You’re Invited!

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Middle School

Lesson 11
Winter 2022-23
By: RLD Editorial Team
February 12, 2023

Lesson Focus:

God invites all kinds of people to His party.

Bible Basis:

Luke 14:15-24

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

Internet access

Step 4:

Cardstock (1 or more 5 ½ by 8 ½ inch sheet[s] per student)
Pens/pencils
Optional: Envelopes, markers, stickers, art supplies

Summary & Links:

Your students will discuss a video about a boy’s birthday party as an introduction to learning about God’s invitation to all kinds of people.

Memory Verse:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
—Matthew11:28

Your students will discuss a video about a boy’s birthday party as an introduction to learning about God’s invitation to all kinds of people.

Materials Needed:

Internet access

Watch this video with your class and then discuss the questions that follow [1:42]:
No one shows up to boys birthday party, Clay County firefighters save the day

This news story explained how none of his friends showed up for his birthday party. On a day when he should have felt loved and celebrated by his friends, he ended up feeling pretty lonely.

Sometimes we all feel lonely or isolated. This can happen for many reasons. Maybe we’re left out of an activity, our friends don’t show up to an event, or best friends move away. What is the hardest thing about feeling left out? (Students might reveal honest reactions to social rejection.)
What did you admire about the firefighters who showed up for Colton? (They took the opportunity to celebrate and bless someone else. They probably remember what it felt like to be younger and emotionally vulnerable.)
Does God play favorites when He makes a guest list? (Allow students to share their thoughts before reminding them that God loves and values each person equally. We were each made special for a unique purpose!)

It is natural for humans to crave belonging and acceptance. Let’s learn a little bit more about God’s plan to include everyone.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Materials Needed:

Cardstock (1 or more 5 ½ by 8 ½ inch sheet[s] per student)
Pens/pencils
Optional: Envelopes, markers, stickers, art supplies

If your class is meeting online, invite students to bring cardstock and pens/pencils to class.

This lesson not only comforts students about their own inclusion in God’s family, but it can encourage them to invite others into God’s kingdom. The passage from Luke can prompt discussions of evangelism and outreach.

Provide students with pens/pencils and a sheet of 5 ½ by 8 ½ inch cardstock. (If your class is meeting online, invite students to have supplies ready at home.) Show your students how to fold it in half to create a folded card. Instruct them to design a party invitation which shares God’s love with others. It can include the following items, but feel free to adjust the content—or even encourage your students to design their own ideas:

You’re Invited!
Where? God’s Kingdom is waiting for you.
Who? Everybody is welcome!
When? The best time is right now. You can come to the party any time.
Come as you are: Jesus Christ has already provided everything.

Your students may design more than one invitation if time permits. When your students are done designing their cards, discuss the following questions together:

Why do you think some people reject God’s offer of salvation? (There can be all kinds of barriers to accepting the gospel of Jesus Christ. Family background, intellectual questions, fear, sin, and other factors can keep people from accepting God’s free gift.)
Are some people just too bad, too weird, or too far gone to be included in God’s kingdom? (Absolutely not! God does not play favorites, and His salvation and promise of Heaven is for everybody.)

It can be hard for middle schoolers to openly evangelize or share Jesus with friends, especially those who come from different backgrounds. Perhaps an adult leader or two can talk about a time when they were able to share Jesus. Encourage students to ask God who they should give an invitation. They can use them as a starting point to share the Gospel by writing the name of the person He brings to mind on one of the envelopes.

Close in prayer asking God to use their invitations to share His love to many.

About

David C Cook is a nonprofit organization dedicated to publishing and distributing leadership and discipleship resources to help Christians all over the world grow in their faith and pass it on to the next generation. We call this “DiscipleShaping”.

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In some lessons, we may provide you with suggestions of third party content or provide links to third party websites that may align with the lesson topic. At the time a lesson is written, our editors carefully review the cited third party content and websites. However, we do not own or control the third party content or websites and they may change over time including, for example, the addition of advertisements, suggested content, pop-ups, etc on a website page that may not be appropriate for children or classroom use. We take no responsibility for such third party content or websites or for your use of them, including your use of them in a lesson. Please review each cited content or website carefully before utilizing in a lesson.

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David C Cook COVID-19 Response

Middle School

You’re Invited!

Lesson Focus:

Bible Basis:

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

Step 4:

Summary & Links:

Memory Verse:

Step 1:

Materials Needed:

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

Step 4:

Materials Needed:

Spread the word

About

Connect With Us

Search Lessons

Disclaimer of Third Party Content