Youth Sermon: Original Blessing

The Minotaur and the Labyrinth

Have you ever heard of the Minotaur? It's this crazy creature from Greek mythology that's half man, half bull. It lived in a maze called the labyrinth, and once you got in, good luck getting out.

Every nine years, the king of Crete would make the Athenians send seven boys and seven girls into the maze as a sacrifice to the Minotaur. But one day, a brave prince named Theseus decided to take on the Minotaur. With the help of a princess who gave him a sword and a ball of thread, Theseus was able to slay the Minotaur and find his way out of the maze.

Life can feel like that sometimes, right? Like you're stuck in a maze with no way out. Maybe you're dealing with stuff like addiction, depression, or grief. It can feel like you're lost in a labyrinth. But just like Theseus, there's a way out. And to find it, we need to go back to the beginning.

Life can feel like that sometimes, right? Like you're stuck in a maze with no way out.

Made in God's Image

In the Bible, in the book of Genesis, God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness." That means every single one of us is made in God's image. It doesn't matter what you look like or what you believe, you're invaluable and irreplaceable. And that's something we need to remember, especially when things get tough.

After God created us, He blessed us. And this blessing came before anything else, even before the concept of original sin. This is super important because it changes how we see ourselves and how we relate to God. God wants to bless us, but we need to be open to receive His blessings.

Now, let's get real. God's not going to bless disobedience or negative traits like pride or greed. We need to align ourselves with His ways to receive His blessings. But here's the cool part: even if you come from a family that feels more like a curse than a blessing, God can break that curse and bless you in ways you can't even imagine.

You Are a Blessing

So, let's get practical. Imagine you're holding a mirror. What do you see? Do you see a sinner or a blessing? Remember, you're a blessing first. Sin is secondary; blessing is primary. You're not defined by your mistakes, but by God's love for you.

Blessing isn't about luck or having lots of stuff. It's about having a right relationship with God. It's about knowing that God is with you, for you, and in you. Blessing doesn't mean life will be problem-free; it means having God's love and grace to navigate through life's challenges.

At the Last Supper, Jesus took the bread and said it was His body, and He took the cup and said it was the new covenant in His blood. This cup is called the cup of blessing. It represents the cross, where the curse of sin is broken, and every blessing is bestowed.

So, let's tie one end of our imaginary thread to our original blessing and the other end to the communion table. Today, let's remember that we are blessings created in the image of Almighty God. Let's take communion together and pray for those who need healing or the strength to forgive others in their lives.

Prayer

Let's pray.

God, help us to remember that we are made in Your image and that we are blessings. Help us to navigate through life's challenges with Your love and grace. Amen.

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. How does knowing you are created in the image of God change how you see yourself and others?

2. What does it mean to you to be blessed by God?

3. How can you align yourself with God's ways to receive His blessings?

4. How can you help others understand their original blessing from God?

5. How does the idea of being a blessing first and a sinner second change your perspective?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: The Labyrinth of Life
• Group Activity: Blessing Collage
• Youth Challenge: "Embrace Your Blessing"