Jesus Gives Us A Mission

WHAT? What are we talking about today?

ACTIVITY | Build-Your-Own Trail Mix Bar

INSTRUCTIONS: Before your program, set up a trail mix bar of candies, seeds, popcorn, dried fruit, and pretzels. We recommend avoiding nuts since they're a common allergy. Give each student a bowl or bag and allow them to make their own trail mix to snack on while you teach.

We're in the last week of Break Trail, so it seems appropriate we get a snack to help us make it to the end of this path we've been journeying together. There's no more appropriately named (and delicious) snack I could think of than some good old fashioned trail mix!

VIDEO | A Clip from The Fellowship of the Ring

We don't actually have anywhere to hike to today, but the next best thing might be to watch some other people take a hike — a really, really long hike.

INSTRUCTIONS: As a teaching tool, play a short clip (2:30-3:30) from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, where the fellowship is first formed.

(Show in Prime video)

If you've never seen this movie before, this scene is the start of the longest hike in the history of cinema. Literally, the next eight hours in this trilogy are mostly following this crew's one long hike through a mountain range, scary forests, a river, some marshes, and finally leading to one particular volcano.

On its own, that might not sound like the most exciting plot, but what makes this hike worth following is the mission of the main characters. In this trilogy, the world needs to be saved! The solution is an unlikely group of heroes on a journey that will change everything. These stories are fun to watch or read because, deep down, we sort of know how they'll end, and the end will be worth the journey! But what if, in the end, Sauron won and destroyed the world? That would not be a very satisfying ending.

STORY | Talk about a time you did something that took forever.

INSTRUCTIONS: Tell a story from your own life (or ask a volunteer or student to tell a story) about a time when you got stuck doing something that both took forever and was kind of pointless. Maybe you waited in line for a ride just for it to close when you got to the front, or maybe you were on hold for hours before you realized you had called the wrong number, or maybe you drove for hours before you realized you had put the wrong destination into your maps app.

I live on this side of the tracks in Science Hill.

And I have gotten stuck at one of these three railroad crossings more time than I can count.

The worst is when the train just completely stops and the tracks are blocked off for 10, 15 mins, and hour.

I absolutely hate it when this happens.

And there have been a few times (when I first moved here) where I’ve waited for a hot minute in front of a standstill train, only to find out there was another crossing open.

I was waiting for NO REASON, mad at the train and mad at myself for the 30 mins I had just wasted...

There's nothing as frustrating as investing a ton of time or effort into something that isn't leading us anywhere. Don't get me wrong — it's fun to spend time watching a show, playing a game, or going down a YouTube rabbit hole, but when we decide to focus a lot of time or energy on something, we usually want it to be something that matters.

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

VIDEO | The Toughest Race

Have you ever heard of adventure racing? It's when a team of people race against other teams or against a preset time through super intense courses. There's a show about it called The World's Toughest Race, and it is wild.

INSTRUCTIONS: As a teaching tool, play a short clip (0:30-1:14) from the trailer for Amazon's World's Toughest Race.

People are literally putting their lives at risk in each episode as they . . .

Swim through freezing cold water. Climb steep mountains. Sleep outside during intense storms. Have run-ins with wild animals. And do all of this with very little rest or food. These people survive these intense conditions because, as a team, they're focused on accomplishing the goal of winning this race. It's also because each team has a captain who takes responsibility for finding a route and breaking a trail that is best for the team.

"Breaking trail" is a hiking term — it's what you do when you encounter terrain 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. It's so much easier to walk in the tracks of someone else who has already "broken" the trail. For the last five weeks, we've been talking about how Jesus "broke" trails for us in the ways we understand God, follow God, and love others.

But where is Jesus' path leading? What's our role on the journey? And why are we on this journey in the first place?

SCRIPTURE | John 21:2-3

In the last five weeks we've talked about how Jesus . . .

Never gives up on us.

Understands our pain.

Shows us love.

Is alive.

Can be trusted.

Now, to close out this series, we're going to talk a little bit about the role that we get to play on this team Jesus is leading. Last week we talked about how Jesus' friend and follower Thomas had a hard time trusting Jesus after Jesus' death and resurrection. Today, we're going to read about another time Jesus encountered some members of his "team" after rising from the dead.

INSTRUCTIONS: Read John 21:2-3

John 21:2–3 NIV

Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Before Jesus' disciples became His disciples, they were professional fishermen. Following Jesus around the country probably wasn't much of a money-making endeavor, so it's understandable if they continued fishing in order to make a living.

But the fact that this story takes place during one of their fishing expeditions might be significant. The disciples knew Jesus was alive, which seems like it should be a life-changing piece of information. Yet they were back doing exactly what they had been doing before they ever met Jesus. After the shock of Jesus' return, they had easily fallen into their regular rhythms and comfortable routines.

OBJECT LESSON | Your Comfort Zone

INSTRUCTIONS: Reveal a personal item that represents comfort for you — something that represents what you would do on a day when you just needed a moment to yourself or a chance to relax. Maybe it's a blanket and a book, or a video game controller, or a pair of walking shoes.

*Basketball*

When I'm stressed or overwhelmed, this is how I spend my time. When I do, I don't have to think. There's no pressure. It's just an opportunity to do something comfortable that I've known how to do for years. There's nothing at all wrong with taking a moment for ourselves, but when we're on a mission we can't live in our comfort zone forever.

SCRIPTURE | John 21:15-17

But while Jesus' disciples may have started this fishing trip feeling comfortable and confident, God had other plans.

