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Most Likely To: a 4-Week Teaching Series for Youth Ministry TOPIC: Leadership SCRIPTURE: Old & New Testament DECORATING THEME: School Spirit AGE GROUP: Students When you hear the word "leader," you might think about an influential artist or celebrity, a famous politician, a coach on a soccer field, or that kid who just got elected class president. And, sure, those people are definitely leaders! But these aren't the only ways to lead. Great leaders don't have to have official positions, titles, or people who report to them. With God, being a great leader is something anyone can achieve because leadership is simply about becoming the kind of person who's worth following. But how? In this four-week series, we'll look at the example of Jesus, plus ordinary people like Moses, Solomon, and the apostle Paul, who were all given opportunities to lead and make a difference in others' lives. Through their examples (both good and bad), we'll see how great leaders are the people most likely to follow through, choose to love, choose integrity, and follow God's lead. BIG IDEAS & BIBLE STORIES Great leaders follow through. (The Parable of the Two Sons: Matthew 21:28-32, Proverbs 9:9, 1 Timothy 4:12) Great leaders choose to love. (The Ten Commandments: Exodus 20:1-17, Matthew 22:34-39, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7) Great leaders choose integrity. (Think about Noble Things: Philippians 4:8-9, Proverbs 11:3, Luke 16:10) Great leaders follow God's lead. (Thanksgiving for the Thessalonian's Faith: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-9, Psalm 119:9-18, Psalm 25:4-5) WEEKLY CURRICULUM SUMMARIES: This week, we'll explore Jesus' story about two sons and what it means to follow through. It's easy to say you'll do something, but sometimes harder to actually do it. In one of Jesus' stories, two brothers respond to their dad in very different ways. One says he'll do something. The other actually does. Leadership isn't about sounding good, it's about being someone others can count on. Great leaders follow through. This week, we'll see what Jesus had to say about the greatest commandment and look at the Ten Commandments. Rules usually feel like something to follow, not something to lead with. But when Jesus talked about the most important commandment, He made it simple: love God and love people. Every great leader starts here, not with power or popularity, but with love that puts others first. Great leaders choose to love. This week, we'll hear from Paul and Proverbs about how to live with integrity. There are a lot of ways to fake it, but real leaders don't. Both Paul's words to the Philippians and the book of Proverbs talk about focusing on what's good, honest, and right, because what's inside us will eventually show up on the outside. Choosing integrity means being the same person when no one's watching. Great leaders choose integrity. This week, we'll focus on Paul's encouragement to the Thessalonians and read a psalm on staying close to God. Sometimes we think leaders are supposed to have all the answers, but the best leaders start by listening. Paul reminded the Thessalonians that their faith set an example. Not because they had it all figured out, but because they followed God faithfully; listening to His directions and staying close to Him. Great leaders follow God's lead. MEMORY VERSE: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you're young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

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