YOUTH GROUP LESSON ON DISAPPOINTMENT

As we move further into July, the possibility of schools not meeting in-person is real for many students.

Some youth groups are now meeting in-person, many aren’t. Those that are still meeting online struggle to keep students engaged.

With the recent spikes in COVID-19 cases, some states are rolling back their re-opening efforts.

Students have lived with uncertainty and disappointment since March. As we settle into the “new normal”, here’s a free youth group lesson to help.

For this lesson, we’re experimenting with a different approach. Instead of creating a word-by-word script, we’re giving you a Biblical passage, some teaching points and discussion questions. That way, you have more room to add your own content and voice to the lesson. We’re also not including an opening game.

Let’s do this 🙂

– Nick Diliberto, Ministry to Youth

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out the…

ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP – Save 92% on $2,400 worth of youth group lessons, Bible studies, games, events & more. Only available through April 25!

YOUTH GROUP LESSON ON DISAPPOINTMENT

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Introduction: Share a personal story of ways you’ve been disappointed throughout the pandemic.

Transition: John the Baptist’s moment of doubt can teach us a few lessons about how to deal with disappointment.

Read Matthew 11:1-6 (NIV):

After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

Big Ideas:

• John the Baptist expressed a moment of doubt when he asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
• His idea of Jesus, the Messiah, was to lead the Jews to overthrow the Romans. Jesus had a very different mission. John’s moment of doubt was most likely rooted in disappointment. 
• Furthermore, John was in prison and would soon be beheaded. It was a huge let down for him to miss out on all the amazing things Jesus was doing.

Key Application Points:

• We’ve all been disappointed due to COVID-19 and the “new normal”.
• It’s easy to ignore negative emotions, but better to recognize what’s going on inside of us. Allow yourself to feel the disappointment, anger, resentment, depression, etc. Give yourself permission to feel.
• Realize that much of life is out of your control. Let go. Surrender to God.
• When you finally accept reality as it is, peace will eventually follow. 
• “Learn to be at peace with the tension between how you want life to be and reality.” – Quote
• God is with you. He is present in the chaos, uncertainty, change, disappointment, anger, etc. Just look for what he is doing in and around you.

Discussion Questions:

• In what ways have you been disappointed over the past few months?
• What negative emotions have you felt recently? And why?
• How do you express disappointment?
• When life doesn’t go how you thought it would, do you feel that God abandoned you? Why or why not?
• Is the idea of “surrendering to God” easy or difficult for you? Explain.

DOWNLOAD PDF OF THIS LESSON

Looking for youth ministry curriculum? Check out the…

ONE YEAR MEMBERSHIP – Save 92% on $2,400 worth of youth group lessons, Bible studies, games, events & more. Only available through April 25!