Youth Sermon: God Values Humility

Introduction

Today, we're going to talk about something that Jesus taught – humility. But first, let me show you something.

(Bring out a deflated balloon and a fully inflated balloon)

See these balloons? One is full of air, and the other is empty. Keep these in mind as we go through our message today.

The Story of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

So, Jesus told this story about a religious guy, a Pharisee, and a not-so-good guy, a tax collector. The Pharisee was all about following the rules and thought he was better than everyone else. The tax collector knew he messed up and was really sorry about it. Jesus said that the tax collector was the one who went home right with God, not the Pharisee. Why? Because the tax collector was humble, and the Pharisee was not.

Jesus said that the tax collector was the one who went home right with God, not the Pharisee.

What is Humility?

You see, God loves humility because He is humble. Jesus showed us that by hanging out with people who were considered "less than" and serving others. He even said, "I am gentle and humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29).

Now, let's talk about what humility is NOT. It's not putting yourself down or feeling ashamed all the time. That's not what God wants for us. Instead, humility is about being honest with ourselves and others and knowing that we're not perfect.

Remember those balloons I showed you earlier? The deflated balloon represents humility – it's not full of itself. The inflated balloon represents self-righteousness – it's all puffed up and full of air. Which one do you think God prefers? That's right, the deflated one!

Practicing Humility

So, how can we practice humility in our lives? Here are some ideas:

1. Keep God at the center of your life. Remember, it's all about Him, not us.

2. Confess your sins to God and share your struggles with trusted friends.

3. Listen more than you talk. Try to understand other people's stories and perspectives.

4. Serve and love others, just like Jesus did.

5. Remember, it's not "us versus them," but "us for them." We're all in this together.

As we wrap up, let's think about how we can practice humility this week. Maybe it's by helping someone at school or listening to a friend who's going through a tough time. Whatever it is, let's ask God to help us be more like Jesus – humble and full of love.

Closing Prayer

Let's pray together:

"God, thank you for teaching us about humility through Jesus. Help us to be honest with ourselves and others, and to remember that we're all in this together. Show us how to be humble and loving, just like you. Amen."

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. How have you seen humility demonstrated in your own life or in the lives of others?

2. Why do you think God values humility so much?

3. How can we practice honest self-talk and intentional self-awareness in our daily lives?

4. What are some ways we can adopt an "Us for Them" mindset in our relationships and interactions with others?

5. How can we encourage and support each other in our journey to embrace humility?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Humility Charades
• Group Activity: Creating a Humble Service Project
• Youth Challenge: Weekly Humility Challenge