Always Be Ready

Note to the Teacher:

This week’s lesson focuses on how we all are called to share the wonderful work of Christ in our lives. Everyone has a testimony to share. The icebreaker is a fun game that gets the students in the mindset of expressing their preferences. The discussion engages the students in a conversation about what a testimony is and how they all have a testimony. The activity is their chance to reach out to others to thank them for their service. And the students have the opportunity to hear what motivates people to serve.

Icebreaker:

“Would You Rather”

Have the students stand up. Tell them that they are to move either to the left side of the room or the right side of the room depending on their answer to the question. When reading the question, make sure to gesture to the side of the room they are to go that corresponds with their choice. You can google a ton of options, but here are a few to get you started:

Would you rather…

• Eat a gallon of mayonnaise or a cup of Worcestershire sauce with rat hairs floating in it?
• Have a billion dollars and no friends or have zero dollars and tons of friends?
• Have to go to school for an entire day with horrible body odor or ten pimples on your face that cannot be popped?
• Have a reality show that shows every second of your life and makes you incredibly famous or live alone in the woods for your entire life?
• Eat month-old pizza or month-old doughnuts?
• Have a misspelled tattoo on your neck or a correctly spelled tattoo accidentally placed on your forehead?

Read Scripture:

1 Peter 3:8-20

Discussion:

1. Can you think of people who put themselves in harm's way or suffer in order to do something good for others?
2. What might motivate them to do this? Have you ever ended up suffering because of doing the right thing?
3. Look at verse 15. What do you think Peter means when he says, “Whenever anyone asks you to speak of your hope…”? What reasons do you have to be hopeful?
4. Because of Christ, every single one of us has a spiritual story to share. Turn to your neighbor and share with that person:
   1. Your first memory of something related to God.
   2. How you see God in your life today.
5. Why are spiritual stories like these so powerful?
6. How can we share the hope of Christ in our world without using words?
7. Look at 1 Peter 3:9 (CEB): “Don’t pay back evil for evil or insult for insult. Instead, give blessing in return.” Can you think of someone who lives this way? How could you be a person who lives this way?

Activity and Discussion:

Option A: Items needed: paper, envelopes, pens

Have the students write letters to the fire department, police station, and/or hospital and thank them for their service. Have the students ask what motivates these individuals to put themselves in harm's way on behalf of others.

Option B: Invite a healthcare worker, firefighter, and a police officer to come and share why they do what they do. What motivates them to put themselves at risk?

Option C: Take the students to the fire department and have them ask the firefighters what motivates them to do what they do. Ask for a tour of the department.