Synergy Discussion Guides

Synergy Discussion 11-22-25

Jesus came to engage with us in the ultimate way – He JOINED us in our humanity. Paul gives us a cool example of how to engage with people where they are in Acts 17.

Setup: Just before these verses, Paul is waiting for Silas and Timothy to join him in Athens. He sees the city full of idols and starts reasoning with the Jews and Greek philosophers. They invite him to share before their city council…

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Read Acts 17:22-31

22 So Paul, standing before the council, addressed them as follows: “Men of Athens, I notice that you are very religious in every way, 23 for as I was walking along I saw your many shrines. And one of your altars had this inscription on it: ‘To an Unknown God.’ This God, whom you worship without knowing, is the one I’m telling you about.

24 “He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, 25 and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. 26 From one man he created all the nations throughout the whole earth. He decided beforehand when they should rise and fall, and he determined their boundaries.

27 “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. 28 For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 29 And since this is true, we shouldn’t think of God as an idol designed by craftsmen from gold or silver or stone.

30 “God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. 31 For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed (Jesus), and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”

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DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

#1 - If Paul had just flipped out about the idols, would anyone have listened? Why or why not?

#2 - How did Paul show respect for them without compromising the truth?

#3 - How can we do that at school, on social media, or even at nights like this—engaging people where they are but still pointing to Jesus?

Close by praying we can find ways to talk about the gospel everywhere we go.

Synergy Discussion 10-29-25

Thanks for being willing to lead a group tonight! We want this to be student-led, but feel free to ask the adult leaders in your group for their input, especially if conversation gets stuck.

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Intro (Read This Out Loud): This Fall we have been looking at how the Psalms speak to our mental health. Often we struggle emotionally because of things around us, but SOMETIMES our own sinful choices bring about our struggles. In Psalm 51, David responds to his own sin and shows us how we can respond to ours. Psalm 46 reminds us no matter the source of our troubles, we can turn to God as our refuge and strength.

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#1 - Read Psalm 51:1-2

Main Thought: When I sin, I can remember God’s attributes.
Group Activity: List as many individual attributes of God you can come up with (love, grace, etc.) and write them down. If your group can come up with at least 25, you can get a prize at the end of youth.

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#2 - Read Psalm 51:3-4

Main Thought: When I sin, I can own up to it.
Group Discussion: Share at least 2 bad examples of how to own up to sin. Then, share at least 3 good examples of how to own up to sin.

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#3 - Read Psalm 51:15-17

Main Thought: When I sin, I can worship anyway.
Group Leaders: Share about what has helped you worship through a struggle. (Examples: Music in your car, nature, journaling, singing at church, etc.)

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#4 - Read Psalm 46:1

Main Thought: God is our refuge and strength.
Group Activity: What do you think of when you hear the word “refuge”? List some examples.

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#5 - Read Psalm 46:6-7

Main Thought: God is in control even when the world feels out of control.
Group Leaders: Give a personal example of a time when life has felt out of control.
Group Discussion: Can anyone else in the group come up with examples of life feeling out of control?

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#6 - Read Psalm 46:10-11

Main Thought: Be still and know…
Group Activity: Go back to your list of attributes from Activity #1. Pass the paper around your group and have each person read this statement - “God, help me be still and know You are __________.”
- Example: “God, help me be still and know You are GRACIOUS.”

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Closing Prayer: Finish your time together in prayer and then head back to the youth room for worship.

Synergy Discussion 9-24-25

Thanks for being willing to lead a group tonight! We want this to be student-led, but feel free to ask the adult leaders in your group for their input, especially if conversation gets stuck.

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Icebreaker Question: If you could pick one superpower, what would it be? Why? After everyone shares, talk about how your super team could function together.

Intro (Read This Out Loud): The past few weeks we have been looking at how the Psalms speak to our mental health. God speaks to us through His People, His Spirit, and His Word and we should look to Him for wisdom in times of emotional health and times of emotional struggle.

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Read Psalm 133

1 How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! 2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil that was poured over Aaron’s head, that ran down his beard and onto the border of his robe. 3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon that falls on the mountains of Zion. And there the Lord has pronounced his blessing, even life everlasting.

Main Thought: God gives us other people to build us up mentally, spiritually, and physically. Mentally: It is wonderful and pleasant. Spiritually: Like the anointing of a priest. Physically: like refreshing rain or a cool glass of water. Togetherness ultimately points to the hope we have of eternity with Jesus and other believers!

Group Leaders: Talk about the importance of togetherness (accountability, unity, etc.) in your own personal life. If you are willing, share about a time when you felt isolated and how that affected you emotionally. Also – if willing – share about how spending time with other believers has helped you in both good and bad times.

