Youth Group (60 Minutes)

God Is Holy and Near

CONNECT — 0–10 Minutes

Icebreaker: “Comfortable or Awkward?”
Read a few scenarios (meeting a celebrity, being called out publicly, apologizing first, being corrected).
Have students vote: comfortable or awkward.

Transition:
“Tonight we’re talking about what happens when people come face to face with a holy God.”

ENCOUNTER — 10–20 Minutes

Leader Setup:
“As we read Isaiah’s vision, pay attention to what he sees, how he responds, and what God does next.”

Scripture Reading

Isaiah’s Vision

Scripture (BSB): Isaiah 6:1-4

1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple.

2 Above Him stood seraphim, each having six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.

3 And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”

4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook, and the temple was filled with smoke.

ANCHOR — 20–35 Minutes

Teaching Point:
Isaiah sees God as holy, glorious, and unmatched. God’s holiness is overwhelming — not because God is mean, but because God is pure and powerful.

When Isaiah realizes who God is, he also realizes who he is. God’s holiness exposes Isaiah’s sin, not to shame him, but to show him the truth.

Scripture Connection:

Scripture (BSB): Isaiah 6:5-7

5 Then I said: “Woe is me, for I am ruined, because I am a man of unclean lips dwelling among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of Hosts.”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, and in his hand was a glowing coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar.

7 And with it he touched my mouth and said: “Now that this has touched your lips, your iniquity is removed and your sin is atoned for.”

God does not destroy Isaiah. God cleanses him. Grace comes before calling.

Key Line:
God’s holiness reveals sin, but God’s nearness brings forgiveness.

RESPOND — 35–50 Minutes

Group Discussion:

• Why do you think Isaiah felt undone when he saw God?
• How is God’s holiness different from human perfectionism?
• Why is confession hard?
• What helps you trust that God forgives instead of rejects?

Allow silence. Let students think.

SEND — 50–60 Minutes

Weekly Challenge

This week, when you become aware of sin or failure, choose honesty instead of hiding.
Confess it to God and trust His forgiveness.

Memory Verse

Scripture (BSB): Isaiah 6:3

3 And they were calling out to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of Hosts; all the earth is full of His glory.”

Prayer

Invite students to quietly ask God for clean hearts and deeper awe.