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 7/12/2026
Youth Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
Present Series: “A HARD EXODUS”
Message: “Rahab’s Story”
Scripture: Joshua 2:1-24
Rahab’s story has a message for all of us! She went from “sinner to saint” with one major decision. She decided to help some people who needed help. She decided to help God’s people.
Rahab chose faith over fear. She chose to do the right thing rather than the wrong thing. She trusted two strangers, and even greater than that, she trusted a God whom she’d only heard stories about.
Rahab was a prostitute who made it into the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1) and a woman of great faith who made it into the Book of Hebrews “Hall of Faith,” (Hebrews 11:31).
Rahab’s story teaches us that God can use anyone regardless of their past. Her story teaches us that faith ought to cause us to take action. God hears our prayers and he is waiting to rewrite our story!
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By The Renewing of Your Mind
Complete the following activities this week to help reiterate Sunday’s message.
Sun, Read Joshua 2:1-24.
Mon, Watch “Rahab and the Spies.” What sign did the spies give Rahab to mark her home for safety?
Tue, Watch “Joshua: Rahab’s Divine Faith Journey.” Why did Rahab save the spies?
Wed, Watch “Rahab: The Prostitute Chosen by God.” Have you ever felt like your past was too messy for God to use you? Do you carry shame from decisions you’ve made, wondering if you could ever be worthy of something more? In what ways can Rahab’s story encourage you?
Thurs, Read Joshua 2:8-11. Rahab confessed to hearing the STORIES of all that God had done. Rather than hardening her heart in fear, she responded in faith. How have you responded this year after hearing the stories of all that God has done? Have you hardened your heart or will you respond in faith?
Fri, Watch “Rahab the Prostitute.” Rahab went from fear to faith to family, God’s family. How can we do the same?
Sat, Read Matthew 1:1-6 and Hebrew 11:31. What two things can you learn about Rahab from these two passages?
Sunday Recap 7/05/2026
Youth Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
Present Series: “A HARD EXODUS”
Message: “I Spy”
Scripture: Numbers 13:27-28,33; 14:6-10, 24
How often is it that God has bountiful blessings for us, and yet, like the Israelites, we coward from those blessings because of wrongfully perceived “giants” that make us feel like grasshoppers?! We go to a new school and we’re fearful. Suppose I don’t know anyone? Suppose I don’t make friends. We coward away from upper-level courses because we’re afraid we won’t be able to do the work, afraid we will be bullied for being smart, afraid we won’t be with our “friends”, and afraid that God won’t really be with us.
God has promised us he will be with us (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5). He promises that as we seek him, he will not withhold any good thing from us (Psalm 34:10). God promises to work everything out for our good (Romans 8:28), and yet, like the Israelites in the Book of Numbers, we fail to trust God for the blessings he has for us.
In the story of the 12 spies, found in Numbers 13-14, God sends the spies out to explore their “blessing.” The spies go out and they explore the land. When they return, they share this report with the people. “It is indeed a bountiful country… but the people are powerful…we saw giants there. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers.” – Numbers 13:27, 28, 33.
God has given us his promises, instructed us to walk in faith, and yet we often miss his blessings because we feel like grasshoppers among giants!
Do not die in Egypt. God has more for you. Do not die in the wilderness. God has more for you! Do not miss your blessings. God has more for you!
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By The Renewing of Your Mind
Complete the following activities this week to help reiterate Sunday’s message.
Sun, Read Numbers 13-14.
Mon, Watch “Numbers Chapter 13 Explained.” Why is it important to know AND remember God’s promises to us?
Tue, Watch “Numbers Chapter 14 Explained.” What is the danger of allowing fear to cloud our judgement? What could be the result of this?
Wed, Watch “Faith to Face the Giants.” Why did God send the 12 spies out to explore the land he had promised them?
Thurs, Watch “A God Who is Bigger.” Ten of the spies saw obstacles. Two of the spies saw opportunity. Ten saw defeat. Two saw deliverance. Which group are you generally in and why? What was the tragedy of the people in Numbers 13-14 who did not trust God? How important is it for us to trust God?
Fri, Watch “The Grasshopper Mentality.” How does your view of yourself affect how you face challenges? What challenges are you running from because you feel inadequate? What do you need to do to overcome the “grasshopper mentality?”
Sat, Watch “Still Slaying Giants.” Spend time in prayer and worship thanking God for the “giants” he continues to slay in our life.
