Youth Sermon: Don't Fear the Light

Introduction

Hey guys! Let's play a game called "What's Your Phobia?" I'll name a fear, and you tell me what it's about. Ready?

1. Arachnophobia is the fear of...? (Spiders)

2. Acrophobia is the fear of...? (Heights)

Now, let's make it a bit harder:

3. Ophidiophobia is the fear of...? (Snakes!)

4. Pogonophobia is the fear of...? (Beards!)

Did you know there's a fear of God called Theophobia? It's like being scared of God even though He's good. Jesus says this fear can stop us from getting His help and love. But Jesus is here to rescue us from this fear. He finds us in our mess and leads us into His light.

Jesus is here to rescue us from this fear. He finds us in our mess and leads us into His light.

Main Teaching

Let's check out John 3:14-21, where Jesus is talking to Nicodemus. Jesus teaches us about who God really is.

1. The Son of Man must be lifted up: Jesus says, "Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, the Son of Man must be lifted up so that everyone who believes in Him will have eternal life." This is about a story in Numbers where Moses lifted up a bronze snake on a pole. If the Israelites looked at it, they would live. Jesus will also be lifted up, through His death and coming back to life, and all who look to Him will live.

God is always good. He doesn't change like we do. We can trust Him even when things don't go as we expect. He always works for our good, motivated by His self-giving love.

2. God saves, He doesn't condemn: Jesus says, "God loved the world so much that He gave His Son, so that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life. God didn't send His Son to condemn the world, but to save it." God's love is self-giving and sacrificial. He wants to save us, not condemn us. Those who don't believe are already judged because they haven't received God's love and salvation.

3. Don't let fear stop you: Jesus says, "Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness because their deeds were evil. Those who do evil hate the light and won't come into it for fear of their deeds being exposed. But those who live by the truth come into the light, showing that their actions are done in the sight of God."

Sometimes, we're scared to step into the light because we think God will expose our mistakes. But God doesn't shame or condemn us. He loves us and wants to heal us. Jesus came to save us from sin, not to rub our noses in it.

Object Lesson

Imagine you're playing hide and seek in the dark. It's scary, right? You're hiding, hoping no one will find you. But what if the person seeking you isn't trying to tag you out, but to bring you into a safe, warm, well-lit room where there's a party going on? That's what Jesus is doing. He's seeking us, not to tag us out, but to bring us into His light.

Life Application

Have you ever messed up and tried to hide it? We all have. But remember, Jesus isn't here to point fingers. He's here to help us heal. So, next time you mess up, don't hide. Step into Jesus' light. Let Him help you.

Conclusion

Have you been bitten by the snake called sin? Do you want healing and forgiveness? God doesn't condemn you; He wants to heal you and give you His life. He loves you too much to leave you where you are. Let's pray together.

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. Why do you think people are sometimes afraid of God?

2. How can we overcome our fear of being exposed or judged?

3. What does it mean to you to live in the light of God?

4. Can you share a time when you were afraid to bring something into the light, but felt relief or healing when you did?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: The Phobia Game
• Group Activity: Light and Darkness Scavenger Hunt
• Youth Challenge: Stepping into the Light Challenge