YOUTH GROUP LESSON ON DISCIPLINE
This lesson is part of a larger series from Youth Pastor Co called “Hebrews XII.” We have an entire sermon series library loaded with resources like this at YouthPastor.co.
CLICK HERE FOR A YOUTH GROUP GAME ON DISCIPLINE
Lesson Overview
- What is the purpose of God’s discipline in our lives? How can we reframe our perspective about the pain we walk through in life? This youth group lesson on discipline examines how God’s discipline in our lives ultimately lovingly molds us into the people He has called us to be.
Breakdown
• Main Scripture: Job 5:17-18; Hebrews 12:5-13; Romans 5:3-5
- Bottom Line: Like a good Father, God disciplines us because He loves us.
Capture: Grab their attention with an illustration.
- Illustration: The age-old illustration: “Would you do this for a million dollars?” Fill in the blank with different challenges that are relevant to your youth group. Start easy and get harder: “Would you punch your best friend…” “Would you live on the street…” “Would you never eat bread again…” etc.
- Bonus points if you do this live with a cash reward and a hard challenge. “Would you eat ________ for $100?” “Would you let me scroll through your phone for $100?” Etc.
- At the end of the day, when something is incredibly valuable to us, we will endure the hardship to earn the reward!
Connect: Connect them to God’s word.
- Question: Would you endure what is hard spiritually if it meant living your best life in the future? Tonight, I believe that if we can conquer the really hard skill that God is calling us to, we will blossom into the best version of ourselves.
- Scripture: Job 5:17-18 — Scripture calls Godly discipline a good thing! When God disciplines, it’s always for our good.
Consider: What does this mean for us today?
- Story: Tell your best discipline story from your parents. The worst groundings, spankings, etc. Illustrate how you didn’t understand and hated it then, but now you realized how much it helped you to be a responsible adult.
- Scripture: Hebrews 12:5-13 — Clarify for students the difference between Godly correction and abuse. God will allow us to experience pain but brings healing. Your bad experience may have been abuse, which never comes from Godly correction.
- Our perspective of pain can feel like life isn’t fair or that we’re being punished. God’s perspective is that under pressure, He can perfect us.
- God is not the author of pain but He uses it. Remember that pain is not meant to punish you, but when submitted to God, perfect you.
- Bottom Line: Like a good Father, God disciplines us because He loves us.
Collide: How do we apply this in our lives?
- Romans 5:3-5 — God’s discipline will not disappoint. It will produce endurance!
- You are called to be a warrior. Every warrior has gone through basic training. It is painful, but grows a regular citizen into a trained and sharpened fighter.
- In the same way, God is developing you into who you are called to be. His plan for you is to be sharp, trained, and excellent — able to endure anything the enemy would throw at you.
- Endurance comes by trusting that God’s plan is to develop you. Trust Him by spending time with Him. Remember His plans for you are good!
- Pray these words every day: “God, I trust you. Have your way with my life. I surrender to your plan, no questions asked.”
- Application: Trust God by surrendering to His plan in prayer every day.
Call: How do we respond to the message?
- Altar moment: Are you truly surrendered to the Lord? Have you ever given your heart over to Him before, or are you just trying to survive to the best of your abilities? Tonight, maybe for the first time, surrender your whole heart to God’s plan for your life and watch as He blesses you and perfects you into who you are called to be.
- Small Group Questions:
- Will you endure discipline if it produces maturity, even if it is hard? Why or why not?
- Do you feel like God ever punishes you? (Leaders, help champion a correct understanding of God’s discipline. This will be breakthrough for a hurting student).
- How are you currently enduring discipline? What needs to be different in your approach?
- How can you trust God and surrender to His plan this week?