The Upside Down KingdomSample

Have you ever been in a situation with unspoken rules? Maybe in your friend group there is an unspoken rule that nobody likes mainstream music or everybody likes Hot Cheetos. No one says it’s a rule, but it kinda is. One unspoken rule we all live with is this one: look out for yourself. In other words, do what it takes to make yourself happy or successful or win. Everybody knows that rule. That’s why it’s so interesting that when Jesus came, He introduced a new rule, an opposite rule, an upside down way of living that puts others first. In fact, today’s verse is from a letter Paul wrote to some early followers of Jesus, reminding them to live like Jesus told them to, to live in a way that puts others first. Paul knew it would be complicated so he gave them some examples specific to their situation. Chances are you and I need some specific examples, too.

Sometime today, text your small group leader or a trusted friend and talk about this question together, “what does someone do differently if they put others first in high school?”