Alternate option: If you don’t do the doodle disc option, you can divide students into groups to share about ways they might struggle with wanting to do things their own way in the upcoming school year. Then, invite students to pray for each other to resist temptation and live God’s way. (This can also be done as a large group if your class is meeting online.)

Before class, view the video tutorial describing how to recycle old CDs into Pretty Doodle Discs. If time is an issue (or to minimize clean up), pre-paint and dry the shiny, hologram side of enough old CDs so that each student has one.
Pretty Doodle Discs

Sometimes, having it “our way” isn’t always the best way. Having his own way did not work well for Moses and having our way—unless it aligns with God’s way—will not work well for us either. Doing things God’s way will always be what is best for us, for others, and for fulfilling God’s purposes. Our way can backfire. God’s way will not.

• As the new school year begins and you are faced with new friends and new challenges, what are some situations in which you may need to make a decision about doing things your way or choosing God’s way? (Answers will vary but may include: Peer pressure to do something questionable, the manner in responding to a teacher or parent in front of one’s peers, following your parents’ instructions even when they can’t see what you’re doing, etc.)
• What slogan or motto might you use to remind yourself and to tell others that doing things God’s way is always best? (Some examples if your students get stuck: Have It God’s Way; Only God’s Way; Choose God’s Way; Follow God; God’s Way Not My Way; God’s Way is Best; One Way—God’s Way, etc.)

Write the slogans on the board as your preteens call them out.

Distribute supplies. (NOTE: If you opted to pre-paint the hologram side of the CDs, skip this paragraph and go to the next.) Place small plastic cups containing a small amount of black acrylic paint and liquid dish soap within reach of 2-3 students (make sure each student has their own sponge brush). Allow them to paint the shiny, hologram side of their old CD and then dry it with a hair dryer. Dispose of the paint and sponge brushes and clean up with paper towels and baby wipes before moving on to the next step.

Come up with your own slogan or use one that is on the board. Create a simple logo for the slogan. As you list the following examples, write them on the board. You might want to use acronyms, like the block letters “CGW” for “Choose God’s Way,” or you may get even more creative by writing “My Way,” crossing out the “My” and replacing it with “God’s.” Another idea is to write “God’s Way” across the top of the CD, and write “My Way” on the bottom portion. This would mean God’s way above my way. These are just a few ideas. This is your project and will serve as your reminder, so you decide your slogan and your logo.

Show your students how to use a blunt object (a coin, key, blunt scissors, etc.) to carve out their slogan/logo allowing the colorful CD surface to show through the dried black paint. Hand out lengths of yarn or cord to thread through the center hole as a hanger. Decide where you want to place your disc this week to remind yourself to pause and remember to do things God’s way. Students might want to hang it in their room or locker.

Close in a prayer asking God not only to remind us to follow Him and do things His way, but also to help us want His way.