Sunday Recap 6/21/2026
Youth Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
Present Series: “A HARD EXODUS”
Family Worship – Father’s Day Celebration
Message: “The Heavy Shoulders of a Good Man”
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
Most things in life have a “weight limit” capacity. Bridges have a weight limit capacity. Elevators have a weight limit capacity. Even the shelves in your very home have weight limit capacities. Today’s sermon honored the good men, the fathers, the husbands, the brothers, coaches, mentors, GOOD men, who have carried the weight of their responsibilities for a long time. Noted in the message today was the fact that even men, the strong ones, the good ones, have maximum weight limit capacities. Because of this Pastor Akinbinu introduced us to another GOOD man in scripture, the Apostle Paul.
Paul’s story carries moments of insurmountable burdens, great pressures, and shoulders that were often loaded with difficulties beyond measure (2 Corinthians 11:23-29) and yet Paul endures, survives, and grows. How?
He talked. He shared his afflictions with others. He did not rely on self-sufficiency but on God’s sufficiency. And finally, he asked for the prayers of others. Paul acknowledged his need for prayers. Paul prayed but he also recognized the significance of having others, of inviting others, to pray for him and with him.
Regardless of our age or gender, Paul’s life experience is an example to all of us of how we are able to carry the heavy burdens of this life. We were never designed to carry the weight alone. God invites us, he invites YOU, to allow him to help with the load.
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By The Renewing of Your Mind
Complete the following activities this week to help reiterate Sunday’s message.
Sun, Read 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 & 2 Corinthians 11:23-29.
Mon, Read 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. How does coming to the end of your self-sufficiency allow for God’s divine sufficiency to be made available to you?
Tues, Watch “Let Your Problems Point You to God—Rely on God”. Why does God allow our problems, our burdens, to come and at times to be unbearable?
Wed, Watch “Made Perfect in Weakness”. When we’re going through, when it seems we’re carrying the weight of the world on our shoulders, when we feel we’ve had enough, where is God? Does he care? What might he be doing for you in that moment?
Thurs, Re-read 2 Corinthians 1:8-11. As a teenager, have you ever felt so overwhelmed, so mentally stressed that you wanted to just give up? How can the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:8-11 be an encouragement to you to rely on God?
Fri, In what areas of your life are you most likely to simply rely on yourself? What kind of problems might this create for you? Why is it important to rely on God in the simple just as much as the difficult?
Sat, Paul recognized the need to pray and to have others pray for him and with him. What are some reasons we might steer away from requesting prayers of others and/or praying for ourselves and others? What do YOU believe about prayer?
Sunday Recap 6/14/2026
Youth Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
Present Series: “A HARD EXODUS”
Message: “Blueprint for Life”
Scripture: Exodus 40
From the giving of the 10 commandments, to the giving of the other guidelines, to the call of Moses to leave Mount Sinai, God gives Moses specific, step-by-step instructions for the building and layout of the Tabernacle. The Bible says, “This Moses did; according to all that the LORD commanded him, so he did.” (Exodus 40:16). Why such specific instructions? Why such detail? This is God’s “Blueprint for Life.” And obedience is key!
From Adam and Eve walking with God in the cool of the day, to this tabernacle in Exodus 40, to God dwelling (tabernacling) among us today, God’s heart desire is to be with his children. His “Blueprint for Life” involves complete surrender to his instructions, his word, his direction. Those instructions, those directions, allow us a means for God to dwell with us, to live in us, and for us to abide in him all the time. This Blueprint when followed allows for a life in which God is present with us. This in turn allows for a life of peace. God gives instructions, we obey, God leads and guides, and we abide in his peace.
What an amazing blueprint!!
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By The Renewing of Your Mind
Complete the following activities this week to help reiterate Sunday’s message.
Sun, Read Exodus 40
Mon, Watch “Exodus 40: The Day God’s Glory Filled The Tabernacle.” What was the benefit here of following God’s instructions?”
Tue, Watch, “God Is Always With Us.” How can we trust that God is always with us? Think obedience. Think John 1 John 4:16
Wed, Watch “Exodus 40: The Movie.” When the tabernacle was finished, the glory of God filled the temple. God was present with the people. How have you experienced God’s presence with you?
Thurs, God’s goal all along is to dwell with his people. That is a big part of why Jesus came. Read John 1:14. What does it mean to you that God desires to dwell with you and in you? What do you need to do for that to happen in your life?
Fri, Watch “Your Body is a Temple for the Holy Spirit.” Like Moses in Exodus 40, committed to 100% obedience to God, why do we have to commit to 100% obedience to the Holy Spirit?
Sat, Watch “Terrian – God With Us.” What does “Emmanuel” mean? Thank God and celebrate his presence with you today.
Sunday Recap 6/7/2026
Youth Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
Present Series: “A HARD EXODUS”
Message: “New Guidelines Downloading: The Plan for an Anxiety-Free Life”
Scripture: Exodus 19-20, emphasis Exodus 20:18, 19
The whole Israelite community have been traveling from place to place as the LORD has commanded. They’ve come through the red sea, seen the Egyptian army drowned, seen God’s mighty hand of protection over their lives, they’ve been tested by God, and they’ve worked Moses’ nerve.
