Youth Sermon: Grateful

Introduction

Today, we're going to talk about something that's often overlooked: gratitude. You know, being thankful for all the stuff in our lives. What I want you to walk away with is that living a grateful life isn't always easy, but it's totally worth it. There's great healing to be found in practicing gratitude regularly.

Before we dive in, let's do a quick object lesson. I want you all to think of something you're grateful for. Got it? Now, I want you to imagine that thing as a small pebble. When we practice gratitude, it's like we're building a tower of pebbles, one on top of the other. The more we practice, the taller and stronger our tower becomes. But when we forget to be grateful, it's like knocking over our tower, and we have to start all over again.

Living a grateful life isn't always easy, but it's totally worth it.

Scripture Reading

Our Scripture for today is from Luke 17:11-19. It's a story about ten lepers who were healed by Jesus, but only one of them came back to say thank you. That one guy, he got it. He understood the power of gratitude.

Lessons from the Scripture

So, what can we learn from this story?

First, gratitude is intentional. It takes effort to stop and think about the good things in our lives. Just like that one leper, we need to make a conscious choice to be grateful and thank Jesus for all He's done for us.

Second, gratitude is powerful. When we're grateful, it can change our whole outlook on life. It can make us happier, healthier, and more positive. Plus, it's what God wants for us! In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, it says that God's will for us is to be joyful, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.

Practical Application

Now, let's get practical. How can we practice gratitude in our everyday lives? One idea is to start a gratitude journal. Every day, write down three things you're grateful for. It could be something big, like your family, or something small, like your favorite snack. The point is to get in the habit of recognizing and appreciating the good things in your life.

Closing Prayer

"Lord, help us to be intentional about practicing gratitude. Remind us to stop and thank You for all the blessings in our lives. Teach us to build our gratitude towers, so we can experience the healing and joy that comes from a grateful heart. Amen."

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. What are some things you are grateful for and why?

2. How can practicing gratitude impact your relationship with God and others?

3. What are some ways you can intentionally practice gratitude in your daily life?

4. How can gratitude help you in difficult situations or when you're feeling down?

5. Share a time when expressing gratitude made a difference in your life or someone else's life.

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Gratitude Scavenger Hunt
• Group Activity: Gratitude Jar
• Youth Challenge: Gratitude Challenge