Youth Sermon: From Doubt to Life: Embracing Our Faith Journey

Introduction

Hey everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something that I bet most of us have experienced at some point in our lives: doubt. You know, those moments when you're not sure if you can trust what you believe or if God is really there for you. But guess what? Doubt can actually be a part of our faith journey, and it can even lead to a stronger faith in the end.

To help us understand this better, I want to start with a little object lesson. I have here a piece of paper, and I'm going to crumple it up into a ball. Now, I want you to imagine that this crumpled paper represents our doubts and fears. It might look messy and imperfect, but when we bring it to God, He can help us unravel it and make sense of it all.

Doubt can actually be a part of our faith journey, and it can even lead to a stronger faith in the end.

Jesus and His Disciples

Now, let's dive into the Bible and see how this idea of doubt and faith plays out in the lives of Jesus' disciples. In John 20:19-31, we read about the disciples hiding in a locked room after Jesus' death. They were scared and confused, and they didn't know what to do next. But then, Jesus shows up and blesses them with peace.

This story teaches us that fear can keep us from having faith. But Jesus doesn't want us to live in fear. In fact, the Bible has 365 'do not fear' commands – that's one for every day of the year! So, whenever you're feeling scared or doubtful, remember that Jesus is with you, offering you peace.

Thomas and His Doubts

Now, let's talk about Thomas, one of the disciples who had a hard time believing that Jesus had really come back to life. He said he wouldn't believe it unless he could see Jesus for himself. But when Jesus showed up and let Thomas touch his wounds, Thomas finally believed. Jesus told him, 'Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed' (John 20:29).

That's a message for all of us. We might not be able to see Jesus physically like Thomas did, but we can still have faith in Him. Hebrews 11:1 tells us that 'faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.' And 2 Corinthians 5:7 reminds us to 'walk by faith, not by sight.'

Application

So, how can we apply this to our lives? Well, when you're feeling doubtful or scared, remember that Jesus is with you, offering you peace. And when you step out in faith, you'll see Jesus work in your life in amazing ways.

Here's a challenge for you this week: Share your faith with someone. Be kind to someone who's struggling with doubt. And remember that Jesus is always with you, offering you peace and helping you grow in your faith.

Prayer

Let's pray together: 'Lord, thank you for being with us in our doubts and fears. Help us to trust in you and grow in our faith, even when we can't see you. Give us the courage to share your love and peace with others. Amen.'

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. Can you think of a time when you experienced doubt in your faith? What helped you to overcome it?

2. Why do you think doubt is a normal part of our faith journey?

3. How can we support each other when we experience doubt or fear in our faith?

4. What are some ways you can grow in your faith and trust in Jesus, even when you cannot see the outcome?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Doubt or Faith Charades
• Group Activity: Faith Walk
• Youth Challenge: Faith Journey