Youth Sermon: If You Would Have Been There

Introduction

Today, we're going to talk about a story from the Bible that shows us how Jesus brings hope even in the toughest times. We'll be looking at the story of Lazarus in John 11:1-44. But first, let's start with an object lesson that will help us understand the main idea of this message.

(Hand out a small piece of a puzzle to each person.) Hold onto this puzzle piece for now, and we'll come back to it later in the message.

We'll be looking at the story of Lazarus in John 11:1-44.

The Story of Lazarus

So, in this story, Jesus' friend Lazarus gets really sick, and his sisters Mary and Martha are super worried. They send a message to Jesus, hoping He'll come and heal Lazarus. But Jesus doesn't show up right away. Instead, He waits a couple of days before going to see them. When He finally gets there, Lazarus has already died.

Mary and Martha are heartbroken, and they tell Jesus, 'If only You had been here, our brother wouldn't have died.' They're upset and confused, but Jesus doesn't get mad at them for feeling that way. Instead, He comforts them and reminds them that He is the resurrection and the life.

Our Lives as a Puzzle Piece

Now, let's go back to that puzzle piece I gave you earlier. Our lives are like a single piece of a huge puzzle. We can't always see how our piece fits into the big picture, especially when we're going through tough times. But Jesus sees the whole picture, and He knows how everything will work out in the end.

In the story, Jesus goes to Lazarus' tomb and brings him back to life. This shows us that Jesus can bring hope and new life to even the darkest situations. So, what does this mean for us?

Conclusion

When we face tough times, it's okay to be honest with Jesus about how we feel. He understands our pain and is there to comfort us. And even when we can't see how our puzzle piece fits into the big picture, we can trust that Jesus is working everything out for our good.

Let's finish with a prayer: 'Jesus, thank You for being with us in the tough times and for bringing hope and new life to our situations. Help us to trust You even when we can't see the big picture. Amen.'

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. How have you experienced grief or loss in your life?

2. How did you feel when you read about Jesus weeping with Mary and Martha?

3. How can knowing that Jesus weeps with us bring comfort in times of grief?

4. What are some ways we can trust Jesus with our pain and grief?

5. How can we support one another in times of loss and grief?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Puzzle Piece Connection
• Group Activity: Creating a Hope Mural
• Youth Challenge: Trusting Jesus in Grief