Awaken Week 1
Middle & High School Students
Wednesday, March 26th
6:30 – 8:30

BOTTOM LINE: When we widen our perspective, so much more is revealed.  

SCRIPTURE: Luke 19: 28-48

Series Overview: Do you know that feeling you get when something just “clicks?” When a school lesson hasn’t made sense but then one little point clears everything up? Or when you’re reading a book and one detail connects all of the dots from the previous chapters? Sometimes, when we look into the difficult parts of a story, we become more appreciative of the outcome. While Easter is a time to dress up in pastel colors, search for candy-filled eggs, and rejoice in Christ’s resurrection, we need to wake up and remember that there is a side to the Easter season that is dark, brutal, and filled with sadness. When we wake up to see Easter from a new perspective, we can rejoice more fully in what He has done for us.

Large Group Teaching Summary: Everyone has a specific perspective in which they view the world around them. At times, that perspective is so focused on one thing that everything else becomes blurry and we miss out on the fullness around us. It’s time to wake up, view everything around us without spiritual blindness, and see what God is revealing to us.

Just for fun…
1 Share about any Easter/Resurrection Sunday traditions you have!
2 What good things are happening in life right now? Did you ace a test, win an award, family getting along, and/or made new friends? Nothing is too small to celebrate! Really reflect on the goodness God brings to our lives.

Ask the group to answer and discuss...
1 Raise your hand if your perspective on a situation drastically changed once you saw it from a different angle or got the whole story.
    A) Why? Did your response change?
    B)How do you typically respond to difficult emotions or situations in your life?
2 Who knows what Palm Sunday is? Why do you think we celebrate Jesus’ Triumphal Entry as part of our Christian calendar?
3 Read Luke 19:28-40. 
    A) Have you read/heard this scripture before? What is happening? Did the scripture or message change your perspective any?
4 Think about the concept of “spiritual blindness”. What does that mean? Can someone be spiritually blind? How might they get a clearer vision to see God at work in their life?
5 Read Luke 19:41-44. Why did Jesus weep? Does it change your view of Jesus to know He weeps over those who don’t know Him? Why/why not?
6 Think about your life. Are there any areas of your life that need adjusting so your perspective aligns more closely with God's truth?

Apply It…
7 Think of Easter/Resurrection Sunday as spiritual renewal and awakening. 
    A) How can you embrace this season as an opportunity for personal growth and transformation in the days to come? Share with the group.

Bottom Line… When we widen our perspective, so much more is revealed.

Scripture... Luke 19:28-48