A FAITH OF MY OWN

NURTURING A FAITH THAT LASTS

SERIES OVERVIEW FOR LEADERS
SERIES OVERVIEW
As teenagers are exploring who they are, the concept of faith adds a level of complexity to their search. Its
important for them to understand that they can have a faith of their ownnot their parents faith, not their
friends faith, not even their pastors faith. Faith gets personal.
In four lessons, this series will give teenagers the opportunity to nurture a faith that lasts. Theyll learn how
faith is personal, where to get knowledge, how to listen, and what power faith unlocks.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Lesson 1: Begin the Journey (John 8:31-37)
Lesson 2: In the Know (2 Timothy 3:14-17)
Lesson 3: Listen Up! (Hebrews 1:1-4)
Lesson 4: The Power of Faith (Mark 10:46-52)
SERIES OBJECTIVES
1. WHAT: Jesus offers personal faith to everyone who engages in a relationship with him.
2. WHY: Jesus allows faith to grow into an unshakable belief that God and his plan are good.
3. HOW: By exploring Scriptures focusing on faithwhen faith is present and when its notteenagers
can nurture a faith that lasts.

A Word About Translations: It is important to choose a readable Bible translation to use in your groups. You
dont want to add unnecessary confusion. You also dont want to spend all your time mastering pronunciation
and trying to define unfamiliar words.
Although there are many great translations on the market (and your own church may have a chosen favorite),
weve decided to rely on the easy-to-read, teenage-friendly translation called the New Living Translation
(NLT). Editors for the NLT have done a great job making Gods Word accurate and understandable.
Regardless of the translation you choose, it may be helpful for your own preparation to read the assigned
passage(s) in a few different translations to get a broader depth to the text(s).
A Word About Media Clips: Some of our lessons include clips from movies, TV shows, and other media,
including online sources. Please know that these are put here as suggested optionsthey arent vital for
the success of the lesson. If you choose to use them, we strongly encourage you to review each clip before
use. Weve done our best to suggest clips that will generate meaningful conversations, but we understand
that using any type of media can be controversial. We trust that you understand the dynamics of your
congregation better than anyone else and will discern if our media selection will work with your group.
If teenagers ask why you use certain media from people who arent Christ-followers, it may be helpful to
explain that even if not explicitly Christian, media can be used to share Gods truth. Because all humans are
made in the image of God, all people (even non-Christians) can be vehicles of truth to the world. Encourage
students to learn discernment in their media habits, reminding them that your use of one song or video clip
is not a promotion of a specific lifestyle or of all films, songs, or TV shows.
An important note on video clips: In general, federal copyright laws do not allow you to use videos or DVDs
(even ones you own) for any purpose other than home viewing. However, your church can obtain a license
from Christian Video Licensing International for a small fee. Just visit cvli.com or call 1-888-771-2854 for
more information.

SECTION DESCRIPTIONS
Each of our lessons has two sections. These sections include the:

1. LEADER PREPARATION

2. LESSON GUIDE
Lets explore these in detail.

1. LEADER PREPARATION
The first sectionLEADER PREPARATIONis designed to give you, the leader, tools to help prepare for
each lesson. To create a meaningful, impacting experience for your teenagers, we encourage you to spend as
much time as you can in preparation. No one better understands the value of a youth workers time than the
team at Simply Youth Ministry. Since day one we have been creating resources that save you time so you can
spend more time with teenagers. Weve designed each lesson to be easy-to-use, but youll still benefit from
spending some prep time with this curriculum. In fact, your preparation is vital to your groups success.

