Subject to Change - Week 1

BOTTOM LINE

Life changes. God doesn’t.

SCRIPTURE

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 NLT).

GOAL OF SMALL GROUP

To help students realize that their changing circumstances are not a reflection of God’s character.

THINK ABOUT THIS

Leaders—at this phase, students’ brains are developing in a way where they are primarily thinking with their amygdala (the part of the brain responsible for the fight- or-flight response). That means when change causes anxiety, they may have a tendency to catastrophize the change and assume the worst. That’s why your role is key. As an adult, you can help them think through logical and positive outcomes to the changes they may be facing.

Create meaningful conversation. Adjust the questions as needed, and don’t feel like you need to answer all
of them.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1.     Good or bad, what’s one way your life has changed over the past year?

2.     Why do you think we’re tempted to avoid change, even when it’s potentially good?

3.     How does it make you feel to know that even when your circumstances change, God doesn’t change?

4.     Describe a time of change when God came through for you or someone you know.

5.     When facing change, how is it helpful to remember that God is the same today as He was back then?

6.     Think of someone you know who might be going through a time of change. How can you remind them (without diminishing what they’re facing) that despite the change, God doesn’t change?

TRY THIS

Leaders ask your students to identify and write down a change that’s happening to them on one side of their note card. On the flip side of the card, have students write down a reaction they’d like to have toward that change in their lives this week.