Introduction: The Compassionate Jesus
In Luke 7:11-17, we see a heart-wrenching story of a widow who had lost her only son. As she was mourning, Jesus showed deep compassion for her and performed a miraculous act by raising her son from the dead. This miracle is a powerful reminder of Jesus’ compassion and His ability to bring life in the midst of death.
For teenagers, this passage is especially relevant because life often throws unexpected hardships our way—whether it’s personal loss, family issues, or deep sorrow. But just like this widow, we can find hope in Jesus, who cares for us in our darkest moments. This lesson shows that Jesus is not just powerful; He is also compassionate and wants to bring healing and restoration to our lives.
Bible Reading 1: Luke 7:11-12
“Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out—the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- The widow’s pain: In this time, losing a son meant not only emotional grief but also financial hardship. Widows had little to no support, and losing their only son left them without hope for the future. This shows us the depth of her sorrow.
- Jesus meets us in our sorrow: Jesus didn’t just see the situation and walk away. He was moved by compassion and took action. This teaches us that Jesus is always near, especially when we are in pain or facing loss. He sees our heartache and responds with love.
- God is present in our suffering: Sometimes, when life hurts, we might wonder where God is. But just as Jesus saw the widow’s grief, God is always with us in our toughest times, offering comfort and healing.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- Have you ever experienced a loss or pain that felt overwhelming? How did you cope with it?
- How does it make you feel knowing that Jesus is compassionate and meets us in our sorrow?
- What does it look like to trust God even when we’re going through tough times?
Bible Reading 2: Luke 7:13-14
“When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.’ Then he went up and touched the coffin they were carrying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, get up!’”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- Jesus’ deep compassion: Jesus didn’t just feel sorry for the widow; He had compassion that moved Him to act. His heart went out to her in her moment of deepest pain. This shows us that Jesus is not distant or indifferent—He cares deeply for each of us.
- Power in Jesus’ words: When Jesus spoke, things happened. His words had authority over death itself. This teaches us the power of Jesus’ voice. When He speaks into our lives, He can bring life, hope, and transformation.
- Jesus brings life to the dead: Jesus didn’t just heal physical illness; He raised the dead. This is a picture of how Jesus has the power to bring spiritual life to us, no matter how dead we may feel inside. He can restore our hearts and give us hope again.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- How does it make you feel to know that Jesus’ heart goes out to us in our moments of sorrow?
- What does it mean that Jesus has the power to bring life, even in the darkest situations?
- In what areas of your life do you need Jesus to speak life into your situation?
Bible Reading 3: Luke 7:15-17
“The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother. They were all filled with awe and praised God. ‘A great prophet has appeared among us,’ they said. ‘God has come to help his people.’ This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.”
Explanation for Teenagers:
- Restoration and hope: Jesus didn’t just raise the young man from the dead; He gave him back to his mother. This act of restoration brought hope not only to the widow but to the entire community. Jesus’ miracles always bring about life and hope, restoring what was lost.
- Witnessing God’s power: The crowd was filled with awe because they witnessed something incredible. When Jesus moves in our lives, it brings awe and wonder, reminding us that He is capable of more than we can imagine.
- Sharing the good news: After this miracle, the news about Jesus spread everywhere. When we experience Jesus’ life-changing power, it’s natural to want to share that with others, just like the people did in this passage.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- What does the restoration of the widow’s son teach us about the kind of God we serve?
- How do you feel knowing that Jesus’ miracles bring hope to people in hopeless situations?
- How can you share the “good news” about Jesus in your own life with others?
Youth Group Game: “Hope and Restoration Relay”
Objective: To demonstrate how Jesus brings restoration to our lives.
Materials Needed: Bean bags or small soft balls, cones, or markers for a relay race.
Instructions:
- Set up a simple relay course with cones or markers.
- Give each team member a bean bag or small ball that represents something lost (e.g., hope, joy, peace).
- The goal is to pass the item through the relay course without dropping it (symbolizing how Jesus can restore what is lost in our lives).
- As a team completes the relay, discuss how Jesus can restore what we feel is lost or broken, just like He restored the widow’s son.
Discussion After the Game:
- How did the relay represent restoration in your life?
- What areas of your life do you feel need to be restored by Jesus?
- How can you trust Jesus to restore those areas of your life?
Closing Prayer:
“Jesus, thank You for Your compassion and Your ability to restore what has been lost. We praise You for bringing life where there is death and hope where there is despair. Help us to trust You to bring restoration in our lives and to share the good news of what You’ve done. In Your name, Amen.