Youth Group Lessons

This just in! Free youth curriculum and outreach series by Paul Turner featuring the Hunger Games. Check it out and download your copy today.

How do you take youth lessons from ordinary to exciting (and life changing)? Here are six tips, plus list of our most popular lesson ideas.

Select your topic
It is always important for speakers to consider their audience when selecting a topic. Maybe your youth group is going through something collectively. Or maybe your group has been asking questions on a specific topic or you've overheard them talking about a specific issue. Whatever your youth lesson is about, help your students see how it applies to them. 

Start with Scripture
The goal of a youth Bible lesson is to help students engage with the Word of God. You want to teach them God's truths and how the Bible can relate to their life today. Once your topic has been narrowed down, find the verse(s) that speak to that topic. If you're having a difficult time, try an online Bible topical reference such as Biblegateway.com or Biblos.com.

Show cultural relevance
The Bible is a timeless, living work inspired by God.  Many students wonder, “Does the Bible have anything to say about eating disorders, divorce, or sexting?” The Bible may not have verses that contain the word sexting or casual sex, but there are verses that speak directly to purity, our body as a temple, and guarding our hearts.  Take those Biblical principles and tie them into what your students are experiencing today.

Add interesting stories
Jesus was the ultimate story teller and used countless parables to teach the masses. Stories are a great tool because they are memorable and relatable. When you can, use personal stories that tie in to your main topic. Telling your students a story from your past and the lessons you learned is a great way to bring home any concept in your youth lesson.

Conclude with a challenge
Believe it or not, students don't just come to a youth lesson to feel warm and fuzzy. They want to feel challenged, and they want a call to action. They want to know that they can change their world and they are looking to you for direction. Give them a challenge, whether for the next week, month, or year. Give them goals and help them live up to the challenge. Have them commit to something on paper or give them a reminder of their decision. It will help make the commitment tangible and confirm that yes, everyone has the potential to change the world.

Pray, pray, and pray some more
We are nothing without Christ, and our youth group lessons won't go far without the help of the Holy Spirit ;). Pray to ask the Lord for direction while you are planning, and for inspiration while you are teaching. God's heart is to have a deep, personal relationship with each of them, and give them the forgiveness and hope they are hungry for. We are just the vessle of His transforming love!

Most Popular Resources on Youth Lessons

There are lots more great resources on preparing lessons for youth available on Called to Youth Ministry. Take a look at the most popular ones below!

At a Loss for Words (video) “What would our world look like if every Christian lost their voice?”. That thought became a serious question which led me down a path of what that question was really asking....

What is Your Driving Passion in Working Among Street Kids? The most obvious answer is Jesus. But I also want it to be... What do I mean? Well, maybe it is time to face up to the fact that I don’t always do what Jesus wants or asks and my attitude to life sometimes stinks. Jesus doesn’t always get a look in. But He should do. Having made me who I am, He is not walking away right now. He knows my desires, my heart and my calling. He knows my family and my friends.

Lesson Helper: Bringing Sin and Praise Together Tonight I finished a series with my small group students. My goal has been to make their faith a central part of their home lives, even if their parents weren’t doing it themselves. The method of choice for of our final lesson was to put their sin side-by-side with their praise so they could see the need for God in every part of their lives. They cannot hope to make Christ central in their home life if they don’t allow Him into every aspect of their lives.

Is the Kingdom of God Fair? In my daily Bible reading, I recently read through Jesus’ interaction with a wealthy young man and the ensuing parable of the workers in the vineyard (Matthew 19:16-20:16). It should be difficult for Americans to read these two episodes in the gospels because they directly challenge us personally and culturally.

Evolution: The Devil’s Sneak Attack I can see why some people believe in the theory of evolution. I’m sure it sounds like a semi-plausible explanation to people who have been taught to think that way. Some of us, however, believe that there is a Creator who is all-powerful and all-loving. Give me God over primordial soup any day.

New Birth… Yesterday at the farm I had the chance to see this newborn (he was very newborn, as in still wet..) baby calf. When he got up he was still wobbly, and mama cow was very protective. This got me thinking about how things should operate in the church when we start new ministries and works.

Stepping Stones He said something like (paraphrasing) “this verse doesn’t say that God’s word is a headlight, shining way down the path of your life to show you what will happen. It’s a lamp–just enough light to see the next step.”

Hurt People Hurt People Every church has them. You know the person who always looks and acts like they have been sucking on a lemon or downed a whole jar of dill pickles. The one that you avoid in the halls on Sunday morning, because you’re not up for getting nailed for some seemingly insignificant shortcoming you might have.

Doubt Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” – John 20:27

When Kids Say: I've Seen This Trick Before I mean, I have been bored with my own program and I’m the one leading it. Anyone feeling me out there?