In today’s Sunday school lesson, we will explore the passage from Romans 4:13-25 and its relevance to teenagers in their journey of faith. This is an important topic for teenagers as it addresses faith, trust in God, and God’s promises. By exploring this passage, you will learn to grow your faith and strengthen your relationship with God.
Icebreaker Game: Promise Charades
Before diving into the lesson, let’s start with a fun youth group game called Promise Charades. This activity will help illustrate the concept of promises.
- Divide the group into two teams.
- Each team will take turns acting out a promise (e.g., getting a job, graduating, getting married) without speaking.
- The other team will have one minute to guess the promise being acted out.
- The team with the most correct guesses wins!
Now that everyone is warmed up, let’s dive into the scripture.
Bible Reading: Romans 4:13-17 (NIV)
13 It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. 14 For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, 15 because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
16 Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. 17 As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
- In these verses, Paul explains that Abraham received the promise of being an heir of the world through faith, not through the law.
- The promise is guaranteed to all of Abraham’s offspring, including those who have faith in Christ.
- God is the one who gives life to the dead and creates things out of nothing.
Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to receive a promise through faith rather than through the law?
- How does this passage challenge your understanding of God’s promises and grace?
Bible Reading: Romans 4:18-22 (NIV)
18 Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” 19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.”
- Abraham believed in God’s promise even when it seemed impossible.
- He did not waver in his faith, but was strengthened by it and gave glory to God.
- His unwavering faith in God’s promise was credited to him as righteousness.
Discussion Questions:
- How can we apply Abraham’s example of unwavering faith in our own lives?
- Can you think of a time when you had to trust in God’s promises even when it seemed impossible?
Bible Reading: Romans 4:23-25 (NIV)
23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
- These verses emphasize that the concept of being credited with righteousness through faith applies to all believers, not just Abraham.
- Jesus’ death and resurrection provide the foundation for our justification and righteousness.
Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean to be credited with righteousness through faith?
- How can we grow in our understanding and application of this truth in our daily lives?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of faith and the example of Abraham. Help us to grow in our faith and trust in your promises, even when it seems impossible. Strengthen us as we navigate our teenage years, and let our faith be a light to others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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