FOCUSING ON THE ONE
Message from Lee Grady
OVERVIEW
Did you know that God can use YOU to make a big difference in someone’s life?
Sometimes we think that doing something important for God means speaking to lots of people or doing something really big. But Jesus cares about every single person, and He wants us to care about people, too!
In the Bible, Philip was telling many people about Jesus when God told him to go to a quiet, lonely road. There, he met just ONE man who needed to hear about Jesus. Philip obeyed God, helped the man understand the Bible, and the man believed in Jesus!
God can use you in the same way! Maybe there’s someone at school who needs a friend, someone who feels left out, or someone who needs to hear about Jesus.
Lee Grady reminds us that we can love people, pay attention when God leads us, speak encouraging words, and help others grow in their faith.
You don’t have to wait until you’re grown up. God can use you to reach one person right now!
HOW TO USE THIS STUDY GUIDE
Read About It → Talk About It → Think About It
Open your Bible and read each passage together.
Look for the answers in Scripture before answering the Talk About It questions. These questions follow the same Bible truths the adults are studying, so Kidz can join the conversation, too!
Then use the Think About It questions to look at your own choices, friendships, and actions. Talk about how you can follow God’s Word at home, at school, at church, and with your friends.
Finally, Section 5 will help you get ready to notice someone God wants you to reach and take a step of obedience!
MEMORY VERSE
“The mouth of the righteous is a well of life.”
Proverbs 10:11 (NKJV)
SECTION 1 — BE RELATIONAL
BIG IDEA
God made us to love and care for one another. Church isn’t just a building we go to on Sundays. We are a family! The Apostle Paul loved the people in the Church. He remembered their names, prayed for them, and wanted to help them grow closer to Jesus. God wants us to love people like that, too!
READ ABOUT IT
Romans 1:8–12; Romans 16:1–7
TALK ABOUT IT
- In Romans 1:9, what did Paul say he was always doing for the believers?
- According to Romans 1:11, why did Paul want to visit them?
- In Romans 1:12, how could Paul and the believers help each other?
- What does Paul ask the believers to do for Phoebe in Romans 16:1–2?
- Paul mentions many people by name in Romans 16. What does that tell us about how much he cared for them?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Do you try to make friends with others at church, or do you usually stay with people you already know? How could you help someone feel welcome?
- Has someone ever hurt your feelings or left you out, making it hard to trust or be friendly again? How can you ask God to help you love others even when it’s difficult?
- Can you think of someone at church, school, or in your neighborhood who needs a friend? What could you do to show that person you care?
READ MORE
John 13:34–35
SECTION 2 — BE INTENTIONAL
BIG IDEA
Sometimes God asks us to do something we weren’t planning to do. Philip was telling lots of people about Jesus when God sent him to a lonely road to meet just one man! Philip listened and obeyed. Because he did, that man heard about Jesus and believed in Him. God wants us to pay attention to the people around us and be ready to obey when He leads us.
READ ABOUT IT
Acts 8:26–40
TALK ABOUT IT
- Where did the angel of the Lord tell Philip to go in verse 26?
- What did Philip do when he received those instructions?
- In verse 29, what did the Holy Spirit tell Philip to do?
- What question did Philip ask the man who was reading Scripture?
- Who did Philip tell the man about, and what did the man do after believing?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Have you ever been so busy playing, watching something, or doing what you wanted that you didn’t notice someone who needed help or a friend?
- If you felt God leading you to talk to someone who was sitting alone or being left out, would you do it? What might make that difficult?
- Is there someone God has already placed in your life who needs kindness, encouragement, or to hear about Jesus? What could you do to show that person God’s love?
READ MORE
Acts 16:13–15
SECTION 3 — BE ENCOURAGING
BIG IDEA
Your words matter! God wants us to use our words to help people, not hurt them. Sometimes a kind word can make a big difference to someone who feels sad, lonely, afraid, or discouraged. You don’t have to be a grown-up to encourage someone. God can use your words to bring life and hope to others!
