What is justification and sanctification? Browse these 80 questions organized by age to help to get to know your group members and share Gods love. What is a prophecy in the Bible and how should you think about it? A catfish comes from the MTV show Catfish is a slang term for a person online using a fake photo or fake name to pretend like they are someone else. What to do if you have a friend that is in trouble? If you could live anywhere on this planetand take everything and everyone that you love with you, where would you choose to live? Students are often confused as to what purpose, if any, the Bible should play in their day to day life. Explain the meaning behind the holiday, what St. Patricks ministry was and what we can learn from it today. What is an epistle and how were they written? ), Illegal drug use (self-care, depression, etc. 3. Can you get to heaven by being good?). Sermons and lessons focused specifically on this topic can encourage students to have a stronger relationship with the Bible and demystify its role in the Christian life. Many of these debate topics for youth at church are called hot-button topics for a reason: They push peoples buttons! The development of the Church, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the spread of the Gospel, are the Bibles connection between the life of Jesus and the Kingdom as it exists today. What is new is the degree to which this crowd-sourcing goes unchallenged by parents who want, above all, for their kids to be happy. What spiritual gift do you earnestly desire (1 Corinthians 14:1)? What if do if you or a friend is in an abusive relationship? There are hundreds of stories from the Gospels that can do this, and virtually every verse in the Gospels could be crafted into a meaningful sermon. What does forgiveness from God look like? By what method did God create the universe? And there is no solace in telling them someone else has a differing perspective. Helping youth understand the basic background, theology, and concepts in the Gospels will create a basis for better understanding Jesus ministry and teaching. What to think if your friends or family dont trust or believe in the Bible.
Why are there so many rules in the Old Testament? At its core, church is community. If we are not able to help them develop a mature understanding of faith, then who will? Few teenagers have an organized life of discipleship, and thats why it is important to help them understand the rhythms and routines of Christian faith. Additionally, its very important to use your churchs beliefs and doctrines as the basis for your teaching, and make sure to check-in with your pastor or other church leaders if youre not entirely certain what your denomination or church believes on a particular issue. In many ways, teenage life is defined by their relationships with other people. ), What is unique about your denomination (if you are in a denomination or if not, what thats unique), Contemporary worship vs. What to do if you have a family member that is in trouble? Coming up with ideas for youth sermons can be tough! As mentors and leaders of youth, its important to spend time addressing the real issues they face everyday, and often matter to them the most. Churches that have the luxury of serving a homogenous community still gain a distinct advantage in acculturation and retention. Whats something most people dont know about you? There are many great stories from the Old Testament that teach us about who God is and what Gods vision and values for us are like. Usually, church gets the short end of that stick. What do you think would be your first impression of yourself? Get The Free Youth Group Planning Cheat Sheet. (Youth sermon idea is, Looking towards the New Year a youth sermon on how to make lasting change. parents, friends, church, etc. To prove it to you, were going to take one of the most random topics on this list which is under the category of Self-Issues A youth sermon about catfishing/pretending to be someone else online. What would you do if you were not afraid? what you watch, who you hang out with, what you listen to all shape you), Alcohol use (self-care, depression, etc. Where is your favorite place in the world? Share a defining moment in your life. What is your favorite way to spend free time? What happened between the Old Testament and the New Testament? She loves social justice advocacy, naps and pretending she can sing like Ariana Grande. What is your ambition for high school (for middle school students)? And yet most church lay leaders and most parents of youth may not understand the systemic dynamics at play. by Alexis Waid | Aug 4, 2018 | Ministry Resources, Youth Ministry | 0 comments. Three things to consider if you want to start training for gains.
