Youth Sermon: Kiss the Wave

Stepping Out in Faith

Have you ever heard of a guy named Nahshon? In Jewish tradition, he's a big deal. Picture this: the Israelites are stuck between a rock and a hard place, or more accurately, an army and a sea. Nahshon, this brave guy, decides to step into the water. And guess what? The Red Sea splits! Sometimes, we're waiting for God to make things happen, but maybe God's waiting for us to make a move. To see God's miracles, we gotta be ready to take a risk and step out in faith.

Imagine you're at the edge of a diving board, looking down at the water below. It's scary, right? But you'll never know the thrill of the dive unless you take that leap. That's what faith is like. It's taking the leap, trusting that God's got you.

To see God's miracles, we gotta be ready to take a risk and step out in faith.

Facing Our Fears

Let's flip open our Bibles to Exodus 14. The Israelites are in a tough spot, with the Egyptian Army on their tail and the Red Sea in front. They're freaking out, but this is when leaders step up. Moses, their leader, tells them not to be scared but to trust in God. When we're scared, we gotta remember that being brave isn't about not being scared, it's about facing our fears.

We gotta face our fears head-on. A lot of our fears are learned, and we can unlearn them. By facing our fears a little at a time, we can get used to them. Failure is a big fear for a lot of us, but sometimes, failing can actually set us free. As a group, we can lift each other up and help each other face our fears.

Standing Our Ground

When things get tough, we gotta stand our ground. Moses told the Israelites to stand still and trust in God. We gotta stay rooted in God's word and promises. By sticking to our daily spiritual habits, we strengthen our faith and stay focused on God's plan for us. Never underestimate the power of sticking it out.

Keeping Our Cool

When we're faced with challenges, we gotta keep our cool. Instead of reacting to tough situations, we should respond with grace and peace. By loving our enemies, praying for those who hurt us, and blessing those who curse us, we can bring peace into our lives and relationships. Keeping our cool means owning our past, learning from it, and finding meaning in our experiences.

Taking the First Step

So, what's the takeaway? Face your fears, stand your ground, and keep your cool. Taking the first step is often the hardest, but it's necessary for God to show you the next step. Overcome fear by stepping out in faith and taking risks. Like Nahshon, who stepped into the water, we gotta be willing to step out in faith. Let's keep our eyes on Jesus, who went through the worst for us. Yesterday's gone, tomorrow's unknown, so let's live in the now and take that first step of faith.

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. What is a fear you want to overcome?

2. How can taking the first step of faith help you overcome this fear?

3. How can you support each other in taking these first steps?

4. What does it mean to 'hold your peace' in a difficult situation?

5. How can you apply the lessons from the story of Nahshon and the Israelites in your own life?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Step of Faith
• Group Activity: Walk on Water
• Youth Challenge: Face Your Fear Challenge