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Wicked: Don't Waste your Life • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Ambition: “the strong desire for achievement, advancement, or honor”
I. Jezebel’s family (1 Kings 16:29-31)
II. Jezebel’s wicked ways
a. She selfishly gave to her husband. (1 Kings 21:5-7)
b. She selfishly used her husband’s authority. (1 Kings 21:8-14)
c. She selfishly influenced her husband’s behavior. (1 Kings 21:15-16, 25-26;
Jeremiah 17:9; James 3:16; Philippians 2:3-4)
Ambition without godly purpose is a wasted gift.
GENERAL LESSON INSTRUCTIONS
Teacher’s Note: Before teaching this lesson, you will need to contact one of your adult leaders and ask them to tell you their favorite bite-sized candy. Make sure that the leader will be present during the teaching of this lesson. The reason for the candy being bite-sized has to do with the fact that you could potentially, although unlikely, need enough candy for each student as well as that same amount for your leader.
Before the lesson, recruit a student who will be willing to play along with a skit during the Lesson Content section. Explain to the student what will happen and encourage them to ad-lib as much as possible as they protest their innocence. During the Lesson Content, you will pull out a script that contains a vague accusation against the student. Before teaching the lesson, make sure to print the given script and have it folded in your pocket or print it out and place it in an envelope to make it look more official. The script can be found at the end of this lesson.
HOOK
Teacher’s Note: The Hook contains several interactive elements, so be sure to read through it a few times before teaching the lesson, so you clearly understand what needs to happen. The instructions about how to win a piece of candy are intentionally vague and the wording of your explanation of the game needs to be very specific. Be careful with your wording. Don’t lie in the way that you give the instructions. For example, do not say that throwing the paper wad into the trash can will win them a piece of candy. If a student questions you or tries to gain clarity, simply repeat the given instructions.
Is anyone in this room a good shot? [Allow for a show of hands.] Who thinks they could throw a wadded-up piece of paper from their seat into this trash can? [Place the trash can at the front of the teaching area and allow for a show of hands.] Well, as we begin our lesson today, you will have the opportunity to win a piece of candy! However, not just any candy. It is [Insert leader’s name.]’s favorite candy. It is [Insert name of candy.].
In just a moment, you are going to be handed a piece of paper and a writing utensil. When you get them, you will write down your name on the piece of paper so that we know who the winners are.
As you can see, we have a trash can right here. In just a moment we are going to give you the chance to wad up your paper and throw it toward the trash can. [Hold up a piece of candy.]
Did we mention that this is [Insert the leader’s name]’s favorite candy? So, let’s do something special. Since this is [Insert the leader’s name]’s favorite candy, if you would rather win the candy for [Insert the leader’s name] instead of yourself, write down your name on the paper, and instead of wadding it up and getting ready to throw toward the trash can, fold it up, and give it to [Insert the leader’s name]. The more pieces of paper [Insert the leader’s name] receives, the more candy they will be given.
But remember, if you give your paper to [Insert the leader’s name], you won’t have a chance to try to make a basket. The rest of you will crumple up your piece of paper and, in just a moment, will aim for the trash can in an attempt to make a basket.
Teacher’s Note: Have a volunteer hand out the pieces of paper and writing utensils to every student.
Now that everyone has a piece of paper and a writing utensil, go ahead and write down your first and last name. Those who are giving their piece of paper to the leader may go ahead and do so now. [Allow students to walk over to the leader and give them their piece of paper.]
Everyone else, crumple your paper into a ball. After everyone has done so, we will count down from three and have everyone who wants to try to make a basket throw their wadded-up piece of paper at the same time toward the trash can. You must remain seated and cannot move from your original seat. [Allow time for the students to write down their name and crumple their piece of paper.]
Here we go! Three…two…one…throw! [Allow students to throw their pieces of paper.] Some of you reallywanted that candy. You were dialed in. What was clear from your actions was that most of you certainly showed ambition. Ambition will be an important word for today’s lesson. Just in case you didn’t know, [Show the PowerPoint slide with the definition of the word “ambition.”] “ambition” is “the strong desire for achievement, advancement, or honor.”
