Can’t we just be Good Enough without God?

Bible drill Go! (5 mins) Winner gets candy- i think we have Candy?

Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

Romans 2:14–15 “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them”

Psalm 119:68 “You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.”

Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” “When she had said this, she went and called her sister Mary, saying in private, “The Teacher is here and is calling for you.””

Opening thought

When someone cuts in line at school, everyone knows it’s not fair.

If a friend promises to keep a secret but tells everyone, you feel that it’s wrong.

Even little kids shout “That’s not fair!” before anyone teaches them the word.

What thus shows us is morality isn’t something we just make up—it’s built into us. And that points us back to God, the one who gave us a moral law.

Human beings, all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it." — C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

What is morality? principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior.

Read Together

Without God, that’s where morality ends up.

Judges 21:25 ESV

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.

Our hearts are deceitful; not a safe guide.

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

What are examples today where culture says something is “good” that God calls sin?

If morality is just opinion, who decides when life begins or who deserves dignity?

Do you ever base your decisions more on what feels right than on God’s Word?

Think about a sport, why is there rules and why is that a good thing? Because you couldn’t play the game everyone would make their own rules and there would be crazy town.

Jesus made all lives count- We don’t decide who matters God does.

Psalm 139:13–16 “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”

God is the Author of life. Before anyone sees us, He is knitting us together, giving us value and purpose.

If God knew you before anyone else did, how should that change the way you see yourself when you feel insecure or unwanted?

How could you encourage a friend who feels like their life doesn’t have purpose?

Genesis 1:26–27 “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

The reason every life counts is not based on ability, appearance, or usefulness — it’s because every person bears the image of God. Our worth is not based on how smart, talented, strong, or popular we are. We matter because we reflect God Himself.

Jesus didn’t just create us in His image — He came to restore that image when it was broken by sin

Something that is talk about often- that you may have heard in school or on the news is the topic of abortion, This is hard topic to talk about but as Christians we do believe that- Abortion ignores the image of God in the unborn and treats life as disposable if it feels inconvenient or unwanted. We must be ready to show both truth (abortion is wrong) and grace (Jesus forgives and heals). Jesus doesn’t just give us rules — He shows us love for the vulnerable.He calls us to defend life while also showing compassion to women who might face fear, shame, or pressure in pregnancy.We point to the cross: Jesus forgives sin, heals brokenness, and gives new life. (Talk about Choices, and the great work God is doing with that ministry)

How would remembering that every person is an image-bearer change the way you treat the kid who’s bullied, excluded, or “different” at school?

Do you ever find yourself measuring someone’s worth by their abilities or popularity? How does Genesis 1 challenge that?

How might this passge help us to care for babies/ unborn babies?

Matthew 19:13–15 “Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” And he laid his hands on them and went away.”

How does Jesus’ love for children show us His heart for the vulnerable?

Who are the “little ones” in your life you could show love to — maybe a younger sibling, cousin, or younger friend?

God even calls us to love even our enemies

Illustration (Loving Enemies):

Think about a rival sports team at school. They talk trash, they play rough, and you want to beat them badly. Now imagine after the game you find out one of their players broke his ankle. Would you cheer, or would you care for him? Jesus says the true test of love is not how we treat friends, but how we treat rivals. On the cross, He prayed for the very people killing Him. When we love enemies, people see a kind of goodness that doesn’t make sense without God.

Who’s my “rival” at school or in life right now — someone who hurt me, mocked me, or just annoys me? (no name drop)

How could I take one step this week to pray for them or even serve them?

Closing thoughts

So here’s the takeaway: Goodness doesn’t start with us — it starts with God and because of that every life counts because Jesus makes it count. And the only way to be truly good is to rest in Jesus, who is good for us.

So, this week, when you see unfairness at school, when you feel insecure about yourself, or when you’re tempted to treat someone as less valuable, remember: God defines what is good, every life counts to Him, and Jesus makes you new.

Prayer request all together or get into groups of 3 and pray

God, we pray for women and families facing hard choices and fear. We ask for healing and forgiveness where there has been hurt. We pray for ministries like Choices that are showing truth and grace. please use us to be voices of hope and compassion. Jesus, open our eyes to see people the way you see them. Help us to care for the person who’s left out, to forgive the person who hurt us, and even to love our enemies. Lord, we admit we can’t be good enough on our own. Thank you that Jesus is our hope. Help us to stop trying to earn your love and instead to receive it freely in Christ. Amen