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Reverb StudyLesson: What Is The Call?

Lesson Overview

Biblical Passage

Matthew 16:24–26, Acts 1:8

Supporting Passages

Mark 8:34–38, Luke 9:23–26

Memory Verse

Matthew 16:24

Biblical Truth

Responding to God’s call means that we understand what’s at stake and what it will cost.

Context

When Jesus explained to His disciples what the call upon His life meant in terms of cost, Peter challenged Him. Jesus rebukedPeter and explained that the call of God means giving up our own lives and our own agendas, taking on His life, andbecoming open and transparent witnesses of God, His purposes, and His plans. There can be no mistake as to whom we areliving for if we choose to follow Christ.

Learning Goals

• Explore Goal: Students will understand that responding to God’s call means self-sacrifice and living as His witnesses.• Transform Goal: Students will begin to value what it means to die to self and live as witnesses of Christ.

Prayer Suggestions

As you prepare to teach this lesson, pray for your students.

Pray that students will understand the importance of God’s call in their lives.●

Pray that students will be more open to saying yes to God than to their own desires or will.●

Pray that students will follow Christ daily.●

Biblical Commentary

InvestigationWhile some debate has taken place over who authored the Gospel of Matthew, there is much evidence to support Matthew,one of Jesus’ 12 disciples, as the author of the first Gospel. Many of the early Church fathers such as Clement of Alexandria,Eusebius, and Origen referred to Matthew as the writer. The Gospel also contains numerous internal references to differentkinds of money and at times reads like a book of records. These traits would be in keeping with Matthew’s profession as a taxcollector.

The events found in Matthew 16 took place after Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee from the Gentile area of Decapolis, whereHe had fed 4,000 men plus an unknown amount of women and children. Jesus and His disciples made their way to CaesareaPhilippi, the farthest north that Jesus is known to have traveled. Here, Jesus asked two questions of His disciples that canreally be summarized with one question: Who do you think I am? Peter’s response was bold as he claimed that Jesus is theMessiah. Jesus then began to inform His disciples of the upcoming suffering, death, and resurrection that would be necessaryto His work as the Messiah.

This thought of death made His followers uncomfortable to hear, but Jesus clearly indicated that following Him meantfollowing a crucified and risen Jesus. His followers must die to their own interests in order to follow Him fully. FollowingJesus was not a decision to be made lightly but one that would cost them their lives.

ImportanceThis passage teaches that Jesus is God and Savior. Because Jesus is God, He is the only one who is worthy and deserving ofbeing followed. His standard and calling must be foremost in the lives of His followers because His calling is the only one thatmatters for eternity. As the true Messiah, Jesus offers salvation to all peoples. Therefore, we must understand the greatcalling in the lives of His disciples to make Christ known to the entire world. The cost of following Christ is nothing comparedto having a relationship with the one true God and in helping others to experience the same relationship.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International BibleSociety. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.Copyright © Clarity Publishers, Inc., 2009. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for reproduction only for the study of StudentLifeBibleStudy curriculum by a licensed church duringthe licensed year. No online or other duplication is permitted.

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InterpretationMatthew 16:24 While in Caesarea Philippi, Jesus taught His disciples that He was going to Jerusalem to suffer and die.These words were startling. Jesus stated as fact what would happen to Him. The road to Jerusalem, the cross, and death wassomething that He had to do if He was to remain faithful to God’s plan. The journey of suffering was not optional for Jesusbecause of His commitment to God’s call on His life. Jesus knew that He needed to continue preparing His disciples for theirjourney in following Him. Sacrifice would not be optional for His followers just as it was not optional for Him.

Jesus’ disciples needed to understand what was involved in following God’s calling. While not all disciples would die a violentdeath, God’s calling would require complete self-denial. For Jesus’ disciples, they identified the cross with death. It was asymbol of suffering and death to them. It was the opposite of selfishness and following one’s own desires. Carrying a crossmeant to them that Christ’s followers must learn to say no to self and yes to God and His call.

The three verbs used by Jesus to convey the price of following Him made it clear exactly what He meant: deny, take up, andfollow me. The first two indicate a decisive action. The last one indicates a continuing action.

