Discussion Starter: Go around the room, asking each student,
What is one thing that you hope for? What is one thing that you want to see
happen in your life? (As the leader, you might want to start this discussion by
naming some things that you hope for in your own life.)
What do you think makes our hopes come true or not?
Bible Study: Read Matthew 7:24-27.
There are two people in this story, the wise person and the
foolish person, and both of them are hoping for the same thing. Both people are
hoping for eternal life, but one makes it and the other doesn’t. What is the
difference? What does the wise person do that the foolish person doesn’t?
The wise person listened to Jesus’ words and followed them.
They put Jesus’ teachings into practice and actually lived like a Christian.
The foolish person heard what Jesus said, but didn’t follow it.
And so when the big storm came, the judgment when Jesus will
return and judge everyone, the wise person could stand secure. They hoped for eternal
life and that hope came true because they had done everything they were
supposed to do. They listened to and followed Jesus’ teachings.
The foolish person had hoped for eternal life too, but their
hopes weren’t based on anything. They didn’t do anything to make sure their
hope came true. Jesus says they’re like a person building their house on sand.
When the judgment comes, the water’s going to sweep them away like nothing.
You all are hoping for eternal life. The judgment is coming.
We don’t know when, but it will happen. The great thing is that you don’t have
to be afraid of death or the judgment, because you know that when that time
comes, when that great storm comes over you, you’ll be able to stand strong
under it, and come out of it perfectly fine because you are listening to and
actually following Jesus.
(Give an invitation or pray for students to all trust in and
obey Jesus.)
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