Note to Teacher

The passage this week gives a new perspective on how and why we live the different lives the Bible invites us to live. This passage refers to it as a calling. Calling is often thought of in regard to profession, that our life’s purpose is to do some important work. That is how this passage refers to the Christian life. It is a calling. It is a life purpose.

Ice Breaker: Even Better

Before you begin, gather “beginning” items (see below) and place them in a bag so that students can’t see them all. This ice breaker will invite students to use their imaginations to keep improving on something.

You begin by taking an item out of the bag. The first student says, “That would be even better if/with __________.” Students cannot add multiple things or modify multiple parts. Each person adds one thing until everyone has had a chance.

Beginning with a piece of bread, the “even better” could go like this:

That would be even better with peanut butter.
And that would be even better with jelly.
And that would be even better with a second piece of bread on top.
And that would be even better if you cut it in half.
And that would be even better with a cup of milk.

Other beginning item ideas:

Lettuce
Paint
A 2x4
Dirt

Bible Reading

Read Ephesians 4:1-3

Discussion

What does it mean when someone says they feel “called” to do something?
How might that explain what the writer of Ephesians means when he says, “I encourage you to live as people worthy of the call you received from God”? (see note to teacher)
The next sentence describes the “life worthy.” What should that life look like?
Which of the life attributes in that sentence is the most difficult for you and which is the easiest?
What can you do to get better at the one that is the most difficult for you?

Activity

In this activity, students will get a chance to practice and model the behavior that Ephesians points out as the way we live as worthy of God’s call. Begin by giving everyone one of the words from verse two. The CEB (Common English Bible) lists humility, gentleness, patience, acceptance, and love. Once each student has a word, give students a piece of paper and a pen and tell them to write down the name of everyone in the group.

Once they have everyone’s names, invite them to mingle and talk to one another. As they talk, they are to be embodying the word they received. They cannot rhyme with their word or spell it or anything else. The goal is to help people guess the word by clearly demonstrating what that word means in life. Each person is trying to figure out everyone else’s word. After you have given plenty of time, stop the game and let students reveal their words and see who has the most right answers.

Virtual option: Since mingling is difficult on Zoom, consider using breakout rooms to help students break into pairs. Only leave them in the room for a minute or two before having Zoom randomly assign people to new rooms.

Closing

Close in the manner that is typical for your group. If you spend time in prayer, invite students to pray specifically that God will help them have humility, gentleness, patience, acceptance, and love.

Supplies Needed:

Beginning items like bread, lettuce, a 2x4
A bag
Paper and pen for each student
Cards with one of the words from Ephesians written on each (one card per student).