This is the first take home lesson for Jefferson SMM

1. LESSON 17:
Citizenship in Heaven
“... but our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly
wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 3:20
Play the song “Bound for glory” by Vertical Church Band. Have your girls draw their house with whatever
details they want to add.
Ask the girls where they are from, give her the chance to answer however she wants such as: “Indiana” or “my
house”, etc.
StepIn: Lesson
What is a citizen? ( Allow your girl to answer)Today we are going to talk about how we are citizens in heaven
when we accept Jesus into our lives! Read Philippians 3:12-4:1 and say, “Remember this is a letter that Paul is
writing to the Philippians.
“Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of
it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not[b] consider
myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to
what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly[c] call in Christ Jesus. 15
Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God
will reveal this also to you. 16 In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. 17
Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the
example you have in us. 18 For I have often told you, and now say again with tears, that many live as
enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction; their god is their stomach; their glory is in
their shame. They are focused on earthly things, 20 but our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly
wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform the body of our humble
condition into the likeness of his glorious body, by the power that enables him to subject everything to
himself.
Do you know what citizenship and glory means? Citizenship means having the rights, privileges, and duties of a
citizen, or someone from a certain place. Glory means magnificence or great beauty
Let’s focus on these two words. What do you think Paul means that we have citizenship in heaven? (Pause and
wait for a couple of girls to answer). Let’s look at another passage:
John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if not, I would have told you. I am going away to prepare a
place for you.” Sometimes at SMM we sing (Who you say I am) that says, “In my Father’s house there’s a place
for me – I’m a child of God, yes I am!” Well because when we choose to follow Jesus, we are children of God,
one day we will actually get to live with our Heavenly Father! But just because we do not live with Him now,
does not mean that we are not His children. So, he has a place for us. And because of this we are already
citizens of Heaven!

2. Ask your girl to share ways that she can live like they have a place in Heaven. Give her specific
examples (ex: I can have hope when I have bad days that this world is not my future! I can pray
more because I know that God is my heavenly Father and He has a room for me).
Can you give me examples of how this should change the way that you treat others? Does this
make you want to tell others about Jesus so they can live in Heaven, too? In your small groups
you will talk more about this today.
Step Out:DiscussionQuestions
Younger Girls
1) What did we learn about today?
2) What does it mean to be a citizen?
3) How are you a citizen of heaven?
Older Girls
1) Review younger girl questions
2) What does it look like to live on earth knowing we have citizenship in Heaven?
3) What is one way this week that you can act like you have a place waiting for you in
Heaven?