For you to be effective with this curriculum, we believe its important to do four things:
1. Pray! Ask God to give you his wisdom for facilitating this material.
2. Read the LEADER PREPARATION section for each lesson (10 minutes).
3. Choose which teaching points and questions you want to use from the LESSON GUIDE
(10-20 minutes).
4. Determine a specific way that you will end the lesson (10-20 minutes). We dont tell you how to wrap
up each lessonthats up to you and/or your youth ministry team.
Here are brief descriptions of each component in the LEADER PREPARATION section.
LESSON OVERVIEW
This provides a big-picture perspective for the lesson. Its a quick summary that will prepare you for what
youll be discussing and sharing with your teenagers.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
There are three objectives for each lesson.
The first objective answers the what question: What content will my teenagers learn?
The second objective answers the why question: Why is this content important to teenagers?
The third objective answers the how question: How might teenagers live out the truths theyre
learning after they leave todays conversation?
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE
This will be the main verse or section of Scripture used in each lesson.
SECONDARY SCRIPTURES
This is a list of other selected Scriptures referenced in the lesson. All lessons will have at least one
Secondary Scripture, usually found in the Extra Discussion section.
TEACHING PREP
We offer some ideas and insights for each lesson that may help you gain a deeper understanding of the
passage. Pick and choose what you will share with your group. Or dont share any of it and simply digest it
for your own benefit.
THE BEFORE & AFTER [OPTIONAL]
Use these ideas to get your teenagers thinking about the lesson before your meeting and families talking
after the group experience.
TEXTS OR TWEETS
These messages can be sent before the group time to get students thinking about something that
will be discussed during your time together.

PARENT EMAIL
This is a short email the youth pastor or leader can send to parents after the lesson. It provides an
overview of the lesson along with a few questions parents can ask at home to get students talking
about what they learned that particular week. Youre encouraged to personalize and modify this
email to fit the needs of your ministry.

2. LESSON GUIDE
This is the content part for your lesson. Please feel free to (1) personalize the illustrations, (2) rephrase
the teaching points, and (3) pick and choose what content you believe you will be able to use during your
particular time.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND: We provide more material than you can probably use during
your group time. You will need to be the editor of the content. Dont try to use all of it. [NOTE: If youre a
volunteer leader, we recommend you adhere to the teaching strategy/desires of the lead youth worker.
He/she may or may not give you the freedom to make changes within the lesson.
Please seek unity and support his/her leadership.]
Review the LESSON GUIDE before each of your meetings to get a clearer idea of the activities, teaching
points, discussion questions, and overall purpose of the lesson. In each LESSON GUIDE youll find the
following:
GETTING THINGS STARTED [OPTIONAL]
This includes a quick illustration, an activity, or a few opening questions to warm up, prepare, and focus your
group time. You understand the dynamics of your teenagers better than we do, so please adapt this section,
modify it, change it, delete it, or use as is. Some of the ideas require a little extra preparation prior to your
gathering; lists of supplies or necessary preparation will be found at the top of this section.
Youll also notice that the GETTING THINGS STARTED section sometimes isnt included in a lesson. Weve
only included it when we believe its beneficial.
TEACHING POINTS
This part of the lesson provides you with an intentional interactive component. We dont believe groups
should be lecture-driven. The best groups are the ones where the teenagers are talking and the leader is
facilitating conversation and discovery. When teenagers talk more than adults, thats a good thing!
Please understand, this material is NOT intended to be lecture. Weve included questions designed to
generate conversation. Youll quickly notice that we arent fans of closed-ended questionsones that can
be answered with a simple yes or no. Instead, we believe in the power of questions that cause students
to think, discuss, and debate. We encourage you to insert your own insights during this discussion time, but
primarily as a facilitator who is challenging teenagers to learn/think. Its sort of like a dancelet students
lead the discussion a bit by wrestling with the teaching point, then insert your own insights to help convey
the main teaching point. There may be times when its best NOT to give your own insights. Your group
doesnt have to be like a sitcom where all the problems are solved in 30 minutes.

