Youth Sermon: My Family is a Hot Mess

Introduction

You know, when your little brother won't stop annoying you, or your parents just don't get it? Yeah, we're going there.

Let's start with a quick prayer.

God, thanks for our families, even when they drive us nuts. Help us to trust, love, and forgive each other, just like you do with us.

God, thanks for our families, even when they drive us nuts. Help us to trust, love, and forgive each other, just like you do with us.

Abraham and Sarah

First up, Abraham and Sarah. They were old, like really old, and God promised them a kid. Crazy, right? But they trusted God, even when it seemed impossible. (Genesis 15:4; Genesis 18:9-12)

Imagine you're at the top of a high diving board. It's scary, right? But you trust that the water below will catch you. That's what trusting God is like. Even when it doesn't make sense, we can trust Him.

Isaac and Rebekah

Next, we've got Isaac and Rebekah. They played favorites with their kids, and it caused a ton of drama. (Genesis 25:27-28; Genesis 27:5-35) Jesus tells us to love others as He loves us - that means no favorites.

Picture a bag of mixed candies. You might prefer one flavor over another, but if you only eat your favorite, you'll miss out on the other good stuff. That's like playing favorites. We need to love everyone equally.

Joseph

Finally, there's Joseph. His brothers sold him into slavery, but when they met again years later, he forgave them. (Genesis 37:23-28; Genesis 50:19-21; Genesis 50:16-17) Forgiveness is tough, but it's crucial for healthy relationships.

Imagine holding onto a heavy backpack all day. It's tiring, right? That's what holding onto grudges is like. When we forgive, we let go of that heavy load.

Conclusion

So, what's the takeaway? Our families can be a hot mess, but we can choose to trust God, love equally, and forgive. It's not easy, but it's worth it.

Let's pray.

God, help us to trust you with our families, to love without playing favorites, and to forgive, even when it's hard. Thanks for being with us in the chaos. Amen.

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. How can we trust God more in our family situations?

2. How can we show love equally to all our family members?

3. Share a time when you found it hard to forgive a family member. How did you overcome it?

4. What is one thing you can do this week to improve your relationship with your family?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Trust Fall
• Group Activity: Family Portrait
• Youth Challenge: Forgiveness Challenge