Lesson 11

Called To Evaluate

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Lesson Preparation

The creation story in Genesis shows us that God himself evaluated the work he had done, and said, "It is good." Being made in the image of God empowers us to reflect his character. We are all called to evaluate: to determine how impactful our work has been, so we can improve it in the future. As we learn to reflect and pivot, we can give a good account of everything God has done in, through, and around us.

  • Participants will give an honest assessment of themselves and their ability to assess others with grace and honesty.
  • Participants will discuss how to give positive, honest feedback to a friend who has fallen short of their goal.

Genesis 1:31; Micah 6:8

  • Evaluate: to determine how important or valuable something is, and its impact on something or someone
  • Honest: to be truthful; sincere
  • Workbook
  • Pen/Pencil

Need help teaching the session?

Instruction (25min)

Welcome and Review

Greet participants and review the previous lesson.

Ice Breaker
Say:

Today, we are going to practise giving constructive feedback in a way that is uplifting, honest and helpful. To help us as we do this, we will be using an evaluation tool called the "feedback sandwich".

Step 1: Top Bun – Positive: Start with something encouraging or affirming.
Step 2: Filling – Constructive Critique: Offer the real feedback, suggestion, or opportunity for growth.
Step 3: Bottom Bun – Positive: End with another affirmation, encouragement, or expression of confidence.

Example: You did a great job leading the discussion today (positive). One thing to work on could be giving quieter people more space to share (constructive). But I love how you are always so enthusiastic and prepared for the group (positive).

Say:

Let us take a few minutes to pair up and try the feedback sandwich. Imagine this: a co-worker always shows up late for group meetings. What would your feedback sandwich be?

Allow time for students to break up into pairs and practise the activity.

Let us try one more scenario. A team member created a great presentation, but it was too long.

Allow time for responses. After everyone has shared, invite the students to return to their seats.

Teaching Point
Say:

Evaluation is not about tearing people down but about building them up. As we discussed last week, we who have been saved by Jesus are called to speak the truth in love. If we want to see the people in our lives grow in their callings, we have to evaluate their work in a way that helps them see themselves as God does.

Ask:

Would any of you be willing to describe a time you received feedback in a way that really helped you progress toward your goals?

Allow students time to respond.

Scripture Study
Say:

Think back to the filling of the feedback sandwich. After we have affirmed the experiences of the person we are evaluating, it is our responsibility to guide them through the reality of their situation—to lead them to truth. This layer of feedback is riddled with nuance, but there is simplicity on the other side of the complexity. God shows us in his Word what a "win" looks like in the lives of those who have been called to thrive.

Invite students to open to page 23 in their workbook and follow along as you read the Scripture selections.

Micah 6:8:
No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.

Pause and invite students to respond to questions 1 and 2 in the workbook.

Ask
Question 1:

What does it practically look like for a young adult today to "walk humbly with your God"?

Question 2:

If you used Micah 6:8 as a checklist for your daily life, which of the three principles (justice, mercy, humility) do you think you need to grow in most, and why?

Allow students time to respond.

Say:

Micah 6:8 is like God's evaluation rubric for our lives. It gives us a brief yet powerful overview of God's image and, in turn, the character of Jesus. Let us evaluate this more closely.

Act justly: Jesus treated everyone with fairness and integrity, even when it cost him his life. We can model this by committing all our efforts towards what God says is right rather than our personal preferences.

Love mercy: The world is full of sin, brokenness, and imperfect people. But Jesus does not show kindness occasionally; he loves everyone and extends grace and compassion even when it is not deserved. As recipients of that same mercy, how can we not feel responsible to show it to others?

Walk humbly with God: In his time on earth, Jesus never considered himself too good to fulfil his Father's will. Instead, he continually sought after God so that his actions would bring glory to the one who sent him.

Offer an example of a time you had to look back and evaluate your actions, either in work or in your relationship with Jesus. How did God reveal your need for more justice, mercy, or humility?