Most of the questions dont have right or wrong answers but will serve as a platform to help teenagers learn
better and consider how to make a beeline to Jesus.
EXTRA DISCUSSION [OPTIONAL]
This is an opportunity to continue the conversation by asking more open-ended questions about selected
Scripture or themes for this lesson. Or if you have a more spiritually mature group, you could send your
teenagers home to think about and/or journal and/or message board their answers to these questions.
[NOTE: Most groups wont have time for all of these questions because weve already provided multiple
questions during the teaching points.]
LIVING IT OUT
We have provided some first step ideas and/or questions that will challenge your teenagers to put what was
discussed into immediate action (or in the days following). The retention of a lesson and the deepening of
faith can be dramatically increased when participants move into action immediately following your gathering.
SUMMARY
We have intentionally designed this curriculum to be so flexible that the summary or the close of each lesson
is dependent on the facilitator/leader. We believe that good curriculum provides a foundation for healthy
dialogue, but that the summary or take-home challenge relies on the insight and wisdom of the facilitator
who (1) knows the content, (2) has heard all the dialogue, (3) knows the hearts/issues/struggles of the
teenagers involved, and (4) understands the big picture of the youth ministry and what the leadership team
wants accomplished with the teaching/discussion time.
THIS IS BIG! Weve given you a lot of material and questions to ask, but the most important part in all of
this is narrowing down the questions youll ask to those that best fit your group. This is where the caring,
spiritually sensitive, personally growing leader really makes a difference in teenagers lives. After doing this
a couple of times, it becomes easier, and when this curriculum has been used in real, live ministry settings,
this proved to be the leaders favorite part: feeling empowered to figure out a way to close out the session
with wisdom, sensitivity, and challenge.
FOR KEEPS [MEMORY VERSE]
This is a selected Scripture that students can be challenged to memorize following the lesson. We encourage
you to return to these verses throughout the series to facilitate long-term memorization. We also encourage
you to join students in committing the verses to memory. Theyll follow your lead. Again, because this
curriculum is adaptable and editable you may choose to have them memorize a different Scripture
thats great.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004,
2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

A FAITH OF MY OWN
NURTURING A FAITH THAT LASTS
LESSON 1: BEGIN THE JOURNEY
This includes:

1. LEADER PREPARATION

2. LESSON GUIDE

1. LEADER PREPARATION
LESSON OVERVIEW
Nurturing a faith that lasts is a big topic, so well begin with how people get faith in the first place.
Where does it come from? How can each of us have the faith Jesus talks about countless times in the New
Testament? The starting point is a personal relationship with Jesus.
LESSON OBJECTIVES
1. WHAT: To have a faith of their own, students need the opportunity to begin a personal relationship
with Jesus.
2. WHY: Teenagers will see that faith is all thats required to be a disciple of Jesus; our good works
wont get us anywhere.
3. HOW: Through Jesus death and resurrection, students can have a faith of their own and eternal life
with him.
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE
John 8:31-37
SECONDARY SCRIPTURES
John 3:16 and Hebrews 11:1
TEACHING PREP
Use this short overview to prepare for your lesson. While you may not want to convey this
information word-for-word with your group, youll want to absorb it as you prepare to lead.
Read John 8:31-37 and John 3:16.
Faith can be tough. Faith requires trust, and lets face it: trust is hard to come by today. Parents, teachers,
friends, siblings, and even national leaders frequently let us down. That wont ever happen with Jesus,
though. When he calls us to enter and grow a relationship with him, we can trust hell always be faithful to
us. That, in turn, helps us nurture a faith of our own.
In John 8, the people Jesus was addressing were having an identity crisis of sorts. They were seeking a false
redemption from their past, based on their forefathers. After all, they had a strong bloodline from Abraham,
so they counted on that for redemption.

The people insisted theyd never been slaves to anyone, forgetting the Israelites enslavement in Egypt, as
well as their enslavement to sin throughout the Old Testament. According to the old covenant, following God
was based on the faith of the family and personal sacrifice for sins.
Jesus came to change all that. Through his life, death, and resurrection, he invites us into a growing
relationship with him. Because of what Jesus sacrificed for us, we can be saved from our sins and live a life
of freedom. Jesus wants to have a relationship with each of us, and this is where the faith journey begins.
As we choose to follow Jesus and begin our faith journey, he promises us we will know the truth, and
the truth will set you free (John 8:32). Were no longer enslaved by sin because Jesus paid the price for
everything weve done wrong. Now were free to learn more about Jesus, follow his example, and embrace a
faith of our own.
In this series, well address the faith journey in general, as well as the roles of knowledge, listening, and
obedience.
THE BEFORE & AFTER [OPTIONAL]
TEXTS OR TWEETS
Send one or both of these messages to your students prior to your meeting. As with the rest of the
curriculum, edit these questions to fit the needs of your ministry.
Is your faith your own or someone elses? Come see why sharing isnt always a good idea.
As messed-up people in a messed-up world, how is a strong faith even possible? Lets dive into a
great discussion this week.
PARENT EMAIL
Send this email to parents following the lesson to encourage them to continue the conversation at home.
Feel free to edit and customize the email to fit your ministry needs.
Dear parents,
Weve started a new series, A Faith of My Own. In these four lessons, students will have many
opportunities to begin or nurture a lasting relationship with Jesus. Faith is very personalsomething each of
us can grow.
In this first lesson, we looked at John 8:31-37, where Jesus addresses false redemption. The people were
counting on the faith of their ancestors, rather than making their faith their own. Jesus invites each of us
into a relationship with him to begin the faith journey. Students had the opportunity to accept Jesus, if they
hadnt previously done so.
Sometime this week, find time to talk with your teenager. It can be at the dinner table, on a walk, or in the
car. Feel free to use these questions to begin your discussion:
How has Jesus been like a friend to you? When has he seemed closest? furthest away?
What interests you the most about a relationship with Jesus?

 Why do you think people even need to be saved from their sins?
Thanks for all your prayers for our students and our ministry. Have an amazing week!

A FAITH OF MY OWN
NURTURING A FAITH THAT LASTS
LESSON 1: BEGIN THE JOURNEY

2. LESSON GUIDE

GETTING THINGS STARTED [OPTIONAL]

Youll need a full-size candy bar for each person, an extra candy bar for the group, and a plastic
knife. Keep the stash of candy bars hidden before your gathering, but you can keep the extra
candy bar in plain sight.
Welcome your students and invite them into your meeting area. Open in prayer, and then lead
students in this opening activity.
Hold up the candy bar intended for the group.
SAY SOMETHING LIKE: I just love chocolate, but Im not sure I can eat this whole candy bar myself. Does
anyone want part of it?
Dont wait for specific answers. Unwrap the candy bar and cut it into equal piecesone for everyone in
the group, including yourself. Give everyone a small piece.
ASK:
So, how satisfying was your piece of candy?
How hungry were you when you arrived today? How hungry are you now?
Whats it like to share a candy bar with the entire group? When is sharing not always such a great
idea?
SAY SOMETHING LIKE: Many of you were understandably bummed that our entire group had to share just
one candy bar. It isnt very satisfying when you get a small taste of something but not your own full portion.
Today were starting a new series called A Faith of My Own. I love that we dont have to share the faith
Jesus offers us with anyone else. Because faith is personal, it can be oursonly ours. I have a candy bar for
each of you to enjoy as we talk more about faith.
Pass out the candy bars to each student who wants one.

TEACHING POINTS
Use the Teaching Points to help students capture the essence of each lesson with more
discussion and less lecture-style teaching. Remember: All throughout these lessons, its up to
you to choose (1) how many questions you use and (2) the wording of the main pointskeep
ours, or change the wording to make it clearer for your audience.

Read John 8:31-37 and John 3:16 together as a group. Because these passages are so brief,
consider having students read the verses several times, from different translations of the Bible.
SAY SOMETHING LIKE: Lets spend some time talking about this passage. Its filled with many powerful
statements from Jesus.

1. ITS ALL ABOUT YOUR FAITH, NOT YOUR PARENTS FAITH

ASK:
What are some things you have because of your parents?
What traits or characteristics do you enjoy sharing with other family members, and why?
What have you learned about Jesus from your parents?
Describe a time when you had to unwillingly share something. What are some of the benefits of
having your own stuff?
Why do you think Jesus wants a personal relationship with everyone individually?
SAY SOMETHING LIKE: The people in John 8 were still banking on the faith of their ancestors, just as the
Old Testament people did. Its awesome when our parents help teach us about Jesus and help us grow in our
own faith. But thats not always the case, and its definitely not required. Jesus wants a personal relationship
with each of us, and thats the first step in a faith journey.

2. ITS ALL ABOUT YOUR FAITH, NOT YOUR WORKS

ASK:
List some things that good Christians tend to do. Why do you think these areor arent
required to have a relationship with Jesus?
What are some sinful motivations that sometimes might underlie good behavior?
Respond to this statement: Its easier to do good things than bad things.
Why doesnt Jesus say, The right things you do will set you free?
SAY SOMETHING LIKE: In verse 31, Jesus said, You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my
teachings. He didnt say this happens if you do all the right things. To have a faith of your own, Jesus says
to begin your faith in him and be faithful to his teachings. Its OK to mess up; everyone messes up. Its what
you do after you mess up thats important. Make it right with Jesus and continue nurturing a faith that lasts.

3. YOUR FAITH HAPPENS BECAUSE OF JESUS

SAY SOMETHING LIKE: This is the best part. Its only because of Jesus that we can have a faith of our
own. In the Old Testament, people had to sacrifice animals to pay the penalty of sin. Jesus came to radically
change that. He died for all the sins of every personfor each of us in this room and everyone whos ever

lived. Thats a lot of sin! Jesus took that on himself, died a horrible death on the cross, and then rose again,
all because he loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you.
ASK:
Describe a time someone made a sacrifice for you. How did you feel? How did you respond?
What does Jesus sacrifice on the cross mean to you personally? How can it impact the
relationship you beginor already havewith him?
What does it mean to you to be set free from sin? What does that look like on an everyday basis?

EXTRA DISCUSSION [OPTIONAL]

Ask students to form groups of two or three to discuss these questions.
ASK:
Read Hebrews 11:1. Describe a time you were hoping for something. What sustained you as you
waited?
How is it possible to have faith in Jesus when we cant see him?
How does your faith in Jesus affect what you hope forand how you wait?
Bring everyone back together, and ask for volunteers to share answers to the previous questions, as time
permits.

LIVING IT OUT
SAY SOMETHING LIKE: Id like to give each of you the opportunity to begin your faith journey with Jesus.
This is an exciting step. If youre ready to follow Jesus as your personal Savior, its easy to begin. In a minute,
Ill lead us all in a prayer. Each of you can repeat the prayer after me. Some people will be beginning their
faith journey, while others will be reaffirming theirs.
Ask students to each find a quiet spot in your meeting area for a few minutes of prayer and
reflection. Read the following prayer, and pause after each phrase for your students to repeat.
Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner,
and Ive done wrong things.
Thank you for dying for my sins,
and rising again, so I can have life.
I choose to follow you as my Savior,
and I want to live for you.
I believe Im now set free from my sins,
and I want a growing relationship with you.
Amen.

SAY SOMETHING LIKE: I encourage each of you who began your faith journey to tell at least one person
about your decision. Im excited for you as you begin and continue your journey.
ASK:
Think of friends or family members in your life who need Jesus. How can you share your faith with
them?
When youre sharing Jesus with other people, how can you use words? How can you use actions?

SUMMARY
Provide a quick summary or take-home challenge based on (1) this lessons content, (2) the
dialogue that took place today, (3) your understanding of the issues and struggles your teenagers
are facing, and (4) the big picture of your youth ministry and what your leadership team wants
accomplished with the teaching and discussion time.

FOR KEEPS [MEMORY VERSE]

Encourage and/or challenge your teenagers to memorize the Scripture below.
Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we
cannot see (Hebrews 11:1).

A FAITH OF MY OWN

A FAITH OF MY OWN

Lesson 1: Begin the Journey

Lesson 1: Begin the Journey

JOHN 8:31-37 (NLT)

31
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, You are truly
my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32And you
will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

JOHN 8:31-37 (NLT)

31
Jesus said to the people who believed in him, You are truly
my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32And you
will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

33

But we are descendants of Abraham, they said. We have

never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, You will be
set free?

33

Jesus replied, I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is

a slave of sin. 35A slave is not a permanent member of the
family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36So if the Son
sets you free, you are truly free. 37Yes, I realize that you are
descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill
me because theres no room in your hearts for my message.

Jesus replied, I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is

a slave of sin. 35A slave is not a permanent member of the
family, but a son is part of the family forever. 36So if the Son
sets you free, you are truly free. 37Yes, I realize that you are
descendants of Abraham. And yet some of you are trying to kill
me because theres no room in your hearts for my message.

Nurturing a Faith That Lasts

34

Nurturing a Faith That Lasts

But we are descendants of Abraham, they said. We have

never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, You will be
set free?

34

BEGIN THE JOURNEY

BEGIN THE JOURNEY

1. Its all about your faith, not your parents faith

1. Its all about your faith, not your parents faith

2. Its all about your faith, not your works

2. Its all about your faith, not your works

3. Your faith happens because of Jesus

3. Your faith happens because of Jesus

FOR KEEPS [MEMORY VERSE]

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually
happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see
(Hebrews 11:1 NLT).

FOR KEEPS [MEMORY VERSE]

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually
happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see
(Hebrews 11:1 NLT).