But now! Now they find themselves at a pivotal point in their journey. No longer are they slaves. In fact, they are free. They are free indeed, only they aren’t living like free men and women. These people have been called to totally depend on God, and yet they’ve been trained to live in fear and worry. They’ve been trained by the world to live in fear and worry. So, they’re anxious right now, and they are so stressed, that they can’t even enjoy the freedom God has given them.
They need help. They need a plan. And yet! As the plan is downloaded from heaven to them, they tremble. They shake. THEY ARE TERRIFIED. Consumed with fear. Scared to death.
We can relate right. God has given us his word. Downloaded straight from heaven by his Spirit. Guidelines. Guidelines for… a life of freedom. A life of hope. A life free of anxiety, worry, fear, and stress. Yet we worry. We’re afraid. We’re stressed. We’re filled with anxiety.
The ten commandments were God’s design, God’s plan for the anxiety-free life. They are guidelines, just as relevant today as they were back then, to keep us living our best life, a happy life, a life of order and peace. These commandments (guidelines for living) placed God at the forefront of every situation and with God at the forefront, anxiety has to flee!
Just as the Israelites were called to reverence God and trust his plan, so are we. The question is, will you trust God or will you continue to “be afraid and tremble, and stand far off?” (Exodus 20:19)
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By The Renewing of Your Mind
Complete the following activities this week to help reiterate Sunday’s message.
Sun, Read Exodus 19-20
Mon, Read Exodus 20:1-17. Why did God give the 10 commandments to the Israelites?
Tue, The Israelites struggled to follow the 10 commandments. Why is that?
Wed, Read Exodus 20:1-17 again? Do you think these commandments still apply to us today? Why or why not?
Thurs, Read Exodus 20:8. What are some personal ways in which you can keep the sabbath day holy?
Fri, How does keeping the 10 commandments today (2026) help us to have an anxiety free life?
Sat, 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast your anxieties (cares) on him because he cares for you.” What anxieties do you need to give to God? Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to trust God with these cares. Be sincere and truthful. Trust that God has heard and answered your prayer.
Sunday Recap 5/17/2026
Youth Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
Present Series: “A HARD EXODUS”
Message: “Passover to Freedom”
Scripture: Exodus 12-14
The story of the Passover in the Bible is very relevant for us today. Common to what many may think, it is not just an ancient story that happened way back then. Rather it is a story of how God continues today to deliver us from our own individual oppressions and bondages. Do not sleep on this story!
The Israelites were slaves to the Egyptians. They found themselves in a hard place, being treated harshly, and so they cry out to God for deliverance, for freedom from their bondage. God hears their cry, sends a deliverer, and begins the process of setting them free.
The Israelites discovered that while freedom was what they desired and what God desired for them, the process would not be easy. It was a hard exodus! In like manner, we cry out to God today, asking to be released from the things/people/bondage that hold us captive. While we desire to be free, and while that freedom is what is best for us, the journey, the “passover” to freedom, can be difficult for us.
It’s hard to let go of the familiar and move into the unknown even when the familiar is harmful to us and for us. Egypt, while not the place the Israelites wanted to be, brought familiarity for them. The Red Sea and beyond represented unfamiliar territory. They were unable to see how they could make it, how God would deliver, and how their life could be different and even better.
The Israelites had to go through a process to gain their freedom (Passover was/is a process). Regardless of our bondage there is a process to freedom. We must pass over fears, habits, insecurities, past failures, past relationships, and our own inner thoughts/mindset. For many, that makes for a hard exodus.
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By The Renewing of Your Mind
Complete the following activities this week to help reiterate Sunday’s message.
Sun, Read the Passover Story in full, Exodus 12-14.
Mon, Watch “Remember the Passover.” Why is the Passover Story relevant for us today?
Tue, Watch “God Walks Ahead of You.” When we think about being delivered from those things that hold us in bondage, what is one very important lesson we learn from God’s deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian captivity?
Wed, Watch “Moses Parting the Red Sea.” Why were the Israelites afraid? Why did God part the Red Sea? What do we need to have to receive God’s deliverance?
Thurs, Watch “The Greatest Salvation.” What are some of the struggles, temptations, bondages that pull teens away from Christ today? What are some of the voices they listen to rather than listening to Christ? Whose voices are you listening to? Why should you listen to God’s voice alone?
Fri, Read the Passover Story again, Exodus 12-14. What powerful lessons can teenagers learn from this passage about trusting God in the unknown and about relying on their faith rather than fear when facing “impossible” struggles?
