BGC’s Youth Ministry for Grades 6-12
Beyond Sunday
Go deeper in your walk with Christ. These Sunday recaps and assignments will empower you to live what you learn and grow closer to God in the process.
Sunday Recap 3/1/2026
- Youth Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
- Present Series: “CRAZY FAITH”
- Message Text: Genesis 12:1-3
- Message: “Going Without Knowing”
While we may not have coined the phrase, we did decide to borrow it from Pastor Mike Todd of Transformation Church. Pastor Todd defines the term “Crazy Faith” as “Thoughts and actions that lack human logic but trust fully in God’s promises.” This is exactly what we see in the stories of Abraham and of Moses.
As we began our new series today, we looked at the call of Abraham by God, and we discussed what it is like to step out of your comfort zone, trust God, and realize that we are not the end all, be all, in the work God wants to do in the world.
How might God be calling you to step out of your comfort zone at school, in class, around your peers, or within your community? Pray with him this week as you complete the assignments below and trust that he will answer.
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By the Renewing of Your Mind
Sun, Read Genesis 12:1-3
Mon, Watch “Take Action Now.” What can you glean from Abraham’s obedience? How can this encourage you in God’s call on your life?
Tues, Watch, “Step Outside Your Comfort Zone.” What keeps you from stepping outside your comfort zone? What might you miss by remaining in your comfort zone?
Wed, Watch, “God Is Bringing You Out of Your Comfort Zone.” Pray your own prayer to God that you would trust him as he stretches you and strengthens you and works through you to bless others.
Thurs, Watch, “Trusting God for TEENS!” What keeps you from trusting God? What keeps you from “stepping out of the boat?” Pray and ask God to give you courage to go where he is leading you.
Fri, Your school is a major part of your community and world. Spend some time in prayer praying for your school, for students, staff, administration, cafeteria workers, custodial workers, bus drivers, counselors, and even yourself. Ask God how he might want to use you each day in your school to bless others.
Sat, Consider starting a prayer group/club in your school or a YouTube Channel like Jordan A Greene (from yesterday’s video) or an Instagram account like da_young_disciples. Pray and ask God to lead you and use you.
Sunday Recap 2/22/2026
- Youth Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
- Present Series: “Once Upon a Time”
This Sunday was a family worship Sunday. The youth joined their families in the Multi-use Facility. They led in worship and served as greeters and ushers at both the 8am and 10am services. A particularly unique part of the service was the presentation of the top winners from the three grade-level categories of our Annual Black History Oratory Contest. At our 10 am service, Miss Leah Young (K-2), Mr. Elijah Akinbinu (3-5), and Miss Kimani Pratt (6-8), all shared their winning speech from this weekend’s Oratory Contest.
Let us just say the ancestors are proud and our God is pleased.
We invite you to visit the BGC YouTube Channel to see and hear these exceptional young people as they dramatically shared their gifts at our 10 am service, 2/22/2026.
Ask yourself, “What gifts has God placed inside of me? What is he calling me to do?” Spend some time this week in prayer and listen for what God has to say to you regarding your gifts.
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By the Renewing of Your Mind
Sun, Read 1 Peter 4:10-11. How is God speaking to you from this verse?
Mon, Read 1 Corinthians 12:7. Why has God gifted you? What are some ways God might want you to use your gift(s) to bless others?
Tue, Watch “Why God Gives Us Spiritual Gifts.” What picture gets painted when we humbly submit to God and to the gifts, he has placed inside of us? What are we encouraged in this video to do?
Wed, Watch “Ruby Bridges Shares Wisdom.” Who is Ruby Bridges? What is unique about her story as a six-year-old? Ruby shares that she “went through what she went through.” She shared that we all go through struggles and we are better for it. How are we made better through the struggles?
Thurs, Watch “What is Black Excellence?” What does black excellence mean to you? Do you believe God has called you to be excellent? How can you be your most excellent self each and every day?
Fri, Watch the “Reawakening of Black Excellence.” How has “black excellence” been awakened in you? How are you a part of the awakening?
