Welcome (greetings and announcements)

Warm-up (icebreaker, games, skit)

• How well do you know your huddle? Play Two truths & a Lie 

Work-out (Bible studies, devotionals, testimonials)

• Read 1 Thessalonians 5:15-18

• David Blough, quarterback of the Purdue University football team, spoke at the funeral of classmate and Purdue super fan Tyler Trent. Tyler died from a rare form of bone cancer on January 1, 2019. He inspired the nation with his undeniable love for the Lord, fighting the good fight and keeping the faith.

• Tyler saw his affliction as an opportunity to serve others. He lived by his favorite Bible verses, 1 Thessalonians 5:18-20, “giving thanks in all circumstances”, wanting his day, his life to be all about Jesus. 

• Similarly, Apostle Paul’s affliction kept him humble. We don’t know what Paul’s affliction was (epilepsy, malaria, disease of the eyes?), but it reminded him of his need for constant contact with God and benefited others as they saw God work in his life. Paul asked God to remove the affliction. God refused, knowing that God’s strength would be shown through Paul’s weakness.

Small group time (6-8 students per group)

• In what ways have you prayed for the removal of an affliction? Share about a time you prayed for the outcome of a game or result of a test. Did God answer your prayer the way you expected? Why/why not? (the answer can be I don’t know yet.)

• How does God want us to pray? Read Matthew 6:7-13

• Ask someone in the group to summarize Jesus’ instructions on prayer.

• The Lord’s Prayer:

o Praise God

o Pray for His work in the world

o Pray for our daily needs

o Pray for help in our daily struggles

Wrap-up (closing comments)

• Too often we start our prayers with what we want to happen. Praying to God is a one-way conversation. Our conversations with God become a two-way conversation when we add His Word to our prayer time. Prayer + the Bible = a two-way conversation with God

• Start with obedience (not circumstance or outcome). 

o Obedience-Word-prayer-Christian friends-circumstances

• We need to let go of what we want. Listen, watch for and prepare yourself to obey God’s plan. 

Two Truths and a Lie is the classic icebreaker game in which one attempts to identify which of the three statements is bogus.

Have everyone sit in a circle. Each person prepares three statements about themselves, two of which are true and one which is a lie. In any order, the person shares the three statements to the entire group. The object of the game is to figure out which statement is a lie. The rest of the group votes on each statement, and the person reveals which one is the lie.

Variation: Two Truths and a Dream Wish. An interesting variation to the classic Two Truths and a Lie icebreaker. Instead of stating a lie, a person says something that is not true - yet something that they wish to be true. For example, someone that has never been to Hawaii might say: "I have visited Hawaii when I was young." This interesting spin often leads to unexpected, fascinating results, as people often share touching wishes about their lives.