Do cities need to abolish or modify their police forces? Number 16 What was the purpose of feasts for the people of the Old Testament? The importance of understanding Israelite and Jewish beliefs for reading the New Testament. Churches are not exempt from this competitive marketplace. As they do so, teens will be sharing Jesus with other people who need him too. (a lesson on time management and goals), New beginnings, how to make this the best school year. ), Legal drug use (self-care, depression, etc. A night of Thanksgiving. Should same-sex marriage be legal? Thats neither a good thing or a bad thing, just a reality. And to accompany these sermon topics we have 128 small group questions for youth group. In-depth conversations and lively debates get teens thinking while sharpening their faith and evangelism skills. Perhaps at no other point in life are relationships and friendships thought about so much as during the teenage years. Find out! Is faith in Jesus the only one way to heaven? So, pity the poor youth minister who is expected to solve all these problems, be a friend to every child who passes through the doors, offer parenting advice on call, cook up fun programs and deep Bible study at the same time and meet the expectations of congregants who dont even have kids in the youth group but remember the glory days of a previous generation. Even within the same family, sometimes children have opposite experiences, with a younger sibling fitting right in while an older sibling feels disconnected. Amid all these competing schedules, it is easy for teenagers (and their parents) not to show up at church often. One of the most important things we can do is teach students about who Jesus is and what Hes done. Is racism systemic? (A lesson on identity, goals, or determination), Why some Christians dont celebrate Halloween, Should we as Christians dress up and pretend to be something else, especially if it is a dark character or thing? Make sure that what you teach is accurate! A great lesson on this real issue teens face would begin by examining why people pretend to be someone else online and asking the students if theyve ever encountered this problem (they almost certainly have) and why they think students do that. What is something that makes you feel sad? How is Jesus both fully human and fully God? But should Christians be joining them? Jesus? They mainly were happy that their kids were being entertained in a safe environment. Do you believe people are inherently good or bad? You want to have relevant youth sermons for your students, but feel like youre scraping the barrel to come up with what direction to go next! New Testament Acts and Epistles Youth Sermons. When that parent-youth tug-of-war erupts these days, nine times out of 10, the teenager wins the battle because the parents would rather sacrifice their own spiritual development for the sake of their kids. 7. The reason, instead, is ever-increasing demands placed on churches and pastors for what youth ministry should look like and feel like. Teens need to know how to apply their beliefs to their day-to-day lives. What famous person would you like to meet? Relationship sermons and lessons are another good way to address regular student issues, while simultaneously improving the health and culture of your youth group. Many of these topics synthesize broad and core elements of our faith. If you could be the sidekick of any cartoon or movie character, which character would you choose and why? The following is a list of various approaches you might take for lessons that you hope will lead to youth accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Wonderful tool for organizing church functions. When everyone else is downing the drinks, how should you act? SAMPLE, Decide who brings dessert to choir rehearsal with a sign up! Do we have a choice to follow God or does He pick us? And even this has been complicated by the influence of parachurch youth programs that often take on lives of their own and duplicate what once was the mainstay of church youth ministries. Sometimes you feel like youve talked about everything with your group and just cant figure out what to do next! What are Proverbs and how can you use them? They are brave souls. Who are trusted people to go to with questions about the Bible? Teaching youth to find their own expression and practice of faith will enable them to take ownership of their beliefs and create stability in their relationship with God. How has the use of the Bible spread throughout the world? Creating bonds among church groups, from childrens Sunday School classes to adult small groups, will have lasting benefits. Were seeing this happen now as early as fifth grade. Retell the Christmas story and break it down for them explaining the different aspects as recorded in the Gospels. Is my friend or family member going to Hell because they dont believe in Jesus? If you find a topic on this list youd like to speak on, we encourage you to just take it from there and dig further into how youd present the issue. Why did God choose Mary and Joseph to be Jesus earthly parents? Lots of teenagers drink alcohol. 5. While perhaps not essential to salvation, these differences are real and have consequences for the future. Your teenagers have probably already encountered challenging questions about the faith. Copyright 2022 Fervr | Terms of Service, A Christian Teens Guide to God and Mental Health, Three things every Christian guy should know, Eating Disorders: What my experience taught me. Being hard on yourself or pressuring yourself, Real life versus online persona (does who you are online match who you are in the real world), How to discern Gods calling in your life. How was the world of the New Testament like ours and how was it different? A lesson on self-esteem, self-worth, independence. There are infinite ideas for youth sermons we just wanted to give you a list to turn to if youre trying to figure out what to talk about next. Being alone on Valentines day, its not such a bad thing. Gods relationship with Adam and Eve before the Fall and after the Fall. How should we think about the Old Testament as Christians today? But the one thing we want to stress is that in our belief, after 27 years combined experience in youth ministry, is that all good youth sermons relate directly back to Jesus. And end each session together in prayer. Free daily devotions and articles on teen life topics for teens, youth, youth groups, and youth ministry. Examination of individual disciples background. Which of your current friends do you feel will still be important to you 10 years from now? A look into the spiritual discipline of fasting or the Fruit of the Spirit self-control.
