Discipleship Experiment Week 1: “Following The Unexpected Savior”


This lesson seeks to help students understand what it means to follow the Christ who does unexpected things.


Have students work together to see how many of the 10 Commandments they can name. Then have someone look up the 10 Commandments in the Bible (in Exodus 20:1-17). After that, have them rank the Commandments in order of their importance. Students need to be able to give answers for why they put them in the order that they did.


“When Jesus was asked the question of which commandment was the greatest of all commandments, his answer was pretty unexpected. It wasn’t even on God’s Top Ten List. And there were two. Listen to this story…”

Scripture Reading: Matthew 22:34-40 (Today’s New International Version)


Follow-Up Questions:


  • How would you have answered the question?
  • Why do you think Jesus answered the way that he did? Does it seem unexpected? How do you think they expected him to answer? — How is love so important that all the Law and Prophets hang on it?
  • What’s the difference between loving the Lord halfheartedly and loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind?
  • What would it look like for someone to love God that way? How would they act? What would they do or not do? Do you know anyone like this? — How would a person who loves God that way be treated at school? At church? On a team? By you? Why?
  • Imagine what your life would look like if you loved God that way every day. What would that look like for you?
  • What’s the difference between loving your neighbor halfheartedly and loving your neighbor as yourself?
  • What would it look like for someone to love their neighbor that way? How would they act? What would they do or not do? Know anyone like this? — How would a person who loves their neighbor that way be treated at school? At church? On a team? Why?
  • Imagine the most unlovable person you can think of. How would you love that person as you love yourself?



“How are we doing this week with our 3 simple guides?” [1 Thessalonians 5:16-22] — “Doing No Harm, Doing Good, and Staying In Love With God”

Prayer Focus: “How can we pray for each other this week?”




  1. I’ve just found your lesson plans and think they are the most concise I’ve see. Very to the point. The only think I would like to see is a “teacher’s guide” as to the answers to the Follow-up Questions that we would be looking for.
    Even just some examples would be helpful. I do high school youth ministry and this year I have a small group that really doesn’t give a lot of input. We will be doing the 10 Commandments this week.