Dreams and Shortcuts

This Week in Youth

This week, we talked about how God often gives bigger dreams than we could ever create on our own.

Abraham asked God for a son, but God promised him something far greater — a nation. Through Abraham’s story, students learned that God’s plans are often beyond our understanding and require trust and patience.

Main Ideas

• God can do bigger things than we can imagine.

• Temptation is found in waiting at times

• Shortcuts usually promise faster results but often create bigger problems.

• Who we choose to spend time with matters.

When Abraham and Sarah grew tired of waiting for God’s promise, they chose a shortcut with Hagar rather than trusting God’s timing. Students discussed how impatience can lead us away from God’s best.

We also talked about the importance of relationships and influence. The people around us can either encourage faith and obedience or push us toward compromise and shortcuts.

Discussion Questions

Use these questions to continue the conversation at home:

• Why do you think God sometimes makes us wait?

• What is something you are trusting God for right now?

• How can you tell if a decision is God’s timing or just impatience?

• Who are the people in your life who encourage you toward God?

• What does it look like to trust God while waiting?

Application Ideas

Encourage your student to:

• Spend time praying about an area where they are struggling to trust God.

• Identify one “shortcut” temptation they may need to avoid.

• Thank or encourage a friend who helps them grow closer to God.

• Spend time in Scripture when they feel discouraged or impatient.

• Write down one big dream or purpose they believe God may be growing in their life.

Family Challenge

“Dream Big Together” Challenge

As a family, take a few minutes this week to talk about:

• dreams you once had

• Prayers, you are still waiting on

• Big dreams you can have for your family

Close by praying together and asking God for patience, wisdom, and faith to trust His timing.

Thank you for partnering with us as we encourage students to trust God’s timing and dream big with Him.