Youth Class 1/4/26

**WEEK 1 — Jesus’ Call to Follow

(Gospels) & Paul’s Call to Imitate Christ**

(1) The Hook Question — 3 minutes

Primary Question (ask out loud): “What does following Jesus actually look like for a teenager in 2025?”

Optional follow-ups if the room is quiet:

Is following Jesus more about what you believe—or how you live?

Does following Jesus today look different than it did in Bible times? Why?

What do people your age think ‘being a Christian’ means?

Leader note: Don’t correct answers yet. Let them talk. You’re listening for assumptions:

“Going to church”

“Being nice”

“Not doing bad stuff”

“Believing in God” You’ll gently challenge these later.

(2) The Jesus Snapshot — 5 minutes

Scripture Moment: Jesus calls His first disciples (Peter, Andrew, James, John).

Key Observation (simple language):

Jesus doesn’t say, “Believe this list.”

He says, “Follow Me.”

They had jobs, plans, routines—and Jesus interrupted all of it.

Ask the group:

What do you think made it hard to follow Jesus that day?

What do you think made it exciting?

What did they have to leave behind?

Core Truth (one sentence): 👉 Following Jesus has always meant movement—not just agreement.

(3) The Paul Connection — 5 minutes

Paul’s Words (paraphrased for teens): “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.”

Make this clear:

Paul didn’t say, “Do what I say.”

He said, “Watch how I live.”

Discussion prompt:

Why do you think Paul tied faith to example, not just teaching?

Who do you learn from the most—people who talk, or people who live it?

Bridge statement: 👉 Jesus said “Follow Me.” Paul said, “Follow me as I follow Him.” Faith was meant to be lived, not just believed.

(4) Real-Life Lens — 10 minutes

Now bring it straight into their world.

Social Media

Who are you really following online?

Do the voices you follow push you toward Jesus—or pull you away from Him?

If someone copied your online behavior, would it point them toward Christ?

Friendships

Do your closest friends help you follow Jesus—or make it harder?

Have you ever hidden your faith to fit in?

Identity & Pressure

Culture says: “Be true to yourself.”

Jesus says: “Follow Me.”

What’s the difference?

Which voice is louder most days?

School & Activities

Is it possible to follow Jesus on a team, in band, or in school without being weird—or silent?

What does following Jesus look like when no adults are watching?

Key Insight (don’t overteach): 👉 Everyone follows something. The real question isn’t if you follow—it’s who or what you follow.

(5) One Takeaway Challenge — 1 minute

Weekly Challenge: 👉 Identify one habit that pulls you away from Jesus—and take one small step to change it this week.

Examples (give options):

Put your phone down for 5 minutes and read Jesus’ words first.

Mute or unfollow one account that influences you negatively.

Choose one moment this week to respond like Jesus instead of reacting.

Pray one honest sentence a day: “Jesus, help me follow You today.”

Close with this line: You don’t have to follow perfectly—but you do have to choose who you’re following.