What’s at the Center?

Today’s Reading:
Matthew 6:33

Talk About It:
It’s not always easy to keep Jesus at the center of our lives, but it’s something we choose every day.
What are some things that can take our focus away from Jesus?

Some examples might be:
Video games
Sports or hobbies
School
Friends
TV or social media
Are these things bad? No. But when they become the most important thing, they can take Jesus’ place in our lives.

What would happen if sports or games were the most important thing in your life?
Would you spend more time on those, or with Jesus?
God wants us to enjoy life—but He wants to be first.

Questions:
What do you spend the most time thinking about?
What is one thing that sometimes distracts you from Jesus?
How can you put Jesus first this week?

Prayer:
Jesus, help us to keep You at the center of our lives. Show us when things are taking Your place, and help us choose You first every day. Amen.

Leaving the Old Life Behind

Today’s Reading:
2 Corinthians 5:14

Talk About It:
“Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.”
Who did Jesus die for?
What does it mean to “die to our old life”?
It means we turn away from sin and ask Jesus to help us live a new way.
Our “old life” is when we choose our way instead of God’s way.

Activity:
Talk together about what the “old life” can look like:
Lying
Cheating
Bad attitudes
Disobeying

Write or say a few things you want Jesus to help you change.

Questions:
What is one thing from your “old life” you want to leave behind?
Why is it sometimes hard to let go of those things?

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for loving us and dying for us. Help us turn away from the wrong things and choose to live Your way. Amen.

Made New in Jesus

Today’s Reading:
2 Corinthians 5:17

Talk About It:
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
When we follow Jesus, He makes us new.
Think about a video game that freezes or messes up. What do you do?
You hit reset.
That’s what Jesus does for us. He gives us a fresh start.
Being a “new person” means:
We begin to think differently
We act more like Jesus
We choose what is right

Activity:
Make two lists:
Old Life vs. New Life

Old Life examples:
Being selfish
Being unkind

New Life examples:
Being kind
Being loving
Being generous

Questions:
What is one way Jesus is changing you?
What is one way you want to be more like Jesus?

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for making us new. Help us to live like the new people You created us to be. Amen..

Choosing the New Life Every Day

Today’s Reading:
1 John 1:9

Talk About It:
Even when we follow Jesus, we still make mistakes. Everyone does.
What matters most is what we do after we mess up.
When we sin, we should:
Confess it to Jesus
Ask for forgiveness
Choose to follow Him again
God promises that when we confess, He forgives us.
That’s how we keep moving from our “old life” into the “new life” He gives us.

Questions:
What should we do when we mess up?
Why is it important to confess our sins?
How does it feel knowing Jesus forgives you?

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for forgiving us when we mess up. Help us to be honest with You and keep choosing the new life You’ve given us. Amen..