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Break Trail: a 6-Week Teaching Series for Youth Ministry TOPIC: Jesus & Easter SCRIPTURE: the New Testament DECORATING THEME: Hiking AGE GROUP: Students DISCIPLESHIP ACTIVITY: Get The Break Trail Experience, the discipleship activity that goes along with this teaching series, here ! 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, is alive, can be trusted, and gives us a mission. BIG IDEAS & BIBLE STORIES Jesus never gives up on us. (Judas and Peter Betray Jesus: Luke 22:1-6,47-48,54-62; John 21:15-17; Psalm 32) Jesus understands our pain. (The Crucifixion of Jesus: Matthew 27:27-44; Philippians 3:4-14; Romans 6:6-7) Jesus shows us love. (A Criminal Receives Mercy: Luke 23:32-56; Philippians 2:5-11; Ephesians 2:8-9) Jesus is alive. (Jesus Is Risen: Luke 24:1-12; 1 Corinthians 15:21-26; Romans 7:21-25) Jesus can be trusted. (Jesus Appears To Thomas: John 20:19-31; Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 4:4-6) Jesus gives us a mission. (Jesus Reinstates Peter: John 21:1-3,15-17; Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 9:1-20; 1 Peter 2:21) WEEKLY CURRICULUM SUMMARIES: This week, we'll see how Jesus responded when he was betrayed by his friends on the night of his arrest. There's always that one hiker who steps into the snow first, making a path where there wasn't one before-leading the way when the trail gets tough. This week, we see Jesus break trail on the night of his arrest, showing kindness and purpose even when his closest friends let him down. Even when others give up or walk away, Jesus never gives up on us. This week, we'll see how Jesus suffered emotionally and physically on his way to the cross and why that matters. Hiking through pain is never easy-it's slow, heavy, and hard to breathe-but some paths can't be avoided. This week, we watch Jesus walk a painful road to the cross, showing that he knows what it's like to suffer deeply. Even in his own suffering, Jesus understands our pain. This week, we'll see how Jesus cared for the repentant man who was crucified alongside him. Out on the trail, it's easy to judge someone who's fallen behind or made a wrong turn-but a good trail-breaker always looks back and helps others keep going. This week, we see Jesus on the cross, offering forgiveness and hope to a man who had made a lot of wrong turns. Even at the end of the path, Jesus shows us love. This week, we'll see what happened on Easter Sunday and what Jesus' resurrection means for us. There's nothing like the moment when a tough hike finally opens up to a breathtaking view-you realize the struggle was leading somewhere all along. This week, we reach the biggest moment in the journey: Jesus rises from the dead, proving that even death couldn't block the path he was making for us. The trail leads to hope because Jesus is alive. This week, we'll see how Jesus responded when Thomas had difficulty trusting that Jesus really was alive. When you're hiking somewhere new, it's easy to wonder if you're still on the right path-sometimes you need proof you're going the right way. This week, we see how Jesus met Thomas right in his doubt and showed him that the trail forward was real and trustworthy. Even when the way feels uncertain, Jesus can be trusted. This week, we'll see how Jesus restored Peter after his betrayal by giving Peter (and all of Jesus' followers) a mission. After a long hike, it's easy to think the journey's over-but trail-breakers know the view is just the beginning. This week, we see how Jesus met Peter after his failure and didn't just forgive him-he gave him a new purpose. Even when we feel disqualified, Jesus gives us a mission and calls us to lead others on the path he cleared. MEMORY VERSE: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 (NIV)

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