Read - James 4:4; Romans 5:6-11; Ephesians 2:4-5 & 8-9; Matthew 13:23

Examine - A plant starts its growth as a seed. That seed needs to be firmly planted in order for that process to take place. Without the seed, there is no possibility for life. The Gospel is the seed we need in order to have spiritual life. Before that, we are spiritually separated from God, who created us and loves us. We want students to know that the Gospel is God’s grace moving us from death to life, and life is available for everyone. In order to GROW, we need the Gospel firmly planted in our heart.

Apply - Ask your student why they think it is so important for us to know what the Gospel is and be able to communicate it well? How would they describe the Gospel to someone who hasn’t trusted in Jesus?

Pray - Pray that God can use your family to help plant the seed of the Gospel in someone’s life.

Read - James 5:13-20; Proverbs 27:17; Ecclesiastes 4:12

Examine - Relationships are an integral part of your student’s middle and high school experience. Every day, students have to manage hundreds of relationships, both shallow and deep. With so many conflicting ideas coming from culture about what relationships should look like, it can be easy to treat any or all of those relationships in an unhealthy way. Relationships are the roots that keep us grounded and growing. If we desire to remain strong in relationships, Jesus needs to be at the center. When we place Jesus at the center of our relationships, the way we interact should be different.

Apply - Ask your student to think about their closest relationships. Do those relationships bring them closer, or further away from Jesus? Do they have to make any decisions when it comes to how much they hang out with people?

Pray - Take time to pray that your student would have friends who are willing to bring them closer to Christ. Pray they would be that friend too.

Read - James 1:2-7 & 12; 4:3 & 7

Examine - Plants need to do certain things, like engage in photosynthesis, in order to grow. If a plant were to believe it could grow outside of the way God designed it, it would die. Being a student has a lot of challenges. They have homework, tests, relationships to balance, sports and club schedules that fill free time, and jobs that they squeeze into all of that. It’s no wonder that in research studies, they report feeling so stressed out and anxious. When challenging situations come, students often don’t know the right thing to do or the best way to respond. This can lead to unwise choices. Adults aren’t much better. We as humans can make decisions thinking we know what is best. However, God is clear in what He has asked us to do. Obedience is saying that God knows better than us. Even when things are hard, we believe that obeying God is better than obeying anything or anyone else.

Apply - Ask your student what area is the hardest to obey God in. What makes it hard for them to believe God knows better?

Pray - Pray specifically for the challenges facing your student and for God to help them choose obedience even when it is hard.

Read - James 1:22-24; 2:14-18

Examine - One of the best ways we can recognize a plant or tree is by looking at what it bears out. An apple tree should be producing apples. A tomato plant should be producing tomatoes. We are no different. If we claim to be followers of Jesus, we should be bearing fruit that represents Jesus. James encourages us to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” Students should take the things they are learning and to live like they believe it. While our actions don’t save us, we want students to know what you truly believe will be seen in your actions.

Apply - Ask your student what fruit is in their life that would make someone see Jesus. Brainstorm activities you can do as a family to serve and care for people in your community! Maybe join a serving team at Revolution as a family to serve together.

Pray - Pray for God to provide opportunities to serve and care for people well! Also, to be aware of the people He has already put around us that we can serve.