Becoming One

Note to the Teacher

The key phrase in this scripture for this lesson is “they will be made perfectly one.” The icebreaker invites youth to see what being one can mean. The discussion encourages students to discuss who is or is not part of the “one” Jesus talks about. The activity helps youth understand how all of the previous weeks have helped them think about belonging and the world. Times are based on a fifty-five-minute lesson period but may be adjusted.

Icebreaker (15 minutes)

Human knot - Have students stand in a circle (without adults), shoulder to shoulder. Have everyone put their right hand into the circle then grab someone else’s hand - this person cannot be the person next to them. Repeat with left hands - with another caveat - also cannot be the person holding their right hand. Now, untangle without letting go of anyone’s hand. For an extra challenge, instruct students that all communication has to be non-verbal.

Read Scripture (5 minutes)

Today’s scripture reading involves the idea of “being one.” Read John 17:20-26 (CEB preferred, but multiple translations welcome).

Discussion (15 minutes)

Does “all” really mean “all”? What about nature and the rest of God’s creation?

How are we all linked? How are we linked to plants and animals around us?

How do we include people and all creation in the love we show?

Activity and Discussion (20 minutes)

Take this lesson to the next level by creating a service project for the youth to participate either in one event or several small events over the summer. This week, do the discussion part first to brainstorm for the work of the activity.

Points for discussion:

• Whom does our church include and whom do we accidentally exclude? We discussed varying body and neuro-diversity, race, LGBTQIA+. How can we help the church include those we don’t currently try to include?
• We also discussed experiences/situations like food and housing insecurity and a lack of peace. What could our church do to love people in those situations better?
• How can we help heal the Earth by including others? How can we help include others in an exploration of nature?

Take time to plan some kind of service project. It could be:

• an ongoing collection for homelessness agencies
• a little free library-type food pantry
• cleaning up a park or planting green space that will be open to the neighborhood
• helping the church be more accessible to more people - from ramps to help those with mobility issues to fidget bags to help neurodivergent kids feel welcome at the church

Be sure that any plan includes the steps to get it approved, get buy-in from adult church members, and any other processes that will need to be addressed. If you know your youth will be really ready to move forward and the plan involves the church building, this is a good time to ask a trustee of the church to be present. Set dates for the group to follow up for themselves and/or the church council, etc.

Hopefully, the youth will come up with even more ideas. Help them follow through but let them lead. The scheduling might be the hardest part, so be sure to be as inclusive as possible, even if it means creating multiple date events.

TOTAL TIME: 55 min.

NEEDED RESOURCES:

• Brainstorming tools