Youth Sermon: Where to Turn in Your Darkest Moment

Introduction

Hey guys, I want to share a story with you today. It's about a king named Jehoshaphat. Now, Jehoshaphat was a pretty cool dude. He was the 6th king in the line of David and he was all about God. He didn't mess around with other gods, he was all in for the God of his father and walked in His commands.

But one day, Jehoshaphat found himself in a pretty sticky situation. A huge army was coming to attack him and his people. He was scared, and he didn't know what to do.

Ever been there? Ever been in a situation where you just didn't know what to do? Maybe it was a big test you didn't study for, or a fight with a friend, or a problem at home. It's a pretty awful feeling, right?

Jehoshaphat's Response

Well, Jehoshaphat did something pretty amazing. He turned to God. He called his people to fast and pray, and he led them in worship. And you know what? God showed up. He told them not to be afraid, that the battle was His, not theirs.

Now, I want you to imagine something with me. Imagine you're in a boxing ring, gloves on, sweat dripping down your face. Across from you is your opponent - bigger, stronger, scarier. You're trembling in your boots. But then, in your corner, you see your coach. And your coach isn't just any coach. He's the undefeated champion, the best of the best. He looks at you and says, "Don't worry, I've got this." That's what God did for Jehoshaphat.

God's Victory

And guess what? God showed up big time. The enemy ended up fighting amongst themselves and they were defeated before Jehoshaphat and his people even got there. They just had to show up, stand still, and watch God work.

Takeaway

So, what's the takeaway here? What does this have to do with your math test, or your fight with your friend, or whatever you're dealing with?

Here's the deal: God is there for you in your darkest moments. When you don't know what to do, you can turn to Him. Prayer is powerful, guys. And God can turn any situation around for your good.

So next time you're in a tough spot, remember Jehoshaphat. Remember to turn to God, to pray, to worship, and to trust that God's got your back.

God, thank you for being there for us in our darkest moments. Help us to remember to turn to you, to pray, and to trust in you. We know that you can turn any situation around for our good. Help us to remember that, even when things are tough. Amen.

Small Group Breakout Questions

1. Have you ever been in a situation where you didn't know what to do? How did you handle it?

2. How can we seek God in our daily lives, not just in times of trouble?

3. What does it mean to you that "the battle is not yours, but God's"?

4. How can we incorporate praise into our response to challenges?

5. What does it look like to rest in God's peace after He delivers us?

Get the Full Youth Group Plan

• Icebreaker: The Unstoppable Water
• Group Activity: Battlefield of Praise
• Youth Challenge: Seek, Fast, Gather