Matthew 16:25 In this verse, Jesus restated what He had just taught. Jesus said that if anyone lives only for what is earthlyand temporary, then he or she will miss out on an opportunity to make an eternal impact on the world. The Greek wordtranslated as “soul” is “psyche,” which in some other places in the New Testament means “life.” These terms areinterchangeable in this passage, and they represent the entire person. To be a true disciple of Jesus Christ, we must let go ofthe world. On one hand, we can live only in the fleeting moments and ultimately lose everything for eternity. On the otherhand, we can deny ourselves now, follow Christ, and gain real life for eternity.

Matthew 16:26 Jesus asked two rhetorical questions to demonstrate the foolishness of earning great material wealth at theexpense of losing a person’s life or soul. Jesus first asked about the foolishness of gaining the whole world. The idea is ofpossessing all of the world’s created abundance and richness. The foolishness of gaining the world is evident when a personfails to remember that the richness of the world is only temporary, fading, and passing.

Verse 26 also deals with judgment. Jesus warned that if a person loses himself in the very act of trying to save himselfthrough worldly gain, then the loss would be great. Even if he were able to gain the entire world, that “prize” or the “passingvictory” would be worthless if it meant that he had to forfeit his own life or soul forever. When He talked about His followersforfeiting their lives, Jesus was not limiting the discussion only to physical death. Everyone eventually dies. More specifically,Jesus was referring to missing our true calling by God.

Acts 1:8 After Jesus’ death and resurrection, He appeared to His followers and gave them final instructions to be witnessesfor Him in all the earth. Jesus promised His followers that He would not leave them alone but that the Spirit, as the promiseof the Father, would come upon followers of Christ. This verse contains two specific promises. Followers of Jesus receivepower, and they will be witnesses (Polhill, 1992). The Spirit will come and bestow power. Frequently, Christians think thatwitnessing is something that they should do. When Jesus commissioned His disciples, he indicated very clearly that theywould be witnesses through the Holy Spirit. These instructions by Christ identify the calling of all believers to be witnesses ofChrist.

This verse provides a framework for the mission of the Church today. It begins where believers live. It extends to includemission efforts in the surrounding region. Just as Christ commanded at the founding of the Church, so also today the missioncontinues to expand to include all people in all places on earth. Being obedient to this calling will take sacrifice and awillingness to deny oneself so that the entire world can experience what is good and eternal.

ImplicationsGod’s call upon believers is not always easy. The only way that a person can respond to God’s call is through self-sacrificeand self-denial. Christ-followers must regularly say yes to God no matter what the cost. This way is often difficult and mayeven lead to suffering and death. Yet the call remains. Students must choose wisely where they place their priorities in life.The disciples were challenged, as we are today, to live lives of self-denial by taking up Jesus’ cross and following Him daily.

Jesus called upon His disciples to deny themselves and to follow Him. In response to God’s call upon our lives, we must learnthose same lessons as we learn what it means to die to self and to live as followers of Christ.

Teaching Plan: Connect ActivitiesAll activity sheets are at the end of this printable lesson


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Drama: Out in Open Carpet(5–10 minutes, easy set-up)Download the drama script. Prior to the session, enlist two students to enact the drama. Give copies of the script to castmembers ahead of time so that they will be ready to perform it.

Prompt students to perform the drama. Afterward, ask: What are the risks for Stanley if he goes out onto the opencarpet? What does he risk by staying behind? What are the sacrifices of living out God’s call?

Reverb Media Option: Step Out(3–5 minutes, Reverb Media Pass required)If your church has purchased the Reverb Media Pass or the Reverb DVD, preview and arrange to show the “Step Out” video.(If your church has not purchased the Reverb Media Pass, you can purchase this single video through the “Media” tab.)

Explain to students that you are going to show a video that will introduce the theme of the next six weeks of lessons. Showthe “Step Out” video. When the video is finished, explain that like the dancers in the beginning of the video, most of us arecontent to go along with the crowd, living a life that kind of looks like everyone else’s. Then, ask: When the dancer steppedout and started a new dance, what did the other dancers do? (They followed his lead.) Explain to students that Step Outis a six-week course that looks at how we are to respond to God’s call to be on mission with Him. Say: One of the things wewill learn over the next six lessons is that when we step out and follow God, we change the world around us. Ourboldness leads others to step out and use their lives to make a difference, as well. Explain to students that theycannot step out and follow God without giving up something; that’s what this lesson is all about.

