Youth Sermon: God Our Protector; Not Our Bully

Introduction

Hey guys! Today, I want to talk about something we all experience - those annoying songs that get stuck in our heads, you know, earworms!

Does anyone have a song that always gets stuck in their head? (Share your own and go around the room to see what the students say).

You know, the only way to get a song out of your head is to hear a different song.

In the same way songs can get stuck in our heads, so can ideas. I want to talk about the thoughts we have about God that can get stuck in our heads. Sometimes, we need to replace those thoughts with the truth that Jesus teaches us.

The religious leaders of Jesus day often shamed people, but Jesus teaches us that God is our protector, not our bully. God's Spirit convicts us of guilt but never shames us.

Jesus as our Protector

I want you to think of a locked door. It keeps us safe and protected from anything harmful outside, right?

Jesus is like that locked door. He's our protector, keeping us safe from harm. But sometimes, we might think of God as a bully, like the Pharisees who shamed and alienated people. That's not who God is!

Let's look at some Scripture to back this up. Check out John 10:1-10, John 9, Romans 8:1, Romans 10:11, and Romans 2:4. These verses show us that Jesus is our protector and that He speaks to us with love and kindness.

Application

Now, how can we apply this to our lives? First, let's make sure we're listening to the right 'voice' in our heads. If we're hearing thoughts of shame and condemnation, that's not from God. Instead, focus on the truth that Jesus teaches us about God's love and protection.

Next, let's practice listening to the voice of Jesus. We can do this through reading Scripture, praying, and learning to recognize His 'accent' - kindness, compassion, truth, and encouragement.

Finally, let's remember that Jesus wants to meet our deepest needs and heal our deepest wounds. If we're struggling with something, let's turn to Him and let His love and truth transform us.

Closing Prayer

Let's pray: 'Lord, thank you for being our protector and for speaking to us with love and kindness. Help us to recognize your voice and to replace any thoughts of shame with your truth. Guide us as we grow in our relationship with you, and heal our deepest wounds. In Jesus' name, Amen.'

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. Have you ever felt like God was a bully? How does Jesus' teaching change that perspective?

2. What are some ways you can practice listening to God's voice in your daily life?

3. How can you recognize Jesus' accent of kindness, compassion, and truth in your thoughts?

4. Share a time when you felt God speaking to you or guiding you. How did that experience impact your faith?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Guess the Song
• Group Activity: Voice of Truth
• Youth Challenge: Weekly Challenge: Spend 10 Minutes Daily Listening to God's Voice