My Country

Objective
Students will see that following Jesus is not limited to church. Faith in Christ should shape everyday life at home, school, work, with friends, and wherever God has placed them.

Warm Up
What’s In Your Backpack? – Bring a backpack filled with items that represent different parts of a student’s life, such as a notebook, ball, game controller, phone charger, Bible, headphones, work name tag, or keys. For fun, include a few Texas-themed items to connect with Band Reeves.

Pull the items out one at a time and ask what part of life each item might represent. Then hold up the Bible and ask, “Where does this one belong?” After a few responses, put everything back in the backpack, including the Bible.

Transition
Sometimes we divide life into compartments—school, friends, family, sports, work, church, entertainment—but Jesus was never meant to fit into just one of them. Your hometown, interests, and experiences all tell your story, but when you follow Jesus, He is not just another part of your identity; He becomes the One who directs and shapes everything else.

The Video
In “My Country,” Band Reeves talks about their roots, who they are, and living out faith in ordinary life.

Play the “My Country” video by Band Reeves

Discuss:

• What seems important to the guys in Band Reeves?
• How does their faith show up in everyday life?
• Where do you see faith shaping something ordinary in the song?
• If someone wrote a song about your life, what would they include?

Transition
It is easy to connect following Jesus with church, Bible reading, prayer, or youth group. Those things are important, but Jesus calls us to follow Him with our whole life.

Bible Study
Read Romans 12:1-2

Paul challenges believers to offer their whole lives to God. Worship happens when we give ourselves to Him and allow Him to change how we think and live.

• Why is it easy to separate “church life” from the rest of life?
• What does it mean to offer your everyday life to God?
• Where is it difficult to let Jesus influence your choices?
• What could change this week if you gave that area to Him?

Read Colossians 3:17
Paul reminds believers that whatever they do can be done in Jesus’ name. That includes worship, school, work, sports, social media, family, and friendships.

• What parts of life are easiest to connect with faith?
• What parts are hardest?
• How could following Jesus change one ordinary part of your day?
• What is something you will do tomorrow that could honor Jesus?

Read Matthew 5:14-16
Jesus sends His followers into the world as light. The places students already spend time matter: school, teams, jobs, neighborhoods, and friend groups.

• Where has God placed you right now?
• How can others see Jesus through the way you live?
• What makes it difficult to live differently from people around you?
• Who needs to experience the love of Jesus through you?

Read James 1:22
James reminds believers that knowing God’s Word is not the same as obeying it.

• Why is knowing the Bible sometimes easier than doing it?
• Where are Christians tempted to say one thing but live another way?
• If someone watched your life for a week, what evidence would show you follow Jesus?
• What do you already know God wants you to do?

Wrap Up
Go back to the backpack. Take out the Bible again.

We sometimes treat faith like this: something we take to church and then put away when church is over.

Put the Bible back in the backpack.

Jesus does not want to be one item we carry around. He wants to shape everything we carry: school, friendships, family, work, relationships, plans, and future.

Your country may look different from someone else’s. Your family, hometown, interests, and experiences may be different. Wherever God has placed you, you can live there as a follower of Jesus.

Challenge:
This week, choose one ordinary part of life where you have not thought much about following Jesus. Each morning pray, “Jesus, how can I honor You here today?”

Then pay attention to the opportunities He gives you.

Playlist
This song is featured on “The Linc: Faithfulness” Spotify playlist – which is the perfect way to remind your students what you’ve taught them in this session. To share it with them, click the live link on the web version of this study.