Especially for Younger Students: Jumbled Instructions(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)

Instruct students to arrange themselves in a circle. Explain that they will play a version of the game Telephone, in which aninstruction travels from one student to another by whispers. Inform students that the last person to receive the message mustperform the instruction that he or she hears. Say: If the last person performs an action that does not follow theoriginal instructions, he or she will have to shave an eyebrow during class. Explain that the message can only bewhispered one time to each student. Begin the game by whispering an instruction to the first student. (Example instructions:Rub your tummy and pat your head; jump like a frog; moo like a cow while performing ballet.) Allow the instruction to travelthe room until the last student performs the instruction that he or she receives. Then announce the original instruction to theclass. The last message and its original version will probably differ. Inform the last student that his or her eyebrow will notactually be shaved off.

Ask the student who performed the instruction: How willing were you to follow the instructions if you weren’t sureabout them? After the student responds, emphasize that we often hesitate to fully obey when we are unsure of theinstructions. Explain that following Jesus can be equally challenging, but today students will begin to look at His calling andwhat it truly costs.

Especially for Older Students: Cost of Involvement(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)Provide a dry erase board and dry erase marker.

Create four columns on the dry erase board with the following headings: “Activity,” “Money,” “My Time,” and “Cost toOthers.” Instruct students to name a few hobbies or activities in which they participate. After one activity is named, instructstudents to think about the money that is required to participate in this activity. Then instruct students to think about howmuch of their time is involved with this activity. Finally, instruct students to think about the other people who are involved inthis activity. Allow students to respond for each category, and use their responses to fill in each column.

Afterward, prompt students to look at the board and consider the costs of their activities. Explain that almost every activityor hobby comes with a cost. Ask: Do we often consider these costs before we get involved in an activity? Allow


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students to share their thoughts. Then explain that today they will look at Jesus’ warning to His followers that following Himwould be costly.

Teaching Plan: Explore ActivitiesAll activity sheets are at the end of this printable lesson

Key Study: Be My Center(10 minutes, easy set-up) Download the Student Worksheet. Print a copy for each student. Download the “Center” activity sheet. Print one copy.Provide pens, a dry erase board, and dry erase marker.

Using the Judea, Samaria, and Galilee at the Time of Christ map, note the location of Caesarea Philippi. Explain to studentsthat the events of today’s lesson likely occurred in or around this city. Tell them that Christ informed His disciples of Hiscoming death and then told them to be ready to carry their own crosses in order to follow Him. On the Life of Christ Timeline,point to Peter’s confession of Christ and the Transfiguration. Explain to students that Jesus told His disciples of the cost offollowing Him between these two events. Note that this event occurred as Jesus was nearing the end of His public ministry.

Enlist a student to read Matthew 16:24. Explain that Jesus listed three requirements in this passage that His followers mustperform if they truly want to follow Him. Ask: What are these three requirements? Write their responses on the dry eraseboard as they are named. (Answers: “deny himself,” “take up his cross,” and “follow me”) Next, ask: What do these actionsmean? Distribute pens and copies of the Student Worksheet at this time. Direct students to the “What Does It Mean?”section of the worksheet. Beginning with “deny himself,” discuss the meanings of each of these phrases by asking thefollowing question: What did this phrase mean when Jesus’ followers first heard it? After students respond, ask: Whatdo these phrases mean to you as a student in the 21st century? Direct students to think about their lives and wherethey focus their passion. (For example, applying the phrase “deny himself” could entail playing video games only one day aweek or not buying any new clothes for a month.) Instruct students to write their own meanings in the space provided ontheir worksheets and then complete the activity by writing the verse in their own words on the lines below the definitions.

