Rooted and Ready

Use these three questions as your planning filter:

1. What does this part of the gathering reveal about Jesus’ death for sins? 2. How does this part connect students to the hope of Jesus’ resurrection? 3. What response does this part invite because Jesus died and rose again?

If you can’t answer any of these, don’t panic. You’ve found a place to examine, not proof that you’ve failed.

Audit One Gathering

Materials needed: A recent gathering plan, a Bible, and a pen. Time required: 25 minutes.

Choose one gathering from the past month. Use the six parts below: welcome, game, teaching, small groups, prayer, and dismissal.

1. Write the main purpose of each part in one sentence. 2. Beside each part, complete this sentence: Because Jesus died and rose again, teenagers can… 3. Mark each part with one of these ratings: - 2 = clearly shaped by the gospel - 1 = could connect to the gospel, but the connection isn’t clear - 0 = mainly functions without reference to the gospel 4. Add the six ratings. A total of 9-12 shows a strong gospel connection. A total of 5-8 shows several places to strengthen. A total of 0-4 means the gospel may be functioning mostly as an afterthought. 5. Choose one section with a rating of 0 or 1. Write one specific change you’ll make at the next gathering. 6. Finish this sentence: At the next gathering, Christ’s death and resurrection will be clearer when I…

> Completed example > > Welcome - Rating: 1 > Purpose: Help students feel noticed when they arrive. > Because Jesus died and rose again, teenagers can come to God without pretending and can be received by his people. > Change: I’ll personally greet three students by name and tell the group that our welcome reflects Christ’s grace. > > Game - Rating: 0 > Purpose: Get students moving and laughing. > Because Jesus died and rose again, teenagers can enjoy one another without needing to win approval. > Change: I’ll explain that the game is for shared joy, not proving who matters most. > > Teaching - Rating: 2 > Purpose: Explain how Jesus forgives sin. > Because Jesus died and rose again, teenagers can trust his forgiveness and new life. > > Small groups - Rating: 1 > Purpose: Discuss the teaching. > Because Jesus died and rose again, teenagers can speak honestly about sin and hope. > Change: Add one question about where students need Christ’s forgiveness or resurrection hope. > > Prayer - Rating: 2 > Purpose: Respond to God. > Because Jesus died and rose again, teenagers can ask for help with confidence. > > Dismissal - Rating: 1 > Purpose: Send students home. > Because Jesus died and rose again, teenagers can live with hope during the week. > Change: Close with one sentence reminding students that the risen Jesus goes with them.

You are done when all six parts have a rating, every sentence is completed, and one change is written in a way another leader could carry out.

Apply the Audit to Real Gatherings

Suppose your teaching clearly explains Jesus’ death for sins, but the small-group questions only ask whether students liked the message. The teaching may be gospel-centered while the response time quietly becomes opinion-sharing. Replace one question with something concrete: “Where do you need to trust Jesus’ forgiveness this week?” The expected outcome is a more honest conversation about sin and grace.

Or imagine a loud game followed by a rushed prayer. The problem isn’t that the game was fun. The problem is that the gathering has no clear movement toward Christ. Keep the game, but connect it to the evening’s purpose in one sentence. Then protect five minutes for prayer that names the hope of the resurrection. The expected outcome is not a perfect emotional mood. It’s a clearer path from shared activity to gospel response.

Use the same audit when plans change. A guest speaker may replace your normal teaching. A small group may lose half its leaders. You can still ask, “Because Jesus died and rose again, teenagers can…” That sentence helps you make wise adjustments without treating the gospel like a script you must squeeze in at the end.

Your one change should be small enough to complete at the next gathering. Add one sentence to the welcome. Rewrite one discussion question. Reserve a specific amount of time for prayer. Small changes become visible evidence that the gospel is becoming the gathering’s foundation.

Plan Your Next Gospel-Centered Change

Reflect

1. Which part of your last gathering received the lowest rating, and what did that reveal about how the gospel was functioning?

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2. Complete this sentence for your next gathering: Because Jesus died and rose again, teenagers can…

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3. What one change will you make in the welcome, game, teaching, small groups, prayer, or dismissal? State who will do it and when.

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Bring the completed audit to your next planning meeting, or place it beside your Bible while you prepare. Don’t try to repair every part at once. Make one faithful change, then watch for how it helps students see that Jesus is not an add-on to the night. He is the reason the gathering has hope at all.

End of chapter one. 17 more chapters and about 17,418 words in the full book.