What is the biggest disappointment youve experienced? Seriously, every youth sermon can relate directly to Jesus. Natural revelation (seeing God in nature), Specific revelation (leaning about God through Scripture and life of Christ). What were the peoples expectation of the Messiah? SignUpGenius makes church organizing easy. What to think if youre the only person in your family who is a Christian. Why did God give Adam and Eve an option to disobey? What does the Holy Spirit do after you accept Jesus? What is Lent and why is it important or not important? We hope you will! How did Jesus death fix the problem of sin? How did it affect you? Our faith has much to speak into the lives of youth, and our job is to help foster an identity rooted in Christ. All? Go check it out and see if you find some games your group has never played before! Did God set everything into motion and forget about it? Do animals have souls and go to heaven? Do Christians and Muslims believe in the same God? Every youth sermon can relate directly back to Jesus. How should doctors decide who gets life-saving organs or medical care? Who is the most creative and exciting person you know? We hope this list helps spur your thoughts and wed love to hear about any great youth sermons or ideas that you are able to piece together from ideas on this list! Don't let Hollywood's image of the ideal woman make you feel inadequate. Adaptation is an important life skill. Want to share a story? One of the Fruit of the Spirit is love, did you know love is a gift from God? What is the true definition of love shown in 1 Corinthians 13? Creating a safe environment in your youth ministry is a way to handle those questions in an appropriate place and build up faith. Does God treat you differently when you become a Christian? Who is your favorite person in the Bible? 18. Ask Jesus for wisdom, patience and a gentle spirit as teens learn to respectfully engage in controversial issues. Who is the most genuine person you know and why? How do we know there is only one God and not others. If not, what pet would you like? What does God do/think if you mess up and sin? Does God hear prayers before you are saved?
She has served in ministry positions such as co-pastor, youth minister, and spiritual director. In what way? This list is perfect for extremely tiny youth groups to large ones. What to think if most of your friends are not Christian. Exploring what long-lasting love really looks like. As I argued in a previous commentary, people too often today choose churches based on aesthetic or feel-good factors and fail to account for differences in theology. Alexis has a Master's degree from Denver Seminary and a Bachelor's degree from Colorado Christian University. Who should I pray to God The Father? There are potentially thousands of stories you could derive from the Old Testament, and this list is intended to help jump start your thinking about teaching from the Old Testament and represents many of the most well-known stories from its pages. Peer groups hold the greatest sway. How was Jesus both fully human and fully God? Plan a Sunday School rotation with an online sign up. if youre engaged? ), Getting ready for college (senior high youth), Getting ready for High School (middle/junior high youth). What is a Bible translation, what is a good one for me, and what are the differences between them? There may be seasons and times when youll want to challenge students even more directly than usual to make commitments to Jesus. (Cant you just practice faith privately? Stephanie Martin, a freelance writer and editor in Denver, has spent her entire 30-year journalism career in Christian publishing. Youth Ministry Goals and Objectives: Whats Your Main Purpose? What biblical time period would you like to live in and why? If you have kids one day, would you want to raise them like your parents raised you? Thats why we came up with this list of 450 topics for youth sermons to jump-start your thinking and help you figure out what to talk about in your next youth sermon, series, or lesson. No matter the size, denomination or age range, church groups are a great place to find community. What are three things you believe about God? How many of your friendships have lasted more than 10 years? Perception is reality. Do you have any pets? and pro football. This is hard to say and no doubt hard to hear, but few parents are capable of imagining that the problem with the church youth group might be their child more than the rest of the youth. Theology doesnt seem to matter. What their kid perceives is the reality for that family. One of the dangers here is not helping teenagers learn to make friends where they are or learn to adapt to the environments in which they are placed with their families. How To Use The Bible In Your Life Youth Sermons, Lessons in how to read and understand the Bible, Understanding the Bible as a complete overall story, What kind of Bible translation/version should you use, What to think when talking with someone who interprets the Bible differently, Building a personal reading plan that fits your life, Picking a life verse a verse that really connects with you, My favorite Scripture(s) and why. Does hell exist? 