Say: Living according to our own interests goes against the calling and purpose of following Christ. Hold up the“Center” activity sheet at this time. Write the following words on the board: decisions, relationships, free time, and money.Explain that the larger circles represent the life that you live in Christ and the smaller circles represent the center of your lifein Christ. Point to the bottom circle with “Me” in the center. Ask: If you are the center of your life in Christ, how areyour decisions, relationships, free time, and money affected? Allow students to answer, emphasizing that all of theseareas would be centered on your own interests and desires. Point to the top circle. Ask: If Christ is the center of yourfaith, how are these areas affected? Allow students to answer, emphasizing that all of these areas would be centered onChrist’s calling and desires.

Ask: According to the verses that we have read, who is the center of life? (God, Jesus) Enlist a student to read Matthew16:26. Ask: How does this last verse that we just read help us to see life in a Christ-centered perspective? Allowstudents to discuss this question. Emphasize that only what we do for Christ will last and that pursuing material goods andsuperficial popularity makes us miss out on the life that Christ has prepared for us and to which He has called us. Say: Jesustold us what the cost of following Him is, and He also told us about the purpose of following Him.

Direct a student to read Acts 1:8. Then instruct students to stand up. Ask: What does Jesus tell His followers to do?(witness for Him) Instruct students to define in their own words what it means to be a witness. Write their responses on theboard. Then ask: How does He tell them that they are to accomplish this task? (by the power of the Holy Spirit) Pointout that Jesus did not leave us alone to obey His calling but rather gave us power to do it through the Holy Spirit.

Remind students that these passages teach that Christ calls His disciples to follow Him and to be His witnesses. Point out theEssential Truth that Jesus is God and Savior. Emphasize that because Jesus is God, we follow Him no matter the costbecause He is worthy of our lives. Explain that because Jesus is Savior, we need to invest our lives in the call to make Hissalvation known to the entire world.

Master Teacher Key Study: Be My Center(10–15 minutes, easy set-up)


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Download the Master Teacher Key Study. Print one copy for your own use. Download the Master Teacher Student Worksheet.Print a copy for each learner. Also provide pens.

Pass out pens and copies of the Master Teacher Student Worksheet. Then use the Master Teacher Key Study to teachMatthew 16:24–26 and Acts 1:8.

Especially for Younger Students: Denial(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)Provide a dry erase board and dry erase marker.

Enlist a student to read Matthew 26:39. Ask: How is this an example of Jesus denying Himself so that He could fulfillGod’s calling on His life? Allow students to discuss their answers. Point out that Jesus did not want to experience thecrucifixion, but He still gave Himself over to God’s plan.

Enlist a student to draw a large cross on the dry erase board. Explain that during the New Testament period the cross was ahorrible thing for people to think about because it stood for the most gruesome and violent way that a person could die.Emphasize that dying on a cross was extremely shameful.

Enlist two students to read John 19:17 and Romans 5:6–11. Ask: What did it mean for Jesus to deny Himself and carryHis cross? (He would die.) What was the cost that Jesus had to pay in order to bring forgiveness to the world? (Hedied on the cross.) Write “cross = death” on the board.

Say: So when Jesus commands us to take up our cross, it means that we are committing our lives to Him. Ask:When we commit our lives to Jesus’ mission, what becomes the purpose of our lives? Allow students to share theiranswers. Emphasize that when Jesus’ mission becomes the purpose of our lives, we concern ourselves with being Hiswitnesses. Say: Carrying our cross means that we want to be faithful witnesses of Christ beyond anything else.

Especially for Older Students: Blind Witnesses(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)Provide a dry erase board and dry erase marker.

Say: In Acts 1:8 we see that Christ calls us to be His witnesses throughout the world. Explain that we can betterunderstand this calling when we have to know what it means to be a “witness.” Say: The original Greek word used in Acts1:8 for “witness” is martys, from which we get the word martyr. Explain that it is used throughout the book of Acts inreference to the apostles, all of whom except for John died by being killed as a martyr.

Assign four students the following passages to look up and read one at a time: Acts 1:21–23, Acts 5:30–32, Acts 10:39–42, andActs 26:16–18. After each verse is read, direct students to note what the passage indicates about being a witness. Write thesedescriptions on the board.