Many of us have a strong desire to achieve great things; that drive is actually part of the image of God in you. Ambition itself is not an issue; it is actually a gift from God that you can use to help make the world a better place. But, if your ambition motivates you to personal gain at the expense of others, you are wasting your life. Listen, ambition without godly purpose is a wasted gift.
In our game, many of you desired to win the candy and were determined to throw your piece of paper in the trash can to achieve the success of earning a piece of candy, right? Nod your head if that sounds right. [Allow students to nod their heads.]
Okay, so let’s see who our winners are! [Walk over to the trash can and begin taking some of the wadded-up pieces of paper from the can then stop.]But before we do so, you need to know something.
It didn’t matter whether you threw your piece of paper into the trash can or not. That’s right. While it seemed like that was the way you earned the candy, you came to that conclusion on your own. No one ever said that making a basket was how you earned candy. In reality, this was a test to see what kind of ambition you had.
Now, don’t take this in a negative way, but this little game was really a set up so we could subtly wade into the topic of selfishness
● Many of you just had a strong desire for a piece of candy. You were simply taking advantage of an opportunity.
● Some of you displayed selfless in that you had a desire to see [Insert the leader’s name] get a piece of candy. You set aside your personal desires for the good of someone else.
● If someone would have run up here and taken all the pieces of paper so that no one but them had the opportunity to win a piece of candy, that would have been selfish.
For our game, we are actually going to reward those who were selfless. So, if you gave your piece of paper to [Insert leader’s name.] instead of crumpling it up and taking a shot, please stand up.
When you do so, you will receive some candy for your small act of generosity and [Insert the leader’s name] will still get one piece of their favorite candy for each paper because of your generosity. [Allow students to stand and recruit a leader to give them the candy.] The rest of these pieces of paper will go in the trash.
Teacher’s Note: As students are receiving their candy, pick up all the pieces of paper and put them in the trash. Set the trash can aside to be used later.
If no students gave their piece of paper to the leader, place all the pieces of paper in the trash can while directing your attention to the leader mentioned earlier. While picking up the pieces of paper, ask them how it made them feel that no one gave them a piece of paper. This is to be done in a light manner and not to make anyone feel guilty. If all your students chose to give the leader their papers, congratulate them on their generosity and give everyone a piece of candy.
Today’s lesson is the first lesson of a four-part series called [Show the PowerPoint slide with the module title.] Wicked: Don’t Waste Your Life. In this series, we are going to learn about four different womenwhose life stories are recorded for us in the Bible. Each one of these four women lived selfish, wicked lives. Throughout this series, we will see that a life given over to wickedness is a wasted life, and, if we are not careful, we all have the capability of giving in to wicked ways.
When you think of the term “wicked,” examples of evil world leaders, crimes, and perhaps cults might come to mind. Some of you might even think of the green Wicked Witch of the West from the musical Wicked and the movie The Wizard of Oz.
But, most likely, when you think of the word “wicked,” you probably don’t think about choosing to win a piece of candy for yourself instead of for someone else. Trying to win a piece of candy for yourself is not wicked, but do you know what is wicked? Selfish ambition! [Show the PowerPoint with the lesson title.]
Today, we are going to meet a woman whose selfishness led to her demise, and we will learn that [Show the PowerPoint with the Sticky Statement.] Dreams without godly purpose is a wasted gift.
LESSON CONTENT
So, get ready, you are invited to follow along as we look at the life of a woman whose name has become synonymous with wickedness. She was a woman who threw her life away because of the selfish ambitions she pursued. Her name was Jezebel, and before we look at her wicked ways, we must first understand her family background. [Show the PowerPoint slide with the first point of the outline.]
I. Jezebel’s family (1 Kings 16:29-31)
Let’s read 1 Kings 16:29-31 [Read 1 Kings 16:29-31
In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all who were before him. And as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, he took for his wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and went and served Baal and worshiped him.
Jezebel married Ahab, the most evil king in all of Israel’s history up to that point. Ahab set up idols of false gods to be worshiped and did more to anger God than any other king before him (1 Kings 16:33). So, Jezebel was married to a wicked king.
Jezebel’s father was no better. In fact, her father was the king of a group of people called the Sidonians (1 Kings 16:31). They were enemies of Israel, and they worshiped false gods and influenced others with idolatry. They even influenced the wise King Solomon (1 Kings 11:5).
