Youth Sermon: The Bread of Life

Introduction

Today, we're going to talk about something we all experience: hunger. You know, that feeling when your stomach is growling, and you can't think about anything else except food. We all know what it's like to be hungry, right? And when we're hungry, what's one of the most common things we reach for? Bread! It's simple, it's filling, and it's something we can all relate to.

And when we're hungry, what's one of the most common things we reach for? Bread!

Object Lesson

Have a loaf of bread and a plate of various toppings like peanut butter, jelly, Nutella, etc. Invite a few volunteers to come up and make a sandwich using the toppings.

As you can see, our volunteers made some pretty interesting sandwiches. Some might taste great, while others might not be so good. But the point is, no matter what we put on our bread, it's still just bread. It can fill us up for a little while, but eventually, we'll get hungry again.

Bible Passage

In this story, Jesus had just fed 5,000 people with just a few loaves of bread and fish. The people were amazed and wanted to know more about this miracle worker. So, they found Jesus and started asking Him questions.

Jesus knew that they were hungry for more than just physical food. They were hungry for something deeper, something that would truly satisfy their souls. So, He told them, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty' (John 6:35).

Jesus was saying that He is the true bread, the only thing that can truly satisfy our deepest hunger. And the best part? We don't have to work for it.

Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, 'For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.'

Application

So, what does this mean for us? It means that just like our volunteers made sandwiches with different toppings, we often try to fill our lives with all sorts of things to make us happy and satisfied. But in the end, it's only Jesus who can truly satisfy our deepest hunger.

As teenagers, you face a lot of pressures and temptations. You might try to find satisfaction in popularity, good grades, or even relationships. But none of these things will truly satisfy us. Only Jesus, the Bread of Life, can fill that void in our hearts.

So, let's make a choice today to turn to Jesus and let Him satisfy our deepest hunger. Let's stop trying to fill our lives with things that won't last and instead focus on the One who can truly satisfy us.

Closing Prayer

'Lord, thank You for being the Bread of Life. Help us to turn to You when we're hungry and searching for satisfaction. Fill our hearts with Your love and help us to trust in You. In Jesus' name, Amen.'

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. In what areas of your life do you find yourself seeking satisfaction in things other than Jesus?

2. How can we remind ourselves daily that Jesus is the true Bread of Life?

3. Share a time when you experienced true satisfaction and contentment in Jesus.

4. How can we help others in our lives discover the true satisfaction found in Jesus?

5. What are some practical ways we can seek satisfaction in Jesus throughout our daily lives?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Feeding the 5000 Relay
• Group Activity: Creating a Bread of Life Mural
• Youth Challenge: Seeking True Satisfaction in Jesus