After you finish working through these verses, explain that most of the people described as witnesses in the book of Actsspent time with Christ and saw his work with their own eyes. Say: Obviously, it’s a little bit different with us, but we arestill called to be His witnesses. Ask: How can we be witnesses even though we have not physically walked withChrist? Allow students a brief time to share. Instruct students to discuss how the descriptions on the board apply today. Ask:How are our responsibilities the same as the apostles? Allow students to discuss their answers. Then say: Christ callseveryone who wants to follow Him to be His witnesses—no matter what the cost.

Teaching Plan: Transform ActivitiesAll activity sheets are at the end of this printable lesson

Deeper Discussion(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)

Use the following questions to lead a discussion with students:

Does it make sense for us to give up eternal things in order to gain the things of the world?●


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What does Christ mean when He calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him?●

Why do you think that it’s necessary for us to do this in order to follow after Christ?●

How does denying ourselves to follow Christ involve us being His witnesses throughout the world?●

Especially for Younger Students: Here and Now(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)Provide a dry erase board and dry erase marker.

Explain that sometimes we can easily think that God’s call on our lives does not matter until we are old enough to be able todo “big” things for Him. Say: You probably cannot move to Africa this year or drive yourself every afternoon to asoup kitchen. But there are things that you can do to make a difference in the world by focusing more on othersand less on yourselves.

Ask: What are some things that you can do to deny yourself in order to make a difference in God’s mission?Encourage students to think of creative ways that they can make a difference. Suggest ideas such as giving money that theyuse to buy soft drinks or download music to missions or charities instead, asking for others to donate gifts to charities insteadof giving birthday or Christmas gifts, and giving up their free time to work at a food pantry or a homeless shelter. Write theirresponses on the dry erase board.

Next, encourage students to decide upon one thing that they can do this week. Say: We can spend time thinking abouthow we can affect the world for Christ, but until we actually take action, our commitments mean very little.Challenge students to post their commitments as status updates on their social networking site or in an email to the teacher.

Especially for Older Students: Reality Check(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)Provide paper, pens, and index cards.

Distribute paper and pens to students. Instruct them to create two columns on their papers, the first of which should belabeled “My Reality.” Explain that they should make a list of the things that they spend time on or focus attention on duringthe day. Explain that they should list their priorities in order of greatest importance. Instruct them to be sure to honestlyinclude their relationship with Christ on their list. Allow one to two minutes for students to complete this column. Then directstudents to label the second column “God’s Called Reality.” Instruct students to use the list that they just made and reorder itaccording to the priorities of God’s calling in their lives. Encourage students to add anything else to their list that reflectsGod’s calling. Allow one to two minutes for students to complete this column. Invite a couple of volunteers to share their lists.Then ask: Is anyone else’s list a lot different from these? If anyone has a different list, allow him or her to share.

Explain that the day-to-day activities that we are involved with may not be “bad” uses of our time but that we must seek tomake God’s calling a priority with how we choose to invest our resources. Say: The things that we value are evident inhow we prioritize our lives, but God’s calling is to make sure that His desires and commands are our firstpriorities.

Encourage students to pick one priority that should be reordered and begin to take steps to align their lives with God’spriorities this week. Distribute five index cards to each student at this time, instructing them to think of a one-word summaryto describe the priority that they want to change. Prompt them to write the same word on all of the cards. Last, directstudents to place these cards in five different places where they will easily see them throughout the day.

Creative Prayer(5–8 minutes, easy set-up)

Begin by allowing the students to create some space for themselves in order to quietly reflect on their relationship withChrist. Explain to them that you are going to give them some different phrases that show up in the verses they have juststudied. As you say that phrase, prompt them to spend some time reflecting on what that means and whether they arecarrying it out in their lives. After a time of reflection over each phrase, ask students to pray and ask God for strength,motivation, and wisdom in this aspect of their Christian walk. The phrases to use are: “Deny yourself,” “Take up your cross,”“Follow Christ,” and “Be His witness.”


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Reverb Student Book Option: Am I A Follower?(5 minutes, Reverb student book required)If your church has purchased the Reverb student book, preview the activity on page 52 titled “Am I a Follower?” If possible,provide a copy of the book to reference as you mention the activity to students.

