Note to the Teacher

This lesson focuses on the theme of "Faith to Change," inspired by Luke 17:5-10, encouraging students to understand how small acts of faith can lead to significant growth. The icebreaker, "Faith Connections," involves students finding commonalities with their peers to build connections and discuss how faith plays a role in their lives. The discussion explores how Jesus' teachings about faith apply to everyday life and the importance of service and action in growing faith. For the activity, students engage in "Faith Seed Planting," where they plant mustard seeds while reflecting on personal acts of faith they can commit to throughout the week.

Times are based on a fifty-minute lesson period but may be adjusted.

Icebreaker: Faith Connections (10 minutes)

Have students stand in a circle. Explain that they will create a "web of faith."

Start by holding a ball of yarn and saying something about your faith or a blessing in your life (e.g., “I am thankful for my family, which strengthens my faith”). Then, hold on to the end of the yarn and toss the ball to a student across the circle.

That student shares something about their faith or a blessing and then tosses the yarn ball to someone else, holding onto the yarn. Continue until a "web" of connected students is formed.

After the web is created, discuss how we are all connected through our faith and blessings and how, like the yarn, our faith connects us, even when we’re scattered in the world.

Bible Reading (5 minutes)

Read Luke 17:5-10.

Discussion Questions (10 minutes)

Themes: The world is constantly changing; anxiety versus hope and faith

What did Jesus say in response to the disciples’ request to "increase our faith" in Luke 17:5-6?
How does Jesus describe the role of faith in the mustard seed analogy? What do you think he meant?
How could you apply the idea of having "faith the size of a mustard seed" to a challenge you’re currently facing?
What similarities can you draw between the disciples' request to increase their faith and how we might ask God for help in our struggles?
Do you think Jesus' response to the disciples' request was fair? Why or why not?
What could we do as a group to grow our faith this week, inspired by the mustard seed and servant parable in the passage?

Active Learning Activity (20 minutes)

Students plant seeds and discuss how even small faith can grow into something powerful.

Materials Needed:

Small pots or cups (1 per student)
Potting soil
Small mustard seeds (or other small seeds)
Markers for decorating pots
Watering cans or bottles (with water)

Instructions:

Introduction: Briefly explain how Jesus used the mustard seed metaphor to describe how even small faith can grow into something powerful, much like planting a small seed that eventually grows into a large plant.

Planting the Seeds of Action: Give each student a small pot, soil, and a mustard seed. Instruct them to plant their seeds in the soil while thinking of a personal act of faith they can commit to during the coming week (e.g., helping someone, showing kindness, praying). Encourage them to decorate their pots to remind them of the commitment.

Watering and Growth: Have students water their seeds, symbolizing their nurturing of faith. Explain that as they care for the seed and watch it grow, they can remember the importance of nurturing their faith through small actions. While they are watering, say a prayer asking God to give them the courage to take the action they are planning.

Closing: Discuss how taking small steps of faith can lead to significant growth (like the mustard seed). Encourage students to check on their plants in the coming weeks as a reminder to keep practicing small acts of faith.