As teenagers, you’re going through a lot of changes and transitions. You’re figuring out who you are and what you believe. One of the most important aspects of growing your faith during this time is understanding what it means to live a new life in Christ. In today’s lesson, we will explore Romans 6:1b-11, which teaches us about our identity in Christ and how we can live transformed lives through His power.
Bible Reading: Romans 6:1b-4 (NIV)
1b Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.
Explanation:
- Paul is addressing the idea that since God’s grace covers our sins, it might be okay to keep sinning.
- He makes it clear that we should not continue to sin because we have died to sin through our faith in Jesus.
- Our baptism symbolizes our identification with Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, enabling us to live a new life in Him.
Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to “die to sin”?
- How does being baptized into Christ’s death relate to living a new life?
- Why is it important to understand that God’s grace doesn’t give us permission to continue sinning?
Youth Group Game: “Sink or Swim”
Materials: Balloons (one per participant), permanent markers, two containers (one labeled “Old Life” and the other “New Life”)
Instructions:
- Give each participant a balloon and a permanent marker.
- Ask them to write something they struggle with (e.g., a bad habit or sin) on the balloon.
- Have everyone stand in a line between the two containers.
- Explain that they will take turns popping their balloons and “leaving behind” their old life as they move towards the “New Life” container.
- As each person pops their balloon, have the group cheer them on and encourage them in their journey towards a new life in Christ.
Debrief:
- Discuss how this game relates to Romans 6:1b-11 and the concept of leaving our old life behind to live a new life in Christ.
Bible Reading: Romans 6:5-11 (NIV)
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Explanation:
- Our faith in Jesus unites us with His death and resurrection, enabling us to overcome sin and live a new life.
- We are no longer slaves to sin because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.
- Jesus’ death and resurrection not only conquered sin but also defeated death, giving us hope for eternal life.
Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to be “united with Christ” in His death and resurrection?
- How does Jesus’ victory over sin and death impact our daily lives as believers?
- How can we “count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus”?
Closing Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of new life in Christ. Help us to understand what it means to die to sin and live for You. Strengthen us in our faith, and guide us as we seek to follow Jesus each day. May we always remember the power of Your grace and the hope of eternal life that You have given us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.