Beautiful Trade In

WHAT WE’RE TALKING ABOUT:

Here is an overview of what we’re talking about. Listed below the summary is a parent cue to help you dialog with your child about the session. The question is intended not just to be asked by you, but to be responded to by BOTH of you. Use this opportunity to find out what God is teaching your child, and allow your child to see what God is teaching you as well.

The Beautiful Trade:

Series Overview

The book of Mark is the shortest of the four Gospels, but it’s packed with one central message—that Jesus wants us to trade up. He wants us to trade what we know, what we think and how we see others for something better. It’s a beautiful trade, because not only do we exchange something for something different, we exchange our lives and our perspectives for something better. It’s a message that’s at the heart of the Easter story, but it’s shown through Jesus’ interactions long before the crucifixion and resurrection.

Session 1: Exchange (February 12)

Have you ever had to do research for a class paper? Sometimes you start out with your topic thinking that you know exactly what you are going to write about. But then, after you start reading some books and digging into the research, you realize that you actually know very little about the topic and have to start from scratch and just learn. You have to trade what you think you know for what you don’t. And it’s the same when it comes to following Jesus. Sometimes we have to trade what we think we know—about Jesus, about what is best for us, about what we think about others—in order to fully participate with God in what we don’t know.

Session 1 Parent Cue: How is it easier for you to make Jesus an addition to your life rather than to trust Him in every area of your life?  

Session 2: Swap (February 19)

“That group of people is too weird. I don’t hang out with those types of people—or they don’t hang out with me.” Most of us have said or thought things like this before—or heard them said about us. We categorize people based on superficial things, and then we judge them, write them off. But when we do, we miss out on something beautiful. We miss out on the opportunity to live out the message Jesus came to proclaim. We give up the chance to trade judgment for love. And that’s not just about following a set of standards or rules. It’s about understanding that every person, including you, is valuable and worthy and has something to offer.

Session 2 Parent Cue: How do you see groups in your world including some and excluding others? How can you reach out to those who are excluded to show them that they are loved by Jesus just as much as anyone else?  

Session 3: Switch (March 11)

“Who do you say I am?” This is the question Jesus asked His disciples centuries ago, and it is the same one He asks us today. When we answer Him, when we decide to trade what we know for what we don’t and to trade judgment for love, we are making a decision to also trade in our old lives for new ones. We are trading our “talk” for our “do.” We are choosing to put our faith into action. This may mean something different for each of us. But when we answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” we are making a statement with our mouths and with our lives. We are accepting His offer to trade in something good for something better.

Session 3 Parent Cue: Who is Jesus to you—what does He mean to your life? Would you be willing to trade something you think is best for something Jesus says is better? If so, what is it? What would you need to overcome to do that?  

Faithwalkers  - 9th - 12th grade

• Meets every Sunday evening at 6:00 p.m. in the social room (basement) of the church.

Leaders:  Bob & Diana Scandridge- dianafrcsully@netins.net

                    Mike & Sandy Rozendaal - mrozenda@netins.net

                    Tim & Brenda Jansen - brenda.jansen@mchsi.com

                    Monty & Carol Lukehart - carmont@netins.net