Remind students that this is the first lesson of Step Out, a 6-week emphasis on responding to God’s call to join His mission.Then say: This week’s section of the student book will help introduce the idea of what it means to follow God’s call.If you have a Reverb student book available, turn to page 52 and point out the activity titled “Am I a Follower?” Explain tostudents that this section of the book will provide them with some time and space to do some real soul searching. Say: Thisis one of the many activities in the book that will challenge you to evaluate your life and whether you arefollowing Christ as you should. Encourage students to spend a few extra minutes this week looking over this activity asthey work through this week’s section, which runs from pages 50–55.

Copyright © Student Life Publishing, 2005. All rights reserved. Step Out 1, Prep GuidePermission is granted for reproduction only for the study ofStudent Life Bible Study curriculum by a licensed church duringthe licensed year. No online or other duplication is permitted.

Step Out: Responding to God’s CallLesson 1, Prep Guide

Biblical Passages: Matthew 16:24–26, Acts 1:8

Biblical Truth: Responding to God’s call means that we understand what’s at stake and what it will cost.

PRAYER SUGGESTIONSAs you prepare to teach this lesson, pray for your students.

• Pray that students will understand the importance of God’s call in their lives.

• Pray that students will be more open to saying yes to God than to their own desires or will.

• Pray that students will follow Christ daily.

COMPLETE SUPPLY LISTConnect . . .

Drama: Out in Open Carpet—Copies of the drama script; any necessary props Reverb Media Option: Step Out— Reverb Media Pass Especially for Younger Students: Jumbled Instructions—No supplies needed Especially for Older Students: Cost of Involvement—dry erase board; dry erase marker

Explore . . . Key Study: Be My Center—copies of the Student Worksheet; copy of the “Center” activity sheet;

pens; dry erase board; dry erase marker Master Teacher Key Study: Be My Center—copy of the Master Teacher Key Study; copies of the

Master Teacher Student Worksheet; pens Especially for Younger Students: Denial—dry erase board; dry erase marker Especially for Older Students: Blind Witnesses—dry erase board; dry erase marker

Transform . . . Deeper Discussion—No supplies needed Especially for Younger Students: Here and Now—dry erase board; dry erase marker Especially for Older Students: Reality Check—paper; pens; index cards Creative Prayer—No supplies needed

Copyright © Student Life Publishing, 2009. All rights reserved. Step Out 1, Drama, Page 1Permission is granted for reproduction only for the study ofStudent Life Bible Study curriculum by a licensed church duringthe licensed year. No online or other duplication is permitted.

Step Out: Responding to God’s CallLesson 1, Drama

Out in Open Carpet

Characters:STANLEYWILLARD

Props: none required

Costumes: grey sweat suits and bunny ears

Creative Note: Two dust bunnies discuss theimplications of venturing out from under the bedthat they’ve called home for so many years.Stanley is pumped and ready to venture out oftheir town of Box Springs City. Willard is nervousand OCD voice of reason. This drama isobviously ridiculous, so play it up as such.Consider going all out on sets and costumes.

(Stanley is sitting poised and ready to go asWillard enters.)

WILLARD: So, I was thinking that maybelater, if you weren’t—Stanley?!What are you doing?!

(Stanley is annoyed to have been interrupted.)

STANLEY: Willard, we have been throughthis. Today is the day. I’m goingto do it.

WILLARD: Stanley, I know we’ve discussedthis, but really? You can’t beserious about this. I didn’t thinkthat you’d actually consider thisas a real possibility.

STANLEY: Listen, I’ve thought about it. Iknow what’s out there. I’m ready.Today is the day.

(Stanley sighs, gathers himself, and begins tostep out.)

WILLARD: Stop! Stanley, listen to me. Youcan’t do this. You can’t. No onesever left Box Springs City andlived. Never. How do you knowthat you’ll be any different?

STANLEY: It’s all planned out. I have tackledevery possible scenario of whatcould happen to me once I’m outin Open Carpet. Someone has togo.

