Youth Sermon: Patience in the Wilderness

The Waiting Game

Have you ever had to wait for something you really wanted? Like, you've ordered the latest iPhone, and it's taking forever to arrive. Or you're waiting for your favorite band's new album to drop. It's tough, right?

Let's play a little game. I have here a bag of marshmallows. I'm going to give each of you one marshmallow. But here's the deal: you can eat it now, or if you wait until the end of this talk, I'll give you two more. That's the waiting game.

That's the waiting game.

David's Story

Now, let's talk about a guy named David. You've probably heard of him, right? He was the one who killed the giant Goliath with a slingshot. But did you know that even after that, he had to wait to become king?

David was anointed as the next king of Israel, but the current king, Saul, was still in power. And guess what? Saul was trying to kill David. David had to hide in a cave, and even though he had a chance to kill Saul, he didn't. He chose to wait for God's timing.

The Importance of Waiting

Waiting can be tough, but it gives us a better view of what's going on. David could have taken Saul out, but he knew that Saul was still God's chosen king. By waiting, David got a better understanding of God's plan for him.

Waiting also means sticking it out, even when it's hard. David had plenty of chances to kill Saul, but he chose to follow God's plan. Sometimes, we have to say no to things that might seem good in the moment because we're waiting for something better.

When we wait and trust in God's timing, we get to see His best for us. It's like waiting for that second marshmallow. It might be hard, but the reward is so much better.

What Are You Waiting For?

So, what are you waiting for? Maybe it's a relationship, a college acceptance letter, or even just understanding a tough situation. Remember, God's timing is perfect, and His plan is worth the wait.

Prayer

Let's pray: God, help us to wait patiently for Your timing. Help us to trust in Your plan, even when it's hard. And remind us that Your best is always worth the wait. Amen.

Marshmallow Time

Now, who's ready for some more marshmallows?

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. Can you think of a time when you had to be patient? How did it make you feel?

2. How can patience give us a better perspective on our situation?

3. Why is it important to trust in God's timing?

4. What are some ways we can practice patience in our daily lives?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: The Waiting Game
• Group Activity: David and Saul Role Play
• Youth Challenge: Patience Challenge