Category Archives: Youth & Young Adults

Devotional

Good News Youth Devotional

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By Katie Heishman (Co-pastor at the Prince of Peace Church of the Brethren (Oh.))

Matthew 28:1-16 “…afraid, yet filled with joy…”

When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to visit Jesus’ tomb, the world literally quakes as an angel rolls away the tomb stone and sits on it. The guards at Jesus’ tomb are so afraid they fall over in shock. The angel encourages the women: “Do not be afraid.” Yet the women are fearful, too, and it’s with fear and excitement that they take off toward Galilee with the news of Jesus’ resurrection. While the women are still fearful, they’re propelled by bravery and joy to share their good news with the other disciples. Once the guards are revived, their fear leads them to act in a cowardly way by taking a bribe and lying about Jesus’ resurrection.

Fear is a powerful emotion and Jesus knows that fear can lead us to take the easy way out, like the guards. He greets the women in their fear and excitement, and tells them, “You’re holding on to me for dear life. Don’t be frightened like that” (The Message). The joy of resurrection is that Jesus seeks to free us from fear that would lead us to be cowardly or stop us from doing hard things. Through Jesus, we don’t need to be afraid of fear or be afraid of hard things. You have good news to share and hard things to do! Do not be afraid. 

Good News: Jesus frees us from fear and inspires us to bravery in the face of hard things. 

Discussion question: Where would you like Jesus to release you from fear, which limits you or holds you back? 

Go one step further: Breath Prayer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixA5xZgvYeo (A helpful way to rely on Jesus and let go of fear is through a breath prayer.) 

Devotional

Good News Youth Devotional

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By Carol Elmore (Minister of Nurture and Music at the Oak Grove Church of the Brethren (Va.))

Mark 16:9-20 “…go into all the world…”

Mary Magdalene was the first on the scene to find that Jesus’ body was gone. The scripture tells us that she knew Him well and was indebted to Him because he had healed her early on. She was going to take care of Him, one last time, putting spices on His dead body. But He had risen, and was back in the flesh (almost?) to walk and talk among his friends once again. He took the time to tell them to SPREAD the GOOD NEWS that by using Jesus’ name, his disciples could heal the sick, remove demons, etc. (just your ordinary, everyday miracles, wink). “So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” I was curious why, several verses throughout scripture, including this one, Jesus goes to sit “at the right hand of God”. Why the right hand? I learned that it, being the most often dominate hand, that it represents power! Jesus has the Power and Authority! This might be where the phrase “He’s my right hand man” comes from. But, the right hand was also used to give a blessing (Jacob blessed his children and grandchildren with his right hand in the book of Genesis). Our hands can tell the Good News of Jesus by doing works of strength (at workcamps, etc.), or through blessings (such as hugging an older person in your congregation, playing with children in the nursery, anointing someone who is ill, etc.).

Good News: Our hands can tell the Good News of Jesus’ love!

Discussion question: How does thinking about the good works of your hands change your thoughts when singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His hands”?

Go one step further:Look at your right hand (or your left, if it is your dominate hand). Think of times you’ve used your hand for good: hard work, a tender act of love. Thank God for ways you’ve used that hand to show the love of Christ to someone, and ask God to show you more opportunities. Sing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands.”

Devotional

Good News Youth Devotional

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By Audrey Hollenberg-Duffey (Co-Pastor at the Oakton Church of the Brethren (Va.))

Mark 16:1-8 “He has risen!”

The resurrection text in the Gospel of Mark says that when the women who go to the tomb discover that it is empty they are scared, confused, and flea. The Gospel even says that they say nothing because they are too afraid. And this is where the Gospel ends. Yet, we know the good news of a risen Lord today, so clearly at some point they got over their fear, and proclaimed that Jesus is alive, he is alive indeed. Even when we are afraid, are confused, and are unsure of what is happening, the reality that God can bring new life even in the midst of death, that God can still roll away stones, gives us hope to step forward. Fear may not go away, but the hope we find in Christ Jesus is stronger than our fear.

Good News: God still rolls away stones.

Discussion question: What worries/fears are burdening you today? What hope is carrying you through right now?

Go one step further: Here is a short video on how to do a Stone Prayer.

Devotional

Good News Youth Devotional

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By Gabe Dodd (Pastor for Youth and Young Families at the Montezuma Church of the Brethren (Va.))

John 20:19-23 “…I am sending you.”

The disciples were not only fearful and worried about the Jewish people that were looking for them, but they were also grieving the loss of their friend and teacher, Jesus. What an intense week they just finished. It started with a joyful entry into the city, some stark lessons about obedience, and conversations about love. Last week also included meals, footwashing, prayer, tears, pain, suffering, death, forgiveness, and sorrow; the realities of the world did not vanish overnight. Jesus has been redeemed in the midst of angry mobs and chaos. The first gift Jesus brings to his disciples is a message of peace and assurance. “Do not fear in the midst of the chaos of the world. The Lord has redeemed me in the midst of this chaos. The Lord is also redeeming you in this midst of this chaos.”

Though our lives today may seem chaotic, may we not fear, for the Lord is redeeming you in the midst of it. God works in us, even when evil lurks. Be at peace, for the Lord has sent Jesus, and the Lord will send you!

Good News: It is good news to know that God has resurrected Jesus from the dead, and that God will resurrect us too!

Discussion question: Imagine what it would be like to be set free from evil, and sent by God!

Go one step further: Practice stillness and peace via simple meditation. Check out these links for 5-10 minute meditations for teens.

https://www.iamdiscoveringgod.net/home/christianmeditationprayeractivity

http://mindfulnessforteens.com/guided-meditations/