Youth Sermon: Gratitude's Nemesis: The Grumble

Grumbling and Gratitude

Do you remember the movie 'Inside Out'? You know, the one with all the emotions living inside the girl's head? Imagine if there was a character in there called 'Grumble'. He'd be the one always complaining, always seeing the glass half empty. Funny in a movie, but not so cool in real life, right?

Grumbling is like that annoying friend who always sees the downside of everything. It's like being stuck in a loop of negativity. Remember the story of the Israelites in the desert? They had just escaped slavery in Egypt, but instead of being grateful, they started complaining about being hungry and wanting to go back. They were so focused on what they didn't have that they forgot about the amazing things God had done for them.

Grumbling is like that annoying friend who always sees the downside of everything.

The Difference Between Grumbling and Gratitude

Now, let's do a little experiment. I have here a glass of water. Is it half full or half empty? It's both, right? It just depends on how you look at it. That's the difference between grumbling and gratitude. Grumbling sees the glass as half empty, while gratitude sees it as half full.

Gratitude is like the cool friend who always finds something to be happy about. It's about focusing on the good stuff, even when things are tough. It's saying 'thank you' instead of 'why me?'

The Importance of Gratitude

Remember King David? He had everything going for him, but he still messed up big time because he focused on what he didn't have. He forgot to be grateful for all the blessings he had.

So, how can we be more like the gratitude-guy and less like the grumble-guy? It's all about what we focus on. If we focus on the good stuff, we'll be happier and more content. If we focus on the bad stuff, we'll end up grumbling and being miserable.

Challenge for the Week

Here's a challenge for you this week: every time you catch yourself grumbling, stop and think of something you're grateful for. It could be anything - your family, your friends, your pet, your favorite song. Write it down, say it out loud, or just think about it.

Prayer

Let's pray. God, help us to be more grateful and less grumbly. Help us to see the glass as half full, not half empty. Thank you for all the good things in our lives. Amen.

Conclusion

Remember, guys, life's too short to be a grumble-guy. Let's be gratitude-guys instead!

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. Can you share a time when you grumbled and later realized you should have been grateful?

2. How can we practice gratitude in our daily lives?

3. How does grumbling affect our relationship with God and others?

4. What are some ways to shift from a grumbling mindset to a gratitude mindset?

5. How can we help each other to be more grateful?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Gratitude Circle
• Group Activity: Gratitude Jar
• Youth Challenge: Gratitude Challenge