Series Overview
Cooperation isn’t always something that may happen naturally, but it is something that is near and dear to God’s heart. Since the beginning of creation we see how God created us to be in community with one another. Cooperation is a spiritual concept that originates with God, and throughout the Bible, we see how God brought people together to accomplish God’s plan for the world. When we work together, we reflect Jesus to others, and our love for one another can point people to Him as we explore what God wants us to do together.
Memory Verse
“Two people are better than one. They can help each other in everything they do.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9, NIRV
Week One (March 2)
Jesus + His Followers
Bible Story: Luke 5:1-11, 27-32; 6:12-16; 8:1-3
Key Question: When have you seen people work together?
Virtue: Cooperation – Working together to do more than you can do alone
We start the month in Luke 5:1-11, 27-32; 6:12-16; 8:1-3. Here we see Jesus has started His ministry by gathering
His disciples together. This was the most unlikely group of people, all from different backgrounds, but Jesus still
called them to bring about His mission.
Whether it’s at school, at home, in sports, or with a hobby, kids are constantly learning to work together and are watching other people learn how to work together, too. Seeing other people who have set a good (or bad) example of what it looks like to work together can inspire kids to want to work well together because they can do more and BETTER together than alone
Week Two (March 9)
Joshua Over The Amalekites
Bible Story: Exodus 17:8-13
Key Question: Who do you work well with?
Virtue: Cooperation – Working together to do more than you can do alone
In Week 2, we head to Exodus 17:8-13 where Joshua and the Israelites were facing the Amalekites in battle. Anytime Moses held up his staff, the Israelites did well, and when he dropped them, they would start to lose.
So Aaron and Hur came up with a plan to help Moses succeed. Moses needed people to literally hold him up in
order for Joshua to lead the Israelites to victory.
A big part of what makes cooperation easier to achieve is when you connect with others who have the same goals as you. When kids find connections with others, it can excite them to create and do things together. We hope as preteens think about this question, they will begin to see people God has already put in their lives to help someone else.
Week Three (March 16)
Nehemiah Rebuilds the Walls
Bible Story: Nehemiah 1-4; 6:15
Key Question: How has someone helped you solve problems?
Virtue: Cooperation – Working together to do more than you can do alone
In Week 3, we head to Nehemiah 1–4; 6:15, where Nehemiah and the Israelite people face a HUGE problem. They had returned home to Judah where the city walls had crumbled. Nehemiah rallied the people together and led them to work together to rebuild the wall in just 52 days!
Some problems are just too big to solve alone. When you’re growing up and learning how to tie your shoe, you need help. Same for when you’re first learning math, trying something new, or helping at a clothing drive. As preteens answer this question, we hope they will reflect on the people who have helped them and why it was a help to them. Then they can go and be a help to someone else as well.
Week Four (March 23)
Four Friends Work Together
Bible Story: Luke 5:17-26
Key Question: How can you work together to help someone?
Virtue: Cooperation – Working together to do more than you can do alone
For Week 4 we head to Luke 5:17-26. Here we encounter four friends and their cooperation to help another friend
see Jesus. Their friend was paralyzed and could not walk, so they did everything they could to get him to Jesus — even tear down a roof! Because of the four friends’ faith and cooperation, Jesus did something incredible, changing the life of the man who was paralyzed, forever.
Kids are more aware than you may think. They notice things around them and ask great questions. As kids recognize those who are in need around them, you can begin to have discussions with them about what it looks like to help someone else. We hope this question gets preteens thinking through ways they can help to meet someone else’s needs with others’ help.
Week Five (March 30)
One Body, Many Parts
Bible Story: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Key Question: What part can you play?
Virtue: Cooperation – Working together to do more than you can do alone
We end the month in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 with the early church. Arguments had broken out and sides were
taken as the believers struggled to come together. Paul wrote to them, encouraging them to use their differences as they work together to tell others about Jesus because their gifts work best together.
The preteen years are the perfect time for kids to explore their role in the church — and we all have a role we can play! We hope to give preteens the chance to figure out how God has uniquely gifted them to help point their friends and family to Jesus.