So, both Jezebel’s husband and father were evil men who did wicked deeds in the sight of the Lord. And those two men were only fuel for the fire of Jezebel’s ambitious, wicked, selfish ways. We are about to discover that Jezebel was not the better half of her marriage relationship, and her wicked ways are more infamous than anything done by her father. So, what were Jezebel’s wicked ways? [Show the PowerPoint slide with the second point of the outline.]
II. Jezebel’s wicked ways
If you were to read 1 Kings 16 through 2 Kings 9, you would discover that although Ahab was the king, Jezebel had a lust for power and a passion for idol worship. But Jezebel’s wicked ways are probably seen most clearly in the story recorded for us in 1 Kings 21. It may sound strange, but her selfish ambition showed up when she chose to give her husband a gift. That’s right… [Show the PowerPoint slide with the first subpoint of the outline.]
a. She selfishly gave to her husband. (1 Kings 21:5-7)
We will explain. How many of your families have something that has been passed down through previous generations? [Allow students to raise their hands.] Is someone willing to share what it is and why it has value? [Call on one student to share.] Thank you for sharing.
[Address the student who shared.] What if I offered you a trade for that item? Let’s imagine that I bought the same item off the internet, and it is in better condition. Would you take the trade? [Allow the student to respond.] Probably not; it’s value to you has to do with where it came from, not how new it is.
In a similar way, that is what Ahab tried to do to a man named Naboth. Naboth lived next to Ahab’s palace and owned a vineyard that was a family inheritance. The vineyard that Naboth owned had been passed down to him by his family, and King Ahab wanted it, but Naboth wouldn’t budge.
So, Ahab threw himself a pity party by lying around in his bed and not eating any food (1 Kings 21:1-4). Picture a younger sibling throwing themselves on the floor after not getting their way!
When Jezebel saw Ahab’s pouty behavior, she came in to “save the day,” and she took matters into her own hands. Who will read 1 Kings 21:5-7? [Choose a volunteer and allow time for 1 Kings 21:5-7
But Jezebel his wife came to him and said to him, “Why is your spirit so vexed that you eat no food?” And he said to her, “Because I spoke to Naboth the Jezreelite and said to him, ‘Give me your vineyard for money, or else, if it please you, I will give you another vineyard for it.’ And he answered, ‘I will not give you my vineyard.’ ” And Jezebel his wife said to him, “Do you now govern Israel? Arise and eat bread and let your heart be cheerful; I will give you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite.”
Did you notice the wording? “I will give you the vineyard of Naboth.”
[Say in a sarcastic tone.] Wow, what a great wife, right? She saw her husband was sad, wanted to cheer him up, and offered to give him what he desired! What more could a husband ask for?
Even though she desired to give this gift of a vineyard to her husband, it was covered in selfish wrapping paper. It was not really about the vineyard or even Ahab; it was about using her power for evil. That is why she taunted her husband’s authority as king (1 Kings 21:7). Besides, the vineyard wasn’t hers to give.
Her plan to give the vineyard wasn’t done out of a selfless love for her husband nor out of a heart of generosity, but out of a heart of wickedness. In order to give the vineyard to Ahab, she had to use her husband’s authority to initiate her evil plan. [Show the PowerPoint slide with the second subpoint of the outline.]
b. She selfishly used her husband’s authority. (1 Kings 21:8-14)
Teacher’s Note: Pull out the governor’s letter that you have printed, call for the student to come to the front of the room and continue with the skit. The script indicates that it is from the governor’s office and says the following:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. [Insert the last name of the volunteer’s parents/guardians.]:
Our records indicate that [Insert the full name of the chosen student.] has been involved in a serious crime. Two witnesses recently came forward and gave their testimony about seeing [Insert student’s name.] flee the scene of the crime. The punishment for this crime is severe, and this individual must turn themselves in immediately.
Before we continue, we need to take care of something. [Insert student’s name.], please come to the front of the room. This letter from the governor is very important and has to do with you. [Pull out the piece of paper and read the script.]
[Address the student.], according to this letter and the two witnesses against you, you committed a major crime, and we need to take you to the police station immediately. [Insert student’s name.], is there anything you would like to confess? [Allow the student to respond.] Okay, so what you are saying is that this was all made up? [Allow the student to declare their innocence.]
