BEST STORY EVER – LESSON

Writer: J.C. Thompson

Artwork: Kindred Creative
Project Supervisor: Nick Diliberto
Editor: Jennifer Hooks
PowerPoint Slides: Rob Quinn

Created by PreteenMinistry.net

Copyright 2014 – PreteenMinistry.net 1

Best Story Ever
Bible Passages: Luke 18:18; Luke 18:19; Luke 18:20; Luke 18:21-23; Luke
9:23-27; Romans 10:9-13; Romans 10:14-16
The Bottom Line: Our version of “good” will never be comparable to God’s
good—and he wants to give us his good.
What’s That to Me? No matter who we are or what we’ve done, it’s easy to
accept God’s gift of eternal life; all we have to do is ask.

SUPPLIES
Opening Activity: The Big Question
 Prize
 One backpack filled with king-size candy bars for all kids (representing
God’s good)
 One backpack filled with less-than-desirable stuff such as old candy, open
fun-size candy bars with bites taken out, and so on (representing our
good)

Teach
 Best Story Ever Video. The video is something we produced and can be
downloaded here:
https://preteenministry.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/Best-Story-Ever-
Video.zip

Small Group Option 1: Looking or Being?

 Each small-group leader should bring items needed to do a favorite
hobby. For example: If you go the gym, bring an ID card, workout clothes,
music player and ear buds, and a water bottle.
 Notecards
 Pens or pencils

Small Group Option 2: You Hold the Key

 a key and some twine to make a necklace for every preteen in your group

Copyright 2014 – PreteenMinistry.net 2

LESSON OVERVIEW
When a young religious leader approached Jesus and asked him to offer the way
to eternal life, Jesus responded with what seems at first like an unusual answer.
Upon closer examination, though, we can see that Jesus’ response was actually
profound—and a call to action. Jesus challenged the man—and us—to see how
our version of good is far removed from God’s version of good. We can never
measure up to God’s majesty, intelligence, or goodness. Jesus went on to invite
the man to accept God’s gift of eternal life, literally by following Jesus. The man
had a choice to make, and so do your preteens. This lesson is perfect for
preteens who are new to church or those who’ve not yet made a faith
commitment.

Copyright 2014 – PreteenMinistry.net 3

OPENING ACTIVITY: THE BIG QUESTION
Supplies:
 Prize
 One backpack filled with king-size candy bars for all kids (representing
God’s good)
 One backpack filled with less-than-desirable stuff such as old candy, open
fun-size candy bars with bites taken out, and so on (representing our
good)

[Slide 1 – Cover]

Say: Hey, everyone! I’m pumped you’re here today as we talk about the Best
Story Ever! You’ll find out soon what I mean by that. But first, I want to get to
know you a little better.

Ask:
 Who thinks they have the most valuable items in their pockets (and only in
their pockets) in this room right now?

What to Do: Encourage willing preteens to share what’s in their pocket. They’ll
have to make their case for why their pocket is the best pocket in the whole
entire universe (or at least in the room).

Give an award to the preteen you think has the most valuable pockets.

Say: Much like having stuff inside our pockets, we’ve got stuff going on inside of
us. Some of us have questions, ideas, and dreams stewing inside. Others just
have breakfast stewing inside!

You probably came here today with some things going on in your life. Maybe you
came here because Mom and Dad didn’t want you sleeping in again on a Sunday
morning. Maybe a friend invited you. Maybe you got lost and wound up at this
place thinking someone might be able to understand or help you.

No matter the reason you’re here, I’m glad you are.

All of you probably have questions you’re working through. Some of those
questions are very different than those of the people sitting next to you. Some of
your questions may sound a bit like these:

“How can I hang out with that girl at school more?”

“How can I get my hair to look more like Taylor Swift’s?”
“How can I find a way to hide in this room and play on my iPod until my
parents come and pick me up?”

Copyright 2014 – PreteenMinistry.net 4

Some of you might be asking deeper questions:

“Why are my mom and dad always upset with me?”

“Why am I always upset at my family?”
“How can I make some more friends?”
“Why am I even on this planet?”

