YOUTH GROUP LESSON ON WORRY
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This lesson is part of a larger series from Youth Pastor Co called “Fearless.” We have an entire sermon series library loaded with resources like this at YouthPastor.co.
Lesson Overview
- A struggle with worry can run, or ruin, your life. So how do we face the worries in our lives? This youth group lesson on worry dives unpacks worry and examines how a breakthrough with worry and fear in our lives ultimately comes through a revelation of God’s love.
Breakdown
- Main Scripture: 1 John 4:7-8; 1 John 4:18; Luke 11:11-13
- Bottom Line: When we receive God’s love, we overcome worry.
Capture: Grab their attention with an illustration.
- Illustration/Story: Tell a personal story about getting kicked out of school. If you’ve never been kicked out, tell a funny story about a friend or someone in a movie or TV show who got kicked out or who should have been kicked out. (Use the word “expelled” to connect with the Scripture used later on in the message.) What does it mean to be expelled? It’s to be kicked out for good, completely gone, etc.
- There are some things in our lives that need to be expelled — or kicked out for good.
- Some of us have some things that we allow to live in our lives and grow into unhealthy habits. One of those things is worry.
Connect: Connect them to God’s word.
- Tension Question: What would it look like to expel worry from your life for good?
- Tonight, I believe Scripture will show us the ultimate solution to worry so that we can get rid of it in our lives permanently.
- Scripture: 1 John 4:7-8 — God is perfect love — there is no fear in Him. Fear and worry are synonymous in our lives. Worry is just another form of fear. Perfect love is the antidote to fear.
Consider: What does this mean for us today?
- Scripture: 1 John 4:18 NLT — Focus on the word “expelled.”
- Because God is love and perfect love “expels” all fear, that means that the love of the Father will help us overcome any and all areas of worry in our lives.
- Think about an area of your life where you experience fear or anxiety — that is the exact area of your life where God wants His love and peace to take over!
- Story: Share about a time you or someone you know was experiencing intense worry and it seemed impossible to shake, but God’s love came in and expelled the fear.
- Sometimes, it’s the areas of worry in our lives where we try to maintain the most control. We think that if we control it, then we can prevent or reduce fear or anxiety — but the control that comes from fear is the opposite of love. When you let your own need for control get in the way, it takes up the space where God’s love wants to come in, transform your life, and free you from fear.
- You can’t entertain fear, anxiety, and your own need for control, and experience freedom. You have to let go of your control to receive God’s love and true freedom.
- Bottom Line: When we receive God’s love, we overcome worry.
Collide: How do we apply this in our lives?
- Scripture: Luke 11:11-13 — God is a good Father who gives good gifts.
- God’s gift to you is His perfect love. It’s a radical love that pursues you, transform your DNA, and destroys fear.
- God’s love changes everything it comes in contact with. The question is: will you let go of control of your life and receive it?
- You will receive God’s perfect love and overcome worry when you choose to truly surrender your life to Him.
- Application: Let go of your control, give your life to God, and receive His love.
Call: How do we respond to the message?
- Altar moment: Tonight, surrender control of your life and open yourself up to the Father’s love. Maybe you feel unworthy or like you’ve made too many mistakes to truly be loved by Him, but it’s not true. Scripture says “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Tonight, receive God’s love and let it transform your life.
- Small Group Questions:
- What do you think it would look like to expel worry from your life?
- Has there ever been a time when God expelled worry from your life? Explain.
- Do you find it difficult to surrender control in your life? Why?
- What would it look like if we truly made room for God’s love in our lives this week?