Up Series

Up Series: 5-Week Study on Emotions and Identity That Looks Up to Jesus

It’s easy for teenagers to be overwhelmed by insecurity, anxiety, pride, shallow love and awkwardness. Up Series helps students process their emotions through the lens of the gospel and discover freedom in Christ. Instead of looking inward for answers, they learn to look up to God, anchoring their identity and feelings in His truth.

Series Overview

• Week 1 – Security Comes from Looking Up, Not In (1 John 1:5–9) – Students write down an insecurity on a sticky note and learn that true security is found by confessing sin and embracing God’s forgiveness rather than relying on self. Looking up to Jesus brings light to the darkness.
• Week 2 – Looking Up Produces Power Over Anxiety (Philippians 4:6–7) – After naming a source of anxiety, students discover that prayer and gratitude release God’s peace. Focusing on God’s presence frees them from the grip of worry.
• Week 3 – When We Know We’re Loved, We Don’t Need to Brag (1 Corinthians 1:28–31) – Students reflect on sources of pride and learn that our value comes from being loved by God. Knowing we are loved and chosen removes the need to boast and compare.
• Week 4 – Real Love Is a Sacrifice, Not a Feeling (Romans 5:6–8) – Students write down someone or something they love and explore how Jesus showed love by sacrificing Himself. They see that real love acts for the good of others instead of following fickle feelings.
• Week 5 – Awkward Can Be Valuable When Your Cup Is Up (Daniel 3:13–28) – By naming something they feel awkward about, students consider Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s stand. They learn that awkwardness can be a chance to trust God publicly and let His life overflow to those around them.

Why Choose the Up Series?

• Gospel-Centered Emotion: Helps students process insecurity, anxiety, pride, love and awkwardness through a Christ-focused lens.
• Identity and Freedom: Shows that freedom comes from who Jesus is and what He has done—not from how we feel.
• Practical Tools: Provides activities like journaling and prayer to help students apply biblical truth to their emotions.
• Leader Friendly: Includes clear teaching guides and small‑group questions for meaningful conversations.

What’s Included

• 5 video messages that explore each emotional theme.
• Teaching guides with outlines and application ideas.
• Small group questions to facilitate honest discussion.
• Interactive activities and supply lists.
• Series graphics to promote the series.

Up Series lifts students’ eyes from the roller coaster of emotions to the unchanging love of Christ. As they look up to Jesus, they’ll find security, peace, humility, sacrificial love and courage that comes from knowing who they are in Him.

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