Youth Sermon: What is God Doing?

Introduction

You know the Christmas story, right? Baby Jesus, manger, shepherds, wise men - the works. But imagine being there. It was all so unexpected and weird. They must've been like, "What's God up to?"

What's God up to?

Object Lesson

Imagine you're expecting a package. You're super excited, but when it arrives, it's in a beat-up box, covered in duct tape. You'd probably think, "This can't be right." But inside is exactly what you were waiting for. That's how God works - in unexpected ways.

Main Teaching

So, what's God up to? In our Bible story, Jesus says some pretty wild stuff: First, He says God didn't clock out after creating the world. He's still on the job, even on the Sabbath. Second, He shows that God's working in places you'd never expect, like healing a guy by a pool in Jerusalem. Third, He claims to be on the same level as God, showing us that when we look at Jesus, we're seeing God.

So, what's God up to? 1. In your life? 2. In our youth group? 3. In our city? 4. In your school? 5. On your sports team? 6. This Advent season?

God's got a knack for surprising us. Jesus didn't come as a powerful king like everyone expected. He was born in a stable, for crying out loud!

Jesus was always surprising His friends, and sometimes, His words and actions were downright shocking. The biggest shocker was the cross, where Jesus, the promised King, wore a crown of thorns. It's easy to write Him off because He doesn't fit our expectations.

We all want to hold onto the Jesus we know, but He's always showing up in new ways. We've got to be open to that.

Jesus shows up in the most unexpected places and with the most unexpected people. He's not just about church stuff - He's about changing the world.

Conclusion

So, what's God up to this Christmas? He's always up to something. We've got to keep our eyes open for His surprising moves and join Him in His world-changing mission.

Life Application

This week, try to spot God in the unexpected. Maybe it's in a conversation with a friend, a moment of quiet, or even in a tough situation. Remember, God's always at work, even when we least expect it.

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. Where have you seen God working in unexpected ways?

2. How can we join God in His work in our city or neighborhood?

3. How can we adjust our expectations to better see God's work?

4. What are some ways we can prepare for Jesus' coming this Advent season?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: Unexpected Places
• Group Activity: Mapping God's Work
• Youth Challenge: Watch for God's Work