Preteen Porch Growth Group Questions
Check-In and Hangout (6:30-6:45)
Countdown (6:40-6:45)
Welcome/Tickets/ Opening Activity (6:45-6:55)
Worship/ Video (6:55- 7:05)-
Activity (7:05- 7:15)- Application Activity
Small Group (7:15- 7:30)-Talk about God, Bible Story Review, and Discussion Questions
Sermon Summary (7:40-7:50)
Application and Prayer (7:50- 7:55)
Today’s Suggested Schedule—September 2021, Week 1
Today’s Bible Story: Makin’ Plans (Nehemiah Plans to Rebuild the Wall) • Nehemiah 1:1–2:18
Today’s Key Question: What around you needs to be done?
Today’s Bottom Line: Don’t wait for someone else to do what needs to be done.
Monthly Memory Verse: Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord. Colossians 3:23a (NIrV)
Monthly Life App: Initiative—Seeing what needs to be done and doing it
Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.
Theme Loop
Countdown
Theme
OPENER
HOST: “Hello, and welcome to PTP! We’re blasting off, launching into what I think is the coolest thing we’ve done here yet—exploring the vast unknown and charting mysterious and fascinating new discoveries. It’s almost as if we’re . . .”
“. . . on a mission!”
“I love space—the bigness, the majesty of it! It’s the easiest way for me to feel the overwhelming size and scope of just how massively creative God is! Is there anyone out there who would love to go to space? Where would you go? (Pause for responses) Do you think it’s dangerous? What do you think is out there? (Pause for responses).”
“Space is pretty cold and, for the most, part pretty empty—but we’re told there are lots of dangers we just don’t know about and probably can’t even imagine. For example, scientists have discovered a planet called K2-141b where it rains rocks and the oceans are literally made of lava! You’re definitely going to need some protection!”
“Coincidentally, I just happen to have the materials to build a few shelters on either side of the room. Who’s up for a friendly competition in which the losers could possibly end up burning alive in a fiery ray of blazing hot plasma?”
Have two Small Group Leaders take their positions on the ladders with flashlights. Move to one build area and explain the competition.
“Each team has a set of building materials. It’s going to be your job to construct a shelter that will protect you from the harsh environments on K2-141b or, as I lovingly call it, ‘The Lava Planet of Extreme Death.’ Your shelter must be free-standing, meaning you can’t just hold it up. The shelter has to stand on its own. Also, you must use all of the materials, and all of your team members must fit inside the shelter!
“Our twin suns, [Name of Leader 1] and [Name of Leader 2], are coming up over the horizon. Every 10 seconds, the blazing hot beam will move closer to hitting you and your crew. It’s your job to finish the shelter, get everyone inside, before the light vaporizes you and your entire team! Let’s pick two teams, start the timer, and let’s see who is safe. . . and who is melted!”
Choose two teams of five, and when you start the competition, start the repeating 10 second timer and the music.
AUDIO: “Odin’s Sword”
Optional Video: 10-second Repeating Countdown
Run the game. Keep the energy up in the Large Group by getting them to cheer on the volunteers. When the flashlights hit the build areas, declare winners.
“You did it! You survived K2-141b! Now all we have to do is figure out how to cross the ocean of lava, but before we dive headfirst into red-hot glowing molten rock, let’s worship! Let’s sing out to the Creator of all the planets!”
WORSHIP
I’m so excited that we have this chance to sing God’s praises together. We can share His love everywhere we go. Let’s lift our voices and sing to Him now.
The So and So Show:
APPLICATION
“I think one of the coolest things about this story is how God was with Nehemiah the whole time. He gave him the right words to say to the King. He helped him across the hard journey to get to Jerusalem. He moved on the hearts of the officials and the people of Jerusalem to inspire them to help with the wall.”
“And God was going to help Nehemiah create a plan to make it all happen. God was with Nehemiah, and He was helping him accomplish a humungous task. God’s with us, too, and He can do big things through us just the same!”
“The first step? Noticing that something needs to be done. The next step? Doing something about it. Showing initiative means getting things done, not waiting for someone else to do it. That’s what Nehemiah did when he started rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. Don’t just see what needs to be done, do something about it.”
“When Jesus saw a need, He did something about it. He healed people who needed healing. He taught people who needed to learn. And Jesus took care of our greatest need when He died on the cross for our sins.”
“See a need, fill a need. Jesus did it for us. Now we can do it for others!
Slide: Key Question
“What around you needs to be done? What projects could you do that would fix a problem? What things, like the wall, are laying in ruins that you could take care of? You’ll dig deeper in your Small Group, but before we head there, let’s pray and ask God to show us things that maybe we haven’t noticed before.”
Theme Loop
Bible Story Extension
What You Need: Empty water bottles, large straws, regular-size drinking straws, duct tape, “Water Bottle Rocket Launcher” Activity Page
What You Do:
Review Questions:
Discussion Questions
Ask:
Read Isaiah 22:1-11
What was the atmosphere like in Jerusalem?
What was the response of the people to all of the chaos?
