Are You Connected? (Youth Lesson)

EKKLESIA YOUTH LESSON

ARE YOU CONNECTED?

John 15:5-8

Adapted from Church Anniversary Sermon by Rev. Ahmmad Edmond

BIG IDEA

Being around church isn't the same as being connected to Jesus. Real connection with Jesus produces real change.

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ICEBREAKER

Ask everyone:

- How many of you have ever asked, "What's the Wi-Fi password?"

- How frustrating is it when your phone says "No Internet Connection?"

- Have you ever thought you were connected, but nothing was loading?

Say:

Sometimes our spiritual lives look exactly like that.

We may come to church.

Carry a Bible.

Know worship songs.

Wear Christian clothes.

But Jesus asks a different question...

"Are you connected to Me?"

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READ THE SCRIPTURE

John 15:5-8

"I am the vine; you are the branches..."

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INTRODUCTION

Imagine walking into church.

Everyone around you is using the Wi-Fi.

You ask,

"What's the password?"

Someone points toward the router.

Without the router...

there is no connection.

Without the password...

there is no access.

Spiritually, many people are trying to connect their lives to success...

sports...

relationships...

social media...

popularity...

But Jesus says,

"I am the Vine."

He is the only source of real life.

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POINT ONE

WHO ARE YOU?

Jesus tells us everyone's role.

The Father is the Gardener.

Jesus is the Vine.

We are the branches.

A branch doesn't decide what kind of tree it belongs to.

Its identity comes from what it's connected to.

Your identity doesn't come from:

your followers...

your grades...

your mistakes...

your past...

your family...

Your identity comes from Jesus.

If you're connected to Him...

you're His.

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Discussion Questions

Where do teenagers usually try to find their identity?

Why is Jesus a better foundation than popularity?

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POINT TWO

STAY CONNECTED

Jesus says,

"Apart from Me you can do nothing."

Think about your phone.

Even the newest phone becomes useless when it loses connection.

It still looks good.

It still turns on.

But it can't do what it was designed to do.

Some Christians look connected...

but there is no relationship with Jesus.

Church attendance isn't the connection.

Parents' faith isn't the connection.

Youth group isn't the connection.

Jesus is the connection.

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Illustration

The Bible is like God's instruction manual showing us where true life is found.

Jesus is the One who gives us life.

The Holy Spirit is the One who keeps us connected.

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POINT THREE

WHAT'S THE PASSWORD?

Someone asks,

"What's the Wi-Fi password?"

The answer is...

JESUS.

Not just saying His name...

but trusting Him.

Following Him.

Talking with Him.

Listening to Him.

Living with Him every day.

Jesus says,

"If you remain in Me..."

Remaining means staying connected.

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POINT FOUR

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU'RE CONNECTED?

Not because you wear a cross.

Not because you know Bible trivia.

Not because you post Christian quotes.

Jesus says...

Fruit.

When Jesus changes your life...

people notice.

Love.

Joy.

Peace.

Patience.

Kindness.

Forgiveness.

Self-control.

Those things don't grow because we try harder.

They grow because we stay connected.

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POINT FIVE

WHO GETS THE GLORY?

John 15:8 says,

"When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father."

The fruit isn't for us to brag about.

The fruit points people to God.

When someone sees your kindness...

your honesty...

your forgiveness...

your faith...

they should say,

"God must be working in that person's life."

The Father receives the glory.

Jesus recognizes His disciples.

The world sees the evidence.

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APPLICATION

Ask yourself:

Am I connected to Jesus...

or just connected to church?

Am I spending time with Jesus during the week?

Do people see fruit growing in my life?

If someone watched my life this week...

would they know I belong to Jesus?

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CHALLENGE

This week:

Read one chapter from the Gospel of John each day.

Spend five minutes talking to Jesus in prayer.

Write down one way you saw spiritual fruit growing in your life.

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MEMORY VERSE

John 15:5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing."

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CLOSING PRAYER

"Father, thank You for loving us enough to invite us into a relationship with Jesus. Help us stay connected to Him every day. Grow Your fruit in our lives so our friends and families can see You through us. We want our lives to bring You glory. In Jesus' name, Amen."

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TAKE-HOME TRUTH

Connection to Jesus changes everything.

The Father is glorified.

Jesus is the Vine.

The Holy Spirit keeps us connected.

We are the branches.

Fruit is the evidence.

So ask yourself every day...

"Am I really connected?"