As teenagers, it can sometimes feel overwhelming to navigate the challenges and decisions that come with growing up. In these formative years, it is crucial for us to anchor our faith in God’s Word and seek His guidance. The passage we will be exploring today, Romans 12:1-8, offers valuable insights on how we can grow our faith by surrendering to God’s will.
Bible Reading: Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Explanation:
- Offering Our Bodies: To surrender to God’s will, we are called to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. This means living our lives in a way that is pleasing to God and aligns with His Word.
- Renewing of Our Minds: Rather than conforming to the standards of the world, we are urged to be transformed through the renewing of our minds. This transformation comes through studying God’s Word, prayer, and seeking His guidance.
- Testing and Approving God’s Will: By surrendering to God and renewing our minds, we gain the ability to discern and align ourselves with His good, pleasing, and perfect will.
Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to offer our bodies as living sacrifices?
- How can we renew our minds and avoid conforming to the patterns of this world?
- Share an example of a time when you had to make a decision that aligned with God’s will, even though it was difficult.
- How can surrendering to God’s will bring about transformation in our lives?
- Discuss practical ways we can discern and align ourselves with God’s will on a daily basis.
Bible Reading: Romans 12:3-8 (NIV)
“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Explanation:
- Humility and Self-Assessment: We are reminded not to think of ourselves more highly than we should but to have a sober judgment of ourselves. This means recognizing our strengths and weaknesses and understanding that our abilities come from God’s grace.
- One Body, Many Members: Just as a body has different parts with distinct functions, we, as believers, are part of the body of Christ. Each one of us has been uniquely gifted by God to contribute to the body.
- Using Our Gifts: We are encouraged to use our gifts according to the grace given to us. Whether it’s prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, or showing mercy, we are called to use our gifts diligently and cheerfully for the benefit of others.
Discussion Questions:
- Why is it important to have a humble and realistic assessment of ourselves?
- How does the concept of “one body, many members” impact our relationships within the church and our communities?
- What are some practical ways we can discover and utilize our spiritual gifts?
- Share an example of how you have seen someone effectively using their spiritual gift to bless others.
- Discuss how using our gifts can contribute to the growth of our faith and the edification of the church.
Youth Group Game: “Gifts in Action”
Divide the youth into small groups and provide each group with a variety of creative materials (e.g., art supplies, musical instruments, writing tools). Instruct the groups to create something that showcases a specific spiritual gift (e.g., a painting representing encouragement, a song emphasizing teaching, a written piece demonstrating prophecy). After a given time, have each group present their creation to the rest of the youth group and explain how it represents the gift they focused on.
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
As a community of young believers, we surrender to your will. Help us understand the importance of offering ourselves as living sacrifices, pleasing to you. Renew our minds and transform us to be aligned with your Word. Guide us in discovering our spiritual gifts and using them for your glory. In our discussions and reflections, may your Holy Spirit lead us. As we play the “Gifts in Action” game, let it remind us of the diverse gifts you have given us. Empower us to impact the world around us.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.