FOLLOWUP | October 23

Grades 9-12 | Questions From a Rich Young Man

We’re halfway through our series focusing on the questions of Jesus. Each week, students are examining a different passage of Scripture to discover what was behind some of the questions Jesus asked in the Gospels.

In this second lesson, we explored Matthew 19:16-22, where Jesus encountered a rich young man. He had lived an exemplary life but felt that something was still missing. Jesus’ question about his focus on the good things of this life rather than a focus on “the One who is good” challenged the young man’s priorities.

​This week, I encourage you to spend a few minutes talking with your teenager about our lesson. Consider building your conversation around these questions:

• Is it possible to be “good enough” in this Christian life?
• How does Jesus’ question for the rich young man affect us today?
• Do you think the rich young man eventually changed for the better after having met Jesus? Why or why not?

Grades 6-8 | God Is Just & Merciful

We’re continuing our series called “God Is.” Each week, we’re discussing important character traits of God and how those traits invite us to know and love God more.

In this second lesson, we explored John 3:16-21, where Jesus talks about his purpose and summarizes his good news in a familiar verse—John 3:16. Jesus brought hope to an unfair world. We all have sinned. We have Adam and Eve to thank for that; their actions brought sin into the world. But through Jesus, we have the opportunity to be freed from the penalty of sin—separation from God. Jesus’ mercy doesn’t make his justice obsolete—by his Spirit, we can live in the tension between the righteousness of God and the mercy, grace, and forgiveness of God.

This week, I encourage you to spend a few minutes talking with your teenager about our lesson. Consider fueling your conversation with these questions:

• How do you define justice? How do you define mercy?
• Tell me about a time when someone showed you mercy even though you didn’t deserve it. How did you feel?
• How can thinking about both justice and mercy help you love and trust Jesus more?

​Thanks for all you do to love, encourage, and support your teenager at home. Have a great week!