A GREAT Sunday in Bridge 45

I had such a great time teaching in Bridge 45 on Sunday. It was the first week of the last unit of the school year. I can't believe we're entering the final quarter of this curriculum! It seemed so far off when we started planning last spring. What made this week great wasn't the fact that I taught it. Or that it shows that what we've started really works. What made it great was the response from the kids.

This unit looks at who we are in Christ--both individually and as a part of the church body. For the opening week, I took them through looking at how God has been present in their lives (whether or not they realized it) and then looking forward at how they can honor and obey God in what they'll face in the future. Philippians 4:8 and Jeremiah 29:11 were our passages. To view a complete teaching outline for this lesson, click here.

In looking forward at what they'll face in the future, or may even be facing right now, I used a list from the book, "Leading Preteens," by Patrick Snow. (If you haven't read this book yet, I highly recommend it!) The list covers what preteens today are facing. These are:

• the fragmentation of the family
• knowledge and exposure to sexuality
• technological advances
• knowledge and exposure to violence
• neutral moral and religious values

As I asked the kids questions like, "How many of you have friends who have a boyfriend/girlfriend?" "How many of you know someone who likes to watch gross movies where people kiss too much, or look at naked pictures?" "How many of you have a cellphone/Ipod/computer in your own room/TV in your own room?" "How many of you have seen a fight in real life?" "How many of you have played video games, or are friends with someone who has, where there are blood and guts shooting everywhere and body parts getting cut off?" "How many of you have friends who don't believe in God and like it that way?" "How many of you have friends who cheat/lie/disobey parents/steal and are proud of it?"

According to their responses, our kids have been exposed to these things way more than I even anticipated. They seemed to really appreciate the acknowledgement that life is not easy. We then looked at how we the Bible really does address these things. I ended the lesson by having them look at the list of whatevers (true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, praiseworthy) and write down one that they need to work on doing better at, as well what part of their life it is that needs that improvement. I then challenged them to share that with their small group, to ask for their prayer for it, and be open.

Several small group leaders later told me that they personally needed to hear that message (I love it when God teaches both the kids and the leaders!). But not only that, their kids shared at a deeper level than they'd seen all year. One leader compared her group's discussion to what she'd expect from middle school students.

It was a great Sunday. Despite the great discussion, if all that came from it was one or two kids choosing to live differently, evaluate their choices in a godly way, and stand up to their friends, it was effective. I can't wait to hear how the future weeks' small group discussions go!