Note to the Teacher

The focus for this week is on passion. We encounter John the Baptist, someone who doesn’t hold back. He says what he thinks, and he believes with every fiber of his being. The icebreaker will focus on our passions and the passions we might share with others. The discussion will help youth understand more fully what it means to be passionate about faith and how they live that out in the world. The activity will allow the youth to share with others the things they are most passionate about and will enable them to understand more fully how they can celebrate the diversity of their passions. Times are based on a fifty-minute lesson period but may be adjusted.

1. Icebreaker: Passion Tic-Tac-Toe (10 minutes)

Optional: If doing the photo-a-day activity with the countdown chain, share some of the photos that people have taken.

Option 1: Low-Tech

Give each person a premade Tic-Tac-Toe board. Have them fill it out with things that they are passionate about.

Once everyone has filled out the Tic-Tac-Toe boards, invite them to go around the room and talk with one another. When the youth find someone with the same passion, they should sign each other’s boards. Play until someone has a Tic-Tac-Toe! (Click here for detailed instructions.)

2. Read Scripture (5 minutes)

Today's scripture focuses on how John the Baptist passionately shared his beliefs with the world as he prepared the way for Jesus to come.

Read Luke 3.1-6.

3. Discussion (10 minutes)

What is one Advent or Christmas tradition you have that you wish everyone else had as well? Why is it so important to you?
What is something you are so passionate about that you would do anything to ensure others knew about it?
How do we turn our passion for something we love into our passion for Christ and for sharing God’s message of love?
Why is it important that we have different gifts and passions to share with the world?

4. Activity and Discussion (25 minutes)

Option 1: Invite students to think of something they are passionate about others learning that they could teach to their peers in two minutes or less. Give them five to ten minutes to think of how they would teach everyone about the topic.

Allow whoever wants to share their passion topic to speak to the group. Talk about how someone else’s passion for something can affect how we view or understand that thing.

Option 2: Invite students to debate the meaning of Christmas.

Divide students into two groups. Have one group take the stance that Jesus is the meaning of Christmas. Have the other group take the stance that presents and things are the meaning of Christmas.

Give students five to ten minutes to prepare their arguments.

Have the debate between the two sides and discuss it afterward.

Close in your typical manner. Consider taking the students' joys and concerns and asking for a volunteer to close in prayer.

Total time: 50 minutes