WILLARD: Oh, really? What happens if youmeet Pointy Shoes and herscreaming monster? That’s howwe lost Gerald. Or what if shedoesn’t bring the monster? Whatare you going to do if she bringsthe magnetic mist?!

STANLEY: I will just—

WILLARD: You can’t run fast enough forthat! You know it. Or, or, whatabout the, the hairy four-leggedthing! If that thing comes aroundwhile you’re out there . . .Stanley, I shudder to think.

STANLEY: Willard, I—

WILLARD And then you have to think ofwhat you would do if you didmake it out there. Open Carpet isa big deal. That wall only opensup a few times a day, and when itdoes, Socked Feet usually runsin with others like him, and theytrample everything around them.You’ll stick to that cotton blend inno time and then, then, Stanley,we’ll never see you again.

STANLEY: Willard—

WILLARD: We don’t even know what’sbeyond that wall. We just knowthat it opens and gargantuangiants come in and out.

STANLEY: Willard—

WILLARD: Giants, Stanley—things we can’tcontrol! Things that will eat you!And smash you! And get you—

STANLEY: Willard! Willard. Listen. Pullyourself together. I’ve thoughtabout it. I have a plan. I knowthat I might not come back. I

Copyright © Student Life Publishing, 2009. All rights reserved. Step Out 1, Drama, Page 2Permission is granted for reproduction only for the study ofStudent Life Bible Study curriculum by a licensed church duringthe licensed year. No online or other duplication is permitted.

don’t know what’s out there. Idon’t know what will happen. Butwhat I do know is this: That wallopens, and there’s light out there.There’s noise. There’s activity.And where are we? Box SpringsCity. Your parents were bornhere, your grandparents wereborn here, and one day your kidswill be born here. Don’t you wantto see what’s out there? I do. SoI’m going. I can’t just sit here anylonger. I’m headed for OpenCarpet. I’m doing it. And youcan’t stop me.

(Willard stands in horror as Stanley resolutelyexits. The loud sound of a door banging shut is

heard. Willard screams and runs off in theopposite direction.)

(The End)

what does it mean?Using the following definitions, write Matthew 6:24 in yoUr own words.

this is how my _______________ shows his/her love for me . . .

steP oUt: resPonding to god’s Call

Lesson one Be mY CenteRbiblical passage: Matthew 16:24–26, acts 1:8memory verse: Matthew 16:24 then Jesus said to his disciples, “if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

student worksheet

Copyright © Clarity Publishing, 2009. All rights reserved.

Permission is granted for reproduction only for the study of Life Bible Study curriculum by a licensed church duringthe licensed year. No online or other duplication is permitted.

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

“deny himself” “take up his cross” “follow me”

to forget your own interests to carry your instrument of painful death to become a disciple of Jesus Christ

my own meaning: my own meaning: my own meaning:

STEP OUT: RESPONDING TO GOD’S CALL

LESSON ONE EXPLORE




JESUS

CHRISTIANITY

ME

CHRISTIANITY

CENTER

Copyright © Clarity Publishers, 2009. All rights reserved. Step Out 1, Master Teacher Key Study, Page 1Permission is granted for reproduction only for the study ofStudent Life Bible Study curriculum by a licensed church duringthe licensed year. No online or other duplication is permitted.

Step Out: Responding to God’s CallLesson 1, Master Teacher Key Study

Master Teacher Key StudyBE MY CENTERUse this outline and any of the corresponding activities to share the Biblical Truth with students.

Intro: It is not possible to follow Christ and live according to our own agenda.

Description: Jesus is clear about the cost of following Him by letting us know that anything less thanwhat He demands is useless.

Interaction: Ask students whether they think there is a cost to following Jesus and, if so, what it is. Next,prompt them to spend some time thinking about their own lives by asking them to consider whetherthey’ve been paying that cost or not.

1. We must consider our lives as sacrifices to Christ because we know that His calling is greater thanour sinful pursuits (Matt. 16:24–25).

Description: Christ has called us to live with Him at the center of our lives instead of ourselves. Ournatural wants, desires, and agendas conflict with the sacrificial life to which Jesus has called us.Therefore, He says that in order to follow Him we must set our old lives aside and begin the new life of afollower. This new life is one that places Christ and His calling as the reason for our lives.