Sat, “The Bible presents excellence not as a pursuit of perfectionism or superiority over others, but as a commitment to doing one’s best in all tasks as an act of worship to God. It emphasizes a ‘spirit of excellence’ that reflects God’s character.” – Google
Read Colossians 3:23-24; 1 Corinthians 10:31. How are you seeking daily to be excellent and bring glory to God?
Sunday Recap 2/15/2026
- Youth Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
- Present Series: “Once Upon a Time”
- Message: “From Building to Babbling”
- Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9
The Tower of Babel. Have you heard the story before? A story about a bunch of God’s people having multiplied themselves after the flood. Noah’s people. Shem, Ham, and Japeth. The Bible says many children were born to these boys after the great flood. God gave them all instructions. “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth.”
And yet in our story today we find that they have decided to settle in the land of Babylonia. Against God’s will, they decide to build a tower, make a name for themselves, and be famous in one location. God, having compassion and mercy on them, knows that this is not a good choice for them. As an act of love, He confuses their language in such a way that they no longer understand one another. As a result of this, the people go from building to babbling. They have no choice now but to disperse and populate the earth as God instructed.
So, what’s in this story for you and me. God is always with us. He will always want what is best for us. We should never want to make a name for ourselves apart from God. Besides, he has already given each of us a name. We are his, Am Segulah (treasured people), and his Banim (children). Anytime we try to make a name for ourselves apart from God, we are headed down the wrong path. We are headed towards sin and failure.
We must be careful about trying to make a name for ourselves. God has much better in store for all of us; therefore, it would behoove you and me to follow his plan and not our own!
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By the Renewing of Your Mind
Sun, Read Genesis Chapter 11.
Mon, Is the story of the “Tower of Babel” just a story that explains how we got different languages and cultures? Or are there deeper meanings to the story? What might some of those deeper meanings be?
***Remember to continue the NextGen Consecration and “Live Free” Reading Plan today
Tue, Why did the people want to build the “Tower of Babel?” In what ways are the people building towers today to feel superior and powerful apart from God?
***If you have not already done so, upload the youversion bible app to your phone. Continue the reading plan. If you do not have a phone, you may access the bible reading plan here
Wed, Why do you think God confused the people’s language? Was this an act of punishment by God or was this an act of mercy? How so?
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Thurs, The Bible says the people wanted to “make a name for themselves.” How do you see people expressing the same desire for popularity and fame today? What types of things are they doing to make a name for themselves?
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Fri, What are some ways in which we can use our gifts and skills (which God has given us) to glorify God and not ourselves?
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Sat, Are there any areas in your life where you may be trying to reach heaven in your own strength rather than trusting God to elevate you in his timing?
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Sunday Recap 2/8/2026
- Youth Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
- Present Series: “Once Upon a Time”
- Message: “Wipe Out”
- Scripture: Genesis 6:5-8
For those of you who have heard this story, you may know it by the title, “The Story of Noah’s Ark” or maybe, “The Story of the Great Flood” or “The Flood Story of the Bible”. Today we discussed it as, “Wipe Out.” We also discussed it as a “Baptism Fail” with the “fail” being on the part of the people and not on the part of God. God wiped out the earth but not in its entirety. He washed it, baptized it, removed some of its impurities, and with great care he re-fashioned it again.
We learn that God, during the flood, showed himself to be “The Potter.” He was working on humanity, his masterpiece, with great focus, concern, intensity, and love. He is doing the same thing today. Evil is as great today, 2026, as it was over 4500 years ago when Noah built the Ark in obedience to God.
In conjunction with the “Beyond Sunday Assignments” this week, take time to watch “Making a Classic Clay Pot on a Potter’s Wheel.” This is a beautiful display of how God is working on us. Notice the molding, the forming, the water, the tools, the precision, the care, the patience, the focus, the creativity, the speed of the wheel, and especially notice the last 10 seconds or so of the video. God is the Potter. We are clay.
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By the Renewing of Your Mind
Sun, Read Genesis Chapter 6.
Mon, Watch “God’s Destruction of the Earth With a Flood” or read Genesis 6 – 8 in your bible. Name three things you find fascinating about the Flood story.
***Remember to continue the NextGen Consecration and “Live Free” Reading Plan today
Tue, Read Genesis 6:5-8 again. What are some “modern” ways people disobey God that parallel the wickedness of Noah’s day?
