Introduction
Welcome to the #doyouknowhim youth resources page. As you look through the resources, you’ll notice that each week has been framed around a young person’s story.
As you work through the weeks, you should feel free to chop and change your approach based on your own group needs. We’ve tried to not be too prescriptive in our approach to the programme, but if you feel you might need further help or assistance, we’d be thrilled to hear from you on our admin email: admin@catalystyouthtrust.co.uk
The most important thing is that you take these next ten weeks to engage with your young people and encourage them to know Jesus on a deeper level. Maybe for some, this will be the opportunity to get to know Jesus for the first time?
One thing to note is that this resource was first written for groups in Telford, but that doesn’t change the potential impact, and there are no references to specific Telford based churches.
Weekly Plan
- Week 1: Jesus Speaks
- Week 2: Following Jesus
- Week 3: The Forgiveness of Jesus
- Week 4: Jesus Miracle Maker
- Week 5: Jesus at the centre
- Week 6: Jesus with us
- Week 7: Jesus our hope
- Week 8: Jesus knows you
- Week 9: Living for Jesus
- Week 10: Jesus the choice
Week 1: Jesus speaks
Introduction
This week Bethan shares with us how God wants to speak to us and that we need to make sure we’re listening. Use the resources below to open up discussion with your young people about what it means to grow in your relationship with Him.
Talk
To download the file directly, simply right click on your mouse and choose ‘download link’ / ‘download linked file’. You can also download the file from a new screen by right clicking on the video as it’s playing.
Read
11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Group discussion questions
- Do you have any examples of how God speaks in different ways?
- Are there any reasons we might not expect God to speak to us?
- What do we allow to distract us when it comes to prayer and listening to God?
Response
Normally at this point we’d include a worship song, but as this week is all about listening, we’ve decided to include a piece of music for you to play to give you some peace to listen to what God might have to say to you. We hope that this will eliminate distraction.
Week 2: Following Jesus
Introduction
In this session Chloe speaks to us about the importance of following Jesus. Use the resources below to open up discussion with your young people about what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
As you engage with the resources, you can structure your time together in any order that works for you.
Talk
To download the file directly, simply right click on your mouse and choose ‘download link’ / ‘download linked file’. You can also download the file from a new screen by right clicking on the video as it’s playing.
Read
23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”
Worship
Group Work Questions:
- Should we stand out as Christians?
- Do you struggle with the feeling of standing out?
- What do you think should make us stand out as Christians?
Liturgical Prayer
Take time to pray for each other that you would have courage to stand out for Jesus, and if it fits, pray this prayer of repentance together.
“Dear God,
Thank you that no matter what I do you couldn’t love me anymore.
I’m sorry for all the times I do things wrong.
I know it is something that has got in the way of my relationship with you.
Please forgive me, and help me to reconnect with you.
Thank you that you are with me.
Amen“
Week 3: The forgiveness of Jesus
Introduction
In this session Ethan speaks to us about forgiveness and how Jesus can transform your life. Use the resources below to open up discussion with your young people about what it means to practice forgiveness.
As you engage with the resources, you can structure your time together in any order that works for you.
Talk
To download the file directly, simply right click on your mouse and choose ‘download link’ / ‘download linked file’. You can also download the file from a new screen by right clicking on the video as it’s playing.
Read
16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.
God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.
Worship
Group Work Questions:
- What would you struggle to forgive?
- Why is forgiveness so hard?
- What is the point of receiving forgiveness? (How does it make a difference?)
Reflect
Use Psalm 103 as a reflection for your young people. Take particular note of V11-12
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Pray
Take time for young people to pray for each other.
Week 4: Jesus Miracle Maker
Introduction
In this session Tara talks about a miraculous event that happened to her and how the power of prayer, literally, saved her life. Use the resources below to open up discussion with your young people about what it means to grow in your relationship with Him.
Talk
To download the file directly, simply right click on your mouse and choose ‘download link’ / ‘download linked file’. You can also download the file from a new screen by right clicking on the video as it’s playing.
Read
5 “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord.
Group Work Questions
- How does it make you feel hearing Tara’s story?
- Does it change the way you think about prayer?
- Have you got any experiences of answered prayer?
Worship
Response
Take time to pray with and for one another. Can you try to commit to praying each other every day?
Prayer is really important but getting into the discipline is really hard! We recommend the Daily Prayer App for reminders on your phone to prompt you to pray.
Week 5: Jesus at the centre
Introduction
In this session Rueben speaks to us about putting Jesus first in your life. Use the resources below to open up discussion with your young people about what it means to worship no other God’s.
As you engage with the resources, you can structure your time together in any order that works for you.
Talk
To download the file directly, simply right click on your mouse and choose ‘download link’ / ‘download linked file’. You can also download the file from a new screen by right clicking on the video as it’s playing.
Read
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[e]?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Worship
Group Work Questions
- What’s getting in the way of you connecting with Jesus?
- What can/ would you do about it?
Tips for growth
- Stop what you’re doing and thank God.
- Use visuals to remind you of scripture.
- Make a playlist of worship to draw you closer to Jesus.
In the video, we heard that making your phone background into a scripture verses is a good way to put Jesus in the centre. Here are four downloads we’ve made for you, which you can give to your young people.