While Peter and the other disciples were almost finished fishing, a man showed up and challenged them to throw their nets into the water one last time. When they did, they caught a literal boat-load of fish. Instantly, Peter recognized this was Jesus who had told them to cast the nets again (because only Jesus could do what this man had just done). So he jumped out of the boat and swam to shore to hang out with Jesus and eat some breakfast. If you were here in Week 1, you might remember this interaction we're about to read. In this conversation, we already saw how Jesus forgives Peter for his betrayal, but that's not the only thing Jesus does for Peter.

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 challenged Peter by asking, "Do you really love me? Do you really trust me? Did you really believe all the things that happened in the last three years really happened? Because if you do, you can't be content to just be a fisherman again. You have a new path to follow."

Was Jesus literally asking Peter to switch careers, from fisherman to shepherd? No. Jesus didn't literally want him to feed sheep. Instead, Jesus was inviting Peter on a brand new mission. He was asking Peter to teach and care for the people who followed Jesus, as well as people who hadn't yet come to trust in Him. Jesus wanted Peter to accept a brand new mission.

SCRIPTURE | Matthew 28:16-20

In this moment, Peter had a choice. He could either stick with his comfortable life or reset everything. He could either follow his own path or walk the path Jesus was blazing for him.

Peter did choose the mission Jesus had for him — and it changed everything He became a significant leader in the early church, wrote some letters that eventually became books of the Bible, and had a lasting impact in the story of Jesus both then and now. But for you and me, what is our mission? What does it look like for us to be on the path Jesus blazed for us?

INSTRUCTIONS: Read Matthew 28:16-20

Matthew 28:16–20 NIV

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

This mission wasn't just for the people present in this moment. It's a mission that applies to all of us. Jesus broke a trail for us, and now our mission is to continue the work Jesus started. Because Jesus gives us a mission — and it's a mission that really matters.

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

QUESTION | "When did you first . . . ?"

Sometimes it's difficult to remember the first time we experienced things that are commonplace to us now. For example . . .

When was the first time you watched your favorite television show?

When did you eat your first slice of pizza?

When did you first open a laptop?

When did you first put on deodorant?

(Maybe you haven’t put on deodorant yet but REALLY need to!)

It can be tough to remember moments like these, even though they've totally changed your life!

STORY | Talk about your first encounter with Jesus.

INSTRUCTIONS: Tell a story from your own life of the first time you remember hearing about Jesus. Be sure to talk about who it was that first introduced you to Jesus, sharing how they "broke a trail" for you and your faith.

*Jacksons pic*

The first time I remember hearing about Jesus was at Hermitage First Church of the Nazarene in the Caravan Kid’s class (kind of like scouts) taught by Bill and Dean Jackson.

It seemed like Bill and Dean were old back then (35 years ago) but they’re still around today!

They taught interactive lessons about Jesus and characters throughout the Bible. They weren’t flashy or charismatic, but they were faithful to Jesus.

And more than what they taught with words, I remember the kindness and love of Jesus this couple showed all of us kids.

The person who first introduced me to Jesus blazed a new trail for me because they accepted the mission Jesus had given them — the mission to share the good news of Jesus.

STORY | Share the story of a gospel trailblazer in your community.

INSTRUCTIONS: Before your program, identify someone connected to your church or community who is sharing the gospel with others in significant or unique ways. Interview them live or play a video of your interview. Ask them questions like . . .

RODDY?

What is the "mission" Jesus has given you?

How are you breaking trails to help others know God?

What do you wish you'd known about Jesus' mission when you were a teenager?

What's one piece of encouragement or advice you'd give students who want to embrace Jesus' mission for their lives?

REFLECTION | How Can I Be a Trailblazer?

Just like the trailblazers you've heard about today, Jesus has given you and me a mission too:

To follow Jesus on the trails He's broken for us.

To break trails for others so they can meet Jesus too.

Everywhere there are people who don't know how to find the trail that would lead them toward Jesus. They may have heard the name of Jesus, but don't know that Jesus came to bring hope, love, humility, and life to the world and to their story. You and I have the opportunity to guide people toward the path that Jesus broke for the whole world. So how can we become better trailblazers and guides for people who are looking for Jesus? We can start by following Jesus on the trails He has broken for us. And since Jesus never gives up on us, understands us, shows us love, is alive, and can be trusted . . .

DON'T GIVE UP.

Not on yourself. Not on others. Let your life reflect the hope that no one is ever so far from God that they can't be rescued.

GET TO KNOW JESUS.

Just like Jesus understands us, He invites us to better understand Him. When we do, we'll be more willing to make sacrifices for God and others, like Jesus did.

SHOW PEOPLE LOVE.

Just like Jesus loved us with His actions and not just His words, we're called to make our love for others apparent through our compassion, care, and mercy.

LIVE LIKE YOU'RE ALIVE. Jesus' resurrection gave us new life both now and for eternity. If you want others to want that kind of life, let them see it in you. Live like Jesus has put your sin to death, because He has. Live like Jesus has come to bring new life to a broken world, because He's done that too. TRUST GOD.

The good news of Jesus will change lives, even if you and I are imperfect at sharing it. Trust God is at work in the world and in people's lives, even when it's difficult to trust.

EMBRACE YOUR MISSION.

It's okay if you're not perfect. None of us are! Go anyway. Share the good news of Jesus however you can, with whoever you can.

MUSIC | "Follow You Anywhere" (Passion)

We have a mission — and to accomplish this mission, we need to start doing what we are called to do. So for you, how will you carry out this mission this week? Reflect on that as we sing.

INSTRUCTIONS: Play the song “Follow You Anywhere” (Passion)

Jesus broke a new trail just by existing — never before had anyone been fully human and fully God at the same time. He broke more trails by teaching us new ways of loving God and loving others. And then He broke one last trail with the good news of His resurrection. Before He left earth, you could say Jesus pointed to the trail He had made, invited us to follow along, and asked us to bring others with us.

Jesus gave us a mission — to follow Him.