If you've ever gone hiking before, especially in the winter, you know that "breaking trail" is something you do when you encounter deep snow that's tough to navigate. When that happens, one hiker usually goes ahead of their group and clears the way so others can follow behind more easily. A trail-breaker is someone who goes ahead, who makes a new way, and who invites others to follow along behind them. In so many ways, that's exactly what Jesus did for us. He broke a new trail just by existing, but he did so much more than that too. In this 6-week Easter series, we’ll read the stories of Jesus breaking new trails as we discover that Jesus never gives up on us, understands our pain, shows us love, and is alive.
Click on the weekly topics below for the big ideas, Scripture, and questions. And be sure to click the button for the student devotionals.
Week 1
Big Idea: Jesus Never Gives Up On Us
Scripture: Luke 22:1-6, 47-48, 54-62; John 21:15-17; Psalm 32
Follow-up Questions:
- What are some of the ways you and I sometimes let God down?
- When we let God down, what do you think Jesus would want us to know? (Read John 21:15-17 and see how Jesus responds to Peter)
- If it’s true Jesus never gives up on you, what’s one thing you can do this week to respond to that truth?
Week 2
Big Idea: Jesus Understands Our Pain
Scripture: Matthew 27:27-44; Philippians 3:4-14; Romans 6:6-7
Follow-up Questions:
- On a scale of 1-5, how confident are you that Jesus understands what you’re going through?
- Why do you think it’s important for us to know Jesus understands our pain?
- If it’s true Jesus understands what you’re going through, what’s one thing you can do this week to respond to that truth?
Week 3
Big Idea: Jesus Shows Us Love
Scripture: Luke 23:32-56; Philippians 2:5-11; Ephesians 2:8-9
Follow-up Questions:
- Do you think there’s anyone so bad God shouldn’t forgive them? Why or why not?
- Has your life ever been changed by God’s compassionate love for you? If so, how?
- If it’s true Jesus shows us love, what’s one thing you can do this week to respond to that truth?
Week 4
Big Idea: Jesus Is Alive
Scripture: Luke 24:1-12; 1 Corinthians 15:21-26; Romans 7:21-25
Follow-up Questions:
- Why was Jesus’ resurrection such good news for His followers? Why is it still good news for us today?
- Without Jesus’ resurrection, how would the world be hopelessly broken? How would you and I be hopelessly broken?
- How many times do you think you’ve heard the Easter story? How do you think we can keep ourselves from getting bored by the story of Jesus’ resurrection?