Including Jesus—Divine Anticipation

When we follow Jesus, we can anticipate his presence in our lives—he’s right there with our teenagers while they’re taking a test, having a conversation with a friend, or hurting from something that someone said. Jesus is everywhere, knows everything, and can do anything. This lesson will help teenagers pursue a greater awareness of Jesus’ daily presence, and consider what it means to have a sense of divine anticipation.

Lesson Objectives

1. WHAT: We can choose to center our lives on Jesus and anticipate his presence each day.
2. WHY: Teenagers benefit from embracing the truth that being a Christian is more of a journey than an isolated event—Jesus wants an ongoing relationship with them.
3. HOW: Students will examine how they can be confident that Jesus is present and active in their lives—and in the lives of people around them.

Primary Scripture: Acts 5:12-16

Secondary Scriptures: John 14:12-14

1. Jesus is everywhere

If you could be around the same person 24/7, who would it be?

What would be most rewarding about spending all that time with the same person?

Where or when do you feel nearest to Jesus?

You can’t “see” Jesus, but you can still see Jesus at work around you—give us an example of how this has been true for you.

How does focusing on Jesus’ constant presence change the way you approach your day?

It can be tough to wrap our brain around the fact that Jesus is everywhere. He’s in this room while he’s with our friends or relatives in another state—or even on the other side of the world. He is fully present. Everywhere. All at the same time. “Divine anticipation” is another way to describe the expectation that Jesus is present and working in our lives—and in other people’s lives, too.

2. Jesus knows everything

Think about the smartest person you know—the one who would win every trivia contest. How has that person’s knowledge helped you before?

Who do you go to for advice?

Are you threatened or comforted by the fact that Jesus knows everything? Why?

The book of James says that if we ask for wisdom, God freely gives it to us. Tell us about a time Jesus gave you wisdom.

Jesus knows all things but doesn’t keep all this knowledge to himself. He gives us wisdom when we ask. Sometimes we’re not quite ready for it, so we need to wait, but Jesus is the ultimate source of knowledge, wisdom, and insight. As followers of Jesus, we can ask for and anticipate his wisdom for the stuff we face each day.

3. Jesus can do anything

If Jesus still does miracles, why doesn’t he just make everything good?

How have you seen Jesus displaying his power through you?

Do you think most followers of Jesus really expect and anticipate that he wants to display his power through them? Why or why not?

In this passage, we see how God did miraculous things through the apostles—and these miracles pointed people to Jesus. The apostles themselves didn’t have this power. It was the work of the Holy Spirit in them—even working through Peter’s shadow!

BGroup Questions

1. How do you want to experience Jesus’ presence in your life this week?
2. How can you share the idea of “divine anticipation” with your friends at school?
3. What attribute of Jesus that we discussed today—being everywhere, knowing everything, or being able to do anything—do you want Jesus to help you remember more consistently? Why?

TAKE ACTION: Memorize this Scripture this week! “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father” (John 14:13).

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