LESSON 10
CALLED TO ONE KINGDOM
Teacher Preparation + Resources
Review each element of this lesson in advance—especially the Scripture readings, discussion questions, and journal prompts. Spend time praying over your group, asking the Holy Spirit to help students see how their daily lives and future careers are part of God's Kingdom work.
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Lesson Summary
This lesson invites students to reflect on their vocation, exploring how they can live out their calling in their daily lives and future careers. They will consider their calling to "show others the goodness of God" (1 Peter 2:9-12), connecting their various roles and work to seeking the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Students will discover that God's plans for their lives start now and that every part of their lives—at school, home or work—becomes meaningful within God's Kingdom.
Main Point
You are called, in your daily lives and future careers, to participate in God's Kingdom work on earth.
Lesson Objectives
- Students will discuss what it means to seek God's Kingdom in their daily lives and future careers.
- Students will understand that they are called to participate in God's redemptive work.
Teaching Tips
Challenge misconceptions about calling. Some students may believe that only "spiritual" jobs (like being a pastor or missionary) count as serving God. Others might think God's purpose for them is something that will happen in the future. This lesson helps them see that every job, relationship, and situation can be used to bring God's Kingdom into the world.
Materials Needed
Extra papers, pens, or pencils
Getting Started 15 minutes
Slide 2
Welcome Discussion
Start class by breaking students into small groups.
Invite them to discuss their reflections on Romans 12:4-8 from last week. Use these questions to kickstart the conversation:
Ask
What did you learn as you prayed about how God has gifted you?
Ask
Did you find new opportunities to use your gifts to serve your local church? If so, how?
Slide 3
Welcome Activity
Have the entire class sit in a large circle facing one another.
Explain that the group will combine their creative minds to tell a story. Moving clockwise around the circle, each student will add one sentence to the narrative. Small details or big plot twists are all fair game.
Start the story with this introduction: "It was a cool day in the city." Work around the circle as long as time allows, or at least until everyone has had an opportunity to contribute.
Slide 4
Say
Some of your additions to our story were subtle; others were major plot twists, but they all played an important part in where and how the story ended.
Say
When you step back and think about the story of the world, from when God first created it to this very moment, how do you see yourself? Do you live like the main character? Or do you find it difficult to see how anyone—especially you—could ever make a difference in such a grand story? Either way, you would be wrong.
Say
Every moment of your life plays a part in the story of how God is redeeming the world. The choices you make, the skills you develop, and even the career you pursue are all opportunities for God to work in and through you. He uses our lives to restore the brokenness caused by sin.
Say
Before we dive in, I want to hear from you.
Slide 5
Introduction
Icebreaker Question:
Ask
What do you think it typically looks like for someone to contribute to God's story? How have you seen other believers make a meaningful impact in the world?
If they need help, share these examples:
- an entrepreneur who builds a business that benefits her community
- a nurse who serves his patients with the compassion and gentleness of Jesus
- a student who shares the Gospel with her friends at school
Say
Some people assume that only pastors and missionaries are doing God's work, or that God's plan for them is in the future—when they are older. But that is not true. Every single day of your life is part of God's Kingdom work. Whether you're at school, home, work, or planning for the future, you have a role to play.
Digging In 30 minutes
Slide 6
Say
In this passage, Peter is writing to a group of believers who are scattered and living as outsiders in their communities. As we read, consider how our identity as God's people shapes our purpose here and now.
Slide 8
Observe
Ask
What does this passage say about your identity and purpose?
Slide 9
Interpret
Ask
What does the passage mean when it calls us "temporary residents and foreigners"?
Call on a few volunteers to share. Then, point out that before we follow Jesus, we are citizens of a sinful world, following its customs and serving its priorities. But when we choose to follow Jesus, our belonging changes. We become citizens of his eternal Kingdom, following his ways and serving his priorities.
Slide 10
Ask
How can disciples "show others the goodness of God" through their daily lives and careers?
Optional Follow-Up Question:
Let's think about a job you might like to have one day. How might you show others the goodness of God as you do that job?
Say
This next passage is the conclusion of one of Jesus' teachings on how to show others God's goodness, regardless of our position or level of influence.
Slide 12
Observe
Ask
What does Jesus say his disciples should do?
Answers include: Seek the Kingdom of God and live righteously.
Slide 13
Interpret
Ask
What is the Kingdom of God?
Call on a few volunteers to share. Then, point out that when Jesus talked about God's Kingdom, he was referring to God's reign of peace and justice in the world. Through his death and resurrection, Jesus planted the seed of God's Kingdom. Since then, it has been growing and spreading its redemptive influence. We are called to participate in God's Kingdom as we live as redeemed people in this sinful world.
Slide 14
Ask
What does it mean to "seek the Kingdom of God above all else"?
Answers may include living the way Jesus did, inviting others into God's story, sharing God's love with our words and actions, etc.
Emphasize that seeking the Kingdom above all else means focusing on and living for eternal things, rather than earthly things.
Slide 15
Apply
Invite the students to gather in their small groups.
Say
We seek God's Kingdom by embodying his love, mercy, and justice. God uses us to bring his Kingdom to earth.
Ask
Reflect on where God currently has you placed. How can you "seek God's Kingdom" and "show others God's goodness" in this season of your life?
Ask
How can you seek God's Kingdom in the ways you plan for your future?
Bring the students back to the large group.
Practicing Life with Jesus 15 minutes
Slide 16
Say
Last week, we discussed how we can use our unique gifts to serve the church. This week, we will think bigger: How can we use our gifts to share Jesus with the world? God wants to bring his Kingdom to every place and person, and he invites you to be a part of it!
Say
In your journal, list the people, places, and activities where you spend the most time each week. Think of your family, school, friends, after-school and weekend activities, job, neighborhood, etc.
Give students 1-2 minutes to make their list.
Say
Jesus gave us a prayer we can pray daily to prepare us for joining in God's Kingdom work. It is called the Lord's Prayer. You may already know it.
Slide 18
Response
Transition into a time of individual response during which students will write a prayer using the Lord's Prayer.
Journal Prompt:
Say
Choose one of the places, activities, or people from your list. In your journal, write a prayer using the first two verses of the Lord's Prayer as your model. You can elaborate as much as you want.
Choose an example from your own life to model the prayer for the students before they begin writing. Follow this format:
Father, may your holy name be known [in this place or by this person].
May your Kingdom come, and your will be done [here or in this person's life].
Help me to join you in the work you are doing.
Amen.
Encourage the students to practice saying this prayer every day this week. Note how they can even pray multiple times a day for different people and places.
Closing
Encourage teens to keep engaging with God's Word on their own, using the tools they have learned about. Wrap up the class by praying over your students.
