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 a sheet of 5 ½ by 8 ½ inch cardstock. 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.