We’re diving into a super relevant and crucial topic today: “Spiritual Authority: Discerning and Submitting to God’s Guidance.” You might be wondering why this is so important for your faith journey as teenagers. Well, let’s break it down:
- In your teenage years, you face countless decisions about friendships, future plans, and moral choices. Understanding spiritual authority will help you navigate these challenges with confidence.
- Recognizing God’s guidance now sets a strong foundation for your adult life, ensuring that you make wise choices and follow His will.
- Learning about spiritual authority can deepen your relationship with God, helping you connect more intimately with Him.
So, let’s embark on this exciting journey of exploring God’s guidance together!
Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
Explanation For Teenagers:
- Trusting in God means relying on Him completely and not relying solely on our own wisdom.
- When we acknowledge God in everything we do, He guides us and makes our paths straight.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- How does it feel to trust someone completely, like we are asked to trust God?
- What are some ways we can acknowledge God in our daily lives?
- Can you share a time when acknowledging God’s guidance made a difference in your choices?
Bible Reading: Matthew 28:18-20
- “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'”
Explanation For Teenagers:
- Jesus has all authority, and He has given us the authority to share His message and make disciples.
- God’s guidance includes our mission to share the love of Christ with others.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- How does knowing that Jesus has all authority affect your faith and actions?
- What is your role in fulfilling the Great Commission mentioned in this passage?
- How can you discern God’s guidance in your efforts to make disciples?
Youth Group Game: “Guidance Relay”
Divide the group into teams. Set up an obstacle course with various challenges. Each challenge will have a Bible verse hidden within it. The teams must complete the challenges and find the verses. Once they have all the verses, they must arrange them in the correct order to reveal a message about God’s guidance.
Bible Reading: Psalm 119:105
- “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Explanation For Teenagers:
- God’s Word, the Bible, is like a lamp that illuminates our path and helps us discern His guidance.
- Regularly reading and studying the Bible is essential for understanding God’s will.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- How does reading the Bible help us in discerning God’s guidance?
- What practical steps can you take to incorporate regular Bible reading into your daily routine?
- Share a verse from the Bible that has guided you in a specific situation.
Bible Reading: James 1:5-6
- “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”
Explanation For Teenagers:
- God promises to give wisdom to those who ask in faith.
- Doubt can hinder our ability to discern God’s guidance.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- How does faith play a role in seeking God’s wisdom?
- Share a time when you asked God for wisdom and received guidance.
- How can we overcome doubt in our journey of discerning God’s guidance?
Closing Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity to learn about spiritual authority and discerning your guidance today. We pray for wisdom and faith as we navigate our lives as teenagers. Help us to trust you wholeheartedly, acknowledge you in all our ways, and seek your guidance in everything we do. May your Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Remember, God’s guidance is like a trusted compass for your journey through life. Keep seeking His wisdom and walking in His authority. Have a blessed week, everyone!