In the midst of busy and often overwhelming lives, teenagers sometimes view attending church as unnecessary at best and a burden at worst. But Hebrews 10 encourages us to consider the role and importance of the community of Christ-followers. This lesson will help junior highers consider the importance of regularly gathering with other followers of Jesus.

Lesson Objectives

1. WHAT: The church is an invaluable source of stability and support in our life with Jesus.
2. WHY: Attending church is not a mindless chore or an inconvenient tradition, but an essential part of a vibrant Christian life.
3. HOW: Students will discuss some of the reasons people don’t attend church consistently and will examine the value of regular church attendance.

Primary Scripture: Hebrews 10:23-25

Secondary Scriptures: Luke 4:14-16

1. Church helps you stand stronger with others

Think about our opening activity with the human pyramid and human wheelbarrow—what are some other examples of things that are just better when you do them with others?

Why is it hard to be a follower of Jesus without regularly spending time with other Christ-followers?

Look through our passage in Hebrews 10—what “action words” do you see? Which one of these words is most unexpected, and why?

When have any of these actions helped you to stand strong as a follower of Jesus? Explain.

Talk about a time when another follower of Jesus helped to motivate you to “acts of love and good works.”

Here’s an important truth: Church is not a place where we come to do religious stuff. The church is really the people who are there, not the building. Attending church means meeting together with other people who help to motivate and encourage us to become more like Christ. And your presence at church can make a difference for someone who needs that same encouragement!

2.  When you go to church, go all in!

What are some ways you’ve experienced church as boring or irrelevant, and what are some ways you’ve experienced it as valuable and enriching?

Look at verse 25—what are common excuses people use to “neglect” going to church and spending time with other followers of Jesus?

What does it mean to be “active” in a church?

Have you ever invited a friend to attend church with you? If so, what was that experience like for you and for your friend? If not, why not?

Some people go to church because they’re “supposed” to—like a horrible homework assignment from Jesus. Guess what? That attitude will make you miserable! Attending church is a chance to connect, encourage, serve, worship, give, and discover.

3. Jesus is the reason we go

What have been some of your reasons for going to church? Have these motivations changed as you have continued to live your life with Christ? Explain.

 What would make going to church a better, more meaningful experience for you?

How is going to church helping you become more like Jesus?

Ultimately, our love for Jesus naturally compels us to want to be with others who also love him, or know they need him. A healthy church is a place where people focus on Jesus: following him, serving him, worshiping him, and pointing others to him. Church is an incredible place where we draw closer to other people and to Jesus.

BGroup Questions

1. Read Luke 4:14-16. Jesus was in the habit of going to the synagogue on the Sabbath—the equivalent of us going to church. Jesus was fully human and fully God, so why would “need” to be there?
2. Verse 16 says “he went as usual to the synagogue”—does it really matter if we go to church regularly, or occasionally, or infrequently? Why or why not?
3. We go to church because it’s good for us to do—but how does going to church benefit God in any way?

TAKE ACTION: Memorize this Scripture this week! “And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near” (Hebrews 10:25).

**Leaders, leave 3-5 minutes for prayer at the end of your group time.