WARM-UP
Play “Two Truths and a Lie – Sports Edition”: each person takes a turn giving three sports statements about themselves. Two should be true and one should be false. After each person shares, the group tries to figure out which one is the lie.
Q: How do you react when you find out someone lied to you?
Q: Why do you think people lie or cheat?
Our verse for this week is, “‘A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance.” — John 10:10
Q: What is the thief pursuing?
Q: Who do you think is “I” in this verse? What is He offering to those who pursue Him?
WORKOUT
Have you ever pursued a goal, achieved that goal but didn’t feel as happy as you thought you would? It happens sometimes. We pursue a goal that seems really important at the moment but in the end achieving it didn’t really change anything in our lives.
When we pursue a goal to gain attention or awards, we don’t really ever achieve the goal because we are pursing something we can’t keep. Attention comes and goes – think of YouTube shorts that everyone watches and then moves on to the next viral video. Awards are something we can earn but then right after we earn it the next award is already set to go to someone else.
When we pursue life through Jesus we get life in abundance. When we pursue our goals from a heart that is motivated to glorify God, loves Jesus and is seeking Him, then we will finally be filled.
WRAP-UP
Remember our theme verse for this season: ““But you, man of God, flee from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11). When we pursue these things we will have life.
Let’s pray!
“Lord, we want to pursue a life that is abundant. We know that only comes from You. Give us right motivations for pursuing the goals we have. In Jesus’ name, amen.”