P.R.E.S.S. CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
The P.R.E.S.S. curriculum is modeled after the Lord’s Prayer as found in the New Testament gospels. The goal of the PRESS is to inspire young people to pray by teaching them who God is, how He loves them and why He wants to hear their voices.
Lesson #1- When You Pray
The expectation that we are to pray is clearly stated in the gospels, but so is the fact that prayer would need to be taught. This lesson looks at the context of the Lord’s prayer and the expectation that prayer would be a recurring discipline of the disciples of Jesus Christ.
Lesson #2- Talk to Who
Who are you talking to? This question has challenged the motives and words of young people for generations. It is important to always know who you are communicating with. Isn’t it wonderful to know that God left a guideline to teach us how to communicate with him? Before we dive into prayer, it is important that we understand and recognize who we are talking to. Jesus taught us how to pray. We will follow his model.
Lesson #3-You Are Safe
Being vulnerable can be a challenge. Prayer is a vulnerable time. It is where we express our needs, wants and desires to God. You must know you are safe when you talk to God.
Lesson #4- Give Us This Day
Asking God for what you want and need is part of prayer, but prayer is not just about us.
Lesson #5- The When, Where & Why of Prayer
When and where does prayer fit in your life? Why should it fit in your life? Explore the answers to these questions in this lesson.
Lesson #6- What & how to pray
Prayer is not complicated, but even the disciples had to be taught. This is a prayer how-to lesson that is practical and will leave students better equipped to pray on their own.
Lesson #7- God’s Forgiveness of Us
This lesson will lay a foundation of what it means for God to love us and forgiveness.
Lesson #8- Our Forgiveness of Others
God modeled forgiveness for us and we are to extend forgiveness to others as well. Sometimes, that is easier said than done. So, how do we forgive? How do we let go? Why should we forgive. This lesson is designed to answer all those questions.
Lesson #9- Let’s Talk About Changing
Repentance is key to getting anything from God. We must change, but prayer aids us as we ask God not to lead us into temptation, but deliver us.
Lesson #10- God, will you hear me?
Prayer is important. It’s necessary. It is both a blessing and an opportunity but sometimes for most of us, prayer can be challenging. It’s
not because God does not hear us or because God is difficult to talk to (He’s not!) but there are often obstacles or hindrances, things that get in the way of our attempts to reach God in prayer. There are also things that stop God from speaking to us.
Lesson #11-Waiting on the Lord
Wait! Wait is not a word we are often fond of hearing. Whether we are at a restaurant, a stop light, lunch line, or at home watching commercials. Waiting is really a good thing. Have you ever been running late or waited to go somewhere and found out later you were so glad because you were protected from harm? Waiting is not all bad. Waiting has so many benefits and this lesson teaches the benefits of waiting.
Lesson #12- Worship
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory…. What does this mean? When we think of God as being king and powerful and worthy of glory, what are we saying?
Lesson #13- What’s In A Name?
Who told you you could do that? This is a question asked by parents, teachers, bosses and authoritative figures around the world on a daily basis. Sometimes you find yourself asking or doing something, that unless you have the right person’s permission, you are going to have trouble. With Jesus, his name also gives you authority to do some things and ask Him things that if you do not have His name, you may not have a right to ask or do (John 14:14, Col. 3:17). Simply put, there is power and authority in the name of Jesus. His name gives you access to all the things of God (Col. 2:9).
Lesson #14- Amen
This is the conclusion of many prayers, but what does it mean? Join us as we explore why this word ends many prayers and close out this PRESS series.