Are you looking for a fresh theme for the youth retreat you are hosting this year? Here are some great themes to look at and use!
God and the Royal Inheritance (Ephesians 1 and 2)
Did you know you are a child of God? What does that really mean? God constantly reminds us that we are His children, and that means we are heirs of God—princes and princesses. What does it mean to be royalty for the Kingdom of God on Earth?
Legacy (Psalm 78, Genesis 11-21 with the story of Abraham)
You aren’t the first person on Earth, and it’s not likely you’re the last. What you do now affects the future—whether your personal life ten years from now or generations to come. What kind of legacy are you going to leave behind for the future? In fact, what is a legacy, and what does any of that have to do with you?
Relentless in the Pursuit of God (Isaiah 40:31, Hebrews 12)
It’s easy to put a pause on your relationship with God. Everyone has done it. God desires a relationship with you—for you to be able to pursue Him because your love for Him is great. What does it mean to truly pursue God, even amidst life happening, chaos, heartbreak, and our most joyous moments? How can you stay relentless, willing to fight for what God has for you?
Limitless (Mark 10:27, Ephesians 3)
With God, all things are possible. What does that mean for you—in the world you live in? Stop putting limits on what you can do—don’t put God in a box, because He’ll break it! What does it truly mean to be limitless?
What It Means to Be a Christian / Living Like Christ (The Gospels)
Christianity seems to be different depending on the person you’re talking to, but what does Jesus Himself say about it? How can you be more Christ-like in your actions, not just what you say you’re going to do?
Who am I? (1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20)
This is a question everyone has asked at some point in their lives, and yet many people turn to wrong answers to help them find a career or something handy they can do with their lives. God has created you for His Purpose, but what does that purpose have to do with you? He created you with numerous gifts for Heaven and Earth, but what do they have anything to do with what the heck you’re supposed to be doing?
God’s Greatest Heroes (Stories of Gideon, David and Moses)
Who are the heroes of the Bible? Tales of the greatest men who ever lived include… a shepherd? The weakest dude of the weakest tribe who hid inside of a bush so no one could find him? Sure… How come God chose these people to lead His people? What did their relationship with and confidence in God have to do with any of that? What does that mean for us?
How to Change the World / Here I Am—Send Me (Isaiah 6:8, Matthew 28:16-20)
The world can be changed—one person at a time. It starts with you. As you are created new in Christ, you get to share the word and spread the Gospel to the rest of the world. Being a world changer is real, and you can step up to the task should you choose to do so.
Having a Friend in God (John 15:15, Psalms of David)
God is more than your Lord and Father. He is your Friend—Helper to those who call on Him. You have a relationship with Him, but are you allowing Him to be more than a figure, in the distance, in your life? Get intimate with God—understand Him and the mystery around Him.
Here’s a list I had in my file from my stint in YW a few years ago…
- Our Youth Conf. this weekend is “Follow the Heavenly Road” with a take off on the Wizard of Oz and the emphasis on the temple. Linda in PA
- Heaven- Don’t Miss It for the World
- Stand In High Places
- It’s a Jungle Out There
- Becoming One Heart, One Mind
- Turn Your Heart to Home
- No Empty Chairs
- Like a Lighthouse
- Win the Race
- See Us Shine
- The Best Things in Life Aren’t Things
- State of the Heart
- Hold to the Rod
- Making a Difference
- Beyond This Moment
- Something Extraordinary
- No Story, No Glory
- The Ties That Bind
- The Possible Dream
- Can’t Judge a Book By Its Cover
- BOOT camp (Building On Our Testimonies)
- The Winner Within
- Quest for the Best
- Something Old, Something New
- Peace in the World- Peace Within
- Latter-day Warriors
For Youth Meetings
How Bad Company Affects Us
1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Other Scriptures to study: Exodus 23:2, Exodus 34:12, Numbers 33:55, 1 Kings 11:2, 2 Chronicles 19:2, Psalms 1:1, Proverbs 4:14, Proverbs 24:1, Proverbs 28:7, John 15:19, John 18:17-20, Acts 2:40, 1 Corinthians 5:11, 2 Corinthians 6:14, Ephesians 5:11, 2 Thessalonians 3:6
How to Choose Good Friends and Grow Friendships
Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.
Other Scriptures to study: Ruth 1:16, 1 Samuel 18:1, 1 Samuel 20:17, 2 Samuel 15:37, 1 Kings 5:1, 2 Kings 2:2, Proverbs 17:14, Proverbs 18:24, Proverbs 27:10, Proverbs 27:17, Matthew 27:55-56, John 11:16, John 13:1, John 15:13-14, Romans 16:4, 2 Corinthians 2:13, 2 Timothy 1:16
Examples of Love and Courtship in the Bible
Genesis 29:11 And Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted up his voice, and wept.
Other Scriptures to study: Genesis 29:12-20, Genesis 31:30, Numbers 10:30, Deuteronomy 20:7, Judges 14:1-10, 1 Samuel 18:17, 2 Samuel 19:37, 2 Samuel 23:15, Luke 1:26-27
Honor the Good; Avoid the Evil
Luke 6:38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
Other Scriptures to study: 1 Samuel 6:19, Psalms 38:1, Psalms 100:2, Psalms 145:11, Psalms 147:1, Matthew 6:19, Mark 10:44, Luke 9:23, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 3:5, 1 John 2:15
Sometimes You Just Gotta Wait
Isaiah 25:9 And it shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God; We have waited for him, and he will save us: This is the LORD; we have waited for him, We will be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
Other Scriptures to study: Genesis 49:18, Numbers 20:10, 2 Kings 5:11-12, Jonah 4:8-9, Psalms 37:7, Psalms 40:1, Isaiah 26:8, Isaiah 33:2, Matthew 15:23, Luke 9:54, Luke 10:40, Acts 1:4
Some Things are Better Left Unsaid
James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
Other Scriptures to study: Exodus 14:14, Judges 18:19, 2 Kings 2:3, Psalms 34:13, Proverbs 13:3, Proverbs 21:23, Nehemiah 8:11, John 13:13, John 33:31, Mark 10:48, 1 Peter 3:10
The “I AMs” of Jesus
John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Other Scriptures to study (and memorize): John 8:23, 58, John 9:5, John 10:7, 1, 14, 36, John 11:25, John 13:13, John 14:6, John 15:1, Revelation 1:8, 17
Hope: Spiritual and Eternal
1 Peter 1:3–5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Other Scriptures to study: Proverbs 14:32, Acts 24:15, Romans 4:18, Romans 8:24, Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 13:13, Colossians 1:5, Titus 2:13, Hebrews 6:18-19, 1 Peter 3:15, 1 John 3:3,
How to Live Forever
2 Timothy 1:10–11 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.
Other Scriptures to study: Ecclesiastes 12:7, Matthew 10:28, Luke 20:36, John 8:51, John 11:26, Romans 2:7, 1 Corinthians 15:53-4, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, 2 Revelation 20:4
Who Are God’s Children?
Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Other Scriptures to study: Matthew 5:9, Luke 20:36, John 1:12, Romans 8:14-16, Romans 8:17, Romans 8:21, Romans 9:26, Galatians 4:7, Galatians 3:29, Philippians 2:15, Titus 3:7, Hebrews 1:14, Hebrews 6:17, 1 John 3:1, 1 John 3:10