Heard of this Hope

Overview

• Icebreaker: Telephone Game or Paper Cup Telephones
• Bible Reading: Colossians 1:1-14, CEB
• Discussion Questions
• Active Learning Activity: Paul’s Journey
• Prayer

Note to the Teacher

The key phrase in this scripture (for this lesson) is “You can live lives that are worthy of the Lord [...] by producing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God.” The passage as a whole describes “the call to live a life of fruitfulness, presence, and hope in Christ.”

The icebreaker invites youth to think about communication and how they can share the good news. The discussion encourages them to think about how they live and how they can show the hope of Jesus to others. The activity demonstrates endurance as students act out, sharing the good news through various obstacles, much like the ones Paul might have faced on his journey.

Times are based on a fifty-minute lesson period but may be adjusted.

Icebreaker (10 minutes): Communicating the good news to others

Option 1: Telephone (No Tech, No Prep)

Have youth line up, sitting or standing. Give the first student a phrase they will then whisper to the next person, who will pass it down the line. The last person in line will say what they heard out loud to see if the original message made it all the way through. Examples:

Jesus loves you
Did you hear the good news?
Paul calls us in Colossians to caution us.
Jesus juggles seven jugs of jumping jacks.
Paul told Timothy, who told Epaphras,. who told me that Jesus gives us hope
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Option 2: Paper Cup Telephone (Low Tech, High Prep)

Supplies: String/yarn, scissors, paper cups, pencils, ruler

Pair students and give each pair a set of supplies. They will use a sharpened pencil to poke holes in the bottom of each paper cup. Use the ruler to measure two to three feet of string, then cut it. Thread the string through the holes and tie a knot inside the cup so the string does not fall out. Have students communicate through their paper cup phones by speaking into a cup. as the other listens. The string must be kept taut for sound to travel along it.

Bible Reading (5 minutes)

Our scripture reading comes from the epistles (letters) of Paul. Back then, letters were the main way of communicating. This letter is addressed to the church in Colossae and the people living there – called Colossians. Paul thanks God for the Colossians, who are living out their faith because they have heard of the hope of Jesus Christ.

Read Colossians 1:1-14.

Discussion Questions (15 minutes)

Themes: Strength, Endurance, Faith in Action

• Paul prays for the believers in Colossae to be strong. What do you think it means to be strong? What does the culture around you think it means to be strong?
• We measure strength in different ways. There’s physical strength, which measures the limits and abilities of our bodies. But we also sometimes talk about the strength of our hearts. What does having a strong heart look like?
• How can we exercise and strengthen our hearts? (Example: What can we do to be more loving, patient, forgiving, and kind?)
• Paul prays that the believers can endure everything and have patience. What’s the difference between patience and endurance?
• In what situations do you find it hard to be patient? Why is it difficult?
• What challenges have you faced that was hard to endure? Why was it difficult?
• In his letter to Philippi, Paul writes, “I can endure all these things through the power of the one who gives me strength.” How can God help us be patient and endure the challenges we face?
• We know that God is always with us and that “we are not alone, not forgotten, and not abandoned.” When have you felt lonely? What did you do to make yourself feel less lonely?
• Our scripture today calls us to “live a life of fruitfulness, presence, and hope in Christ.” What are some ways we can put our faith into action?
• The text says, “Epaphras [was] a pastor who taught, cared for, and helped the community.” How can we teach, care for, and help our community? How does coming together as a community affect strength, patience, and endurance?

Active Learning Activity (15 minutes)

Acting Out Paul’s Journey

Supplies: Pencils, cards and envelopes or paper

Students will go on a journey together, acting like Paul and the people who traveled with him. First, have each student write a letter to a friend (someone in the room). They can encourage that friend to be strong, tell them about Jesus, give some hope or advice. Then, all students will gather together, holding onto their letters. Lead the way around the room, calling out different obstacles and acting out overcoming those obstacles together. Throughout, you can say phrases like, “We must be strong!” “We must endure!” and “Keep moving forward!”

Gather your supplies. What is everyone bringing for our journey? (Examples: tents, blankets, food, canteens, etc.)

1. Let’s start walking!
2. It’s starting to get cold.
3. It’s starting to rain.
4. It’s pouring! Let’s find a place to get out of the downpour!
5. The rain is stopping; we can come out now.
6. Now there’s a lot of fog. We can’t see in front of us!
7. Finally, the sun came back out! The weather feels great!
8. A pack of playful dogs is running out to play with us
9. Uh oh! They’re taking all our shoes away! Run after them!
10. They’re too fast; we can’t catch them! We’ll have to go barefoot.
11. The sun is getting hot.
12. The sand is getting hotter.
13. The sand feels like hot coals under our feet!
14. Look – there’s an oasis! Jump in the cold water to cool off your feet!
15. Now, tadpoles and minnows are nibbling our toes. It tickles.
16. Something slimy is brushing against our feet – get out of the water!
17. We’re almost there – we just have to climb over this mountain!
18. Let’s start climbing.
19. It’s getting steeper. (Lean forward and keep climbing.)
20. It’s getting steeper. (Lean forward more and keep climbing.)
21. It’s getting so steep! (Crawl on all fours.)
22. It’s a sheer cliff face! (Lie on the ground and army-crawl forward.)
23. Finally! We made it to the other side. Let’s roll down the cliff. (Roll across.)
24. We made it! We’re here! Give your letters to your friends!

Prayer (5 minutes)

Close the session

Pray with the students, asking God to help us be strong, patient, and faithful.

You can also ask if anyone has any joys (things they want to thank God for) and any concerns (things they want to ask God for help with). Ask different students to pray over each joy and concern to encourage participation from everyone.

Supplies needed:

• String/Yarn
• Scissors
• Paper Cups
• Pencils
• Ruler
• Cards or Paper
• Envelopes