As students enter your classroom today, ask them what things they are passionate about and why. Once everyone has arrived and shared, ask them the following question.
- Do any of you know of famous people or celebrities who volunteer or give back to the community? How do they help others? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
Share several celebrity names and volunteer activities from the following link with your teens:
20 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Were Volunteers!
- Why do you think some of the people we mentioned might be concerned not only with their own success stories, but with the success of those coming behind them? (Accept all reasonable answers. Their drive to give back may be an act of gratitude for those who helped them; they may find joy in helping others; etc.)
- What impact might their work have on other people? (Accept all reasonable answers.)
- Give an example of how someone has invested in your life and future, and what impact that makes on you. (Accept all reasonable answers. For example: parents teaching life skills or saving for college, coaches or teachers spending extra time or thinking of you for a special program, youth leaders volunteering their time, energy, and insights.)
When we are passionate about something—art, sports, education, etc.—we want to share it with the next generation. We want others to experience the same joy and benefits the experience has given to us. We want to see the community grow and blossom with new voices and leaders. Faith is like this, too—something to be joyfully and intentionally passed on from one generation to the next.
