As teenagers, our faith is constantly being tested and challenged. We face doubts, peer pressure, and the temptations of the world around us. But in the midst of all this, it’s essential for us to grow in our faith and turn to God for guidance and strength. In today’s Sunday school lesson, we will explore two passages from the Bible that will help us understand the importance of relying on God in times of trouble and seeking His guidance in our lives.
Bible Reading: Judges 4:1-7
“Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord, now that Ehud was dead. So the Lord sold them into the hands of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. Sisera, the commander of his army, was based in Harosheth Haggoyim. Because he had nine hundred chariots fitted with iron and had cruelly oppressed the Israelites for twenty years, they cried to the Lord for help.”
Explanation:
- The Israelites fell into a pattern of disobedience and idolatry, which led to their oppression by the king of Canaan.
- Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, had a powerful force that kept the Israelites under his cruel control.
- After enduring twenty years of suffering, the Israelites cried out to the Lord for deliverance.
Bible Reading: Psalm 123
“I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, till he shows us his mercy. Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us, for we have endured no end of contempt. We have endured no end of ridicule from the arrogant, of contempt from the proud.”
Explanation:
- The psalmist acknowledges God’s sovereignty and lifts their eyes to Him.
- They compare themselves to slaves who depend entirely on their masters, emphasizing their complete reliance on God.
- The psalmist pleads for God’s mercy in the face of contempt and ridicule from the arrogant and proud.
Discussion Questions:
- How do you relate to the Israelites’ struggle with disobedience and idolatry? What are some modern-day idols that we may be tempted to worship?
- What challenges or difficulties do you face as a teenager that make it hard to keep your eyes on God?
- How does the psalmist’s imagery of a slave looking to their master resonate with you? How can we apply this idea to our relationship with God?
- In what ways do you experience contempt or ridicule because of your faith? How can we find strength and support in God during these times?
Youth Group Game: Faith Relay Race
Divide into teams and set up a relay race. Each team member must carry a baton (symbolizing their faith) while completing tasks or answering questions related to faith. For example:
- Memorize and recite a Bible verse.
- Share a personal testimony of how their faith has impacted their life.
- Answer questions about biblical characters or stories. The team that successfully completes all the tasks first wins.
Closing Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the lessons we’ve learned today about growing in our faith. Help us to remember the importance of relying on You and seeking Your guidance in all areas of our lives. Strengthen us in times of trouble and grant us the courage to stand firm in our faith, even when faced with ridicule or contempt. May we always look to You as our Master and trust in Your mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Note: This comprehensive Sunday school lesson is a creative creation inspired by the given Bible passages. It is not a direct teaching from any specific preacher or artist mentioned.