Everyone Discuss: What would it be like if we didn’t have to walk through life with other people? What struggles would that cause? … Why do you think God designed us to walk through life with others?

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Read Psalm 139:7 & 23-24

7 I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! … 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Main Thought: The all-knowing, all-present, all-powerful God knows me personally, hears my anxious prayers, and wants my honesty. The Holy Spirit (our Helper) lives inside believers to comfort us when we are hurting and convict us when we are sinning.

Group Leaders: Share about how the Holy Spirit has comforted you (or someone you know) during a time of hurting or sadness. Also, share how He has used conviction in your life as a believer. Feel free to be specific if you are willing OR just share in general about how conviction has worked in your heart.

Everyone Discuss: If God already gave us other people, why do we also need the Holy Spirit? Does anyone else have an example of the Holy Spirit’s comfort or conviction in your life? How else does the Holy Spirit work in the life of a believer?

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Read these main thoughts & supporting verses from Psalm 119.

#1 - God’s Word is an anchor for our thoughts.

Psalm 119:160 - The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.

#2 - God’s Word strengthens us when we feel weak.

Psalm 119:28 - I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word.

#3 - God’s Word comforts us when life hurts.

Psalm 119:50 - Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.

#4 - God’s Word guides us when we don’t know what to do.

Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Group Leaders: Talk about the importance of God’s Word in your own life. Share what has worked for you in your life if you’ve found a good rhythm for reading Scripture. If you have been struggling recently to stay consistent, share how you know you could do better.

Everyone Discuss: Talk about how amazing it is that God has spoken to us in His Word. Why is it important to spend consistent time reading Scripture? What should we do when we fall out of that rhythm?

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Closing Prayer: Finish your time together in prayer. If it isn’t too late, take time to pray for each person in your group by name. If they don’t have specific prayer requests, pray that he or she would continue to be open to hearing God through His Word, His People, and His Spirit.

Synergy Discussion 8-13-25

Intro: We are called to be “lights in the world” for Jesus. Paul talks about this in the next part of Philippians 2 right after he talks about the example of humility Jesus gives us. This picks up where we left off last Wednesday – but no worries if you missed it. Let’s jump in!

Questions…

Icebreaker: Leader – do a few rounds of “Simon Says” and make it as ridiculous as you’d like. Tie this into our topic today of obedience.
Philippians 2:12 starts with the word “therefore” – when we see that we need to ask the question, “What is it there for?” Review the previous verses from last week to remember what Paul is talking about.
Read Philippians 2:12-13. God is the One who does the work in our hearts, but if we are saved people should see obedience. What does obedience look like at your stage of life? In your social circles? Serving at church?
Read Philippians 2:14-16. Paul encourages the reader to shine as lights in the world – in other words, be an example of Jesus to others. Why does he start this thought telling us to do all things without grumbling or disputing (complaining or arguing)? Why is it so hard to do this well?
Read Philippians 2:17-18. Paul writes this from prison and knows he is heading toward eventual death, yet he still rejoices with the Philippian believers. Why do you think he still has this attitude?
- Group Leaders: Be honest with your group – how are you doing with rejoicing right now? What habits should we have in our lives to maintain the right attitude?
Group Leader: Take time to pray for each person in your group. If someone doesn’t have a specific prayer request, still pray for him or her in general.

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Philippians 2 - Lights in the World

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

17 Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. 18 Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

Synergy Discussion 8-6-25

Humility is something we should all strive for and we all lack at times. Jesus gives us the ultimate example of humility and Paul talks about this in Philippians 2. Middle schoolers might remember studying this during VBX.

Questions…

Icebreaker: Act out a scene where one (or more) of your group members shows humility in serving the others. Take a picture of your entire group acting this out and send it to Aleigha at 814-515-5133.
Read Philippians 2:1-2. Paul encourages believes to be “of one mind” – In which things should we be of the same mind? In other words, what are the essentials of following Jesus where we should find unity?
Read Philippians 2:3-4. Paul isn’t saying we should ignore our own interests, but they should align with Jesus. How did Jesus look to the interests of others in His life?
Read Philippians 2:5-8. We don’t face death on a daily basis, but we are called to daily obedience. Make a list with your group of examples of daily obedience to Jesus.
- Group Leader: What specific areas of obedience is God calling you to?
Read Philippians 2:9-11. What are some ways we “confess Jesus is Lord” in a church or youth group setting? What are some ways we should “confess Jesus is Lord” in our everyday settings?
Group Leader: Take time to pray for each person in your group.

Philippians 2 - Christ's Example of Humility

1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.