READ ABOUT IT
Proverbs 10:11; Ephesians 4:29; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
TALK ABOUT IT
- In Proverbs 10:11, what does the Bible say about the mouth of a righteous person?
- According to Ephesians 4:29, what kind of words should we avoid?
- What does Ephesians 4:29 say our words should do for others?
- In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, what two things does Paul tell believers to do for one another?
- How do these Bible verses show us the kind of words God wants us to speak?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Think about the words you use with your family and friends. Do your words usually make people feel loved and encouraged, or do you sometimes complain, tease, or say hurtful things?
- Do you sometimes wish people would notice you, compliment you, or encourage you? What could happen if you started looking for ways to encourage someone else?
- Have you ever wanted to tell someone something kind but felt too shy to say it? Who could you encourage this week, and what could you say?
READ MORE
Proverbs 16:24
SECTION 4 — REPLACE YOURSELF
BIG IDEA
God wants us to help others learn about Jesus so they can help even more people! Paul taught Timothy how to follow Jesus and encouraged him to teach others. Paul also cared about a man named Onesimus and wanted others to welcome him as a brother in Christ. When we share what we’re learning about Jesus, we help God’s love spread from one person to another!
READ ABOUT IT
2 Timothy 2:1–2; Philemon 1:10–17
TALK ABOUT IT
- In 2 Timothy 2:1, where does Paul tell Timothy to find his strength?
- According to 2 Timothy 2:2, what does Paul want Timothy to do with the things he has learned?
- What should the people Timothy teaches be able to do for others?
- In Philemon 1:10–11, who is the man Paul is helping?
- In Philemon 1:16–17, how does Paul want Philemon to welcome Onesimus?
THINK ABOUT IT
- Have you learned something about Jesus that you could share with a younger brother, sister, friend, or someone who doesn’t know much about Him?
- Sometimes we want to be the one who gets picked, wins, or receives attention. Are you willing to help someone else learn, grow, or succeed, even when you don’t get the attention?
- If you helped one friend learn about Jesus, and that friend helped someone else, how could God’s love keep spreading? Who could you begin helping or encouraging in their faith?
READ MORE
2 Timothy 1:3–7
SECTION 5 — FOCUS ON THE ONE: TAKE ACTION
Did you know God can use you just by being YOU? You don’t have to be a grown-up, know everything about the Bible, or do something huge. God can use your smile, your friendship, your kindness, and your words to make a difference in someone’s life!
This week, let’s see how God might use you to reach ONE person!
- Who is your ONE?
- Is there someone at school, church, or in your neighborhood who could use a friend, a kind word, or someone to tell them about Jesus?
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you notice people around you this week. Maybe it’s someone sitting alone, a new kid, or someone having a hard day.
- Who might God be putting on your heart to reach?
- Is anything holding you back?
Sometimes doing something kind takes a little courage, and that’s okay! God will help you.
- Is there anything that might make it hard for you to reach out? Maybe you feel shy, don’t know what to say, or are busy doing something else.
- What could you do differently so you’re ready to listen and obey when God leads you?
- Is there a parent, friend, or trusted adult who could pray with you, encourage you, or help you?
- Are you ready to go for it?
- When you pray and read your Bible, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see people the way God sees them and be ready when He gives you an opportunity.
- If God puts someone in your path who needs a friend or some encouragement, will you be willing to stop what you’re doing and show them His love?
- What’s one thing you could do this week? Maybe invite someone to play, sit with someone new, share an encouraging word, or tell a friend about Jesus!
Remember, you don’t have to do something BIG to make a BIG difference. God can use YOU to reach ONE!
REMEMBER THIS!
God cares about every single person, and He wants you to care about people, too!
Philip obeyed God and helped one man learn about Jesus. Paul loved people, encouraged them, and helped them grow so they could reach others. You can do that, too!
You can be a friend to someone who feels left out. You can encourage someone who is having a hard day. You can share what you know about Jesus and help someone grow closer to Him.
Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes this week. Pay attention to the people around you, listen when He leads you, and be willing to obey.
You might be the one God uses to make a difference in someone else’s life!