Youth Sermon: Divided in Christ

Introduction

Bring in a rope and have two volunteers come up. Have them hold the rope, one on each end, and explain that the rope represents our relationships. When we follow Jesus, sometimes it can cause tension and division in our relationships, like when we pull the rope tight. But Jesus is with us through it all, and He can help us navigate these challenges.

Today, we're going to talk about something that might be a little tough to hear. You know how sometimes you have disagreements with your friends or family? Maybe it's over something silly like who gets the last slice of pizza, or maybe it's over something more serious like your beliefs and values.

When we follow Jesus, sometimes it can cause tension and division in our relationships.

Jesus' Message

Well, Jesus actually talked about this kind of stuff too. In Luke 12:49-56, He tells His followers that following Him can sometimes cause division in our relationships. That might sound kind of weird, right? I mean, Jesus is all about love and peace, so why would He say something like that?

The thing is, Jesus knows that not everyone is going to agree with what He teaches. And when we choose to follow Him, it might cause some tension with the people around us. But even though it's tough, Jesus wants us to know that He's with us through it all.

In this passage, Jesus talks about how His message can cause division even within families. That's a pretty big deal, right? But He's not saying this to scare us or make us feel bad. He's just being honest about what it means to follow Him.

Facing Division

So, what can we do when we face this kind of division in our lives? First, we need to remember that Jesus is with us. He knows what it's like to face challenges and disagreements, and He's there to help us through it.

Second, we need to keep our focus on Jesus and His teachings. It's easy to get caught up in arguments and drama, but we need to remember what's really important: our relationship with Jesus.

Finally, we need to be willing to stand up for what we believe in, even if it's not popular. It's not always easy to go against the crowd, but Jesus calls us to be brave and stand up for what's right.

Conclusion

So, as we go through our week, let's remember that following Jesus might not always be easy, but it's worth it. He's with us through the challenges, and He'll help us navigate the tough stuff.

Let's pray together: 'Lord Jesus, thank you for being honest with us about the challenges we might face as Christians. Help us to stay strong in our faith, even when it causes division in our relationships. Give us the courage to stand up for what we believe in and to trust that you are with us through it all. Amen.'

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. Have you ever experienced division in a relationship because of your faith? How did you handle it?

2. Why do you think Jesus warned his disciples about the division that would come from following him?

3. How can we be peacemakers in our relationships, even when there is division?

4. What are some ways we can support and encourage each other in our faith, especially when facing difficult situations or relationships?

5. How can we rely on Jesus' honesty and guidance in our daily lives and relationships?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Divided or United?
• Group Activity: Building Bridges
• Youth Challenge: Be a Peacemaker