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Plot Twist: a 6-Week Teaching Series for Youth Ministry TOPIC: Easter SCRIPTURE: Gospel DECORATING THEME: Super Hero Movies AGE GROUP: Students (Get the Elementary version here !) Whether it's your favorite movie, book, or reality show, you know there's nothing like a good plot twist! Those storytelling surprises can keep us entertained, but they can do a lot more than that too. A good plot twist can make us rethink everything we thought we knew, see things in a brand new light, and get excited about what might happen next. That's never more true than in the most surprising and significant plot twist in history-Jesus' death and resurrection. In this six-week series, we'll look at six surprising stories from Jesus' death, resurrection, and last days on earth. These stories will show us that, when life takes unexpected turns, God gives us help . And even when we've messed up or are ready to give up, Jesus never turns away from us, but gives us life, gives us hope, is with us, and gives us another chance. BIG IDEAS & BIBLE STORIES When we're in trouble, God gives us help. (The plot to have Jesus killed begins: John 11:45-57; Psalm 46:1, 130:1-8) When we turn away from Jesus, he doesn't turn away from us. (Jesus is betrayed by Judas and the crowd: Matthew 21:1-11, 26:14-16, 27:22-26; Colossians 1:13-14; 1 John 1:9) When sin brings death, Jesus gives life. (Jesus dies and comes back to life: John 19:1-30, 20:1-18; Psalm 51:9-10) When all seems lost, Jesus is our hope. (Jesus appears to his disciples after his resurrection: John 20:19-23, 1 Peter 1:3-9; Ephesians 1:18) When we feel alone, Jesus is present. (Jesus on the road to Emmaus: Luke 24:13-35; Psalm 116:1-5, 139:7-10) When we mess up, Jesus gives us another chance. (Jesus restores Peter: John 21:15-19; 1 Peter 2:23-25; Romans 6:11-14) WEEKLY CURRICULUM SUMMARIES: This week, we'll see how the plot to kill Jesus began and how the Psalms teach us to go to God during times of trouble. Sometimes life throws us a curve we never saw coming-a broken plan, a painful moment, a situation we can't fix on our own. This week, we'll see how Jesus' followers faced unexpected turns, and how God promises we're never alone in the trouble we face. When we're in trouble, God gives us help. This week, we'll see how Jesus was betrayed, both by Judas and the crowd who celebrated him on Palm Sunday. Some betrayals hit hard-especially when they come from the people we thought would never turn on us. This week, we'll see how Jesus was betrayed by a friend and abandoned by a crowd, yet still chose to love and forgive. No matter how far we wander, when we turn away from Jesus, he doesn't turn away from us. This week, we'll explore the story of both Jesus' death and resurrection, and what it means for us today. Sometimes sin leaves things broken, seemingly beyond repair. This week, we'll see how Jesus' death and resurrection flipped the story and redefined our idea of brokenness. What looked like defeat became victory, and what seemed hopeless was filled with life again. When sin brings death, Jesus gives life. This week, we'll see how Jesus comforted his fearful disciples on the day of his resurrection. Sometimes life feels too heavy to carry and too dark to see a way forward. But this week, we'll see how Jesus met his friends in their fear, offered his peace, and gave them his Spirit. Even in our darkest moments, we're not alone. When all seems lost, Jesus is our hope. This week, we'll see how Jesus was present with his disciples on the road to Emmaus, even when they weren't aware of him. Loneliness can show up even when we're surrounded by people. This week, we'll see how two followers of Jesus felt lost and heartbroken-until a simple meal opened their eyes to his presence. Jesus didn't leave them to walk alone, and he won't leave us either. When we feel alone, Jesus is present. This week, we'll see Jesus give Peter another chance after he denied Jesus and then hear from Peter on why Jesus died for us. Sometimes the worst plot twists are the ones we cause ourselves. This week, we'll see how Peter's biggest failure didn't end his story-Jesus gave him another chance and even more purpose. The good news is, our mess-ups don't disqualify us either. When we mess up, Jesus gives us another chance. MEMORY VERSE: "For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." - Colossians 1:13-14 (NIV)

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