Hungry: Part 1

The Hikaru 12-week plan is designed to help young people explore key biblical themes, understand their relationship with Jesus, and discover what it means to follow Him. Through videos, discussions, and practical activities, we’ll introduce them to the world of Hikaru and how it connects to their own faith journey with God.

As a leader, all you need is a healthy curiosity and an open mind. The goal is to create space for young people to make their own connections and draw conclusions as the story unfolds.

These first two sessions focus on helping young people speak honestly about where they currently stand in their relationship with God. As group leaders, it’s vital that we listen well and encourage honesty—because spiritual growth starts with being real.

Hungry: Part 1

  • Leader Tip: Encourage everyone to contribute, and remind them there are no wrong answers here.

    1. Start with a group discussion around the question:
      “What makes a good relationship?”

    2. Ask the group to create a ranking system—listing traits from the best qualities of a healthy relationship to the worst traits of an unhealthy or toxic one.

    3. Once they’ve ranked them, have each person identify the top three qualities they value most in a relationship.

    4. Then ask:
      Which toxic traits or behaviours would you want to avoid—and why?

  • An introduction to a perfect relationship about to go wrong.

    This video introduces a relationship that some might describe as parental—caring, close, and deeply personal. It begins well but hints at deeper tension. Use the questions below to spark discussion:

    Discussion Questions

    • What good and bad relationship traits were shown in the story?

    • Does their relationship remind you of any relationships you know?

    • Was there anything especially good or concerning about their connection?

    • What do you think might happen next in the story?

    Teaching Point: Understanding allegory and God’s original design

    Say something like this:

    “Hikaru is written as a picture of the Christian faith. The word we use for this is allegory—a storytelling method that helps us understand deeper spiritual truths.

    One of the most powerful things about allegory is how it can ignite our imagination. A well-known example is The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe—an allegory of Jesus. Hikaru is written in the same way.

    The Bible begins with the story of how God made the world. He created everything, including people, and at that time, God was with them. The Bible says God looked at everything He had made and saw that it was good.

    This week’s chapter mirrors that moment—a beautiful relationship that begins to show signs of breaking down.”

  • Return to your earlier list about relationships.

    Ask the group:

    • Which of the good traits might describe what God is like?

    • Are there any bad traits someone might associate with God, based on their own experience?

    Let them be honest. It’s okay if someone feels unsure about trusting God—this is a space for real talk.

  • “The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.”

  • Emphasise that a journey toward understanding Jesus is always worth it. The Bible shows us that God responds with love and compassion when we draw near to Him.

    In the next session, we’ll build on today’s themes—reflecting on who we are, and beginning to ask God to make us hungry to know Him more.