Use this free Bible lesson in your High School or Middle School youth group when teaching about the importance of choices.
Youth Group Game Idea: Choices Story
Choices & Story building – Try this youth ministry game idea to get started. Students sit or stand in a large circle and tell a group story. One student begins with a sentence, pausing at an interval for the next student to pick up. Continue around the circle to describe the story’s action. Students should use the phrase, “And then our character had an important choice to make ….” the next student will continue the story by explaining what the choices was going to be.
Lesson Introduction: Choices Matter to God
We may not realize it, but every minute of the day, we are making decisions. In fact, studies show that on average, we make about 35,000 decisions a day! While every decision may not hold very much weight in our lives, decisions are a crucial part in the way our lives turn out. When we live our lives dedicated to Christ, it is important that we realize that our decisions should reflect that. However, sometimes it can be difficult to determine how to align our choices with God’s will for us.
Read the Scripture Reference
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
and He will direct your paths.”
In order to make decisions that honor God, we must first trust Him. If we do not trust that God has our best interest at heart, then we will have a difficult time finding the motivation to make choices that reflect His character. However, when we let go of our ideas of what is best for us and trust in God to direct our lives, we will find that our decisions will naturally align with His will for us.
Bible Lesson: Godly Choices Matter
When seeking to make choices that honor God, we must first trust God, but in order to trust God, we must know Him. It is impossible to trust someone that you do not know. We learn who God is by reading His Word. When we read the Bible, we are coming to know God’s character and nature. Here are a few characteristics of God we see in scripture:
As time and format allow, ask the students to look up one scripture passage from each list.
- Generous (Luke 6:38, Acts 20:35, Philippians 4:19)
- Truthful (Isaiah 65:16, John 3:33, Psalm 31:5)
- Patient (Numbers 14:18, Psalm 86: 15, Romans 15:15)
- Holy (1 Samuel 2:2, 1 Peter 1:15-16, Revelation 4:8)
- Gracious (Titus 2:11, Romans 3:24, Ephesians 2:8)
- Wise (James 1:5, Romans 11:33, Isaiah 28:29)
- Just (Isaiah 30:28, Romans 12:19, Psalm 33:5)
All of these are qualities that God personifies, but these are also qualities that we can have as well and reflect in our decision making. These are also qualities of someone that we can trust whole-heartedly. When we are faced with a choice, we can trust God and honor Him by asking ourselves these questions:
- How can I be generous in this choice?
- How can I be truthful in this choice?
- How can I be patient in this choice?
- How can I be holy in this choice?
- How can I be gracious in this choice?
- How can I be wise in this choice?
- How can I be just in this choice?
When we ask ourselves how we can be more like God in our choices, we will find that our choices will naturally align with His will for us. When you find yourself in a situation where you are making a difficult decision, look to God. When we know Him, we will trust Him, and when we trust Him, we will honor Him. God does not hide His will from us, and He doesn’t expect us to crack some secret code in order to know what choice to make. Instead, He asks that we trust Him.
Youth Group Discussion Questions:
- What is something you struggle with when it comes to making choices?
- What does it mean to trust God? How can we trust God more?
- Why is it important to know God when making choices? How does knowing God help us make better choices?
- What are some ways we can honor God with our choices?
How to Honor God with your Choices, The Keys to Godly Decision-Making
There are many good choices that honor God. Some of them include being honest, having integrity, being kind, and helping others. Other good choices include studying the Bible, attending church regularly, and spending time in prayer. By making these kinds of choices, we can please God and show Him that we love Him.
The key to making godly decisions is having a relationship with God. When we know God and have His Word dwelling in us, we will be able to make wise choices that honor Him. We need to be in prayer, regularly reading our Bible, and surrounding ourselves with godly people who can help us grow in our faith.
The consequences of making choices that don’t honor God can be both immediate and long-term. In the short-term, we may experience negative consequences such as guilt, shame, and regret. These can lead to feelings of isolation and despair. In the long-term, we may find ourselves further away from God than we were before, and our relationship with Him may suffer as a result. We may also miss out on His blessings in our lives. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether the choices they make honor God or not.