Note to the Teacher

The key phrase in this Scripture (for this lesson) is “No prophet is accepted in his hometown.” The Icebreaker invites youth to consider belonging versus rejection. The Discussion encourages students to consider the costs of being accepted versus rejected. The Activity allows youth to recognize that we all struggle with belonging versus rejection but that we struggle as a community. Times, based on a 55-minute lesson period, can be adjusted.

Hometown Hero (15 minutes)

Players will stay in the "Hometown Circle" by completing challenges and avoiding elimination, reflecting Jesus' experience in Nazareth.

Setup:

Hometown Circle: Mark a circle on the floor.
Challenge Cards: Prepare cards for physical and trivia tasks.
Props: Gather simple items (e.g., balls, scarves) for challenges.
Player Markers: Use stickers or other objects to label players as “hometown heroes” or “rejects.”

All players begin in the circle. Randomly select a student to go first. The student draws a challenge card that is either a movement or a decision. Successful completion of challenges keeps players in and grants them “hometown hero” status; failures force players out as rejects. Continue to play until everyone has had a turn. “Rejected” players can attempt to reenter after two rounds by completing a voted-upon challenge.

Option 1:

After a few rounds, randomly swap a hometown hero with a rejected person claiming favor for their kindness.

Option 2:

If playing with a larger group, consider creating group tasks for completion (groups of three to five people).

Read Scripture (5 minutes)

Our Scripture reading today may feel a little mundane. Consider that even in the boring, everyone has a role to play. Luke 4:21-30

Discussion (15 minutes)

If you were in the crowd that day, how do you think you would have felt about what Jesus said? How would you know if what he said was true?
Has a stereotype or a label ever been put on you? Did you have a hard time escaping it? If you are comfortable to share your experience, please do so.
The crowd listening to Jesus would have known him from boyhood. The Bible has very few stories about Jesus as a child or even a teenager. When you think about that, does it make more sense as to why the hometown crowd may have a hard time believing some of the things that were being said about Jesus (like him being the Son of God)?
Have you ever faced doubt or been turned down when you tried something new or shared something difficult to say? What did that teach you?
Is it difficult for people to accept criticism of their community or beliefs, whether individually or as a group? Why or why not?
Do you know of someone or a story about someone famous who was pushed out of their community because of who they were or what they believed? Who and why?

Activity and Discussion (20 minutes)

Take this lesson to the next level by involving students’ hands and imaginations. Give each person a paper heart and a pen. Ask them to think about something related to their faith that they find hard to understand or accept. Have them write on their heart a word or two that describes this challenge. As they write, mention that just like the people in Nazareth struggled to accept Jesus’ message, we sometimes find parts of our faith difficult. If participants feel comfortable, invite them to share what they wrote. After sharing, they can place their heart in a basket or a box to show that we all struggle with faith, but we can come together to support each other.

Points for discussion:

How can we support one another in facing challenges as a community?
Emphasize that while the people of Nazareth rejected Jesus, he continued his mission.
Faith often means grappling with difficult truths, but we do so together.

TOTAL TIME: 55 min.