Well, you are right, this is all a setup. But can you imagine if you were not only sent to jail but given the death penalty because of this made-up scenario? That would be pretty wicked, wouldn’t it? [Allow the student to respond.] Well, that is similar to what Jezebel did to Naboth. [Address the student.], thanks for playing along, you may sit down.
With that scenario in mind, listen to what 1 Kings 21:8-14 tells us about Jezebel’s wicked way. [Read 1 Kings 21:8-14
So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name and sealed them with his seal, and she sent the letters to the elders and the leaders who lived with Naboth in his city. And she wrote in the letters, “Proclaim a fast, and set Naboth at the head of the people. And set two worthless men opposite him, and let them bring a charge against him, saying, ‘You have cursed God and the king.’ Then take him out and stone him to death.” And the men of his city, the elders and the leaders who lived in his city, did as Jezebel had sent word to them. As it was written in the letters that she had sent to them, they proclaimed a fast and set Naboth at the head of the people. And the two worthless men came in and sat opposite him. And the worthless men brought a charge against Naboth in the presence of the people, saying, “Naboth cursed God and the king.” So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death with stones. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, “Naboth has been stoned; he is dead.”
Wow! There was so much evil that played out in what we just read. There was forgery, perjury, deception, lying, false hope, and murder. When we read those verses, did you notice that Jezebel wrote the letters in the name of King Ahab. When the letters were received, they were received as if they had come from Ahab himself.
Jezebel only saw Naboth as a problem instead of a person. She used God’s law as a weapon against Naboth in a wicked way (Leviticus 24:16) and her husband’s authority to fulfill her selfish ambition. But that is not the end of Jezebel’s wicked ways. Her selfish ambition influenced her husband’s behavior. [Show the PowerPoint slide with the third subpoint of the outline.]
c. She selfishly influenced her husband’s behavior. (1 Kings 21:15-16, 25-26;
Jeremiah 17:9; James 3:16; Philippians 2:3-4)
Ahab allowed her to execute her wicked plan, went along with it, and reaped the benefits of her wicked scheming. He got the vineyard he wanted at the expense of Naboth’s life. [Read 1 Kings 21:15-16
As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned and was dead, Jezebel said to Ahab, “Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give you for money, for Naboth is not alive, but dead.” And as soon as Ahab heard that Naboth was dead, Ahab arose to go down to the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, to take possession of it.
After the murder of Naboth, the prophet Elijah came and spoke to Ahab, telling him all that God had spoken to him (1 Kings 21:17-24). What Ahab had allowed to happen was evil, and punishment would follow.
But it was Jezebel who had influenced him to do evil. Would someone be willing to read 1 Kings 21:25-26 for us? [Choose a volunteer and allow time for 1 Kings 21:25-26
(There was none who sold himself to do what was evil in the sight of the Lord like Ahab, whom Jezebel his wife incited. He acted very abominably in going after idols, as the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the people of Israel.)
Because he was the king, he was responsible for what had happened to Naboth, and he was responsible for the fact that the nation worshiped idols. But the passage we just read makes it clear that his behavior was becauseJezebel stirred him up or incited him to do so.
Jezebel influenced Ahab for evil out of her own selfish ambitions. She wanted those who opposed her to be destroyed. She influenced her husband to worship false idols and kept the nation from following the Lord. She took property that didn’t belong to her. She used her husband’s authority to have a man murdered!
While using your God-given authority appropriately can produce great outcomes, when used for selfish ambitions, it is simply wicked and a great waste. Ambition without godly purpose is a wasted gift.
As you can tell, if Jezebel were alive today, she would not be someone to mess with. She was a cold-blooded murderer who killed many of God’s prophets (1 Kings 18:4), and even caused the bold prophet Elijah to flee for his life (1 Kings 19:1-3). She was an idol-worshiping, prophet-killing bully who was also [Pause.] just [Pause.] like [Pause.] us.
Now, you may be thinking, “Whoa, wait a minute! I’ve never worshiped a false god or murdered anyone!” While, yes, that may be true, there is something we all have in common with Jezebel. Does anyone know what that is? [Allow for a response or two.] What we have in common is our hearts.
