Middle School Week 1 (March 12): Bible & Prayer
Series Overview – Develop Spiritual Disciplines
It’s time to talk about some practical things that can help us live “built different”: spiritual disciplines.
Sunday isn’t enough. One Rhythm Night a month isn’t going to cut it. If you really want to be transformed by Jesus, it’s going to take some work — or shall we say, discipline.
This discipline looks like opening up your Bible at home. It looks like seeking God through prayer. It looks like worshiping Him with your life. And it looks like fasting — depriving yourself of what your flesh wants so your spirit can draw closer to Jesus.
It might not sound easy, but you’d better believe it’s worth it, so let’s get ready to take it to the next level and learn what it looks like to lead a life of spiritual discipline.
Series Verses:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” (Psalms 1:1-3)
“You have been set apart as holy to the Lord your God, and he has chosen you from all the nations of the earth to be his own special treasure.” (Deuteronomy 14:2, NLT)
Discussion Goal: Reading our Bibles and praying help us live for God.
Start Talking (Conversation Starter)
Who is your favorite YouTuber, gamer, or athlete? What do you think keeps them grinding for hours every day? What’s a skill or hobby you’ve spent hours and hours on?
Think It Through (and Talk It Out)
Leader Tip: Choose questions that resonate with your group’s age, experiences, and current understanding. There’s no pressure to cover all the questions — pick the ones that fit your group the best.
We spend time on the things that matter to us. How do we show someone they matter to us?
What does it look like to show God He matters to you? What actions can you take, and how can those actions show others you’re living for Him?
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says the Bible is useful. How can reading it help you understand who God is and how He created you? How does this connect with what 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says about prayer?
How does reading the Bible and prayer help us live for God? (e.g., it can help us know God better, it gives us strength for hard times, and it gives clarity when we need direction, etc.)
Read Psalms 1:1-3. These verses show us ways we can live for God — to be set apart with a
kingdom mindset. In your own words, what are these verses telling us?
Pray: God, thank You for the Bible and prayer, which help us learn about and grow closer to You. Please help us make time to read Your Word and pray daily so we can live a life that honors You.
Additional Questions
Read Romans 12:2. If our minds are transformed (changed), how might that change the way we live and the choices we make?
How can we make time to read the Bible and pray without feeling stressed out with everything else happening in our lives? What are some small things we can do even when we’re swamped with homework and activities?
How can reading our Bibles and praying change how we act at school, with our friends, or at home?