***If you have not already done so, upload the Youversion bible app to your phone. Continue the reading plan. If you do not have a phone, you may access the bible reading plan here
Wed, “The story of the flood is not just about destruction; it is about God’s commitment to preserving life and offering a path to safety (the ark/grace) even when humanity has turned away.” How does this parallel baptism?
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Thurs, Read Genesis 6:8-9. The Bible calls Noah righteous and blameless. What does it look like to “walk with God” when everyone around you is doing the opposite?
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Fri, Watch “Noah: One Man’s Faith Changed the World.” How did Noah’s faith change the world?
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Sat, Name some ways you can be a “NOAH” in today’s world.
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Sunday Recap 2.1.2026
- Youth Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
- Present Series: “Once Upon a Time”
- Message: “Bad Boys”
- Scripture: Genesis 4:1-15
Bad boys, bad boys. Whatcha’ gonna do? Whatcha’ gonna do when they come for you?
These words are the chorus to songwriter Ian Lewis’ song, “Bad Boys.” Lewis wrote the song to “chronicle the journey of a misguided youth turning to a life of crime.” In the song, he warns teenagers of the consequences of bad choices, of becoming aggressive as they start to grow up and make turns in life that are wrong. Before they know it, they’ve lost their way. Take the time to listen to the lyrics of Ian’s song here.
The song is the story of young Cain in the Bible. Cain was a “bad boy” who made bad choices. Exactly as the lyrics of Ian’s song state, Cain, “acting like a bloody fool” kills his brother Abel. Ian’s lyrics go on to say, “If you get hot, you must get cool.”
God says to Cain in the story, “If you get hot, you must get cool.” God tells Cain, “Sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Unfortunately, Cain did not heed God’s advice and evil entered his heart to master him.
God knows our hearts. He knows our motives. He continues to love us and is merciful to us in the midst of our bad choices. He shows mercy to Cain. He loves Cain and wants Cain to give his very best. Despite all this Cain must pay the consequences of his choices.
There are consequences to every action we take. Giving God our best, from the heart, results in God being pleased, and our relationships with God and others are strong. Making bad choices on the other hand separates us from God and from those who love us most. My prayer is that we would not be “bad boys” but rather sons and daughters of God.
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By the Renewing of Your Mind
Sun, Read Genesis Chapter 4. Watch “Bad Boy”
Mon, Read “Authentic Worship.” In your own words, describe what authentic worship means.
***Remember to continue the NextGen Consecration and “Live Free” Reading Plan this week.
Tue, Reflect: Do you worship or serve God only when it is convenient, or do you give him your best just as Abel did?
Wed, Have you ever been angry? Angry with a parent, a teacher, a friend? How did you manage that anger? Watch “Anger Management” with Eric the Counselor. What are the 3 coping skills he introduces for managing your anger?
Thurs, Watch “The Story of Cain and Abel.” What did God mean when he said sin crouches at the door? Sin is always trying to find space in our hearts. What is one thing you will do, practically, to make sure sin does not enter in?
Fri, Our actions always have consequences. What were the consequences of the actions of both Cain and Abel in the Genesis 4 story?
Sat, Watch “Your Actions Have Consequences.” Who are you when no one is watching? What would God say about your integrity?
Sunday Recap 1.25.2026
- Youth Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
- Present Series: “Once Upon a Time”
- Adult Series: “Free Indeed”
- Family Worship Message: “Free for Righteous Flourishing”
Due to the inclement weather this weekend, all services were virtual. Rev. Adrienne Morgan shared the Sunday message. The title of the message was, “Free for Righteous Flourishing.” The scripture text was Psalm 92:12, 13. Psalm 92 is a very short chapter, so feel free to read it in its entirety. You can also watch the message here.
Fourth Sundays at Baptist Grove are designated as Family Worship Sundays and as God would have it, Sunday, January 25th was a “Gode-made” family worship experience for us all.
What does it mean to flourish? It means to not only grow, but to thrive and to prosper, to move beyond doing good to doing well. Spiritually, it is a work of the Master Gardener, God. To flourish righteously, means to go beyond budding and to actually take on a vigor. to your budding, to take on the righteousness of Christ. It should be the desire of every Christian. And it may look different for each Christian.