You see, the Bible says something about our hearts that we must understand as we continue to unravel the wickedness that is behind selfish ambitions. Let’s read Jeremiah 17:9. [Read Jeremiah 17:9
The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
The King James version says that the heart is desperately Wicked… No not wicked like (play sound) wicked like (play wicked witch laugh)
Even though God was speaking to the people of Judah in this passage, what we just read is a description of the heart, or sin nature, that we are all born with. It is deceitful and wicked.So, even though Jezebel’s evil deeds may seem distant and unrelated to yours, they all stem from the same heart issues that every one of us faces today.
Selfish ambitions go hand-in-hand with all things evil. Listen to how James describes it. [Read James 3:16
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
Wow! Selfish ambition is connected directly with all things evil.
Listen to what the Apostle Paul told the church in Philippi. Turn in your Bibles and let’s read Philippians 2:3-4. [Read Philippians 2:3-4
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Paul said that nothing should be done out of selfish ambition. Why?
Because as Christians, we are to model the example of Jesus, who came to serve and give His life for us (Matthew 20:28). He did so for the glory or praise of His Father in obedience to Him (John 17:4). We have the opportunity to live that out as well.
[Pick up the trash can and bring it back to the front of the room.] While our hope for you is that you do not live a wicked life—a wasted life—it can be tempting for each of us to aim for the “trash cans” of life. For example, we can be tempted to waste moments of our lives seeking our own success and using our abilities only for our own good and to the detriment of others.
If we do, we must remember that ambition without godly purpose is a wasted gift. As someone once said, “Those who live for themselves, in the end, have only themselves to show for themselves.” What a waste!
If you want to know the gruesome end to Jezebel’s life, take the time this week to read 2 Kings 9:30-37. She wasted her entire life!
CONNECTION
One of the symptoms of a wicked heart is seeking selfish ambition in the midst of doing good things. Think about it for a moment.
● Is giving to others a good thing?
● Is exercising authority a good thing?
● Is influencing others a good thing?
Well, that depends, doesn’t it? Giving to others, exercising authority, and influencing others can be good. But when they are done with selfish ambitions, they are wicked deeds done from a heart of sin.
Jezebel is a perfect example of using good things in a wicked way. She used good things for her own selfish ambitions and at the expense of others. Just like Jezebel, we have a choice to make.
Having ambitions and using our abilities to give to others, exercise authority, and influence others can be done in a God-honoring way. While living selfishly may produce temporary rewards, living with a giving attitude in life is always better.
Teacher’s Note: Have a dry erase board or large surface to write on for students to see. Write down the words “give,” “authority,” and “influence” in three different sections. Allow for space underneath each word for other words to be written.
Let’s get practical with where we are in life. You need to see that wickedness is not limited to an evil queen, a violent dictator, or even the Wicked Witch of the West. It is not limited to those who are mass murderers or convicted felons with life-long sentences. Wickedness is part of our sin nature, as we are tempted to be selfish with our ambitions in life.
So, let’s do a brainstorming exercise to help us see how we have the potential to waste our ambition or allow our ambitions to glorify God. Here is how our brainstorming session will work.
First, we will begin by thinking of just one way in which most of us use our God-given abilities to give to others, exercise our authority, and influenceothers.
Then, we will explore how each of those examples could be done with selfish ambitions and, on the flip side, how they could be used for unselfish, godly ambitions.
First, think about the ways in which you give. Who can give us an example of how most of us give? [Allow for several responses. Examples may be: giving birthday gifts, volunteering time, giving money, etc. Come to a consensus as to one example and then write down their answer below the word “give.”]
Second, think about the ways in which you exercise authority over others. Who can give us an example of how most of us have or will have authority over others? [Allow for several responses. Examples may be: captain of a team, academic intelligence, older siblings, etc. Come to a consensus as to one example and then write down their answer below the word “authority.”]
Third, think about the ways in which you influence others. Who can give us an example of how most of us influence others? [Allow for several responses. Examples may be: peer pressure, social media presence, fashion trends, etc. Come to a consensus as to one example and then write down their answer below the word “influence.”]
