Youth Sermon: The Promise of Rest

Introduction

Today, we're going to be exploring some of the awesome promises God has made to us. Just like honey is sweet and delicious, God's promises are super cool and totally trustworthy. So, let's dive into our first promise.

You know that feeling when you've been running around all day, and you're just totally wiped out? Maybe you've been at school, then practice, then homework, and you're just beat. Well, Jesus has something to say about that. In Matthew 11, He tells us that if we're tired and weighed down, we can find rest in Him. That's a pretty sweet promise, right?

In Matthew 11, He tells us that if we're tired and weighed down, we can find rest in Him.

Breaking Down the Promise

So, let's break this down. First, Jesus is like, 'Come to me.' It's like when you're craving pizza, and you go get it. We need to actively go after God. He wants to hang out with us, just like He did with Adam and Eve in the garden. So, we need to make time for prayer and reading His Word every day. We've got to make God the main thing in our lives.

Next, Jesus says to take His yoke upon us. Now, a yoke is this old-school tool that farmers used to hook up animals together so they could pull stuff. It's like when you and your buddy team up in a video game for a co-op mission. You're stronger together, right? In the same way, Jesus is saying we need to team up with Him. We've got to let go of our own plans and bad habits and follow His lead. Sometimes, we're holding onto stuff that's just dragging us down. But when we let go and team up with Jesus, we can find real peace and rest.

Lastly, Jesus promises to teach us. He's like the best teacher ever, humble and gentle, and He wants to guide us through life. We can learn from Him and His Word. Just like Joshua was told to be strong and courageous, we can trust that God is with us every step of the way. And one day, in the new heaven and earth, God will hang out with His people in a super close and personal way.

Conclusion

So, here's the deal. God's promise of rest is for all of us. We don't have to be perfect or have everything figured out. We just need to be willing to come to Jesus, team up with Him, and learn from Him. So, what's stopping you? Take that first step of faith and experience the deep rest that only God can give.

Let's pray.

God, thank you for your promise of rest. Help us to come to you, to team up with you, and to learn from you. Give us the courage to let go of the things that are weighing us down and to trust you more. Amen.

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. What does it mean to you to 'come to Jesus'?

2. What are some burdens you are carrying that you need to surrender to God?

3. How can you learn from Jesus in your daily life?

4. What steps can you take this week to find rest in God?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Yoke Relay
• Group Activity: Building a Restful Space
• Youth Challenge: Take Jesus' Yoke Challenge