Whoever you are, wherever you are, I know you have questions about life that
you’d like answered. We all do.

Today we’re going to talk about one man’s really big question to Jesus and how
Jesus’ answer impacts us today. His answer is life changing, and I think it’ll
answer a lot of the questions you came with today.

Let’s check it out.

[Slide 2 – Luke 18:18]

Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: “Good Teacher, what should I
do to inherit eternal life?” —Luke 18:18 (NLT)

Say: That’s the question the religious leader asked Jesus. It’s important to
remember: This was a religious leader asking the important question. We all
have questions for God—even me, and I’m leading you! I have questions about
life, the Bible, and even stuff like what’s the best topping to put on a pizza.

So how did Jesus respond to this incredibly important question? How does he
answer? Let’s see.

[Slide 3 – Luke 18:19]

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “Only God is truly good.”
—Luke 18:19 (NLT)

Say: Jesus didn’t answer the religious leader’s question. Instead, he threw him a
curveball. Jesus doesn’t really answer this important question like we’d expect
God to. He instead says something that’s super important for us to think about.
Let’s see what his answer to the religious leader is about.

Jesus wants the guy asking him—and us—to know that our earthly definition of
“good” is pretty messed up.

We all have a definition of “good.” Here’s one definition of good: a preteen with
incredible talent. Check this out.

Play Video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj3kR6-P9hw

Copyright 2014 – PreteenMinistry.net 5

(Note: If you are viewing this lesson in PDF format, you will have to cut and paste
the above URL into your browser to view the video)

[Slide 4 – Cover]

Say: But when we compare our “good” to God’s good, it’s not even a close
comparison. Think about this: the most valuable pocket in this entire room
contained (insert whatever the most valuable pocket contained)—and that’s the
best of the best in our entire room!

Check this out, if you thought that was good.

[Slide 5 – Grand Canyon]

Say: I’m sure you already knew the Grand Canyon was huge and awesome. But
did you know it’s also a history book? If you were to look at the layers of rocks,
they actually tell the history of North America and how it formed according to
geologists.

Here’s what I’m talking about.

[Slide 6 – Grand Canyon 3 Sets of Rocks]

The deeper story and beauty of the Grand Canyon is all right here. Our “good”
compared to God’s good is not that comparable. Here are other examples of
God’s version of good.

[Slide 7 – Kangaroo]

Say: The kangaroo is one of God’s most remarkable creatures. Scientists aren’t
clear on why kangaroos were designed to hop rather than run or walk. Hopping
isn’t as energy efficient except at high speeds, and going really fast is limited by
rocky or wooded terrain where kangaroos typically live. Yet God created
kangaroos in a wonderfully unique way that’s mysterious to us.

[Slide 9 – Flight Patterns]

Say: Butterflies are another example. They look so flimsy and uncoordinated
when they fly, but check out what this article says about butterflies.

Play video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azQeJLUWljc

(Note: If you are viewing this lesson in PDF format, you will have to cut and paste
the above URL into your browser to view the video)

Copyright 2014 – PreteenMinistry.net 6

Say: So, rather than being primitive, we now understand that butterflies flutter
because they choose each wing stroke from a customized armory of twists, flaps,
claps and flings. In the words of the researchers, “the fluttering of butterflies is
not a random, erratic wandering, but results from the mastery of a wide array of
aerodynamic mechanisms.” No wonder butterflies are so adept at taking off,
maneuvering, maintaining steady flight and landing.

Aeronautics engineers even desire to copy these mechanisms, but we have a

long way to go before we’ll be able to match the capabilities of insect flyers

For example, the software design in human-made aircraft requires many human
years of work and powerful computer chips for its implementation. In contrast, the
flight control center in the brain of a fly has been estimated at about 3,000
neurons, which “gives the insect less computational power than a toaster, yet
insects are more agile than aircraft equipped with superfast digital
electronics.” So how do insects exercise flight control over such a wide range of
aerobatic abilities? One commentator observed, “If engineers ever understand
that, there’ll be a revolution in aeronautics.” (Source: http://creation.com/why-a-
butterfly-flutters-by)

So all that crazy fluttering is way more complex than our most advanced flying
technology. Our “good” compared to God’s good is not comparable.

