Image Credit: otherthings on Flickr

This is part of an 11-session series for 11-14 year olds, teaching our mission statement and the importance of it’s values:

We exist to learn to follow Jesus, to show honour to God, to use our gifts to serve, to support each other, and to share our faith.

Session Aim: To introduce and explain the Ignite vision statement.

Activity: Jigsaw
In advance, write or print the vision statement onto card and cut it up into various pieces. Get the group to fit the pieces together and then read the vision statement together for the first time. This may lead to some questions.

Activity: Hide & Seek
In advance, write out the five key Values from the vision statement and hide them around the room. Get the group to go looking for them (you could draw them a treasure map if you have time) and to bring them back to the middle. Spend some time discussing what they think each one means.

Read: Matthew 22:37-40 and Matthew 28:19-20.

Jesus answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind (Honour)… Love your neighbour as you love yourself (Serve).’ All the law and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands.” Matt 22:37-40

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations (Share), baptizing them (Support) in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you… (Follow)” Matt 28:19-20

Illustration: Perfect Pictures
In advance, draw a detailed picture of your dream house. Make it fun and light-hearted but don’t show anyone your picture and keep it hidden. Explain that you’ve got a dream house and ask someone in the group to draw it for you. They must try and draw a picture as close to yours as possible although you are not allowed to give them any help or advice as to what it is like. When they have finished, point out the differences and explain that it would have been a lot easier if you had explained what your dream house was like. Having a vision or mission is similar. When everyone knows it, we can all work together towards the same thing.

Discuss:

• Can you spot where the values come from in the passages?
• Those verses are sometimes called ‘The Greatest Commandment’ and ‘The Great Commission’. Have you ever heard them before?
• Do you have a vision or purpose for your life?

Pray:

• Ask God to help you understand His purposes for your life.
• Pray for any issues affecting the group this week.

Challenge:
Memorize the vision statement (hand out cards for them to take home). At Ignite (Thursdays and Sundays) they will get a chance to challenge an Ignite leader to recite the it word for word. There will be forfeits for those who get challenged and can’t do it, plus stars for those who can!

Further Reading: Philippians 2:2

Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does his love comfort you? Do we share together in the spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness? If so, make me very happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and having one mind and purpose.