Youth Sermon: A Light Has Dawned

Introduction

Hey everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super important, and I promise it's going to be interesting. We're going to talk about Jesus being the light of the world and how He can lead us out of darkness and into God's kingdom. We'll be looking at Matthew 4:12-23.

But first, let's start with a cool object lesson. I have here a flashlight. Now, imagine we're in a completely dark room, and we can't see anything. It's scary, right? But when I turn on this flashlight, suddenly we can see where we're going, and we're not afraid anymore. That's what Jesus does for us. He's like this flashlight, showing us the way out of darkness and into the light.

That's what Jesus does for us. He's like this flashlight, showing us the way out of darkness and into the light.

Main Points

Jesus is the light of the world: In Matthew 4:15-16, it says that people living in darkness have seen a great light. That light is Jesus! He came to show us the way out of darkness and into God's kingdom. Just like our flashlight, Jesus helps us see where we're going and takes away our fear.

God rescues us from darkness: Jesus started preaching that the kingdom of heaven is near (Matthew 4:17). That means we don't have to stay in darkness anymore! God wants to rescue us and bring us into His kingdom of light. All we have to do is decide that we want in.

We follow Jesus out of darkness and into the kingdom of God: In Matthew 4:18-22, Jesus calls His first followers and tells them to follow Him. He wants us to follow Him too, and He'll lead us out of darkness and into His kingdom. How do we do that? We listen to Jesus and do what He says.

Practical Ways to Follow Jesus

Now, let's talk about some practical ways we can follow Jesus and live in the light:

- Read the Bible, especially the parts where Jesus is teaching. A great place to start is the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7.

- Pray and ask God to help you understand and live out Jesus' teachings.

- Look for ways to show love, kindness, and compassion to others, just like Jesus did.

Closing Prayer

"Lord Jesus, thank You for being the light of the world and showing us the way out of darkness. Help us to follow You and live in Your kingdom of light. Teach us to listen to Your words and put them into practice in our lives. Amen."

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. In what ways do you see darkness in your own life or in the world around you?

2. How can following Jesus help you to overcome the darkness and enter into the Kingdom of Light?

3. What are some practical ways that you can listen to Jesus and put His teachings into practice in your daily life?

4. How can you encourage and support one another in your journey from darkness to light?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Light and Darkness Charades
• Group Activity: Kingdom of Light Collage
• Youth Challenge: Following Jesus in Daily Life