All are welcome on this Spiritual Journey, and we want everyone of all ages to feel included. Scroll down for family-friendly versions of the Spiritual Journey weekly messages and discussion topics.

 

BRAND NEW  

Week 3 - Made New

Scripture:  Revelation 21
Theme: Jesus doesn’t just fix what’s broken—He makes everything brand new.

Opening Prayer

Dear God,  Thank You for the promise that You are making all things new. Sometimes we get stuck in old ways or feel like things can’t change. But You bring hope, healing, and fresh starts. Help us today to see the new life You want to give us. Fill our hearts with excitement for what You’re doing now and in the future. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Summary (Family-Friendly)

When Jesus rose from the dead, He didn’t just fix a problem—He started something completely new! His resurrection isn’t just a story from the past; it’s a promise for our future. In Revelation 21, God says He’s making all things new. That means no more sadness, pain, or fear. Jesus brings real change, and when we trust Him, He helps us start fresh—right now and forever!

Discussion Questions

1. Do you know someone who talks a lot about the past or finds it hard to move forward? Why do you think people sometimes stay stuck in old memories or hurts?
2. On a scale from 1 to 5, how much do you believe God can do something new in your life? Why did you choose that number?
3. Sometimes it feels like God only worked in the Bible a long time ago. Why do you think we forget that He’s still working now?
4. Read Isaiah 43:19: “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?”
   • Where in your life do you want something new to grow?
   • Where do you need God to “make a way in the wilderness” or “a river in the desert”?
5. Think back on the last few weeks—what’s one thing you’ve learned or one way your heart or spirit has changed?

Closing Prayer

Dear God, Thank You for making all things new! We are so thankful that Your love brings hope and fresh starts. Help us let go of old fears, old mistakes, and anything holding us back. Show us how to walk in the new life You have for us—full of joy, peace, and purpose. We trust You and look forward to all the new things You are doing in us. In Your name we pray, Amen.

Week 2 - New Heart

Scripture:  Acts 13:14, 43–52
Theme: Through the resurrection, God gives us a new heart—one full of love, grace, and compassion.

Opening Prayer

Dear God, Thank You for loving us so much that You want to give us new hearts. Sometimes our hearts feel heavy, angry, or even mean. But You can take that away and give us hearts that are kind, loving, and full of Your grace. Help us listen to You today and open our hearts to the change You want to do in us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Summary (Family-Friendly)

God doesn’t just fix little things in our lives—He changes us from the inside out! Because of Jesus and the resurrection, we can have a new heart. Instead of holding on to things like anger, jealousy, or bitterness, God gives us hearts filled with love, kindness, and grace. A new heart helps us love others the way God loves us—and that changes everything!

Discussion Questions

1. We talked about the heart being the place where we make choices and decide what matters most. What do you think about that? Does it make sense to you?

2. Sometimes our hearts can get full of things like jealousy, anger, or hurt. Which one do you sometimes struggle with?

3. Read Ezekiel 36:26: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you.”
   

• What do you think it means to have a “heart of stone”?

• When do you feel like your heart gets hard?

4. What would it look like for God to give you a soft, new heart? What would change in how you treat people or how you feel?

5. In the next 24 hours, what’s one thing you can do to follow what God wants instead of just doing what you want?
   
   

Closing Prayer

Dear God, We’re so thankful that You love us enough to give us new hearts. Help us to notice when our hearts are hard or hurting, and show us how to let You in to change us. Fill our hearts with love, grace, and kindness. This week, help us to act from our new heart—not out of anger or fear, but out of love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Week 1 - New Spirit

Scripture: Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41
Theme: The resurrection gives us a new spirit—not one of fear, but of courage and boldness.

Opening Prayer

Dear God, Thank You for giving us the gift of Jesus and the power of His resurrection. Fill our hearts with courage and faith. Help us to let go of fear and trust that You are always with us. As we gather today, open our minds and hearts to understand Your Word and to encourage one another. Let Your Spirit guide us in love and boldness. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Summary (Family-Friendly)

After Jesus rose from the dead, something amazing happened—His followers changed! Peter used to be afraid, but now he was brave and strong. That’s what Jesus does for us too. He gives us a new spirit—not one filled with fear, but one filled with love, courage, and power. Every day, we can choose to let that spirit guide us instead of letting fear hold us back.

Discussion Questions

1. Can you think of someone who is always kind, happy, or giving to others? What do you like about them?

2. Do you know someone who always seems worried or afraid? How do you think that affects them?

3. What are some words that describe how you usually feel inside (like calm, worried, thankful, mad, peaceful, etc.)?

4. Sometimes we want to do the right thing, but it’s hard. Can you think of a time when your heart wanted one thing, but your feelings wanted another? What happened?

5. Read Galatians 5:22-23 (Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control).
   

• Which one do you want to grow in this week?

