Living Life to the Fullest

High School

Lesson 13
Summer 2026
By: RLD Editorial Team
August 30, 2026

Lesson Focus:

We have an abundant life in Christ.

Bible Basis:

John 10:7-10; Ephesians 3:14-21a; 2 Corinthians 9:8, 11-12

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

None

Step 4:

Pens/pencils
Paper

Summary & Links:

Students will look at recent research about how hope is beneficial for our health as they explore what it means to have a fulfilling life.

Memory Verse:

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. —2 Corinthians 9:8

Students will look at recent research about how hope is beneficial for our health as they explore what it means to have a fulfilling life.

Materials Needed:

None

Begin today’s lesson by asking the following questions to your class.

How do you measure whether you feel fulfillment in life? (Answers will vary based on students’ experiences; but students may mention friendships, family relationships, hobbies, or plans for the future.)
What are some things that bring you hope? (Answers will vary based on students’ experiences; but students may mention friends, plans for the future, or their relationship with Jesus.)

While hope can be hard to quantify, recent research suggests that having hope actually benefits our health! A recent article explored the health benefits of hope and explored how, “Hope can have profound effects on our physical and mental well-being.” Research suggests that hope can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, boost the immune system, and even improve the quality of life for people suffering from chronic illnesses.

This article offers 5 tips for practicing hope—and reaping the health benefits—of hope:

Set achievable goals
Practice gratitude
Seek social support
Maintain a positive attitude
Engage in meaningful activities

Which of these 5 items do you find the easiest to practice? The hardest? Why? (Accept all reasonable responses, allowing students to share their thoughts.)

Hope is an important part of living a happy, healthy, and fulfilling life. Today, we’re going to learn about the key to a life worth living.

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:

Pens/pencils
Paper

If your class is meeting online, invite students to bring supplies with them to class.

So far, we’ve learned that the things of this earth are unable to provide us with eternal fulfillment. The next step is for us to look to God for satisfaction and practice the ways in which we can achieve self-actualization in Christ.

Before we look to God to find fulfillment, we first have to identify what things we’re currently using to create that sense of purpose and meaning. For many, this can take the form of school, jobs, physical exercise, leisure activities, or relationships with family and friends.

Distribute supplies (or invite students to have supplies ready at home). Ask your teens to make individual ordered lists of the top five most important things in their lives. The items on their lists can be as specific as individual people/things or as broad as an entire community or feeling. Once finished, ask your students the following questions, instructing them to refrain from answering aloud and to instead record their responses on the same page.

Is God at the top of your list?
If so, are there any things that sometimes threaten to come between your relationship with Him?
If not, what other things are you holding higher than Him? Why?

Guide your class to take their lists and responses and spend time in prayer and reflection with God, asking Him to reveal to them the things that are acting as a hindrance toward their pursuit of Christ. End today’s class by challenging your students to take one item that is keeping them from fully submitting to the Lord, and refrain from engaging with it throughout the coming week. Encourage your students to record how abstaining from this thing changes the way in which they are able to communicate and draw closer to Christ.

Close in prayer.

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

High School