All for One and One for All

High School

Lesson 13
Winter 2025-26
By: RLD Editorial Team
March 01, 2026

Lesson Focus:

We are all in this together.

Bible Basis:

John 17:1-6, 20-23

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

Internet access

Step 4:

None

Summary & Links:

Students will consider what connects us with others as they watch a video about ways that people from other cultures greet each other.

Memory Verse:

“I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”
—John 17:20b-21a

Students will consider what connects us with others as they watch a video about ways that people from other cultures greet each other.

Materials Needed:

Internet access

If you have traveled to another country before, you may have experienced being a foreigner in an unfamiliar place. Or perhaps you’ve been to camp or a conference with peers from other parts of the U.S. These experiences can teach us about others and ourselves. These experiences may reveal to us that things we find commonplace are unusual to others. We may walk away feeling a new sense of connection both to the new place and to the place we’re from.

In the following video, we’ll learn how people from different cultures typically greet each other. Pay attention to the differences and similarities between cultural greetings.

Play the following video for your students [1:07]: People Greet Each Other Differently Around The World

The different greetings we just saw are examples of cultural differences—in hand gestures, communication styles, and ways to show respect when saying hello. Greetings like these are just one way in which cultures differ from one another.

What barriers do you expect people from different cultures will find when connecting with one another? (Accept all reasonable answers. Language and cultural customs will differ, though students may point out that these are barriers you can overcome.)
What do you expect people from different cultures might bond over? (Accept all reasonable answers, such as a desire to show friendliness and respect in greeting other people, a desire to build relationships with others, etc.)
Tell about a time you felt particularly unified with others. (Accept all reasonable answers and prompt students to elaborate on their experiences. Who were they unified with and did that surprise them? What were they unified about and how did they express it? Perhaps students have experienced teamwork, group projects, organizing around an issue, passion for a particular mission trip or service project, or deep connection with new friends at a camp or conference.)

Christianity has been around for more than 2,000 years and began in Jerusalem before spreading throughout the world. The beauty of this is all the diversity within Christianity. The challenge sometimes is operating as one body. Jesus desires that we would be unified in Him. In fact, as Jesus faced His death, He prayed not only for Himself, but also for us—that all believers would be one with Him and each other, as we share His good news with the world.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Materials Needed:

None

Jesus wants for us—all believers—to be one in Him. So, what does that look like? Let’s discuss.

Does “being one” mean we all go to the same church? Or, how can multiple churches act as one, as Jesus intended? (Answers will vary. Churches can partner on projects and events, or balance each other, each playing to their own strengths and calling. Churches can be mindful not to compete with one another but share the higher goal of many drawing near to God. Churches might pray with and for each other or send encouraging notes.)
Does “being one” mean we all have the same opinions? Or, how can believers with different opinions act as one, as Jesus intended? (Answers will vary. Believers with differing opinions can listen and ask questions. They can be in conversation formally or informally. They can be faithful to Scripture and tradition, grounding their belief. They can seek out and highlight stances to agree on, particularly the core of our faith which draws us right back to Jesus.)
Does “being one” mean we all look the same and have the same experiences? Or, how can those from different backgrounds act as one, as Jesus intended? (Answers will vary. Conversation, questions, and listening are important here, too. By hearing various stories of faith, we can see the one, true God who binds us all together. By hearing new metaphors or language to describe God we can know Him more fully, etc.)

Out of the ideas discussed from the questions above, think about which your group could carry forward in the coming weeks or months. Could you send an encouraging note or prayer to the youth group across the road? Could you partner with another local church for a fun event or service project? Could you visit a worship service in a different denomination one week and invite that group to visit you the next? Could you organize an event for many different Christians to share their stories? Wonder about this together and choose a project that fits the interests of your group and that seems manageable. Discuss next steps and when you’ll check back in. Let young people lead the way in lifting each other up to the glory of God.

Close in prayer.

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

High School