Welcome to this week’s online youth group lesson. To catch up on previous lessons, click here.
We’ll start with Zach Williams’ popular song, “Chain Breaker.”
At the top of our prayer list is Sally Sheets who is still in the hospital after feeling weak Monday afternoon after the first of her radiation treatments. There is concern about blood loss and confusion. Please be praying for her, Pastor Paul, and the rest of the family.
Trina Eia and her family came to a decision to not pursue additional medical intervention. She is leaving the next steps with God and the family has had a discussion about what that may mean both short-term and down the road. Please continue to keep Trina, Shane and the kids in prayer.
Jasmine’s sister, Angie, had a stroke earlier this week and was in the hospital. Paige was in the ER Sunday but is much better right now. Maverick’s mom, Eve, was hospitalized and is now how and improving but no real diagnosis was made. Harmonie and the Sauers are under quarantine after she was exposed at school today for someone who tested positive for COVID.
Also, be praying for our upcoming Burkholders family night on Saturday — for the outreach, fellowship and opportunity it provides and that God protects the event while giving families wisdom on whether or not to attend.
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Today, we are going to spend some time in the book of Revelation where there is a battle in heaven involving Satan. From Revelation 12:7-12 (NIV):
7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down — that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:
“Now have come the salvation and the power
and the kingdom of our God,
and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters,
who accuses them before our God day and night,
has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him
by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much
as to shrink from death.
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens
and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea,
because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury,
because he knows that his time is short.”
What a powerful story and image it leaves … this breaking away of Satan and his followers starting a war in Heaven, and how Michael and his angels eventually defeated the “dragon.” The key verse here for today’s discussion is verse 11: They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony …”
The blood of the Lamb refers specifically to Jesus, but the other necessary ingredient for victory was “their testimony.”
For context, let’s look at how The Message Bible translates verse 11: “They defeated him through the blood of the Lamb
and the bold word of their witness.”
There are few other verses that show just how powerful a testimony can be. It is a bold word witnessing their allegiance to God and how He transformed them. Our testimony can be just as powerful. Through our stories of overcoming adversity thanks to God’s divine assistance, we can save our loved ones and friends from an eternity no one wants to endure.
There are many examples of testimony. Today, we are sharing that of musician Zach Williams:
Our own stories — especially those with less life experiences — may not be as intense in terms of addiction turned to salvation, but that doesn’t detract from the power of your own testimony.
So what makes up your testimony? How do you pull your story about your relationship with God together to have the biggest overall impact? Consider the steps shared in this short video:
So, to keep it simple, the three steps shared in the video include answering the following questions:
- What was your life like before knowing Jesus?
- How did you come to know Him?
- What difference has Jesus made in your life?
Once you have the answers to those questions, you then can pull that story together in a wide variety of ways. For Zach Williams, he shares his story in the form of song. Below is his song Rescue Story that offers a really powerful testimony. Perhaps you turn your story into a poem or simply rehearse it verbally enough times to yourself that when you have a moment alone with an unsaved friend or loved one, you can share that story.
Over the next two weeks, we are encouraging all our youth to work on their testimony stories as homework and how they feel most comfortable in sharing it. Next week is going to be a snack/game night, but the following week, we’d like to have some of our youths share their stories with the group in the hopes it inspires others to do the same.
In conclusion, remember from our Bible reading tonight that testimony, when lined up with Jesus, had the power to cast Satan of Heaven … and our testimonies, when paired with Jesus’ direction in our lives, has the power to cast Satan out of the lives of friends and loved ones who may be struggling and looking for answers.