But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He answers the question the religious leader asked
by giving a definition.

[Slide 10 – Luke 18:20]

“But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘you must not
commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify
falsely. Honor your father and mother.’ ” —Luke 18:20 (NLT)

Say: Notice that Jesus only gives half of the 10 Commandments. If you pay close
attention, you’ll notice he’s doing this to show the religious leader that his good
still doesn’t compare to the goodness of God.

Here’s what happens next.

[Slide 11 – Luke 18:21-23]

The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done.
Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the man heard this he
became very sad, for he was very rich. —Luke 18:21-23 (NLT)

Copyright 2014 – PreteenMinistry.net 7

What’s interesting is Jesus knew this was the one big obstacle for this particular
guy. It was the one choice stopping him from really experiencing not just “good”
here on earth, but God’s good, which is on a whole different level.

[Slide 12 – Cover]

Say: You might wonder what this means for you.

Here’s the key. Whatever you were thinking before you got here, God is trying to
teach you and show you a new way of looking at life. Until you understand that
your good isn’t good enough, you won’t experience God’s good.

It’s kind of like this.

(Hold up the backpack representing our good.)

Say: This is our backpack is like all of our good stuff, our best stuff, even. This
backpack contains the best and most kind and most amazing things we’ve ever
done. Like this: (Take out a half-eaten, fun-size candy bar and explain a human
“good” thing. Here’s a list of ideas.)

 That amazing kingdom you created in Minecraft

 That super-sweet paper you wrote for 5th grade English class
 That time you gave food to a homeless guy

Say: Now compare our good to God’s good. (Hold up the other backpack show
the king-size candy bars. Start handing them to all the kids as you list examples
of God’s good.)

 Creating the entire universe and all the other universes

 Coming to Earth as a baby to sacrifice himself for our sins
 Loving us all even though we can be selfish, rude, even mean sometimes
 Creating flying-genius butterflies, kangaroos that hop, and the awesome
Grand Canyon

Say: Compared to our good, God’s good is very different.

But here’s what truly makes this the best story ever. Our “good” will never
measure up to God’s good. And guess what: It doesn’t have to. That’s because
God is ready to trade backpacks with you.

That’s right!

You can get the backpack filled with God’s good—the king-size candy bars—the
life filled with God’s good that we can never match.

Copyright 2014 – PreteenMinistry.net 8

It’s for real.

All we have to do is make the decision to trade backpacks.

It’s easy. To make the trade happen, we have to accept God’s gift. We have to
not only realize that our good isn’t close to God’s good, but we also have to
understand that we’ll never, ever, ever make our good God’s good.

This is why the religious leader went away from Jesus sad. Because he couldn’t
or wouldn’t accept God’s good because he loved his good stuff too much.

Here’s what I’m talking about.

[Slide 13 – Luke 9:23-27]

Then he told them what they could expect for themselves: “Anyone who intends
to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t
run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no
help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.
What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? If
any of you is embarrassed with me and the way I’m leading you, know that the
Son of Man will be far more embarrassed with you when he arrives in all his
splendor in company with the Father and the holy angels. This isn’t, you realize,
pie in the sky by and by. Some who have taken their stand right here are going to
see it happen, see with their own eyes the kingdom of God.” —Luke 9:23-27
(MSG)

Say: So how do you accept this gift from God?

Here’s what the Bible says in Romans 10.

[Slide 14 – Romans 10:9-13]

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your
heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth
that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never
be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same
Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on
the name of the Lord will be saved. —Romans 10:9-13 (NLT)

Say: Jesus came to Earth to live a perfect life without sin so he could pay our
way out of punishment for our sins, which is death. It’s not up to us to “do
something.” It’s up to us to trust God to make us God good.

Copyright 2014 – PreteenMinistry.net 9

Like we talked about earlier, I’m sure lots of you out there have questions just like
this religious leader did. Once he got his answer from Jesus, he had to make a
big choice. We all have that same choice: our good, or God’s?

I want you to watch this video to see what other kids just like you have to say.
These kids have big questions just like you and big issues going on in their lives.
They’ve made a really important choice—something the religious leader grappled
with and couldn’t do. Let’s watch.

