By 1 Youth Ministry – Youth Grades 7–12

Every day, we face a choice: make excuses or seize opportunities. At our recent Sunday youth gathering, we explored this powerful idea—how fear and doubt often disguise themselves as excuses and hold us back from what God has called us to do.

The Real Story Behind Excuses

We started by calling out the excuses we all use—some more frequently than we’d like to admit. The truth is, most excuses are just false stories we tell ourselves, rooted in fear—fear of failure, rejection, or the unknown. But more deeply, these fears reflect a lack of faith in God’s plan and power.

God doesn’t give us small dreams. He plants desires in our hearts that are often far bigger than we think we can handle—because we’re not meant to do it alone. He wants us to trust Him.

Jeremiah’s Story: From Excuses to Calling

We looked at the prophet Jeremiah, who was just a teen when God called him to be a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah had a list of excuses, just like many of us do:

• “It’s too hard.”
  Yes, being a prophet was tough. But God promised He would be with Jeremiah. Likewise, when God calls you, He equips you and walks with you.

• “I’m not talented enough.”
  Jeremiah felt inadequate, especially because of his youth. But God reminded him that His strength is made perfect in our weakness. God doesn’t call the qualified—He qualifies the called.

• “It’s not the right time.”
  Jeremiah thought he wasn’t ready. But God’s timing is always perfect. When He says “go,” He means now—and He’ll never leave you to do it alone.

• “It’s dangerous.”
  Jeremiah’s mission did come with risks. Yet even when the message was hard to deliver, God provided him with the courage and protection he needed.

• “Does it have to be now?”
  Yes, it does. When God speaks, He expects action. He told Jeremiah to get ready immediately. The task was difficult, but God promised His presence and protection.

Jeremiah 29:11 – God’s Assurance

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
— Jeremiah 29:11

Even when Jeremiah’s warnings went unheeded and Israel was exiled, God still used him to deliver hope. And the same is true for us. No matter what the world says, God’s plan for you is filled with purpose and promise.

What Will You Choose?

Next time you catch yourself saying, “I can’t,” ask yourself if it’s really about ability—or fear. Don’t let excuses rob you of the future God wants to give you. Trust Him. Step out in faith. Say yes.

Excuses hold us back. Faith moves us forward.

A Story With No Name—but Deep Significance

The woman in this story remains unnamed. And yet, her story is deeply personal and widely relatable. She represents the marginalized, the ashamed, and those who feel forgotten. Jesus’ encounter with her at Jacob’s well was anything but ordinary. It broke religious, social, and cultural norms—Jesus, a Jewish man, spoke with a Samaritan woman who was rejected even by her own people.

We often forget how radical this moment truly was. Jews and Samaritans had despised each other for generations. It was common practice for Jews to avoid Samaria entirely. And culturally, men did not speak to women alone in public—especially not women with a “past.” This woman had been married five times and was currently living with a man she wasn’t married to. Yet Jesus didn’t avoid her—He sought her out.

Living Water for a Weary Soul

In their conversation, Jesus offered her “living water”—a metaphor for eternal life and a renewed relationship with God. But more than that, He spoke directly to her deepest need: acceptance, love, and a new start. She responded like many of us do: “How can you forgive me after everything I’ve done?” But Jesus wasn’t there to condemn her—He came to save her.

We reflected on how often we feel disqualified from God’s love because of our past. But Jesus shows us that no one is too far gone. In fact, He specializes in meeting us right where we are, even in the middle of the day at a lonely well.

From Rejected to Redeemed

What’s beautiful about this story is the woman’s immediate transformation. The moment she realized who Jesus was, she dropped her water jar—a symbolic release of her burdens—and ran back to her village to share the good news. The same woman who once avoided people now couldn’t wait to talk to them.

Her testimony led many others to believe in Jesus. And isn’t that what we’re all called to do? To share our encounter with Christ in our own circles of influence?

Eternal Life Begins Now

John 3:36 reminds us that eternal life is not just a future promise, but a present reality. “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…”—right now, in this very moment.

This “new quality of life” isn’t just about heaven someday. It’s about living with purpose, hope, and joy today. It’s about knowing that God is with us, for us, and has a purpose for us, no matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done.

What If You Had a Moment With Jesus?

What would happen if you sat down with Jesus, like the woman at the well did? Would you be honest? Would you listen? Would you believe?

And what if you invited a friend to meet Him too?

In today’s hyperconnected world, it’s easier than ever to compare our lives to others. A quick scroll through social media can leave us feeling inadequate, envious, or even resentful. But what does the Bible say about this all-too-common habit of comparison?

This week in our youth ministry, we explored how comparison can be a double-edged sword. While it can motivate growth when used wisely, the unwise kind often leads to envy, dissatisfaction, and a distorted view of ourselves.

The Dangers of Unwise Comparison

When we fall into the trap of comparing our lives to others—especially the curated, filtered versions we see online—we risk breeding envy and covetousness. The Bible addresses this in the Tenth Commandment, warning us not to covet what belongs to others. Envy not only steals our joy but can spiral into bitterness and resentment.

In Galatians, Paul reminds us to focus on our own actions and calling, rather than what others are doing. God has a unique plan for each of us, and constant comparison undermines that purpose.

Choosing Gratitude Over Envy

Instead of measuring ourselves against others, the Bible calls us to gratitude. When we thank God for our own blessings, we shift from a mindset of lack to one of abundance. Ephesians reminds us that we are each created to do good works, prepared in advance by God. That’s a powerful reminder that our lives have divine purpose, regardless of what anyone else is doing.

Paul exemplified this attitude. No matter his circumstances—whether in prison or preaching—he remained content in God’s purpose. His peace came not from external success, but from a deep trust in God’s plan for his life.

Love Doesn’t Envy

1 Corinthians 13 makes it clear: love does not envy. And Romans 12 encourages us to rejoice with those who rejoice. True love isn’t jealous of others’ success—it celebrates with them. When we genuinely love others, we shift from competition to connection, experiencing joy in their blessings as well as our own.

Humility and Trust in God’s Plan

Comparison often stems from a lack of trust in God’s unique design for our lives. But Scripture tells us to practice humility—not selfish ambition or vain conceit. Life is not a competition. Each of us has different strengths, weaknesses, and roles to play in God’s greater story.

Romans 12 emphasizes that we each have different gifts and talents, given not to outshine others but to serve God’s purpose. When we embrace this, we can appreciate our differences rather than resenting them.

Finding Our True Worth in Christ

Ultimately, our value doesn’t come from how we measure up to others—it comes from our identity in Christ. When we let go of comparison and anchor ourselves in God’s love, we experience true peace, contentment, and joy.

So the next time you’re tempted to compare, pause and remember: God has a specific plan for you. Trust it. Celebrate others. And walk confidently in the life He’s created just for you.

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”