Check out this video summary from Minister Jordan, our NextGen Minister at BGC.
I hope you are ready to flourish!!
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By the Renewing of Your Mind
Sun, Read Psalm 92. Continue your daily Consecration and Bible Reading Planthis week.
Mon, Read Deuteronomy 6:5. At Millbrook High School, the Varsity Girls Basketball Team created a T-shirt with the caption, “All In” on it. The caption means giving everything you have in order to be both the best individual and team player. It looked like getting up early, working out late, running extra drills, working long on those free-throws, watching team footage, and simply being committed to doing whatever it takes to be the best. What does it “look like” to be “all-in” spiritually?
Tue, Name some sacrifices you have made, can make, or are already making to enable you to flourish spiritually.
Wed, As you may know from experience, flourishing in God is not easy. There are haters, naysayers, and even that small voice in your head that says, “No. You can’t do it.” What solutions or suggestions do we find in Psalm 1:1, 2 that can help us flourish in Christ despite the negative voices we hear?
Thurs, What does it mean to flourish spiritually? What are the benefits of flourishing in God?
Fri, Flourishing requires patience and trust in God. Read Isaiah 40:28-31. Have you ever been in a hurry to get somewhere? Ever exhausted by a long car ride or road trip, thinking you’re never going to make it? Ever tried to build muscle, learn a dance routine, make a new friend, all to no avail? Have you ever tried to memorize scripture, prepare to pray, or read your bible without becoming distracted? How might Isaiah 40:28-31 encourage you in the waiting? Who does the work? Remember to wait on God and seek him.
Sat, Name three things you have discovered this week about flourishing or prospering in God.
Sunday Recap 1.18.2026
- Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
- Series: “Once Upon a Time”
- Message: “On My Life”
- Scripture: Genesis 3:15
People make promises every day. Many would agree that making promises is a natural part of life. It’s what we do, and we do it with great ease simply by opening our mouths. We do it as an assurance, to assure ourselves or to reassure others. We do it to impress people, and we do it to get what we want in the moment. Sometimes our promises are spoken sincerely with the best intentions, and other times they are spoken with a strong awareness that we are speaking lies and deception.
Humans speak, humans lie, humans fall short all the time. God on the other hand speaks. God tells the truth, and God NEVER falls short of his promises. In fact, we have this assurance from 2 Corinthians 1:20, NLT, “For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory.”
We see God’s very first promise being made in the Book of Genesis, Genesis 3:15, ESV, “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” In God’s act of grace and love he promises to restore Adam and Eve (humanity) to the freedom they were meant to share with him eternally prior to their disobedience, prior to the listening of the lies of the deceiver. God fulfilled that promise through the death, burial, and resurrection of his son, our Savior, Jesus. Every promise of God has been fulfilled in Christ!! Amen!
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By the Renewing of Your Mind
Sun, Read Genesis Chapter 3.
Mon, Read Matthew 5:37. What connection can you make between this verse and Genesis 3:15?
Continue the NextGen Consecration and “Live Free” Reading Plan today.
Recite this week’s daily affirmation: “God’s Word is the truth and we agree. We know that the truth will set us free.”
Tue, Read today’s “Daily Bible Verse and Devo”
If you have not already done so, please upload the youversion bible app to your phone. Continue the “Galatians Live Free” reading plan. If you do not have a phone, you may access the reading plan here
Remember to recite this week’s daily affirmation.
Wed, Why do people make promises? How important is it that we keep our promises?
Continue the bible reading and consecration plan.
Remember to recite this week’s daily affirmation.
Thurs, What do people mean when they say, “Cross my heart and hope to die”? What is the origin of this statement?
Continue the bible reading and consecration plan.
Recite this week’s daily affirmation.
Fri, Read 2 Corinthians 1:20. Explain this verse in your own words.
Continue the bible reading and consecration plan.
Recite this week’s daily affirmation.
Sat, How important is it that God keeps his promises? Has God ever broken a promise? Why does this matter?
