Youth Sermon: Fall

Introduction

Picture this: I was in high school, and I totally bombed a test. Instead of owning up to it, I lied to my parents about my grade. I know, not cool, right? It got me thinking, "What's up with that?" Ever had a moment like that? You do something wrong and you're like, "What's my deal?" Today, we're gonna dig into what's really going on. Spoiler alert: it's pride.

Ever had a moment like that? You do something wrong and you're like, "What's my deal?"

The Problem with Pride

So, what's the big deal about pride? We all deal with it. It's like this old, old story about Adam and Eve in this perfect garden. They had everything they could ever want, but they still broke the one rule God gave them. Why? They wanted to call the shots, be their own bosses. Sound familiar? We don't like being told what to do, not by anyone, and definitely not by God.

Satan's Tricks

Now, let's talk about the bad guy in this story, Satan. He tricked Adam and Eve by making them think God was holding out on them. He's still playing the same tricks today. He makes us feel like God's rules are a drag, like they're keeping us from having fun. He tells us half-truths that lead us down the wrong path, hiding the real consequences of our actions. And he promises us that we can be our own bosses, in control of our own lives.

God's Rules and Safety

Imagine you're driving a car. You're in control, right? But what happens if you ignore the rules of the road? You might crash, get a ticket, or worse. The rules aren't there to ruin your fun; they're there to keep you safe. It's the same with God's rules.

God's Plan

But here's the good news: God doesn't just leave us to crash and burn. When Adam and Eve messed up, God had a plan. He promised that one day, a descendant of Eve would crush Satan. That's Jesus, who beat sin and death on the cross.

Invitation

So, what's this mean for us? If you haven't really let God into your life, today's the day to start. He's ready to welcome you with open arms. This week, when you're tempted to break a rule or lie to get your way, remember the car. Remember that God's rules are there to protect you, not to hold you back. And remember that God's ready to help you when you mess up.

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. How does pride show up in your life?

2. Can you think of a time when you believed a lie because of your pride?

3. How can we practice humility in our daily lives?

4. How does understanding Jesus' victory over sin and death help us combat pride?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Truth or Lie?
• Group Activity: Adam and Eve Role Play
• Youth Challenge: Challenge of Humility