What does God suggest they should have done but never did?
Have you ever felt like everything was out of control and in chaos? When? ex. covid
What was your response during this time?
What is going on in your life now that you are trying to fix yourself instead of asking God for help?
What is keeping you from asking for help?
3. Sermon Discussion (7:25-7:40)
(The more you love and respect, the less you’ll have conflict!)
True or False: All relationships have conflict. Why or why not?
How often do you have conflict in your closest relationship?
Teaser: What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever gotten into an argument over?
What’s it feel like to be trapped in a crazy cycle of constant fighting?
Do you think you have ever been in an argument where the issue wasn’t the issue? How so?
What could you relationship use more of and why: headship, honor, or harmony?
Be honest….have you ever been guilty of saying something hurtful in response to being hurt? How so?
How might you relationships change if there was more love, respect, and just consideration in how we interact with each other?
What is harder for you to do and why: Recognize the crazy, Respond to the crazy, or Repent from the crazy?
(Let multiple people answer)
What’s stopping you from being the one to break the crazy cycle?
Application: What around you needs to be done?
Announcements:
Pray:
Countdown (6:40-6:45)
Welcome/Tickets/ Opening Activity (6:45-6:55)
Worship/ Video (6:55- 7:05)-
Activity (7:05- 7:15)- Application Activity
Small Group (7:15- 7:30)-Talk about God, Bible Story Review, and Discussion Questions
Sermon Summary (7:40-7:50)
Application and Prayer (7:50- 7:55)
Today’s Suggested Schedule—September 2021, Week 1
Today’s Bible Story: Makin’ Plans (Nehemiah Plans to Rebuild the Wall) • Nehemiah 1:1–2:18
Today’s Key Question: What around you needs to be done?
Today’s Bottom Line: Don’t wait for someone else to do what needs to be done.
Monthly Memory Verse: Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord. Colossians 3:23a (NIrV)
Monthly Life App: Initiative—Seeing what needs to be done and doing it
Basic Truth: I can trust God no matter what.
Theme Loop
Countdown
Theme
OPENER
HOST: “Hello, and welcome to PTP! We’re blasting off, launching into what I think is the coolest thing we’ve done here yet—exploring the vast unknown and charting mysterious and fascinating new discoveries. It’s almost as if we’re . . .”
“. . . on a mission!”
“I love space—the bigness, the majesty of it! It’s the easiest way for me to feel the overwhelming size and scope of just how massively creative God is! Is there anyone out there who would love to go to space? Where would you go? (Pause for responses) Do you think it’s dangerous? What do you think is out there? (Pause for responses).”
“Space is pretty cold and, for the most, part pretty empty—but we’re told there are lots of dangers we just don’t know about and probably can’t even imagine. For example, scientists have discovered a planet called K2-141b where it rains rocks and the oceans are literally made of lava! You’re definitely going to need some protection!”
“Coincidentally, I just happen to have the materials to build a few shelters on either side of the room. Who’s up for a friendly competition in which the losers could possibly end up burning alive in a fiery ray of blazing hot plasma?”
Have two Small Group Leaders take their positions on the ladders with flashlights. Move to one build area and explain the competition.
“Each team has a set of building materials. It’s going to be your job to construct a shelter that will protect you from the harsh environments on K2-141b or, as I lovingly call it, ‘The Lava Planet of Extreme Death.’ Your shelter must be free-standing, meaning you can’t just hold it up. The shelter has to stand on its own. Also, you must use all of the materials, and all of your team members must fit inside the shelter!
“Our twin suns, [Name of Leader 1] and [Name of Leader 2], are coming up over the horizon. Every 10 seconds, the blazing hot beam will move closer to hitting you and your crew. It’s your job to finish the shelter, get everyone inside, before the light vaporizes you and your entire team! Let’s pick two teams, start the timer, and let’s see who is safe. . . and who is melted!”
Choose two teams of five, and when you start the competition, start the repeating 10 second timer and the music.
AUDIO: “Odin’s Sword”
Optional Video: 10-second Repeating Countdown
Run the game. Keep the energy up in the Large Group by getting them to cheer on the volunteers. When the flashlights hit the build areas, declare winners.
“You did it! You survived K2-141b! Now all we have to do is figure out how to cross the ocean of lava, but before we dive headfirst into red-hot glowing molten rock, let’s worship! Let’s sing out to the Creator of all the planets!”
WORSHIP
I’m so excited that we have this chance to sing God’s praises together. We can share His love everywhere we go. Let’s lift our voices and sing to Him now.
The So and So Show:
APPLICATION
“I think one of the coolest things about this story is how God was with Nehemiah the whole time. He gave him the right words to say to the King. He helped him across the hard journey to get to Jerusalem. He moved on the hearts of the officials and the people of Jerusalem to inspire them to help with the wall.”
“And God was going to help Nehemiah create a plan to make it all happen. God was with Nehemiah, and He was helping him accomplish a humungous task. God’s with us, too, and He can do big things through us just the same!”