Continue the bible reading and consecration plan. What have you heard God speaking this week?
Recite this week’s daily affirmation.
Sunday Recap 1.11.2026
- Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
- Series: “Once Upon a Time”
- Message: “I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up”
- Scripture: Genesis 3:6
Have you ever fallen and needed help getting up? Have you ever felt so far removed from God that you were filled with shame? Have you ever tried to hide from God because of something you had done? Have you ever thought, “There is no way God could love someone like me? Have you ever regretted a mess up and needed a do over?
If your answer to any of these questions is “yes” then you can perhaps relate to what Adam and Eve are feeling in our story for today. Following self-desire rather than God’s desire, listening to the voice of the accuser rather than the wisdom of the Father, and operating in accordance with pride instead of humility lead Adam and Eve into “the fall” of their life. They had fallen and could not get up.
What happens when we mess up so bad, or when we “repeat an offense” over and over again? Where is God in those moments? Beloved, he is right there reaching out to you, ready to give you a hand up, and ready to restore the freedom you once experienced.
Kick your pride to the curve and don’t bother trying to hide. God sees you. God still loves you (so much). God has already planned for your return.
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By the Renewing of Your Mind
Sun, Read Genesis Chapter 3.
Mon, Read Genesis 3:6. Why is this part of the bible story known as “the fall of man?”
***Remember to continue the NextGen Consecration and “Live Free” Reading Plan today and to say this week’s affirmation daily.
Tues, Re-read Genesis 3:6. Why do think Adam and Eve failed to keep the one rule God gave them?
***If you have not already done so, upload the youversion bible app to your phone. Continue the reading plan. If you do not have a phone, you may access the bible reading plan here
Wed, Read “The Fall and the Fracturing.” In your own words, describe the progressive power of temptation in our lives.
Thurs, Read 1 John 2:16. How does this verse relate to Genesis 3:6?
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Fri, What impact did the fall have on humanity?
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Sat, How can you apply the lessons of Genesis 3:6 to your own life today?
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Sunday Recap 01.04.2026
- Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
- Series: “Once Upon a Time”
- Message: “Free Spirit”
- Scripture: Genesis 1:26, 27
26 “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:26, 27 ESV
“Once upon a time…” is the classic opening line for many a good stories. This year, it is also the “opening line” for our first series of the year. This year we focus on “His:story”, God’s story, the history of God’s love and redemptive work for humanity from beginning to end, from the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation. With each bible story we read, we see God’s love and his gift of freedom to his people.
In the opening stories of the Bible, we read that God made man in his image and in his likeness to have dominion over the fish, the fowl, the livestock, the wild animals, and all the creatures that move along the ground. This means God made man in his character, to function like him, and to rule animals and plant life, not people. For humanity, who was created to be a free spirit, to live in any other way, is for humanity to be out of character, dysfunctional, and bound by their own behavior.
God created us to be free. This year let’s learn the his:story. Let’s look at God’s plan to move humanity (us) back to its freedom!
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By the Renewing of Your Mind
Sun, Read Genesis, chapter 1. Where do you find freedom in these verses?
Mon, Read Genesis 1:26-27. What does it mean to be created in the image and likeness of God? How are you living in that image and likeness today?
***Remember to begin the NextGen Consecration and “Live Free” Reading Plan today and to say this week’s affirmation daily.
This week’s affirmation: “No matter what life throws my way, Jesus gives me freedom every day.”
Tue, Re-read Genesis 1:26-27. How was humanity to function based on these two verses?
***If you have not already done so, upload the youversion bible app to your phone. Continue the reading plan. If you do not have a phone, you may access the bible reading plan here
Wed, Read “Created in God’s Image.” According to this devotional, how do we embrace our purpose?
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Thurs, How does knowing that you are made in the image of God affect the way you see yourself? How can understanding your identity in Christ change the way you interact with others?
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Fri, Read 1 Peter 2:9. What are some ways in which you can we share the light of Christ with others?
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Sat, Repeat three positive affirmations to yourself based upon what God says about you in Genesis 1:26-27.
***Continue the bible reading and consecration plan
Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.
Questions About Immersion Youth?
youthcs@baptistgrovechurch.org
