Week 3: February 2 – Consider Your Call
1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Note to the Teacher

This lesson explores how God has different values than the world. We are challenged to begin to see each other as God sees us and not as the world sees us.

Time Description of Activity

10 Min. 1. Pick Your Dream Team

Give students a piece of paper and invite them to create their dream team. Give them the freedom to choose what kind of team they would like them to be. It could be a sports team, superhero team, musical team, group of actors for a movie, well known business leaders, etc.

After a few minutes invite youth to share what kind of team they created and why they chose the people they did. What qualities and characteristics did they consider when picking the people for their team?

Since the youth will most likely choose the best and most qualified for whatever team they decide, this activity will transition into the scripture that reveals how God chooses God’s team differently.

5 Min. 2. Read Scripture

Paul reminds us that God doesn’t look for the qualities that our culture values most. God chooses those whom the world most often would not choose to do God’s work.

Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

15 Min. 3. Discussion

• Paul writes that it is written in the scriptures, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and I will reject the intelligence of the intelligent.” What do you think this means?
• Paul argues that God has made the wisdom of the world look foolish. How do you think God does this?
• Paul also argues for the benefits of preaching as a way of transforming us. What do you think the purpose of preaching is? How is preaching different than other forms of speaking (like giving a lecture or presentation)?
• Paul tells the Corinthian church that by “ordinary human standards not many are wise, or powerful, or from the upper class.” But God has chosen them to be instruments of God’s work in the world. Why do you think God calls those who are considered powerless, unwise and not wealthy?
• “The one who brags, should only brag in the Lord.” What do you think Paul is trying to say?

20 Min. 4. Developing Your Group’s Theology of Games

We love our games in youth ministry. They can play an important role in building friendships and strengthening community. However, games can also speak of questionable theology. Think about many of the games we play in our ministries. Many times they are centered upon competition – there will be winners and losers. Some of the competitive games are centered upon some required form of athleticism. Some groups will appoint team captains who pick the best athletes and they use the chance to show off their athletic abilities at the expense of those who are not into sports. During some games you can notice certain youth who are sitting by themselves, unengaged, and being ignored.

Each game we play tells to youth who came every week and youth who are visiting for the first team some understanding about our theology. Do our games share that everyone is welcome regardless of skill level? Do our games allow participation for youth who have disabilities? Do our games seek to embarrass youth in some capacity? Do we have an equal rotation of games that speak to the needs and interests of all the youth? Do the youth who are most popular or have the loudest voices get to choose the majority of the games that everyone plays?

In the spirit of Paul’s teaching that God sees the world differently and we want the church to be a place where all youth feel welcomed as they are, let us work to develop our group’s theology of games.

Spend time with the group talking about your group’s favorite games, and ask what theology does each game you play proclaim? It does not mean you have to get rid of every youth group game, but to begin thinking theologically about the games we play.

Invite the youth to create a group game covenant that gives guidelines for the games you play. The guidelines should be based on how God sees us and calls us. If you don’t have enough time to complete this, let it be the beginning of a larger conversation.

50 Min.

Resources Needed:

Pens/pencils and paper for everyone