Say:

Invite students to continue following along in their workbook.

Genesis 1:31:
Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.

Question 3:

Why do you think God chose to pause and see his creation before declaring it "very good"? What does that teach us about the value of reflection?

Question 4:

How can you build a rhythm of evaluation into your own life (school, work, relationships, or ministry) so you do not just "do" but also "see" and celebrate what is good?

Say:

At creation, God paused to evaluate his work. He did not just rush from one task to the next; he looked back, reflected, and celebrated everything he had accomplished. This teaches us two key things about evaluation:

1. Evaluation is part of God's design. Just as God assessed his creation, we are called to step back and assess our words, thoughts, and actions.

2. Good evaluation leads to encouragement. God's declaration, "it was very good," shows us the power of affirming what is right before addressing what needs change.

When we learn to evaluate ourselves and others with honesty and love, we reflect God's image.

Group Project Integration (30min)
Say:

Over the past few weeks, we have been working together to serve our communities and participate in God's work to bring wholeness to the world. Today, we are going to take time to pause and evaluate that work. The idea of evaluating something can sometimes feel intimidating, but evaluation is really just an opportunity to ask thoughtful questions about what went well and how we can work differently in the future. As we work through today's activity, remember that God cares more about our faithfulness than perfection. He is looking for people who are willing more than people who can produce flawless results.

Two women smiling
Workbook Activity

Invite students to turn to page 24 in their workbook. Give them some time to complete the project activity. Then, invite students to share their thoughts aloud with the group.

Sample Completed Activity

Project Evaluation Form

Rate the comments below on a scale from 0 (not at all) to 3 (absolutely).

Self-Evaluation Team Evaluation Project Evaluation
I worked hard to fulfil the role and responsibilities that I was given.
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 		Each team member understood their role and responsibilities.
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 		Our project topic was relevant to solving a problem in our community.
0 | 1 | 2 | 3
I communicated effectively with other team members.
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 		Our team used all of our time wisely to complete the project.
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 		Our project is complete and ready to be presented.
0 | 1 | 2 | 3
I contributed ideas and helped plan our next steps.
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 		Our team communicated with each other in a positive, honest, and effective manner.
0 | 1 | 2 | 3
I was a positive, honest and collaborative teammate.
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 		Our team did a good job of asking for help when needed.
0 | 1 | 2 | 3

Write your response to the following question below:

If you could go back and change anything about your project, what would you do differently?

Do more research on how many kids would benefit from the project.

Project
Milestone:
Evaluate.

By the end of the lesson, students should have completed the evaluation form and reflected on the project as a whole.

Facilitation Tips

If you sense your students need additional support, consider these teaching strategies.

  • Set the tone

    Remind students that evaluation is not about judgment but about growth.

  • Encourage honesty

    Stress that self-reflection is most powerful when we are real with ourselves.

  • Encourage them to think of specific examples

    When rating themselves (not just feelings).

Conclusion (5min)
Say:

As we end our time together, I hope you have grown in the way you give and receive feedback from each other. Remember, every assignment that God gives to us matters. And when we make space for honest evaluation of what we have been able to accomplish and where we have fallen short, we foster a sense of accountability that will only benefit us in the future.

Take a moment right now and celebrate with each other. If you have experienced conflict in your project groups, graciously forgive one another. When we pause to reflect, we not only celebrate what is good but also identify where we can grow. In doing so, we become more intentional disciples—thriving by aligning our actions, teams, and projects with God's heart.

Allow students time to celebrate and reconcile with one another.

Ask the students if they have any remaining questions.

Pray:

Allow time for participants to repeat each section after you.

Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching us the value of pausing, reflecting, and evaluating.
Help us to see our lives the way you see them—celebrating what is good and courageously improving where we fall short.
Fill us with humility, justice, and mercy as we walk with you each day.
May our evaluations lead us closer to your will and make us stronger in our calling.
Amen.
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