Fusion vids take about 4.5mins
Moving In
I WONDER
Say: It’s normal and healthy for us to doubt and question what we believe. Most of us are searching to find who we are and what we believe. We’re looking for answers and dealing with tough questions. It’s important for us to be able to discuss these doubts and questions with others. Tonight won’t answer all your questions and doubts, but it will help you understand that having doubts is normal, even among adults.
Consider the following doubts:
• The liquid inside young coconuts can be used as a substitute for blood plasma.
• The Bermuda Triangle
• If you do good things and have faith, God will take care of you.
• UFOs
• Donkeys kill more people annually than plane crashes.
• You burn more calories sleeping than you do watching television.
• Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise.
• God knows what will make you happy.
• Bigfoot
• Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.
• Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin.
• Dentists have recommended that a toothbrush be kept at least six feet away from a toilet to avoid airborne particles resulting from the flush.
• Turtles can breathe through their behinds.
Moving Up
GOD vs. DOUBT (10 min.)
Say: Some of you may not want to admit your doubts in any of these areas, that’s okay. I’m going to go down a list and ask if any of you have wondered about any of these.
If they express no doubts, pressure them a little. For example, say something like, “Since you’re so sure about this one, maybe you can help me. Tell me what makes you so certain.” If they’re being honest, they’ll admit to having serious doubts about most of these issues.
What do you sometimes wonder about?
• If God exists
• If the devil exists
• If God knows what’s best for me
• If God answers my prayers
• Why God lets bad things happen to good people
WHAT’S NORMAL (10 min.)
Say: Remember doubt is normal for all of us. God won’t ever reject you—not even if you think you’re not good enough, – not even for doubting. We don’t have all the answers. Sometimes adults don’t know everything! We do know that doubt strengthens your faith. If you’re absolutely certain about something then there’s no need for faith. Faith is believing even when you doubt.
Ask “why” when they answer…
Decide if these statements are true or false
• Doubts about God are normal. ________
• When I doubt God and His plans for my life, He gets angry. ________
• Men and women of the Bible never doubted God. ________
• God understands and accepts my doubts. ________
• If a person has doubts, then he has no faith. ________
Moving Out
I DOUBT IT (10 min.)
Needed: A standard deck of cards (no Jokers)
How to Play
Deal the cards out evenly. If there are remainders, place them face down in the center of the table as the beginning of the discard pile.
Play begins with the player to the left of the dealer. He places any Aces in his hand face down on the discard pile and announces his play to the table: “One Ace.” If the player does not have any Aces, or if he wishes to get rid of more than one card, he may bluff and play non-Ace cards while announcing: “Two Aces.” The next player plays 2s, the next player plays 3s, and so on. If a player doesn’t believe an announcement, he can call out, “I doubt it!” The person who played the cards must turn them over and show the challenger whether he is bluffing or not. A player who is caught bluffing must pick up the entire discard pile and add it to his hand. If a challenged player is not bluffing, then the challenger must pick up the discard pile. When the rank to play reaches Kings, it then goes back to Aces and the numbers start again.
objective
The first player to get rid of all his cards wins. Usually this is the first player to actually have the last card that must be played on his turn.
Closing
Gather in a closing circle
Pass out Scripture Card: Jeremiah 29:11-13 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” You are challenged to think about trust in spite of doubting. What is trust? How does trusting com¬pare to having faith?
Say: It’s normal and healthy for us to doubt and question what we believe. Just like in the game, the consequences of doubting could mean a lot of trouble for you but, you could just stick with it and come out okay in the end. Most of us are searching to find who we are and what we believe. We’re looking for answers and dealing with tough questions. Doubts are necessary for stretching our faith and beliefs. Wondering and doubting doesn’t meet that you don’t have faith—it isn’t a sin. But it does weaken your faith in God.
This week we challenge you to stretch your minds and your faith. Take your questions to your parents, teachers, or your Youth leaders—people who care about you and may be able to help you figure out some answers.
Prayer:
Dear Lord, we don’t even know what to say, we are so often confused. We are sometimes caught in the midst of a crisis of faith, so uncertain and doubtful. We are going through a difficult time in what touches the depth of our belief. We are almost tempted to give in to impatience and depression. Please help me to not stray too far from You, from security and certainty. I know the mystery of You continues, and that my faith journey is a challenge to be embraced. Open my heart, Lord, to the right attitude when confronted with all my questions.
Amen.
UMYF Benediction
May the Lord bless you and keep you.
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you
And be gracious unto you.
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you
And give you peace.
Shalom!