But there’s another desire that can combat the desire for comfort that we’re going to try to tap into today. And that’s the desire for significance. The desire to do something that matters. So don’t try to guilt your students because of their desire for comfort, because isn’t a great motivator. Instead, try inspiring them by tapping into their desire for significance.

Share a high and a low from the past week.
Describe your ideal “comfort zone” – literally. What’s the most comfortable, relaxing, coziest place you can imagine?​

What do you think about when you hear the word “uncomfortable”?
What’s one way someone in need might experience physical discomfort?
What’s one way someone in need might experience emotional discomfort? 

Matthew 25:37-40 New International Version
37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

How might helping someone in need sometimes make us feel uncomfortable?
Why do you think Jesus wants us to care for people in need?
Why do you think it’s so hard for us to choose between being comfortable and being courageous?
What’s one thing you can do this week to choose courage over comfort?

​God of all Creation, we praise you for creating this world in all beauty, for redeeming the world through Christ, our Lord, and for sending us the gift of your Spirit to encourage, instruct and sustain us. We long for your Spirit to work among us now, to inspire us, to challenge us with your truth, and to equip us for service in the world. And together as your people we say, AMEN.

​You remember the drama of your middle school years, don’t you? Back then, every fight with a friend felt like a war and every insult, frustration, or criticism felt like the end of the world. In middle school, you might have a new enemy every week – your mom, your dad, your teacher, or maybe your former best friend. Between all the hormones, insecurities, and big life changes happening during the middle school years, these kinds of emotions are to be expected. But during this tumultuous phase, there’s something we can do to help our middle schoolers better love their “enemies” – encourage them to pray! Here’s what’s cool: when they pray for the people who’ve hurt or upset them, they’ll actually develop a little bit more empathy and compassion than they had before.

Share a high and a low from the past week.
How do you usually respond when someone hurts, offends, or makes you angry?

Matthew 5:43-44 New International Version
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
​
Luke 23:33-34 New International Version
33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

Why do you think it’s easier to hate someone who’s hurt you rather than forgive them?
What are the risks of trying to love our enemies?
What are the benefits of loving our enemies?
Why do you think Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies?
What’s one thing you can do this week to love an “enemy”?

O God, our true life, to serve you is freedom, and to know you is unending joy. We worship you, we glorify you, we give thanks to you for your great glory.
Abide with us, reign in us, and remake this world for your divine majesty, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. AMEN

In middle school, friendships are a big deal. That’s because, for the first time in their lives, a middle schoolers’ friends are becoming big influences in their lives – even bigger than their parents, in many ways. There are developmental reasons for this. Think of it this way: in this phase, every middle schooler is asking two big questions: Who likes me? and Who am I? As they for answers to those big questions, they will inevitably look to their friends to find their meaning, their identity, and their value. So, in a very significant way, their friends affect the way they see themselves, the way they see the world, and the way they see themselves in the world. That’s why, as we’ll talk about this week, it’s so important to help middle schoolers build healthy friendships.

Share a high and a low from the past week.
If you could be best friends with one character from a movie, show, or book, who would you choose?

John 13:2-5 New International Version (NIV)
2 The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

How do great friends make life better?
What are some qualities you usually see in a great friend?
Which of those qualities would your friends say describes you the best?
Which of those qualities is the hardest for you to show to your friends?
What’s one way we sometimes put ourselves first, instead of our friends?
Why do you think it’s so hard to put our friends first?
What’s one thing you could do this week to love, serve, or put your friends first?

Almighty God, gracious Lord, we thank you that your Holy Spirit renews the church in every age. Pour out your Holy Spirit on your faithful people. Keep them steadfast in your word, protect and comfort them in times of trial, defend them against all enemies of the gospel, and bestow on the church your saving peace, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. AMEN.