(8–10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will discuss what’s not good about living according to a minimum standard for success.
(8–10 minutes, easy set-up)
Provide a dry erase board, dry erase marker, and 12-inch ruler.
Learning Goal: Students will evaluate how their present standard of righteousness compares to God’s standard of righteousness.
Explain that as we go through life, we often want to know what the minimum acceptable requirements are for things like making an A in school, “cleaning” a room, or exercising. Point out that we often treat our relationship with God the same way by asking about the minimum acceptable requirements for things like having a quality quiet time, pleasing God through church attendance, and hanging out with enough social outcasts at school to be considered a “neighbor” in the biblical sense.
On the board, write “What’s the minimum?” as a column heading. Then instruct students to name the minimum things that a Christian has to do to have a good relationship with God. Write their answers in the column. After one to two minutes, write “God’s Standards” on the board as another column heading. Ask: What did Peter tell us that God wanted of us? (Answer: He wants us to be holy like He is holy.) Write “Be holy like God is holy” under the second column heading. Then ask: How do our attempts to do the minimum for God line up with His standards for us? Encourage students to share their thoughts. Point out that God’s standard is one of pursuing a life that is completely dependent upon Him by not doing the bare minimum out of our own strength.
Next, show students the ruler. Hold it to the board under the “What’s the minimum?” column heading. Measure a foot (12 inches) on the board. Say: I declare that this line is two inches long. Ask: How do we know that it isn’t? (We already have a set standard to use.) Explain that when we use our own ideas of holiness, we make up our own system of measuring—and it’s not correct. Measure a foot on the board under the “God’s Standards” column heading. Say: This measurement is truly a foot in length. Explain that when we use God’s standards for our lives, we must align to His holiness instead of making up our own standard of holiness. Encourage students to think about this ruler and God’s standard of holiness this week as they resolve to not settle for having a minimum relationship with Him anymore.