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Focus: a 4-Week Teaching Series for Youth Ministry TOPIC: Spiritual Growth SCRIPTURE: Gospels & Psalms DECORATING THEME: Out of Focus AGE GROUP: Students DISCIPLESHIP ACTIVITY: Get Focus Journal, the discipleship activity that goes along with this teaching series, here ! It's not easy to stay focused. Especially these days, when we're connected to a never-ending stream of new notifications, ads, messages, videos, posts, and entertainment, it makes sense if we feel a little distracted sometimes. Maybe you've struggled recently to stay focused on your homework, or on the story your friend was telling you, or on the movie you were watching - but have you ever struggled to stay focused when you were spending time with God? In this four-week series, we're going to get honest about how difficult it can be to stay focused when we're trying to pray, read the Bible, or grow in our faith. Each week, we'll explore passages from Psalms and the Gospels as we challenge ourselves to focus on practicing four spiritual disciplines that can help us grow. Together, we'll try focusing on what God has said , on giving something up , on talking to God , and on rest . BIG IDEAS & BIBLE STORIES Focus on what God has said. (Jesus is tempted in the wilderness: Matthew 4:1-11, Psalm 119:9, 33-37) Focus on giving something up. (Jesus teaches us how to worship and fast in secret, not for recognition: Matthew 6:16-18; Psalm 121:1-8; Romans 12:9-11) Focus on talking to God. (Jesus talks with the woman at the well: John 4:5-30; Psalm 18:6 & 28; Philippians 4:6) Focus on rest. (Jesus feeds the five thousand: Mark 6:30-32; Psalm 23:1-6; Exodus 33:14) WEEKLY CURRICULUM SUMMARIES: This week, we'll explore the time Jesus was tested in the wilderness and hear how to ask God for direction from the Psalms. With so many distractions competing for our attention, it's easy to lose focus-even when it comes to God. But this week, we'll see how Jesus modeled a better way-by holding on to what God had already said, even in the middle of pressure and temptation. When we need to find clarity, focus on what God has said. This week, we'll focus on what Jesus had to say about prayer and fasting, along with realizing God is our source of strength from the Psalms. Letting go of something we enjoy isn't easy-but sometimes, it's the only way to make room for something better. This week, we'll see how fasting helps us shift our focus, not to prove our holiness, but to grow closer to God. When we release distractions, we gain perspective. Focus on giving something up. This week, we'll unpack Jesus' conversation with the woman at the well and an example of asking God for help from the Psalms. Prayer can feel awkward-especially when we're not sure what to say or if God's even listening. But this week, we'll see how a conversation between Jesus and a Samaritan woman changed everything. Just like her, we're invited to be honest, real, and present. Focus on talking to God. This week, we'll discover the time Jesus fed the five thousand and what it means to rest from the Psalms. When life feels nonstop, it's easy to believe rest is something we have to earn. But this week, we'll see how Jesus made rest a priority-because rest restores us for what's ahead. Whether we're tired, overwhelmed, or just need peace, God offers us renewal. Focus on rest. MEMORY VERSE: "Teach me, Lord, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight." - Psalm 119:33-35 (NIV)

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