As teenagers, you are at an age where building relationships is crucial to your growth and development. Whether it’s with your family, friends, or acquaintances, the connections you make can impact your life in significant ways. But what does it mean to have an authentic relationship? How can we build relationships that reflect Christ’s love and grace? These are important questions that we will explore together through our study of Romans 12:9-16b.
Bible Reading 1: Romans 12:9-13
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
What Does This Mean?
- Love must be sincere
- Hate what is evil; cling to what is good
- Be devoted to one another in love
- Honor one another above yourselves
- Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord
- Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer
- Share with the Lord’s people who are in need
- Practice hospitality
Bible Reading 2: Romans 12:14-16b
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.”
What Does This Mean?
- Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse
- Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn
- Live in harmony with one another
- Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position
- Do not be conceited
Youth Group Game: “Two Truths and a Lie”
This game is designed to help us get to know each other better. We will split into small groups and take turns sharing two truths and one lie about ourselves. The rest of the group will try to guess which statement is false.
Discussion Questions
- What does it mean to have an authentic relationship?
- Why is it important to build authentic relationships?
- What are some practical ways we can love and serve others?
- How can we apply the principles of Romans 12:9-16b to our everyday lives?
- What are some challenges we may face when building authentic relationships?
Closing Prayer
Dear God,
Thank you for the gift of relationships. Help us to build authentic connections with others that reflect your love and grace. Teach us to love sincerely, hate what is evil, and cling to what is good. Give us the courage to bless those who persecute us, rejoice with those who rejoice, and mourn with those who mourn. May we live in harmony with one another, and never be conceited. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen.