"Promises Don’t Die"
Click below to download the Cornerstone Connections leader’s guide and student lesson. This week’s resources also include two lesson plans and a discussion starter video which offer different ways of looking at the topic. Each lesson plan includes opening activities, scripture passages, discussion questions, and real-life applications.
Moses’ humanity is evident as he looks over his life; however, his close connection with God is also clear as he willingly gives his life to what God has planned for him.
Scripture Passages
OVERVIEW
Wandering through the desert had become a way of life for the Israelites, but when Joshua took command, that changed quickly. Joshua was courageous, resolute, prompt, and ready for action. God gave Joshua his marching orders, and Joshua let the people know to get their provisions ready, because in three days they would be entering the promised land. And that is exactly what happened. God keeps His promises.
OPENING ACTIVITY: GOD’S PERSONAL PROMISES
Supplies: Bibles, paper, markers, colored pencils, and gel pens in various colors.
Give each person a paper and ask them to get their Bibles out or use their phones. They will search the Bible for verses that are promises to us from God. Once they find one they like, they will write it on the paper and make drawings or designs that illustrate that promise. Give each person time to share what they wrote and drew with the group questions.
DISCUSSION
BIBLE STUDY GUIDE
Read each Bible passage, then discuss the questions.
Living Faith
Read Proverbs 3:5, 6.
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6in all your ways submit to Him,
and He will make your paths straight.
DISCUSSION
Faith in Action
Read Hebrews 12:1.
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
DISCUSSION
Lasting Faith
Read 1 Timothy 6:12.
12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
DISCUSSION
APPLICATION
The character traits that Joshua lived are very inspiring. He is described as strong, careful to obey, focused, aiming for excellence, confident, and courageous. He was a warrior for the God of the universe! Your God is an awesome God, and He deserves
Sometimes we can get very comfortable in our faith journey, but then we get sleepy and lose our focus. The Israelites wandered around in the wilderness much too long, and wasted the faithful, mighty power of God by complaining and compromising their faith. In 2023, it is more important than ever that we keep focused on Jesus, remain strong in our obedience to His Word, and have a growing unshakeable faith in Him and His promises.
SCRIPTURE PASSAGE
LEADER’S NOTE
For a Relational Bible Study (RBS) you’ll want to get into the Scripture passage and encourage the youth to imagine participating in the story while it’s happening. Then you will be able to better apply it to your own situation today.
You will need to ask God for the Holy Spirit to be present as your small group discusses the questions (no more than 3-6 people in a group is recommended). Start with the opening question. It is a personal question and the answer is unique for each individual. There is no right answer and nobody is an expert here, so don’t be surprised when you hear different responses. You are depending on the Holy Spirit to be present and to speak through your group. Say what God prompts you to say, and listen to what others share.
Take turns reading the chapter out loud. Follow that with giving the students some time to individually mark their responses to the questions (a PDF version of the handout is available as a download). This gives each person a starting point for responding when you start to share as a group. Next, begin the discussion by asking the students to share what they marked and why on each question as you work your way through. Feel free to take more time on some questions than others as discussion warrants.
Encourage each person in the group to apply what is discussed to their personal lives and to share with the group what they believe God wants them to do. Then ask them to pray that God will help each of them to follow through in doing so. Remind them to expect that God will show them ways to live out the message of this passage in the coming week, and that they are free to ask others in the group to help hold them accountable.
OVERVIEW
Has anyone ever made you a promise using any of the following phrases?
Why do you think they chose to use those particular words? More than likely, it was because they really wanted you to believe that they were trustworthy. They wanted you to know that you could count on them to keep their word.
How did you feel when they kept their promise? How did you respond when they fulfilled their word? Were you excited and overjoyed? If so, then you can just imagine how the children of Israel must have felt after having to wait to receive a promise that had been given to them 40 years earlier.
Let’s face it, waiting on promises can be hard. But it helps when you can trust the person who makes the promise. This week’s lesson takes a look at Joshua chapter 1. As you read through the lesson, think about the times when you waited on God and He came through for you.
PROMISE KEEPER
Name two of the best promises you have ever received.
Read Numbers 23:19.
19 God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?
1. What things stand out about God to you in this passage?
2. In your opinion, what qualities make a person trustworthy?
3. How do you feel when someone break a promise to you?
4. Besides God, who are some individuals that keep promises to you?
5. In what ways has God kept promises to you?
6. If the promises of God were a slogan, which one would it be?
7. Tell of a time when you kept a promise to someone.
8. Name a Bible promise that brings you comfort when you claim it.
SUMMARY
As we read in the text, God has no need to lie. He can be trusted. His track record proves it.
No matter how long it may take Him to perform His word, He never forgets His promises. He always keeps His word.
APPLICATION
This week, as you find yourself facing different challenges, claim a Bible promise and hold God to His word.
It can be hard to keep promises.
For this week, whatever you promise to do for someone, commit to it and do it.
As you come to the end of your day, write out as many promises as you can think of that God performed for you over the course of your day.
What if the Miracles of Jesus are more than meets the eye?
What if there is so much more to each story than we see?
What if each time Jesus did something supernatural, He was inviting us to look deeper?
Beyond the healing.
Beyond the deliverance.
Beyond the acts that defied the laws of nature.
What if Jesus were inviting us to see something bigger?
Something more amazing about the love of God.
Something mind-blowing.
What if the ultimate Miracle is that God can transform us?
The Miracle Series is an interactive study of 15 of Jesus’ awe-inspiring encounters while here on earth. These lessons, and messages are designed to connect with teens and youth and take them on a journey of discovery. Included in this kit is everything you need:
We invite you and your youth to not just study the Miracles of Jesus but to experience The Miracle.
1. Activity / Busy Bags for Kids
Help parents stay sane. Assemble bags with activities to keep small children busy.
Cost: Less than $5.00
Example: https://teachingmama.org/busy-bags-101/
2. Placemats For Meals On Wheels
Cheer up the homebound. Thoughtfully decorated placemats are a lovely extra to bring to meal recipients. If you’re able to laminate the placemats, all the better!
Cost: Less than $5.00
Example: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1g4J3g36pQ
3. Deliver Meals For Meals On Wheels
Help fight hunger. Pick up and deliver meals to seniors and people with disabilities.
Cost: Less than $5.00
Example: www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/americaletsdolunch