“The first step? Noticing that something needs to be done. The next step? Doing something about it. Showing initiative means getting things done, not waiting for someone else to do it. That’s what Nehemiah did when he started rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem. Don’t just see what needs to be done, do something about it.”
“When Jesus saw a need, He did something about it. He healed people who needed healing. He taught people who needed to learn. And Jesus took care of our greatest need when He died on the cross for our sins.”
“See a need, fill a need. Jesus did it for us. Now we can do it for others!
Slide: Key Question
“What around you needs to be done? What projects could you do that would fix a problem? What things, like the wall, are laying in ruins that you could take care of? You’ll dig deeper in your Small Group, but before we head there, let’s pray and ask God to show us things that maybe we haven’t noticed before.”
Theme Loop
Bible Story Extension
What You Need: Empty water bottles, large straws, regular-size drinking straws, duct tape, “Water Bottle Rocket Launcher” Activity Page
What You Do:
- Give each kid a copy of “Water Bottle Rocket Launcher” Activity Page and set out the supplies. (empty water bottles, pre-cut straws, duct tape)
- Direct kids to follow the instruction on the activity page, assisting them when needed.
- When finished, let kids test out their launchers by quickly squeezing the bottle to shoot the straw.
- The launcher works better with one quick, hard squeeze.
- If the straw doesn’t travel very far, check to make sure the thinner straw is taped securely to the spout of the bottle.
- Air should escape only through the straw and not around the top of the bottle.
- Note that plastic water bottles are typically poor-quality plastic and easily lose their shape when squeezed. Kids can blow into the straw to quickly reform the bottle if needed.
- Form two teams then line up a few feet from the target lines.
- Invite one kid from each team to take a turn shooting their straws at the target lines.
- The kid whose straw goes the farthest will earn the targeted points if they answer a review question correctly.
Review Questions:
- What was Nehemiah’s job? (cupbearer to the king of Persia)
- What did a cupbearer do? (similar to a bodyguard, checked to make sure no one poisoned the king’s food or drink)
- What was the name of the king Nehemiah worked for? (King Artaxerxes)
- How did Nehemiah hear about the situation in Jerusalem? (his brother, Hanani, returned from a trip to Judah and Nehemiah asked him how things were)
- What job did Nehemiah discover that needed to be done? (the wall in Jerusalem needed repairing, the people in Jerusalem needed help)
- What was the purpose of the wall surrounding Jerusalem? (protection to the city and the people)
- What was the first thing Nehemiah did when he heard the news of Jerusalem? (prayed to God and asked Him for help)
- How long did Nehemiah pray before he took action? (daily for four months)
- What did the king give Nehemiah before he left for Jerusalem? (official letters giving Nehemiah authority and supplies, an army to protect and escort him)
- What did Nehemiah do after he arrived in Jerusalem? (surveyed the walls, spoke with the Jewish leaders)
- Add up the points scored by each team then declare a winner of the Rocket Launch Review.
- Discuss the story further by asking kids to consider answers to the following “why” questions.
- Nehemiah lived far away from Jerusalem, safe in the king’s palace. WHY did he care or get involved in something that was not his job, his fault, or his problem?
- WHY do we sometimes ignore what needs to be done?
- When we see something that needs to be done, WHY ask God for help?
- Invite kids to take turns shooting their straws one more time to see whose travels the farthest.
- Before they launch, ask them to share one way they can show initiative this week.
Discussion Questions
Ask:
- Sometimes we ignore a job that needs to be done because it’s not technically OUR responsibility—not OUR problem. Is there anything wrong with that way of thinking? Why or why not?
- How would things be different if Jesus had taken on that way of thinking?
- When you think of people who have shown initiative (seen what needs to be done and doing it), who comes to mind? What do you appreciate or admire most about them? What can you learn from them?
- What can you do if you see something that needs to be done but you don’t know what to do? How can you figure out where to start?
Read Isaiah 22:1-11
What was the atmosphere like in Jerusalem?
What was the response of the people to all of the chaos?
What does God suggest they should have done but never did?
Have you ever felt like everything was out of control and in chaos? When? ex. covid
What was your response during this time?
What is going on in your life now that you are trying to fix yourself instead of asking God for help?
What is keeping you from asking for help?
3. Sermon Discussion (7:25-7:40)
(The more you love and respect, the less you’ll have conflict!)
True or False: All relationships have conflict. Why or why not?
How often do you have conflict in your closest relationship?
Teaser: What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever gotten into an argument over?
What’s it feel like to be trapped in a crazy cycle of constant fighting?
Do you think you have ever been in an argument where the issue wasn’t the issue? How so?
What could you relationship use more of and why: headship, honor, or harmony?
Be honest….have you ever been guilty of saying something hurtful in response to being hurt? How so?
How might you relationships change if there was more love, respect, and just consideration in how we interact with each other?
What is harder for you to do and why: Recognize the crazy, Respond to the crazy, or Repent from the crazy?
(Let multiple people answer)
What’s stopping you from being the one to break the crazy cycle?
Application: What around you needs to be done?
Announcements:
Pray: