SESSIONS:

1. The Inner Battle

2. No Condemnation

3. Discouragement, Depression, Suicidal

4. Worry and Anxiety

5. Dysfunction, Rejection, and Loneliness

6. A Better Struggle (Struggling for Growth in Others)

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The post The Struggle Is Real: Youth and Young Adult Bible Study Series appeared first on Outreach and Ministry Resources.

The leader guides come with background summaries and overviews, and include group discussion questions in a format of ice-breaker, inductive, instrospective, and application. Comes with printable handouts (Talk Sheets), high resolution logo/graphics/backgrounds for banners, visuals, and presentations, as well as a PowerPoint template.

SUMMARY:

What can an ancient Jewish exile teach us about living with courage in a world growing increasingly hostile to people of the Christian faith? Just like the Old Testament story of Daniel, Christ-followers today find themselves in a changing world where “cancel culture” runs rampant, social bullying has become the norm, and Christian persecution is on the rise. These are times of hostility and uncertainty. Apart from the grace and abiding presence of Jesus, our hearts would surely faint. But we are not alone, and that makes all the difference in our lifetime.

Living as a captive in a land far from home, Daniel didn’t conform to his world but transformed it. It wasn’t easy, but it was all part of God’s redemptive plan. We too, have been divinely placed and positioned in a broken world for such a time as this. God has a plan, and we are part of His purposes to be light in the darkness around us. To be faithful to that calling we will need courage. Fortunately, this kind of boldness doesn’t come from our human strength, or something we must manufacture on our own—God wants to give it to us! He is all-sufficient to do that just as much as He is all-sufficient to save us from our sins. God wants to equip us with courage.

In Deuteronomy 31:6 it says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them…” Yet it also tells us why we can be bold and fearless… “for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” That’s an awesome promise for each of us today. Because our strength and courage come directly from the God Who is mighty to save, even the most timid person can be clothed and equipped to live with boldness in the face of the most intense persecution.

Lesson 1: Courage to Remain Pure

Lesson 2: Courage to Stand Up

Lesson 3: Courage to Speak Out

Lesson 4: Courage to Trust God

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Based on the Old Testament book of Daniel, this camp theme or VBS curriculum teaches children how to live with courage in uncertain times. This resource was designed as a camp curriculum for children 8-12 years of age but can also serve as a VBS theme, a 5-week Sunday morning children’s ministry teaching series, Sunday School curriculum, Backyard Bible club, or kids’ sports camp.

Day 1: Courage to Be You
Day 2: Courage to Stand Out
Day 3: Courage to Speak Out
Day 4: Courage to Trust God
Day 5: Courage to Live for Something Bigger

Kit includes:

• 5-Daily Lessons with Leader Guides
• Craft Ideas & Activity Sheets
• Logo & Graphic Files
• PowerPoint Backgrounds & Template
• 5-Minute HD Countdown Video
• Music Playlist (*not actual music files, just suggested playlist)

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Summary: The book of Daniel provides a historical account of how the Lord God protected and provided for His faithful followers while in captivity. It gives children a bold picture of what it looks like to remain devoted to God under adverse cultural circumstances, social persecution, and uncertain times. It encourages them that they can have great courage (anywhere) to be who God made them to be because God is always with us (everywhere). The book of Daniel also includes a vision of future redemption and the everlasting Kingdom of God reigning over all kingdoms of this world.

In chapters 1-6, Daniel writes about his own life in captivity. He was selected to work for the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel (or his Babylonian name Belteshazzar), and his friends made bold and tough decisions and several times displayed their integrity to stand for Godliness instead of culture. They rejecting the king’s food, prayed when it was illegal to do so, and refused to bow to the king’s idol, for which they were thrown into a scorching furnace. Daniel interpreted the king’s dreams twice then was promoted as chief over all the wise men in Babylon. Yet, through all the great things that Daniel did He claimed it was God that did it through him and he gave all the glory to God, “It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with Him” (2:22).

Chapters 7-12 contain the visions that Daniel received from God and the events that are involved in his prophetic ministry. A portion of these includes the results of the earthly kingdoms that he lived in. They also mention the coming Messiah and the apocalyptic events to come. “As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the outcome of these events?” He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time” (12:8-9).

Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. (Daniel 6:3 ESV)

The post DANIEL: Bible Camp Theme or VBS Curriculum appeared first on Outreach and Ministry Resources.

The leader guides come with background summaries and overviews, pre-lesson activities, icebreakers, student exercises, discussion outlines, team building activities, and printable handouts (Talk Sheets). Includes high resolution logo/graphics/backgrounds for banners, visuals, and presentations, as well as a PowerPoint template.

Lesson 1: God Has a Plan Even When Life is Hard. Though Gideon’s people had turned their back on God and were reaping the consequences, the Lord still heard their cries of distress. No matter  how ugly our circumstances get, no matter how far we have wandered, God is still faithful, and He still has a plan for our good and our future.

Lesson 2: Confronting Our Idols and Insecurity. God calls us to worship Him alone, with uncompromising devotion. Before Gideon could lead his people to bravely face their oppressors, he first had to confront his people’s idolatry and his own insecurities.

Lesson 3: Our Doubts and Fears Don’t Disqualify Us From God’s Plan. Through Gideon’s story, we see that God is much bigger than our weaknesses, and He takes great and gracious measures to overcome our trepidation and our fears, so that we can serve Him with a brave heart.

Lesson 4: The Dark Side of Success and Power. The Bible doesn’t sugarcoat people’s weaknesses; it gives us the good, the bad, and the ugly, so that we might learn to “guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

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Lesson 1: Thriving by Becoming Part of Something Bigger Than Ourselves (living out God’s “one another” commands).

Lesson 2: Thriving by Valuing Others and Loving Our Neighbors (a study on the Good Samaritan).

Lesson 3: Thriving by Overcoming Our Fears and Weaknesses (a study on the youthful leadership of Gideon).

Lesson 4: Thriving by Putting Our Small In The Hands of a Big God (a study on the boy who gave Jesus his five loaves and two fish to feed the multitudes).

Lesson 5: Thriving by Trading In Our Complacency for Compassion (a study on Nehemiah; God wants to break our hearts for the things that break His).

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Day 1: “I Value Others Because God Values Me”
Day 2: “I Can Cope Because Jesus Gives Hope”
Day 3: “I Am Forgiven Because Jesus Restores”
Day 4: “I Love Others Because God Loves Me”
Day 5: “It’s All Good Because God is Good”

Kit Includes:

• Leader guide
• 5-day Bible curriculum
• Games and activities database
• Ice breakers
• Coloring pages with daily memory verses
• Graphics, banners, and church bulletin shell
• HD intro video

Suggested Donation: $20

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For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

(Romans 8:24-30 ESV)

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