**Below you will find the first few outlines for the Social Justice Study that we will be doing. 

 

Outline #1:

**This is meant for both JR and SR High students

Social Principle: The Nurturing World

Topic: Marriage

            In this study youth will learn the importance of a marriage.  The book “Social Principles of the UMC” allows us to see that the Methodist church affirms the covenant of a marriage in that it expresses its love, mutual support, personal commitment, and shared fidelity between a man and a woman.  It is believed that this is God’s blessing upon a marriage.

            With the youth I will review what a marriage is as well as give a short clip from "License to Wed" showing a fun way that marriage happens. The youth will be asked the following questions:

  1. What is the importance of marriage?
  2. Why do we need to have a ceremony?
  3. Why do we take vows when married?

We will go through and answer the questions of what the Christian background is on marriage and why we do it.

NOTE: **If the subject of homosexuality should arise with the JR High’s the subject will NOT be discussed during youth group.

NOTE: **If the subject of homosexuality should arise with the SR High then I will remind the youth that that is a later topic, but the UMC supports marriage between a man and a woman.

Scriptures:

-Genesis 2: 18-25

-Ephesians 5: 22-33

-1 Corinthians 7: 1-9

 

 

Outline #2

**This lesson is for both JR High and SR High youth

Social Principle: The Nurturing Community

Topic: Divorce

            This lesson will be used to teach the youth about divorce and why it is so common in today’s world.  According to the book of “Social Principles of the United Methodist Church” marriage is God’s faithful plan; however, it is understood that sometimes circumstances arise that may cause a marriage to break up and so the UMC grieves the break up of any marriage and agrees with divorce once all areas of communication have been taken care of and the marriage is still not working (pastoral counseling, clinical counseling, ect). 

            In this lesson I will show a clip from “Walk the Line-Marriage for Life” which will show youth the start of a divorce and the reasoning behind it.  I understand that during this lesson there may be several youth who are either going through a parental divorce or have gone through one.  My goal is to help them find peace in what is going on.  We will talk about how the Methodist church views divorce as well as some small group questions including:

  1. Why do you think divorce happens more often in today’s world?
  2. How do you or your peers react when you or they have parents going through a divorce?
  3. How does it make you feel?

Scriptures for this lesson will be:

-Matthew 19: 1-12

-Deuteronomy 24: 1-4

 

Outline #3

**This lesson is for JR High Youth

Topic: Materialism

            This lesson will teach youth that materialistic items are not important.  What is important is the relationship that one has with Christ.  In this lesson the youth will learn that earthly things are not nearly as important Godly things (family, friends, ect).  In today’s world materialism is something consumes our young people today, and they get so caught up in who has what earthly belongings that they forget the importance of Christ.

            I will demonstrate this to the youth in a form of role play. I will also show a clip from “Cheaper by the Dozen.”  We will also have small group discussion and they will answer the following questions:

1. What is considered a “materialistic” item?

2. Why are these items so important?

3.  If someone took once of these items away from you how would you feel? And why would you feel like that?

Scriptures:                         

-Psalm 24: 1-2

-Matthew 6: 19-24

-James 5: 1-5

 

 

Outline #5

**This lesson is for SR High Only

Topic: Abortion

Social Principle: The Nurturing Community

            This lesson is designed to all the youth to debate the facts of abortion.  I will allow them to freely debate this issue with spiritual guidance and will re-direct them if they get off topic.  I will open this lesson with scripture and what we as Methodists believe.  The Methodist church does not support abortion as a form of birth control; however, does support it if the mother’s life is in danger.  Over all, the Methodist church believes that if a woman has had an abortion or is considering abortion that the church provides pastoral counseling and care.

            I will open this less with a video clip from Juno which is a movie where a young teenage girl gets pregnant.  Like homosexuality, this is a topic that is constantly brought up to youth in today’s world.  It is important also that they know and understand the Methodist views on it so that should a friend or they be faced with such a situation they find comfort in their church.

Scriptures:

-Exodus 21: 22-25

-Psalm 139

 



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