ROOTED · WEEK 03
Know God for yourself.
Your parents, pastor, and leaders can point you toward Jesus. They cannot know Him for you.
Leader Prep · 5 Minutes
Don't tell them to "have devotions."
Adults sometimes assume students know how to build a relationship with God simply because they have heard phrases like "read your Bible" and "pray every day."
Many do not know where to start, what to read, what to say in prayer, or what they are supposed to do when they do not feel anything.
Tonight, don't merely challenge students to spend time with God. Teach them how.
The goal is not for students to complete a religious task. The goal is to help them begin building a real, repeatable relationship with Jesus.
The Big Idea
Faith becomes yours when you begin walking with Jesus personally.
Other people can introduce you to Jesus, teach you Scripture, and pray for you. But following Jesus eventually becomes personal. He invites you to remain connected to Him every day.
Scripture
Stay connected.
JOHN 15:1-11Jesus uses the picture of a vine and branches. The branch cannot produce life by itself. It has to remain connected to the vine.
Jesus says, "Abide in Me, and I in you."
The Christian life is not simply believing the right things about Jesus from a distance. It is learning to remain close to Him, listen to His Word, talk with Him, and let His life shape ours.
Tonight's Flow
Don't just explain it. Practice it together.
Students should leave tonight having actually opened Scripture, reflected, and prayed-not simply hearing that they should.
Table
Ask students what makes it easy or difficult for them to spend time with God.
Word
Read portions of John 15:1-11 and walk through the three teaching points below.
Practice
Walk every student through the 10-5-5 rhythm while you are together.
Pray
Give students quiet space to talk to God personally, then close by praying together.
Teaching Guide · 15 Minutes
Three simple truths.
Help students move from inherited faith toward personal faith.
Other people can introduce you to Jesus.
Parents, pastors, grandparents, and leaders can teach, encourage, pray, and model faith. Those relationships matter. But eventually, you have to know Jesus personally.
Relationship requires connection.
Jesus says a branch must remain connected to the vine. In the same way, spiritual life grows as we remain connected to Him through Scripture, prayer, worship, obedience, and community.
Small rhythms become strong roots.
You do not need to begin with an hour-long prayer meeting or five chapters of Scripture every morning. Begin consistently. Ten minutes of Scripture and honest prayer practiced regularly can begin forming deep spiritual roots.
The Practice
Start with 10-5-5.
Scripture
Read slowly. Don't worry about covering a lot. Ask: What stands out? What does this show me about God? What does this show me about myself?
Reflect
Write one sentence or sit quietly with what you read. Ask: Is there something I need to believe, change, obey, or remember?
Pray
Talk honestly with God about what you read, what is happening in your life, and what you need from Him today.
Talk
Make spiritual habits feel real.
When you hear "spend time with God," what do you think that means?
What usually gets in the way of reading Scripture or praying?
Have you ever felt like you were doing spiritual things but not really connecting with God?
What is one question you have when you read the Bible?
What would help spending time with God become more realistic for you this week?
Practice + Pray
Do 10-5-5 together.
Give students a short passage such as John 15:4-5. Let them read quietly, write one thought, and then spend several minutes praying. Model silence rather than filling every second.
Three days.
Challenge students to practice 10-5-5 on three different days before the next gathering. Starting with three successful days is better than promising seven and doing none.
Leader Coaching
Notice this.
Parent Table Talk
Don't only tell them to read the Bible.
Let your student see how you personally walk with God.
What makes spending time with God easy or difficult for you?
Tell your student what your own prayer or Bible-reading rhythm actually looks like-including where you struggle.
Choose one day this week and practice 10-5-5 separately or together as a family.
Pray: "Jesus, help us know You personally and make room for You in our everyday lives."
Before Week Four
Help the habit survive Monday.
Send students a reminder of the 10-5-5 rhythm.
Give them one simple Scripture passage to use if they do not know where to begin.
Midweek, ask one question: "How has 10-5-5 gone so far?"
Celebrate honesty. If a student says, "I didn't do it," encourage them to begin again rather than making them feel guilty.
Pay attention to students who begin asking deeper questions about God or Scripture.
Next
Week 04 - Learning to Pray.
Students have begun creating space to know God personally. Next, we slow down and teach them how to actually talk with God, listen, and pray with confidence.