Life Group Resources: Youth Mission Trip & The Beatitudes

June 28th, 2026
by Caressa Murray

Life Group Guide: Blessed Are You
Mission Trip Reflection on the Beatitudes

Opening Prayer
Begin your time together by thanking God for the privilege of hearing these stories and asking the Holy Spirit to open your hearts to be changed by what you discuss today.

Introduction (5-10 minutes)
This guide reflects on a youth mission trip to the Navajo (Diné) Nation, where students worked on homes while building relationships with the community. The trip was framed by Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, particularly the Beatitudes, which speak to those who are poor, meek, mourning, and persecuted.

Icebreaker: Share one "small thing" you're grateful for today that you might normally take for granted (running water, a warm bed, a working car, etc.).

Key Takeaways

God meets us in unexpected places - The students expected one thing but found God surprising them in different ways
Building trust takes intentionality - Especially when trust has been broken before
Gratitude for the "small things" - What we consider small is often huge to others
Stories have the power to change us - When we open ourselves to others' experiences
Community means caring for one another - These youth are "your kids" regardless of biological relation

Discussion Questions
Part 1: Expectations vs. Reality (15 minutes)
Read Matthew 5:1-16 together

The students went into the trip with certain expectations that didn't match reality. When have you experienced God showing up differently than you expected? How did that change you?
Liam expected a "poor living situation" but found something different. Why do you think we often expect the worst? How might our expectations prevent us from seeing the blessings already present?
Jesus spoke the Beatitudes to crowds who were poor, sick, and persecuted—yet he called them "blessed." What does it mean to be blessed in difficult circumstances?

Part 2: Building Trust and Relationships (15 minutes)

Evelyn had been hurt by a previous mission group and was initially closed off. The students had to rebuild trust with her. When has someone had to rebuild trust with you? What did that process look like?
When the students realized they'd made mistakes, they tore down their work and fixed it rather than leaving it for someone else. How does this demonstrate what reconciliation looks like in practice?
Heidi noted that Evelyn "wished we were going to be there the whole summer." What does this tell us about the impact of genuine presence and relationship? How can we be more present to people in our own community?

Part 3: Gratitude and Privilege (15 minutes)

Multiple students mentioned learning gratitude for "small things" like running water and being able to spit toothpaste in a sink. What privileges do you take for granted? How might recognizing these change how you live?
Rosie had to drive 45 minutes just to get water. How does hearing this story change your perspective on your daily routine?
Taylor observed how joyful the Diné people were despite living simply and not having much. What's the relationship between joy and material possessions? What can we learn from this?

Part 4: Being Changed by Stories (15 minutes)

Pastor Nic encouraged being "curious and open to be changed" and "vulnerable enough to let your hearts be changed." What makes this difficult? What makes it worthwhile?
EJ mentioned that "your teenagers have so much strength, integrity, and wisdom." When was the last time you truly listened to someone younger than you? What did you learn?
The sermon ended with a challenge: "These are your kids... they have stories and experiences that, if you let it, can change your life." How can you be more intentional about knowing the stories of people in your church community, especially across generational lines?

Practical Applications
This Week, choose one or two of the following to practice this week:
Individual Practices:

Gratitude Inventory: Each day this week, write down three "small things" you're grateful for that you normally overlook
Story Listening: Intentionally ask someone (especially someone from a different generation or background) about their life story and simply listen
Trust Building: If there's a relationship where trust has been broken, take one step toward reconciliation

Group/Family Practices:

Water Awareness: For one day, track every time you use water. Reflect on what it would be like to have limited access
Simplicity Experiment: Choose one comfort to go without for a day or week (hot showers, convenience foods, etc.) and reflect on the experience
Intergenerational Connection: Invite a young person and an older person to share a meal together and exchange stories

Church/Community Practices:

Meet Someone New: Next Sunday, intentionally introduce yourself to someone you don't know, especially a youth or young adult
Support Mission: Find out how you can support youth mission work, either financially or through prayer
Local Service: Research how water scarcity or housing needs affect your local community and find one way to help

Reflection Questions for Personal Journaling

Where am I being called to be "salt and light" in my community?
What story from my life might change someone else if I shared it?
How is God inviting me to be more open and vulnerable?
What "small thing" will I never take for granted again?

Closing (5-10 minutes)
Share & Pray:

Go around the circle and have each person share one way they want to be changed by what they've heard today
Close with prayers for:
- The Diné people, especially Rosie, Evelyn, and Betty
- The youth who went on this trip, that they would continue to be changed
- Open hearts in your group to be changed by others' stories
- Gratitude for the "small things"

Final Blessing: "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, allowing your story to affect others and their stories to change you. Amen.

Additional Resources