Illustration: The Boston Marathon is a prestigious race for distance runners. Because of its popularity,runners even have to meet a qualifying time in a previous race in order to be accepted. In 1980, RosieRuiz performed one of the greatest running hoaxes of all times as she jumped into the race during the lasthalf-mile and sprinted to the finish line, where she soon received her medal for winning. When doubtssurfaced, officials discovered that she had also run her qualifying race in New York by riding the subwayto the finish line. Her Boston championship was thus denounced. Ruiz had wanted to be a marathonrunner, but she was not willing to put in the hard work and training. A lot of times, Christians are like that:They want to say that they’re Christians, but they’re not willing to pay the cost in order to truly followJesus.

Application: Following Christ is costly. Living according to our own agenda but claiming that we areChristians is impossible. The concept of an easy walk with Christ is nonexistent. Christ clearly claims thatfollowing Him will be costly and will require a living sacrifice from us. We must examine our lives on aconsistent basis to see if we are truly willing to pay the cost to follow Christ.

2. Our pursuit of the temporary things in the world is of no comparison to the eternal significance ofpursuing Christ (Matt. 16:26).

Description: Jesus knows that the cost of following Him is high. In order for us to get a better perspectiveon the cost, He asks us to consider impacting eternity instead of pursuing the things of the world.

Illustration: Bill Gates is one of the world’s richest men, possessing approximately $40 billion net worth.Not only is he one of the richest men, but he is also one of the greatest givers in the world. From 2000 to2005, he gave away more than $6 billion, most of it going to world health causes. Gates indicates that heis not concerned for what he is remembered for in life but is simply fortunate to be able to be involved ingiving people hope and health. Gates considers his work with Microsoft to be the vehicle through whichhe has been able to help so many people around the world. Our time on this earth is like a snap of the

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fingers in comparison to eternity. Although Bill Gates wants to make great business decisions, hechooses to invest in the needs of people over spending his fortune on things that won’t last.

Application: Following Christ will be difficult. We must realize and accept this challenging statement. Butfollowing Christ enables us to impact the world for eternity instead of merely chasing after temporarythings. Having everything that we could ever want in this world does not compare with eternity. We mustmaintain this perspective as we follow Christ so that we can remind ourselves that His calling is one thatwill last for eternity.

3. We must be obedient to Christ’s calling in order to be witnesses to all people (Acts 1:8).

Description: Part of what it means to follow Christ is to be a witness for Him throughout the world. In thispassage, Jesus doesn’t tell us that we should, might, or could be His witnesses. He clearly says withcertainty that we are commanded to be His witnesses.

Illustration: In court cases, lawyers call witnesses to offer knowledge or information that concerns thecase. Jesus has called us to live our entire lives like we’re on the witness stand in a court case. The greatthing is that we can be expert witnesses because we have firsthand knowledge and experience of whatHe can do in a person’s life.

Application: Challenge students to think about the illustration of the witness chair throughout their day. Ineverything they do and every conversation they find themselves in, challenge them to ask: “Am I bearingwitness to Christ right now?”

Conclusion: Following Jesus is the most costly and eternal thing that we can do because it costs us ourentire life.

Description: The message is clear: Jesus doesn’t want part of lives. He demands the whole thing—butthe payoff is greater than anything we could ever imagine.

BE MY CENTER1. We must consider our lives as _______________ to Christ because we know that His_______________ is greater than

our sinful pursuits (Matt. 16:24–25).

2. Our pursuit of the _______________ things in the world is of no comparison to the_______________ significance of

pursuing Christ (Matt. 16:26).

3. We must be _______________ to Christ’s calling in order to be _______________ to all people (Acts 1:8).

STEP OUT: RESPONDING TO GOD’S CALL

LESSON ONE BE MY CENTERbiblical passage: Matthew 16:24–26, Acts 1:8memory verse: Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS• Does it make sense for us to give up eternal things in order to gain the things of the world?

• What does Christ mean when He calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him?

• Why do you think that it’s necessary for us to do this in order to follow after Christ?

• How does denying ourselves to follow Christ involve us being His witnesses throughout the world?

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