Pray
Take time in your session to let the young people discuss what they might do in response to making Jesus the centre of life, and give them space to pray for each other.
Week 6: Jesus with us
Introduction
In this session Cordy speaks to us about her faith in Jesus. Use the resources below to open up discussion with your young people about what it means to grow in your relationship with Him.
Talk
To download the file directly, simply right click on your mouse and choose ‘download link’ / ‘download linked file’. You can also download the file from a new screen by right clicking on the video as it’s playing.
Read
14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.
15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”
Worship
Group Work Questions
- What does it mean to be a “true follower of Christ”?
- How do we persevere with being a true follower when things are hard?
- What difference has being a true follower made to Cordy in the last year?
Week 7: Jesus our hope
Introduction
In this session Solly talks to us about how his relationship with God has developed and become more real to him. Use the resources below to open up discussion with your young people about what it means to grow in your relationship with Him.
Talk
To download the file directly, simply right click on your mouse and choose ‘download link’ / ‘download linked file’. You can also download the file from a new screen by right clicking on the video as it’s playing.
Read
Psalm 84[a]
For the director of music. According to gittith.[b] Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.
1 How lovely is your dwelling place,
Lord Almighty!
2 My soul yearns, even faints,
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh cry out
for the living God.
3 Even the sparrow has found a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may have her young—
a place near your altar,
Lord Almighty, my King and my God.
4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;
they are ever praising you.[c]
5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
6 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
they make it a place of springs;
the autumn rains also cover it with pools.[d]
7 They go from strength to strength,
till each appears before God in Zion.
8 Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty;
listen to me, God of Jacob.
9 Look on our shield,[e] O God;
look with favor on your anointed one.
10 Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked.
11 For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless.
12 Lord Almighty,
blessed is the one who trusts in you.
Worship
Group Work Questions
- Is it easier to talk to God when you’re in a difficult situation?
- Solly talks about finding it hard to see past the situation he was in with his family, have you ever wondered where God in situations you’ve been through?
Pray
Take the opportunity to pray for each other, and ask the young people to pray for each other.
Week 8: Jesus knows you
Introduction
In this session Hannah speaks about the creativity of God. Use the resources below to open up discussion with your young people about what it means to grow in your relationship with Him.
Talk
To download the file directly, simply right click on your mouse and choose ‘download link’ / ‘download linked file’. You can also download the file from a new screen by right clicking on the video as it’s playing.
Read
Psalm 139
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are your thoughts,[a] God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.
Worship
Group Work Questions
- Who is the most talented person you know? What do they do?
- If you could, in what way would you most like to be creative?
- Look around the people in our group… Choose one person and tell them what you admire about them.
It’s easy to look at other people and see how God has made them, but it’s harder to have a correct perspective of yourself. Sometimes we need others to speak positively to us. A passage like Psalm 139 can help you to see yourself through God’s eyes. Why not go over the passage again, with the perspective that this really is speaking directly to each one of us.
Week 9: Living for Jesus
Introduction
In this session Josh talks to us about the faithfulness of God and how he lives for Jesus. Use the resources below to open up discussion with your young people about what it means to grow in your relationship with Him.
Talk
To download the file directly, simply right click on your mouse and choose ‘download link’ / ‘download linked file’. You can also download the file from a new screen by right clicking on the video as it’s playing.
Read
Romans 8: 37-39
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Worship
Group Work Questions
- Sometimes Church or being a Christian can feel like a spectator sport. Which areas do you think you’re just watching from a distance? (For example, Worship / Prayer)
- Can you give an example of when you felt as if you were taking part, valued by leaders and able to understand the Church or your faith in Jesus?
Follow Up Challenge Activity
At the end of Josh’s testimony, he talked about how much he can rely on God, but relying on God is only possible when you understand His faithfulness. In groups or pairs, grab your smartphones and do a google search for God’s faithfulness in the bible. Search: “Bible verses about God’s faithfulness” and share what you discover with the group.
Week 10: Jesus the choice
Introduction
In this final session Shannon encourages us to find our identity in Jesus. Use the resources below to open up discussion with your young people about what it means to grow in your relationship with Him.
Talk
To download the file directly, simply right click on your mouse and choose ‘download link’ / ‘download linked file’. You can also download the file from a new screen by right clicking on the video as it’s playing.
Read
Galatians 2:20-21The Message
19-21 What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not “mine,” but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I am not going to go back on that.
21 Is it not clear to you that to go back to that old rule-keeping, peer-pleasing religion would be an abandonment of everything personal and free in my relationship with God? I refuse to do that, to repudiate God’s grace. If a living relationship with God could come by rule-keeping, then Christ died unnecessarily.
Worship
Group Work Questions
- What things do the world ask of us before we’re viewed as important or significant?
- How is that different to what God asks of us?
- Do you know that you belong to God? Have you given your life to Him? If not, would you like the opportunity to do that now?
Response
There’s no magic formula to giving your life to Jesus, but we often pray to help us put into words how we’re feeling and what we want from Jesus.
This is often called a prayer of commitment to Jesus. You may wish to pray this simple prayer of commitment with your young people. There might be a version you prefer, but try not to miss the opportunity to pray with them.
“Dear God, I know that I’m not perfect, that I’ve done loads of wrong things, and I know that I need You to save me. Come and take part in my life and show me what it means to live for You. Amen.”