2022 ChurchLeaders.com, All rights reserved. Why did God allow humans to be tempted by sin? One young woman shares what she has learned about God during her struggle with anxiety. Impersonating someone else online is an identity issue, and the catfish are often people who are very insecure in their identities and dont value their worth. Topics related to social justice and mission are broad and cover a wide-range of political and cultural issues. 14. How have people used the Bible throughout history? Importance of reading the Bible in context of surrounding passages. The Bible is the foundation of most of our understanding of faith, and helping youth grow in their understanding of the Bible is a way to equip them for a lifetime in faith. There are plenty of other places available to entertain them. Can God do things in ways that arent outlined in the Bible? Should you be instantly changed when you become a Christian? SAMPLE. Have an event where the youth can share all of the things they are thankful for and hold a big youth group family dinner. Students today have less discretionary time than ever, meaning they and their parents have to make choices. (refer to your churchs doctrinal beliefs, such as if they adhere to Calvinism or Arminianism. So as you read through this list, please think in terms of how you can relate these topics directly to the truth of who God is and what God is doing through the ministry of Christ and the Holy Spirit in our lives. What is your most satisfying achievement? As a youth leader, you already know that teenagers love to talk. 3. The persecution and conversion of Saul/Paul, What did the disciples do after Jesus ascension, Paul is reconciled with the first disciples and James, Paul is persecuted and imprisoned by officials. You might then share a real-life story found online about the detrimental effects of impersonating others, and help the teens to see that this can lead to real problems. We would love to have you sign up and its of course free! Sharing privacy in youth group (creating a safe place), Help the group think about break-ups among students in the group, Being friends at school and not just youth group, Building student leaders within the group, Importance of making time for youth group activities, What it looks like to love one another within the group, What forgiveness might mean within the group, Preparing for an upcoming mission/retreat, Worship attendance/being part of the church in addition to youth group, Relationships with students who have left the youth group/graduated. Weve been there! 6. The relationship/competition between Jesus and the Pharisees, Jesus as a person born into an oppressed and conquered society. Now, you probably know what a catfish is, but just in case you dont, well explain it to you. Are there other books in the Bible that arent included or were banned? 11:28, John 15, etc), interface with the issue of catfishing contrasted with finding a rooted identity in Christ. Playing in club sports teams competes head-to-head with Sunday morning church, and a plethora of summer options competes head-to-head with summer church camps, choir tours and service projects. Why not show love every day, not just on February 14th? Also, if you are looking for some great no prep youth group games, you can check out our 50 no prep youth group games, perfect for tiny youth groups and a big youth ministries. One friend reported on a conversation with parents at his suburban church, asking them why they had chosen that church. Would you like to be famous? What is your favorite room in your house and why. (loyalty vs. grace), Handling drama in relationships and friendships. How to think about sacrifices in the Old Testament? Debate Topics for Youth at Church: 46 Subjects Teens Can Tackle, UK Christian, Former Mayoral Candidate Fired for Saying Marriage Is Between a Man and a Woman, Teen Pledges Portion of $1,000 Winnings to Church If He Places 1st in USA Mullet Championships, God Created You To Have a Life of Abundance: Steve Harvey Tweets Advice About Gratitude, Vatican Says Theyre Gifts; Indigenous Groups Want Them Back, GOP AGs Ask Google Not to Limit Anti-Abortion Clinic Results, John MacArthur Calls Religious Freedom Nonsense: We Support the Truth, Signs From God That He Is Not the One: 4 Red Flags When Dating, Teaching Boundaries to Youth: 16 Resources for Guiding Teens. Are you spring, summer, fall or winter? There are many