• What’s one way you can practice it?

Closing Prayer

Dear God, Thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit to help us be brave, kind, and full of love. Help us remember that we don’t have to live in fear, because You are with us. This week, show us ways to choose faith over fear and help us to grow the fruits of Your Spirit in our lives. We love You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

 

SERIOUSLY, GOD? Understanding When Life Feels Confusing

Week 6 -  Fifth Sunday of Lent
Chapter 5: Seriously, God? Pain is a Problem

We’re in the sixth week of a series called Seriously, God? where we talk about things that can make it hard to believe in God. Sometimes, life doesn’t make sense, and we wonder why God allows things to happen the way they do.

Today, we’re talking about pain and suffering. A lot of people ask: If God is good and powerful, why does He let bad things happen? It seems like either He isn’t fully good, or He isn’t strong enough to stop suffering.

But what if pain isn’t proof that God isn’t good? What if it actually helps us grow closer to Him?

C.S. Lewis, a Christian writer, said that we only see pain as a problem because we believe that the world should be good. That means deep down, we know there is something better—we know that God exists and that He is loving.

The Bible tells us that God can use pain for good. Romans 8:28 says, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God.” That means even when bad things happen, God can use them to make something good.

Paul, a man who helped spread Christianity, went through a lot of suffering—he was put in jail, beaten, and even almost died! But instead of being angry at God, he said that nothing in life mattered more than knowing Jesus. He even said that suffering helped him grow closer to Jesus.

Paul compared life to a race. When a runner feels pain, they don’t stop—they keep their eyes on the finish line. In the same way, when we go through hard times, we should focus on Jesus and the hope He gives us.

Pain is real, but it doesn’t mean God isn’t there. Instead, it can help us get closer to Him.

As we finish this series, we are invited to commit or recommit our lives to Jesus. We can pray and tell God that knowing Him is the most important thing.

Prayer:
"God, thank You for Jesus. I want to follow Him. Help me trust You, even when life is hard. Help me grow and keep my eyes on You. Amen."

 

Week 5 -  Fourth Sunday of Lent
Chapter 4: Seriously, God? You're In My Way?

We are in the fifth week of our Lent series called Seriously, God? Sometimes, life doesn’t make sense, and we wonder why God allows certain things to happen. This week, we’re talking about those times when God doesn’t seem to cooperate with us.

Have you ever faced a problem that just won’t go away? Maybe there’s something at school, in your family, or with your health that feels like it’s always in your way. It can be frustrating, and we might even feel like complaining to God.

That’s exactly what happened in the Bible when Jesus spent time with people who weren’t considered "good" by the religious leaders. The Pharisees, who followed all the religious rules, were upset that Jesus welcomed sinners. They thought it was unfair.

Jesus told a story to help them understand. It’s called The Parable of the Prodigal Son. In the story, a younger son runs away and wastes all his father’s money. But when he comes back, his father throws a huge party to welcome him home!

The older brother, who had always followed the rules, was angry. He felt like his father was being unfair. He thought, “I’ve done everything right, so why don’t I get a party?” But the father reminded him that everything he had was already his and that they should celebrate because his lost brother had come home.

This story teaches us an important lesson. Sometimes, we get so caught up in what we think is fair that we miss what God is actually doing. Complaining and feeling entitled—like the older brother—can stop us from seeing God's love and blessings in our lives.

So when things don’t go your way, instead of grumbling, try to trust that God is working on something bigger than we can see. His love, grace, and kindness are gifts we don’t have to earn—they are freely given to us!

 

Week 4 -  Third Sunday of Lent
Chapter 3: Seriously, God? Those People Are In Charge?

Sometimes, life doesn’t make sense, and we wonder why God allows certain people to be in charge—especially if they’re unfair or unkind. Maybe you’ve had a coach who only plays their own kid, a teacher who seems mean, or even a leader who makes bad decisions. It can feel frustrating, and we might ask, “God, why don’t you do something?”

But the Bible shows us that this isn’t a new problem. A long time ago, God’s people were being treated badly in Egypt by a powerful leader called Pharaoh. One of those people was Moses. Even though he grew up in Pharaoh’s house, he knew how unfair Pharaoh was to his people. One day, while Moses was taking care of sheep, he saw something amazing—a burning bush that wasn’t turning to ashes! That’s how God got Moses’ attention.

God told Moses that He saw the suffering of His people and that He had a plan to rescue them. And guess what? Moses was part of that plan! At first, Moses was scared. He told God, “I’m not the right person.” But God promised to be with him and to help him.

