Most people think of the Kingdom of God as something experienced in the future after we die. While we will one day experience the restoration of all things and God’s reign on earth, we can participate in God’s Kingdom right now. In this series, we will look at four ways of living that are countercultural to the kingdoms of this world.
Experience the tension of embracing these ideas through a series of disorienting dilemmas and process them as a group through cultural and theological lenses. The goal is to practice aligning with the ways of God’s Kingdom so that students can experience God’s Kingdom here.
Details:
$75.00
Week 1—Right-Side-Up vs. Up-Side-Down
In Session 1, the students play several rounds of rock, paper, scissors, where everything seems normal until the people who lost the most games are rewarded. This will help students experience the upside-down nature of God’s Kingdom, where the humble are called great. After processing their WOW moment and how culture defines greatness, they will explore these ideas in scripture and through the words of James Cone and Kelly Brown Douglas. Finally, they will engage in an exercise to help them choose to practice humility and service rather than fight for power and success.
Scripture—Matthew 20:20-28
Week 2—Individualism vs. Communalism
In Session 2, students will explore the difference between communalism and individualism. We experience God’s Kingdom here through living in community. The students will explore the difference between these mindsets firsthand through engaging in what they believe to be a building competition, only to learn that they could have collaborated and shared resources to build something better. After processing their WOW moment and how culture encourages us to think individualistically, they will explore these ideas in scripture. They will learn about the countercultural church described in Acts. Then, they will learn from the words of Kaitlyn Scheiss and Lisa Sharon Harper. Finally, they will practice sharing with each other. The goal is for them to walk away feeling more connected to the community and with a better understanding of the role of community in God’s Kingdom.
Scripture—Acts 2:42 – 47
Week 3—Scarcity vs. Abundance
In this session, students will explore the difference between a scarcity mindset and an abundance mindset. Resources in our world are not unlimited, and yet, paradoxically, when we focus on their limits, we often hinder our ability to solve problems or live generously. We have already discussed that participating in the Kingdom of God involves practicing humility and prioritizing the community’s needs above our own. Each of these practices requires trusting God and rejecting a scarcity mindset. Today, we will explore what that can look like through building a tower with limited resources and exploring the story of the widow’s offering.
Scripture—Mark 12:41-44
Week 4—Hate vs. Love
In this final session, students will wrestle with one of the most important questions of adolescence: Who am I, and who is God calling me to be? The world constantly tries to put middle schoolers in boxes based on appearance, interests, and cultural expectations. The goal of his lesson is to push back on those ideas. Beginning with a disorienting dilemma where students identify the puzzle pieces that make up who they are, they’ll confront the pressure to shrink themselves to fit someone else’s expectations. As the session unfolds, they’ll explore how their choices about time, relationships, and actions reflect their identity, and they’ll be invited to discern who God says they are. The goal is simple and significant: students leave knowing they are Children of God—and that’s a box worth living into.
Scripture—Luke 10:25-37
Holy Disruptions series are designed to delve into the unique experiences of today’s youth, spark deep theological reflection, and foster transformative discussions. Our three-part methodology empowers students to align with God’s vision and desires for the world.
Facilitate a disorienting experience – where students are most receptive to growth.
Invite students to investigate their reaction to the disorienting moment.
Ask students to explore what God says about it.
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