Gather for Soul Reports (5 min)
• Youth will gather in a circle and sing “Sanctuary” and offer soul reports about how their week was, and any praises or concerns
Introduction of the Scripture (5-8 min)
• Scripture can be offered in a variety of ways: group reading, acting out, storytelling, video, song – as long as it gets heard once without interruptions by one reader
• Today: Read the scripture Acts 2:42-47 – Have the kids read the scripture and talk about what it meant to be a community to this group. What would it have looked like if they walked into this church, and is church really the right word for them?
Message (5 min)
• The message will have the same application concept as the sermon, but at a more appropriate level, and should also contain some context and content information about the passage.
• Message can be interactive, lecture, and/or something else
• Today: Community and Fellowship – Have them write an advertisement/invitation to join this group of Christians, and a list of what they must do to be a part of this early church. (In the advertisement have them list the benefits, but also as they work they can talk about what they wouldn’t like) Talk about what we would need at this church if we were going to follow this example: would they be willing? How would everyone in the church fit in, or play an important role?
• This is also a good time to be realistic about the fact that people fight in a church, and people in those churches got into fights all the time, it is why Paul had to write so many letters – what does it mean to be a community together? How do we stay together when we are upset? What kinds of fights happen in a church?
Communion (5-8 min)
• Youth will sing “Let Us Break Bread Together” and gather at the table for a real communion meal. After the adult prepares the group for communion with words and prayer the youth will have a slice of bread, glass of juice and have a “Meal of Remembrance” until everyone finishes.
• Youth will be reminded that while they are eating the conversation needs to be about Christ: bible stories, things they know or learned about Jesus, or questions they are curious about – a weekly reminder will be given that communion is about remembering Jesus, and the words of the institution.
Closing (5 min)
• This should be a time to summarize and review the message and application with a short conversation, closing prayer, and end with the song “Bind Us Together”
• If worship isn’t finished yet, youth will quietly return to the sanctuary for the end of the service.
