Breaktrail Week 1- Jesus never gives up on us.

If you've ever gone hiking before, especially in the winter, you know "breaking trail" is something you do when you encounter deep snow that's tough to navigate.

When that happens, one hiker usually goes ahead of their group and clears the way so others can follow behind more easily. It's so much easier to walk in the tracks of someone else who has already "broken" the trail. We often call those people "trailblazers," but we don't always use that term literally. Sometimes a "trailblazer" is someone who has forged a new and different kind of path.

Who are some trailblazers you know?

INSTRUCTIONS: Give a few students a chance to respond.

IMAGES | Modern Day Trailblazers

INSTRUCTIONS: Show images of a few trailblazers from different industries as you tell their stories and the trails they broke, like . . .

Steve Jobs.

This man changed the world in more ways than one. Even if you don't use Apple products, you've been impacted by this man's ability to see technology in a new way — as not just something for the super rich, but something all people should be able to access.

Ruby Bridges.

Ruby was the first African American student to attend a formally all-white school in Louisiana. Even though the Supreme Court required schools to desegregate in 1954, most schools ignored this decision. In 1960, six years after the Supreme Court's ruling, Ruby was escorted to school, while angry protestors stood on the sidelines. The decision had already been made, but somebody had to break the trail and be the first person to set a new precedent for education in the United States. Ruby Bridges was that amazing trailblazer.

Rihanna.

Yes, she's an amazing artist who has broken a few trails with her style of music, but in 2017, she launched a makeup line called Fenty Beauty. Her makeup line was the first to cover an extensive range of shades and diverse model representation. Her makeup line was named one of Time's 25 Best Inventions of 2017. Rihanna broke the trail and made it more common for other companies to represent a more diverse audience. For the next few weeks, we're going to talk about a lot of heroic trailblazers, but more than anyone else we're going to talk about a leader named Jesus. Jesus blazed trails through . . .

His birth.

His life.

His teachings.

His death.

His resurrection.

As we journey toward Easter (and beyond), let's talk about some of the ways Jesus blazed trails for you and me.

SO WHAT? Why does it matter to God and to us?

STORY | Talk about a time you let someone down.

There are so many ways Jesus broke new ground. He made a way for us to forever change the way we saw God and others in a few key areas, but this was a big one: Jesus gave us a new way to see failure (ours and others'). INSTRUCTIONS: Tell a story from your own life (or ask a volunteer or student to tell a story) about a time when you let someone down, broke a promise, or betrayed you. How did they react? Did they give up on you? Did they give you a second chance? Share what happened, how you felt when you realized you failed them, and how you felt about their response.

I remember back around 2003, my Momma and I went to this car wash in my hometown to clean up my Dodge Ram.

We were getting all the trash out of the backseat when she lifted up the seat to find a bottle of liquor.

Big oof.

Mom knew I was doing a lot of bad things at that time in my life and that I was in a dark place, and she was really upset when she found that bottle.

And I felt terrible disappointing the person who loved me the most in this world.

But I’ll tell you one thing:

She NEVER gave up on me.

She just kept on praying for me until I became miserable in my sin.

GOD heard her prayers and I gave my life to him about a year after this incident.

Maybe you've had a moment when . . .

Like me, you hurt someone you love and wished you could rewind the tape and change it. Or you've trusted someone else to keep a secret or a promise, but they let you down. It's understandable if you feel you aren't able to trust or even love that person like you used to. Or maybe you've let yourself down. Maybe you're frustrated that you can't measure up to whatever standard you've set for yourself. Today, we're going to learn about two people close to Jesus who let Him down. But the way Jesus responded to His friends-turned-traitors was pretty trail-blazing.

SCRIPTURE | Luke 22:1-6, 47-48, 54-62

In the days leading up to His death, Jesus found Himself in some uncharted territory.

Jesus knew He was about to die, but His friends and followers didn't (even though Jesus tried to tell them). Well — actually, most of Jesus' friends and followers didn't know He was going to die. But one of them did.

INSTRUCTIONS: Read or summarize Luke 22:1-6 47-48, 54-62.

Luke 22:1–6 NIV

Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. They were delighted and agreed to give him money. He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

Luke 22:47–48 NIV

While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Luke 22:54–62 NIV

Then seizing him, they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest. Peter followed at a distance. And when some there had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat down with them. A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said, “This man was with him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said. A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.” “Man, I am not!” Peter replied. About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with him, for he is a Galilean.” Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

I've had some pretty bad friends and some really hurtful betrayals, but this story is more than I can imagine.

Judas has to be the worst friend of all time! Judas singled out Jesus and betrayed Him to His face — literally, with a "friendly" kiss! Judas didn't just let Jesus down. He actually wanted Him dead. But it gets worse . . . Not only was Jesus betrayed by His friend Judas, but He was also betrayed by His dear friend Peter. Peter was arguably Jesus's most devoted follower and one of His best friends, but Peter denied he knew Jesus three times. Jesus is God, but He was also human — complete with all of the emotions we humans know well. I can't imagine how painful it must have been for Jesus' friends to let Him down in such significant ways.

POLL | What Would You Do?

INSTRUCTIONS: Ask the questions below and give students a chance to respond by raising their hands or standing up to indicate "yes." If your friend did something horrible to you (and didn't apologize) and you saw them the next day, what would you do? Would you . . .

Avoid them at all costs?

Confront them and get the awkwardness out of the way?

Pretend you don't know what happened?

Move to a new state and change your name so you never have to deal with it?

