Youth Sermon: A Thin Place

Introduction

Have you ever had that one spot where you just feel super chill and at peace? Maybe it's your bedroom, a park, or even your favorite coffee shop. These places are like your personal "God Zones" where you feel closer to God. Today, we're gonna talk about these God Zones and how they can help us connect with God on a deeper level.

Let's pray. Hey God, help us to recognize and appreciate our God Zones. Open our hearts to seek you in these places and guide us to find them. Amen.

These places are like your personal "God Zones" where you feel closer to God.

Psalm 122 and God Zones

Read Psalm 122. So, picture your favorite God Zone. God Zones are these cool spots where it feels like heaven and Earth are just a high-five away. These places make it easier for us to hang out with God and feel His presence. It could be your church, a park, or any place where you feel God's vibes.

In Psalm 122, the writer is super stoked about going to God's house. He knows that this is a God Zone where he can hang with God and get some spiritual energy. He talks about how awesome Jerusalem is, where God's house is. He sees the unity of the people and the power that's in this place.

He prays for peace and safety in Jerusalem, knowing that when this place is doing well, the whole world is doing well. He gets how important it is to be with others in this God Zone. When we hang with other believers, we create a God Zone where God's Spirit is totally present.

Lessons from David

David, who wrote this psalm, figured out a few things about God Zones: 1. When life gets tough, head to your God Zone. (Psalm 120) 2. Once you've found your God Zone, you'll always know where it is. (Psalm 121) 3. Location matters. God Zones are powerful spots where we can hang with God. (Psalm 122) 4. Hanging with others in the God Zone is super important. (Psalm 122)

Imagine you're lost in a forest. You're scared and alone. But then you see a light in the distance. You follow it and find a cabin. Inside, there's a warm fire, food, and people who care about you. That cabin is like your God Zone. It's a place of safety, comfort, and community. And just like you'd want to bring others to that cabin, we should invite others to our God Zones.

Conclusion

We all need a God Zone, a special spot where we can hang with God and other believers. Your church can be a powerful God Zone where you encounter God and feel His presence. Don't take this place or the people there for granted. Come ready to hang with God and invite others to join you.

And if you don't have a God Zone yet, start looking for one. You'll know it when you find it. And when you do, you'll experience the peace and joy that comes from hanging with God in your God Zone.

Let's pray. God, thank you for our God Zones. Help us to appreciate these places and the people in them. Guide us as we seek you and invite others to join us. Amen.

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. What makes a place a "thin place" for you?

2. How do you feel when you are in your thin place?

3. How can you make your thin place a regular part of your life?

4. How can you invite others to experience your thin place?

5. What did you learn from spending time in your thin place this week?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: My Special Place
• Group Activity: Mapping Our Thin Places
• Youth Challenge: Finding Your Thin Place