Thank you for your responses. What we will do now is split the room in half. [Point to one side.] You all will think about how each of these can be done with selfish ambitions.[Point to the other side.] You all will think about how each of these can be done with unselfish, godly ambitions.
As we talk about each of these three areas specifically, think about how the motivation or desire of each one could be used in selfish or unselfish ways, depending on what side of the room you are on. In just a moment, we will call for some volunteers to give us examples.
For example, let’s pretend someone had said “give presents for friends’ birthdays” under the “give” category. A selfish motivation could be “to make another friend jealous,” while an unselfish, godly motivation could be “to encourage them because it is their birthday.”
So, our first example was [Read the example you wrote down earlier under the “give” category.]
● Who can tell us some potential selfish ambitions when giving? [Allow several students to respond.]
● Now, who can give us some potential unselfish, godly ambitions in that scenario? [Allow several students to respond.]
Our second example was… [Read the example you wrote down earlier under the “authority” category.]
● Who can tell us some potential selfish ambitions when using the authority you have? [Allow several students to respond.]
● Now, who can give me some potential unselfish, godly ambitions in that scenario? [Allow several students to respond.]
Finally, our third example was… [Read the example you wrote down earlier under the “influence” category.]
● Who can tell us some potential selfish ambitions through your influence over others? [Allow several students to respond.]
● Now, who can give us some potential unselfish, godly ambitions in that scenario? [Allow several students to respond.]
Thank you for thinking through those. Now, why did we do that exercise? Why look at both sides? We went through that because, hopefully, what it did was allow you to see that every opportunity you have in life to use your God-given abilities can be used in at least one of two ways. For your own glory or God’s glory and the good of others.
That is why it is important to remember that [Show the PowerPoint with the Sticky Statement.] ambition without godly purpose is a wasted gift. Don’t waste your life!
CHOICE
Right now, you have the opportunity to make a choice. Don’t waste the opportunities in life on your own ambitions for your own glory. Decide to use your abilities for the glory of God! It may mean that you live a life without applause from the world, but it will be a life that has God’s stamp of approval. It is up to you and the choices that you make; that choice begins today.
Will you decide to live an unselfish, God-glorifying life? If that’s a decision you would like to make today, take a moment right now to bow your heads and talk to God. You may even pray something like this:
God, help me to commit to living a life of unselfish ambitions, seeking the good of others
and the glory of Your name. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Teacher’s Note: Allow time for prayer, pray for the students corporately then move to the Next Steps challenge.
NEXT STEPS
Teacher’s Note: Hand out one blank piece of paper for every student. The paper represents their lives, and they are to think about how they have been using the abilities that God gave them.
Right now, hold that blank piece of paper in your hand. Don’t do anything with that paper yet other than look at it and think about your life. Think about the way you have been using your abilities to give, the authority you have, and your influence on others. Think back to the examples from earlier and reflect on your ambitions. In general, have you been selfish or unselfish?
As you leave here today, take that piece of paper with you. In your small groups, brainstorm how each of you can do something with that simple sheet of paper that reflects the abilities God has given you.
● Perhaps you know how to make some type of origami, and you can fold the paper up and give it to a younger sibling to brighten their day.
● Maybe you could write an encouraging note to a teacher, a youth leader, or even your parents.
● You could draw a picture with a Bible verse and share it with someone.
● If you have the ability, maybe you could write a poem.
Whatever you decide to do with it, don’t throw it away or keep it for yourself. Come up with an idea to brighten someone’s day with a simple sheet of paper.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
When you think of something as being wicked, what usually comes to mind? (Try to get everyone talking. Try not to dwell on the examples given, but maybe note that we often think of wickedness as being “out there” instead of something we each struggle with.)
Can you think of a time when you gave into, exercised your authority with, or influenced someone with selfish desires? If so, briefly describe it. (If students are having a hard time thinking of examples, refer to some of the examples that were mentioned as a group.)
What will you do with your piece of paper to brighten someone’s day? (Make sure each student gives an answer and be willing to follow up with them at the next meeting. If students are having a hard time thinking of something, ask them what types of hobbies they enjoy and see if those can prompt an idea. Possible ideas include writing an encouraging note to a friend, drawing a picture with a Bible verse, sharing a poem about God, making origami or even a paper airplane.)