Sat, Listen and meditate on this song, “If the Book of Exodus was a Song…” What bondage do you need to trust God to bring you out of? What idols do God need to break and remove from your life? What deliverance do you need? Surrender all to God. Ask him to bring you out of the house of bondage.
Sunday Recap 5/10/2026
Youth Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
Present Series: “A HARD EXODUS”
TODAY IS MOTHER’S DAY – Happy Mother’s Day
The Bible holds mothers in very high esteem. From the virtuous woman, to other scriptures on mothers in Proverbs (6:20-22; 10:1; 23:22-25), to other Old and New Testament verses, to even God comparing himself to “a mother” in Isaiah 49:15 and Deuteronomy 32:18.
Mothers are incredible, especially mothers of faith. They should be honored every day, and not just on the second Sunday of May.
My prayer is that we take this entire week, month, year, and years to come to honor and love our mothers. If your mother is alive and with you, always show respect and appreciation for her and to her. If you are no longer with your mother, live your life in such a way as to make her proud and to honor the legacy she left behind. Make her proud that she gave birth to you via God’s plan.
Beyond today, discover how God feels about mothers and emulate those feelings!
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By The Renewing of Your Mind
Complete the following activities this week to help reiterate Sunday’s message.
Sun, Read “So God Made Mothers”. Note the many reasons you should honor your mother.
Mon, Read Proverbs 31:25-30. Describe a woman who fears the Lord. How does the Bible say such a woman should be treated?
Tue, Watch “What Parents Teach Their Children.” What amazing gift has God enabled your mother (parents) to pass on to you?
Wed, Watch “3 John 1:4 Explained.” While these are the words of the Apostle John regarding his spiritual children, how much greater do you believe the words are for a faith-filled mother regarding her physical offspring? How much greater do you believe these words are for your own mother (parents) who want the same thing for you?
Thurs, Read Galatians 5:22. Which of these fruits of the Spirit are most evident in your mom? Share your response with her today and thank her for exemplifying the fruits of the Spirit.
Fri, Read the following verses. 2 Timothy 1:5; Proverbs 23:22-25; John 19:26-27; Proverbs 23:25, 6:20-22; and Deuteronomy 6:6-7. Based on these verses, how would you define a godly mother?
Sat, Watch “Mother’s Day Job Interview.” Is this a job you would apply for, be able to do, or even do in excellence? Why are mom’s so valuable? Go love on your momma right now (or your mother figure).
Sunday Recap 5/3/2026
Youth Theme for Year: “HIS:STORY” – 1 Corinthians 10:11
Present Series: “A HARD EXODUS”
Message: “Did God Do That?”
Scripture: Exodus 7:1-5
Egyptians. Pharaoh. The 10 Plagues of Egypt. 10 False Gods. One God more powerful than any other god, any other person, anything!! The Exodus needed to happen. Why? God needed to show Pharaoh and the Egyptians that he was the Supreme God, the only God. He needed to show the Israelites that they could trust and depend on him to lead and keep them.
Why is this story relevant for you? Our world today still offers gods believed to be more powerful than the God of heaven. Today we worship the god of popularity, the god of fashion and style, the god of substances (alcohol, drugs, vaping, pills, weed), the god of technology/AI, the god of money and power, the god of social status, social media, video gaming, and power. The list goes on. You’re probably thinking or saying, these things are not gods in my life. Don’t be fooled, or foolish.
These gods promise to give you what only God can give you. The story of the 10 plagues should remind us of what God did, and what he will still do today. It should remind us that he should be, and he is, the only real power in our lives.
Take a moment this week to identify your god(s). What person, thing, or habit draws your attention from God. Ask God to reveal to you any “false” gods that are at work in your life. Then ask him to defeat those gods so that the true God is the ruler of your life!
Beyond Sunday Assignments
Transformed By The Renewing of Your Mind
Complete the following activities this week to help reiterate Sunday’s message.
Sun, Read Exodus 7
Mon, Read Exodus 8. Watch “The 10 Plagues of Egypt.” Name the 10 plagues.
Tue, Read Exodus 9. Watch “What was the Meaning and Purpose of the 10 plagues of Egypt?” According to the video, what was the meaning and purpose of the 10 plagues of Egypt?
Wed, Read Exodus 10. Watch “The Ten Plagues in 4 Minutes.” What are we reminded of in the story of the 10 plagues?
Thurs, Read Exodus 11. Watch “Passover.” What is the connection between Jesus and the Passover?
Fri, Watch “Sparks Vaeira.” What does it mean that God hardened Pharaoh’s heart?
Sat, Watch “Daily Bread Devo.” Why should we as Christians pay attention to the Passover?
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.
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