This story teaches us two big lessons:

1. God sees bad leaders and unfair situations. He knows when people in charge aren’t doing the right thing, and He has a plan. If you’re dealing with a tough situation, talk to God about it. He hears you!
2. God sometimes calls us to step up and lead. When we see something wrong, maybe God wants us to help fix it! Even if we feel like we’re not good enough, God gives us what we need. He doesn’t choose perfect people—He helps people grow into leaders.

So, if you ever feel like life isn’t fair, remember: God is paying attention, and He might be calling you to make a difference!

 

Week 3 - Second Sunday of Lent
Chapter 2: Seriously, God? You Let Me Down

Sometimes, life doesn’t make sense, and we might feel like God isn’t helping us the way we hoped. But even when things seem unfair, God has a bigger plan. A long time ago, a man named Abram (later called Abraham) wanted something very badly—he wanted a son. Back then, having children was very important because it meant your family would continue for generations. Abram and his wife, Sara, couldn’t have children, and it made them very sad.

One day, God made Abram a promise: “Leave your home and follow me, and I will make you the father of a great nation.” That meant Abram would have children and grandchildren, and his family would grow! Abram trusted God… but not completely. He brought his nephew, Lot, just in case God didn’t come through.

Years went by, and Abram still didn’t have a son. He started to doubt God’s promise. He told God, “You haven’t given me a child. How can I trust you?” But instead of getting angry, God took Abram outside and told him to look at the stars. “Can you count them?” God asked. “That’s how many descendants you will have.” Even though Abram still couldn’t see how it would happen, he chose to believe God. And because of his trust, God called him righteous.

This story reminds us that when things don’t go our way, we might feel like God let us down. But instead of asking, “Why, God?” we can ask, “What, God? What are you teaching me?” God always keeps His promises, even if we don’t see them right away. He wants us to trust Him, even when things are hard.

Questions for Family Reflection:  What is something you are waiting or hoping for? Can you trust that God has a good plan for you, just like He did for Abraham?

 
Prayer: Jesus, help me to Trust in your plan and give me the gift of patience while I wait. Help
me to remember that You love me and want what is best for me. Amen.

 

Week 2 - First Sunday of Lent
Chapter 1: When God Says No

Sometimes, it feels like God is always saying “No,” and that can be frustrating! But have you ever wondered why? In this lesson, we learn that when God says “No,” it’s actually because He loves us and wants the best for us. We read in the Bible about a time when Jesus was in the desert, and the devil tried to trick Him with three different temptations. Each time, Jesus said “No” and showed us why God’s “No” is actually good for us!

1. Saying No to Temptation – The devil told Jesus to turn a stone into bread because He
   was hungry. But Jesus knew that food isn’t the only thing we need—we also need God!
   Sometimes, we might want things that aren’t good for us, but God tells us no to protect
   us.
2. Saying No to Evil – The devil offered Jesus power and riches if He worshipped him. But
   Jesus knew that following God is the only way to true happiness. Sometimes, we’re
   tempted to lie or do something wrong to get ahead, but that never ends well. Saying no to
   sin keeps us free.
3. Saying No to Seeking Popularity – The devil told Jesus to jump off a tall building so
   angels would catch Him and impress people. But Jesus knew He didn’t need to prove
   Himself—God already loved Him! We don’t need to do crazy things or try to be popular
   to matter. God loves us just as we are!

At first, saying “No” to things might feel hard, but God’s no’s actually give us freedom—to love
Him, love others, and live a life full of joy! This week, think about which of these temptations is
hardest for you and ask God for help. Remember, His “No” is always out of love!

Questions for Family Reflection:  Why do you think God sometimes says “No” to things we want? Can you think of a time when a “No” ended up being the best thing for you? Which of the three temptations that Jesus faced (hunger, power, or popularity) do you think is the hardest for people today? How can we trust God when we feel tempted? Can you come up with a real-life example where saying “No” to something actually led to something better? How can we remind ourselves that God’s “No” is really a way of protecting and loving us?

 

Prayer: God, help me to trust when you say No, that you have something better for me. Help
give me patience to wait for your perfect timing. Thank you Lord for the gift of your love.
Amen.

 

Week 1 - 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Introduction

Sometimes, life just doesn’t make sense. We might wonder why bad things happen, why some
people are in charge, or why God allows suffering. It’s easy to feel upset, confused, or even
frustrated with God.

But guess what? People in the Bible felt the same way! They had questions, doubts, and tough
times too.

This series is about understanding that:

1. God’s ways are bigger than ours. We don’t see everything like He does, so sometimes
   things don’t make sense to us.
2. God helps us understand Him. Through the Bible, Jesus, and prayer, we can learn more
   about who God is and how much He loves us.
3. Not everything that happens is God’s will. There is still evil in the world, and people
   have free will to make good or bad choices. But in the end, God’s goodness will win.
   

If you’ve ever wondered, “Seriously, God?”—you’re not alone! Let’s explore these questions together and grow in our faith.