Back To School Essentials

Back to School Essentials: New 4 Week Series

Are your junior high students ready to go back to school?  Area they really ready?

As school starts this fall, there are a few essentials you’ll find every junior high student carrying with them: paper, locker combination, schedule and school map.  These may be in printed or digital form, but they are all needed for a student to survive a day in the life of a new school year.  In the same way, there are a few essentials for a junior higher to not just survive, but thrive in their daily life of following Jesus. Using tangible school items as metaphors, we’ll talk about understanding what it means to be a new creation in Christ; the importance of renewing your mind with the Bible; making and keeping priorities; and looking to the Bible for guidance in everyday life

Throughout the series, junior highers will discover:

• We need Jesus to guide and lead us through junior high.
• If we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior then we become a “New Creation”
• We  will discuss what is a priority in our life, and where Jesus fits in our life.
• We will also discover the importance of Scripture Memory and how this will help us in our walk with Jesus.

Each Lesson Includes:

• Editable lesson in Word Document and PDF.  You get to choose which one works best for you.  Edit as needed and easily share with your volunteers.
• Complete PowerPoint slides. (and lessons with notes for PowerPoint)
• Artwork that you can use for promotional purposes (flyer, web banner, handout, etc.)

Lesson Format:

• Fun opening game
• Creative teaching
• Engaging small group discussion questions
• Eye catching object lessons
• Cool video/visual illustrations
• Interactive small group activities

Series Overview:

Week 1:  Paper 2 Corinthians 5:15-17, Galatians 3:27-28, Romans 12:3-5
Takeaway Point: Whether students are new to the building or returning for their last year in middle school, they should look at each year as a fresh start. In this lesson, we’ll look at being “new creations” and how God gives us a new start.

Week 2:  Lock Combination  Psalm 119:9-16, John 10:10
Takeaway Point:  Most students have a locker–some, this year, for the first time. Lockers store crazy amounts of stuff. There is even a company that will help you customize decorations for it! In this lesson we’ll look at the importance of Scripture memorization, how it’s different than cramming for a test, and a practical way your real locker can help.

Week 3:  Schedule  Matthew 6:19-34
Takeaway Point: Every student gets a schedule of classes. They want to see what they are studying, which teachers they have and who will be in class with them. This is a great opportunity for learning about priorities and time management. If they say Jesus is important, their schedule should reflect that.

Week 4:  Map  Psalm 119:105-112, Exodus 20:1-17, Ephesians 4:29-32
Takeaway Point: Finally, we’ll finish with the map. From the new student to the 8th grader finding a room they’ve never had a class in before, almost every student carries a map with them at the beginning of the school year. We’ll talk about how the Bible guides us in everyday life–even in junior high/middle school.