ways you can approach holidays, and we encourage you to examine the meaning of these particular seasons for your group and think about how you can best minister to them through seasonal ministry. Dating, porn, life goals and more we've got solid truths Christian guys need to hear. The Old Testament is very broad in its topics, and it may be best to simply choose topics you feel led to teach on and develop a plan around incorporating them into your youth ministry. One of the hardest jobs in a church these days is that of youth minister. What is a spiritual story/testimony you would like to share? Let's lift the stigma on mental health and take a look at what Christians can do when depression and anxiety arrive. All youth groups have issues that need managed and addressed from time to time. 2. Tough questions are a way to build faith, and sermons and lessons focused on apologetic questions show that youre open to discussion and critical thought. What is a way God has shown up in your life recently? Encourage teens to share their reactions and feelings. Old Testament Specific Bible Story Ideas Youth Sermons. Summary/Quick Survey of the Old Testament events. What emotion do you have the most trouble expressing? Are all gods the same? Whats great about this list is that we provide instructions for each game. 20. What is our churchs view on who can be a leader or pastor? It's time to beat your addiction to porn with help from friends, software and God's strength. What is a bad friend? Time is short. The following is a list of ideas that might be helpful for specific times of the year that lend themselves closely to sharing Christian teaching and theology. What are Psalms and how can you use them? What is your favorite part about Christmas? Whats the last movie you watched in a theater? Is everything in the Bible literally true? Do you have to believe in God (The Trinity) to get to Heaven?
What is the kindest thing anyone has done for you? If you are not as comfortable with theological topics as other issues, be sure to find reputable resources to help you prepare your lessons. If you could have an endless supply of any food, what food would you pick? Religious liberty has a long and messy history and there is a reason Americans feel strongly about it, GOP Candidate: Hypothetical 14-Year-Old Incest Victim Is Perfect Example For Abortion Ban, Full Gender Parity Worldwide 132 Years Away, House passes bill to protect same-sex marriage in effort to counter Supreme Court. Here are some of the key factors Ive witnessed or have gleaned from other church leaders that would be worth additional conversation among church leaders and youth parents: 1. Also set aside plenty of debriefing time after a debate. Life for teenagers today is full of so many more choices than in previous times. 2022 SignUpGenius, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you have siblings, what is something you love about each of them? Many teens are confused by the Bible, or only have a rudimentary understanding of it. Sermons and lessons on these issues are a great way to help students think about current issues and expand their thinking beyond their own personal experience. We hope we gave you at least an idea or two . Charlotte: QC Family Tree with Greg and Helms Jarrell, Lost Boys of Sudan: St. Johns Baptist Charlotte, Awakening to Immigrant Justice: Myers Park Baptist Church, Hospitality on the corner: Gaston Christian Center, Jake Hall: Gospel Gothic, Music and Radio, Hymns for a Lifetime: Ken Wilson and Knollwood Baptist Church. What kind of social gathering do you like best? Next time you see one of them, thank them for what they do and perhaps engage them in a meaningful conversation about any of the points outlined above. Four reasons gossip damages people and why you need to think before you speak. Story of Gods calling of Moses with the burning bush, Story of Moses and Aaron confronting Pharaoh, Understanding the Old Testament Law/Covenant, Lessons on manna and Gods direction in the desert, Story of Moses failure to enter the Promised Land, Story of Joshua leading into the Promised Land, Stories from Judges (Samson, Deborah, etc), The near collapse/civil war of the tribes of Israel (end of Judges), Story of Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, Messianic prophecies throughout the Old Testament, What the Old Testament prophets expected the Messiah to be like. Take time to dig in and see what God saysor doesnt sayabout each subject.
Find out if it's ok to get a tattoo if you're a Christian. And by the way, sometimes teenagers dont want to be at church because they dont really want to be anywhere. Check out thesesmall group questions for youth group that will get your students really talking. So why not harness all that vocal energy by using debate topics for youth at church?