Youth Sermon: Arrival (Christmas)

God's Promise and Jesus' Birth

Today, we're gonna talk about the arrival of Jesus. You know, Christmas is all about celebrating Jesus' birth, but it's also about remembering that God keeps His promises, fulfills prophecies, and answers our prayers. So, let's dive in and see how this all connects.

First, let's look at Deuteronomy 7:6-9, Matthew 1, and Luke 2. These verses show us that God made a promise to His people and that Jesus' birth was the fulfillment of that promise. Pretty cool, right?

God made a promise to His people and that Jesus' birth was the fulfillment of that promise.

The Gift of Jesus

Now, I want to show you something that'll help you remember this idea. (Bring out a wrapped gift.) You see this gift? It's a promise, just like the one God made to us. When we open it, we find the best gift ever - Jesus! He's the answer to our prayers and the fulfillment of God's promise.

Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus

So, let's talk about some of the prophecies Jesus fulfilled. First, He was born of a virgin and called Immanuel, which means 'God with us.' That's from Isaiah 7:14, and we see it happen in Matthew 1:22-23.

Second, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, just like the prophet Micah said in Micah 5:2. We see this in Matthew 2:10 and Luke 2:4.

And finally, Jesus is our Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace, as Isaiah 9:6-7 tells us.

God Hears and Answers Our Prayers

Now, let's think about prayer. Have you ever prayed for something for a really long time? Sometimes it feels like God isn't listening, but Christmas reminds us that He does hear our prayers and answers them. Just like He answered the prayers of His people by sending Jesus, He hears and answers our prayers too.

What This Means for Us

So, what does this all mean for us? It means that no matter what we're going through, we can trust that God is with us and that He keeps His promises. We can pray and know that He hears us. And most importantly, we can celebrate the amazing gift of Jesus, who came to save us and be with us.

Prayer

"Jesus, thank you for coming to be with us and for being the fulfillment of God's promises. Help us to trust in you and to remember that you hear our prayers. As we celebrate your birth, let us be reminded of your love and presence in our lives. Amen."

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. How does the fulfillment of promises, prophecies, and prayers in Jesus' arrival impact your faith?

2. What does it mean to you that Jesus is called Immanuel, "God with us"?

3. How can we live in the light of Jesus' arrival and share His love with others?

4. In what ways have you experienced God's faithfulness in your own life?

5. How can we continue to trust in God's promises and His plan for our lives?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Promise, Prophecy, and Prayer Relay
• Group Activity: Creating a Christmas Mural
• Youth Challenge: Living in the Light of Jesus' Arrival