YOUTH GROUP OLYMPICS
10 minutes
Attempt one of the most ancient Olympic events: discus throwing (using paper plates). Award points based on distance and style, or get them to aim for targets such as hula hoops. No skimming - proper discus throwing - or they lose points. (Start facing away, spin round one and a half times, then release the discus. For an exact example, play this clip. Award points, calculate final scores, and reward the overall Olympic champions with medals and chocolate!
GOOD STUFF, BAD STUFF
5 minutes
In small groups, try a survival exercise such as ‘Lost at sea’ or ‘Survival’. For time’s sake, miss out the elaborate counting and scoring, but make sure everybody thinks about survival equipment: what’s useful to have, and what’s not? Groups are usually surprised to find that things they think will be good are actually pretty bad and vice versa!
Say: Sometimes it’s difficult to tell good from bad - to work out what we really need for survival, and what can be deadly! Jesus is aware that his followers will be exposed to teaching which sounds ok but isn’t. They need to be wise and discerning to see what’s what.
A PROPHET OR A LOSS?
10 minutes
Read Matthew 7:15-20 and discuss in small groups:
- How does Jesus say you can recognise wrong teachers? By the words they use, the promises they make, the fame they achieve, or…? Answer: by their fruit - the outcome of the work they do (v 16, 20).
- What do you think ‘fruit’ means? What kinds of things might alert you to the fact that you’re dealing with false stuff? What would you expect from a genuine Christian leader? (Look at 2 Timothy 3:6-13 - does this give you any extra ideas?) Answer: whatever good biblical ideas they come up with! From 2 Timothy, false stuff might include preying on the gullible, indulging evil, encouraging wrong desires, learned teaching which leads nowhere and doesn’t satisfy, hostility to the truth, no conscience, eventual exposure. Genuine qualities might be what Paul lists in verses 10-13 - including the possibility of persecution!)
FALSE DISCIPLES
10 minutes
Read verses 21-23 and give them three more questions:
- It isn’t just teachers and leaders that can be fake. There will be true and false disciples too. How does Jesus say you can tell true disciples? What do real ones do that others don’t? Answer: not by the eloquent, impressive words they use about Jesus. Real disciples do the will of the father in heaven, they don’t just talk about it.
- “You can tell he’s a really spiritual Christian because he’s done so many wonderful things in the name of Jesus.” What’s wrong with this argument? Answer: verse 22 lists some very impressive things you may do, and still be a fake.
- Are you a fake disciple? Could you become one? If so how? Answer: yes, you could, if you fail to build on the right foundation and so produce the right fruit.
Compile a checklist of four questions disciples could ask themselves once a week to check they are still following Jesus properly. (If it’s a good list, print it out on laminated card, and give them a copy the next week).
AND THE RAINS CAME DOWN
5 minutes
Jesus’ teaching ends with a well-known story. (You could indulge in a quick burst of music and actions for those still nostalgic for Sunday school.)
But it’s not just a children’s story: it enshrines the deadly serious choice that everybody who has heard the challenge of Jesus-style discipleship needs to make. There are only two options, and right now each of us is choosing one of them. Read the story out, then shut all Bibles (or switch off all phones!). Ask: which is the correct version of verse 24?
- “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
- “Therefore everyone who accepts these words of mine is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
- “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
- “Therefore everyone who tries out these words of mine is like a wise man who built his own house.”
What’s wrong with the others? Say: it isn’t believing in Jesus in your head that makes you a disciple. Lots of people do that just because they were brought up in a Christian family. A disciple is somebody who “hears” Jesus’ words (takes them seriously) and “puts them into practice”. Where are you building - rock or sand?
SPOTLIGHT: FALSE NEWS?
10 minutes
In the past most of our news came from one or two TV stations and a few newspapers. Now, thanks to the explosion of the Internet, stories and claims are circulating all over the place - and we need to be really careful what we believe. It’s possible to be fooled by clever falsehoods as never before.
Ask: How do we know what to trust online? How can we be wise and discerning? Do any of the same principles apply to being wise and shrewd when we’re listening to the claims of Christian leaders too?
CLOSE
10 minutes
Don’t rush the ending; this is the culmination of a major piece of teaching. The stark choice Jesus gives us in this passage needs to be considered thoughtfully. Before you pray, take time to retrace all the lessons you’ve learned.
Read Matthew 7:24. Point out: this is real, radical discipleship. This is what you’re called to. Have you got the nerve to go with it? Ask God to help you as we pray.