[Play “Best Story Ever” video. The video is something we produced. You can
download it here - https://preteenministry.3dcartstores.com/assets/images/Best-
Story-Ever-Video.zip]

(Note: If you are viewing this lesson in PDF format, you will have to cut and paste
the above URL into your browser to view the video)

Say: If you want to accept God’s gift, then pray this prayer right after me.

[Slide 15 – Cover]

Pray: God, I realize that my good isn’t your good. Your good is way better than
my good. That doesn’t even count my bad stuff. But God, you say in the Bible
that everyone who calls out to you for help gets help. I need your help to make
me your type of good. I believe that you want me to be your type of good and that
you, through my savior Jesus, will trade your good for my not-so-good. (Note: If
you prefer different wording for the prayer, then feel free to come up with
something yourself).

I trust you and want to follow you and do whatever you tell me to do. Thank you
for trading your stuff for mine.

Amen.

Say: The best story ever is about God trading his good for ours. We can’t do
anything to buy or earn this gift.

If you prayed that prayer with me, when we dismiss to small groups I’d like you to
find a leader to talk with about what to do next.

(Dismiss preteens to small groups.)

Copyright 2014 – PreteenMinistry.net 10

SMALL GROUP OPTION 1: LOOKING OR BEING?
Supplies
 Each small-group leader should bring items needed to do a favorite
hobby. For example: If you go the gym, bring an ID card, workout clothes,
music player and ear buds, and a water bottle.
 Notecards
 Pens or pencils

Ask your group the following questions:

 Just by looking at these items, what do you think my hobby is?

 What makes you think that’s my hobby?
 Explain whether you think I'm good at my hobby or not? How can you tell?

Say: Even though I have all the right stuff to make me good at my hobby, I still
have to go and do it to actually be good.

It’s like today. You either didn’t make the choice to follow Jesus because you’re
already a Christian or you aren’t ready to yet. Some people treat being a
Christian like having all the stuff to be a good Christian, but not actually doing it.
Maybe they’ve decided to follow Jesus, have a Bible, go to church, and pray
sometimes.

But just because you’ve taken the first step doesn’t mean you’re being a
Christian.

(Give each preteen a notecard and something to write with.)

On front of the notecard, have each student write: “Looks like a Christian.” On the
back, have them write: “Being a Christian.”

Have preteens write things that look like you’re being a Christian on that side.
Then have kids list things that Christians are actually supposed to be doing on
the other side. Encourage kids to share their answers.

Once kids have discussed what it means to look like a Christian versus what it
means to actually be a Christian. Challenge your preteens to be Christians rather
than only looking like one. Close by praying for them to do the things on their
card that they wrote about.

Copyright 2014 – PreteenMinistry.net 11

SMALL GROUP OPTION 2: YOU HOLD THE KEY
Supplies:
 a key and some twine to make a necklace for every preteen in your group

Ask the kids in your group:

 What do you think of God wanting to trade his good for our good?
 Explain whether you’ve made the decision to follow God forever. Why did
you make that decision?
 Did you know that if you’ve made the decision to follow Jesus, God is
asking you to help others make that decision?

Say: Check out this verse.

But how can people call for help if they don’t know whom to trust? And how can
they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And
how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them,
unless someone is sent to do it? —Romans 10:14-16 (MSG)

Say: Paul, who wrote the Book of Romans, says people must hear about Jesus
and believe in him to really be Christians. He also says they can only hear about
Jesus if someone tells them.

So if you’re willing to tell others about Jesus, I have something for you to make.

This will remind you that you have the key to God’s good. It’s Jesus. This key is
to help remind you to share him with others so they can unlock God’s good in
their life like you have in yours.

Make the necklaces by threading twine through the keyholes. Then pray with
your students to share the message of Jesus. Remind kids to tell others about
Jesus in a loving way; it’s not up to them to argue someone else into following
Jesus. Explain that they can’t make someone believe; that’s between the other
person and God.

Close in prayer.

(End lesson.)

Copyright 2014 – PreteenMinistry.net 12