SCRIPTURE | John 21:15-17

Now that you've imagined what it's like to be let down, put yourself in Judas' or Peter's sandals for a moment. Can you imagine the weight of such a huge failure resting on your shoulders? If you're them, you realize . . .

You betrayed your friend — someone who had never been anything but kind and loving toward you. You betrayed your friend so badly that they ended up getting in trouble. And not only in a little trouble, but put to death. It's easy to see why Peter and Judas were very upset about the way they betrayed their friend, Jesus. In the end, though, Judas and Peter chose to address their shame in different ways.

In one of the greatest tragedies in the entire Bible, Judas didn't give Jesus time to forgive Him. Instead, Judas tragically chose to end his own life. Judas was so overcome with grief and guilt that he forgot what Jesus was all about. Jesus' life and mission were never about guilt, shame, or grief. Jesus was always about grace, love, and forgiveness. At the same time, Peter was also wrestling with his share of grief and guilt. Even after Jesus rose from the dead, I'm sure Peter thought Jesus couldn't or wouldn't let him lead anything after this colossal failure. But instead, Jesus showed Peter a new path he could take.

INSTRUCTIONS: Read John 21:15–17

John 21:15–17 NIV

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

Jesus didn't give up on Peter, even when fear led Peter to lie about his friendship and loyalty to Jesus. Instead of anger or condemnation, Jesus gave Peter forgiveness and grace. Peter ended up doing exactly what Jesus told him to do. He became the leader of the "sheep" Jesus was talking about — Jesus' followers. Peter went on to lead the early church and is still known by many Christian traditions as the first official leader of the Church.

JESUS NEVER GIVES UP ON US

Like Peter and Judas, maybe you've felt like you've let Jesus down. Maybe you've felt like you were never good enough for Jesus to care about you to begin with. But if there's anything we can learn from Peter and Judas, it's that there's nothing you could do to cause Jesus to love you less.

Jesus shows us in this story that even the most extreme betrayal will never change Jesus's perspective or love. Peter came to believe what Judas forgot — that while any other friend in the world might not forgive him, Jesus breaks trail. Jesus always forgives. Jesus didn't give up on his friends, even when they gave up on themselves. And the same is true for you. No matter what we've done or what we may think about ourselves,

Jesus never gives up on us.

NOW WHAT? What does God want us to do about it?

OBJECT LESSON | Forgiving Ourselves

We all know how to give up on people when they fail us. Humans have been following that trail since the beginning of time. But Jesus broke a new trail when He showed us He'd never give up on us. Remember, the purpose of breaking trail is to make it easier for others to follow along behind you. That's what Jesus does for us. He broke a new trail by forgiving us so we can follow in His footsteps and forgive others — and maybe ourselves too.

We've all needed forgiveness for the ways we've hurt others. Maybe you made fun of someone at school, or teased someone in gym class, or spread a rumor, or lied to someone. We've all needed forgiveness for the ways we've chosen sins that hurt us (and God too). It could be an unhealthy relationship, a bad Internet browser history, a dirty mouth, or an angry spirit. Maybe you need forgiveness for this so you can move on and live out who God created you to be.

What do you need forgiveness for?

Who do you need to forgive?

What would it look like for you to forgive yourself or someone else, just like God has forgiven you?

INSTRUCTIONS: For this object lesson, you'll need a large glass bowl full of water, a large spoon, water-soluble papers, and pens. Pass out the pens and water-soluble paper as you give the instructions. When students have written down something they need forgiveness for, invite them to come to the front and place it in the bowl. After each piece is added, stir the bowl until it dissolves.

REFLECTION | Lectio Divino of Psalm 32

There was a man named David who had a pretty heavy track record of failing God and others. The book of Psalms is full of his confessions to God and expressions of trust that God would never give up on him.

INSTRUCTIONS: Invite students to open their Bibles or a Bible app on their smartphones to Psalm 32, or show the passage on your screen.

Psalm 32 ESV

A Maskil of David. Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

STEP ONE: Read the Scripture out loud while students listen.

STEP TWO: Read the Scripture out loud while students read along, underlining words or phrases that stuck out to them if they have their Bible or a Bible app.

STEP THREE: Read the Scripture out loud and ask students to focus on one phrase God is pointing out to them. Have them circle this phrase. This was David's prayer of repentance. David knew that God would never give up on him, no matter how big his mistakes were.

If you're struggling to forgive yourself, remember Jesus can and always will forgive you.

If you're struggling to forgive someone else, remember Jesus shows us the way to show each other grace.

Jesus broke the trail and decided that nothing would ever keep us from being able to follow him. Is there something you think keeps you from Jesus? This week, give that thing to God so you can better hold onto the truth that, no matter what,

Jesus never gives up on you.

ACTIVITY | Take a Hike

INSTRUCTIONS: Before your program, print the handouts provided in your Week 1 folder. Place one under each seat.

Before you go, I have one last challenge for you. Throughout this series, we're going to talk a lot about the trails Jesus blazed for us and how we can follow in His footsteps. But sometimes it helps to process all of this with other people, and outside of our normal routines.

So sometime in the next few weeks (or maybe a few times), take a hike — literally. Invite a few friends or get your small group together. It can be a short walk around town or an intense hike on a local trail. Either way, start walking and take this handout with you. It will give you some things to think about and talk about as you go. As you walk, think about how, in your everyday life, you can walk more intentionally in the footsteps of Jesus — our trailblazer who, among so many other things, never gives up on us.