Traction: Standing Firm in Faith

Jun 8

Preached to: Middle & High School Students

Life can get slippery—unexpected struggles, anxiety, and peer pressure often try to spin us out. But just like a car needs traction to stay in control on slick roads, our faith needs a strong grip to keep us steady. Here are three key takeaways from this week’s message:

1. Life Will Get Slippery
Storms, temptations, and challenges are guaranteed, but we don’t have to be caught off guard. Recognizing that trials are part of the journey helps us prepare instead of panic.

2. God’s Word Is Your Grip
The Bible is our traction—our unshakable truth. When life feels out of control, anchoring ourselves in Scripture helps us stand firm and respond with wisdom, just like Jesus did when tempted.

3. You Can Stand Firm No Matter What
With a solid foundation in Christ and the armor of God, we can remain steady through every turn. The right “gear” (God’s truth + godly friends) equips us to keep moving forward with confidence.

Let’s live with traction in action—get into God’s Word daily, evaluate your “pit crew,” and memorize Scripture that anchors you when life slides sideways.

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Night 1 – When Life Gets Slippery
Topic: Recognizing when life feels out of control
Read Together: Matthew 7:24–25 (NLT)
Discussion Questions:
- What does it mean for life to get “slippery”? Can you think of a recent example in your life?
- How do you usually respond when things feel out of control—panic, isolate, pray, etc.?
- Why do you think Jesus compared a wise life to building on solid rock? What does that look like practically?
Night 2 – Get a Grip on God’s Word
Topic: Finding traction in Scripture
Read Together: Matthew 4:1–4 (NLT)
Discussion Questions:
- How did Jesus respond to temptation in the wilderness?
- Have you ever had a verse help you stay grounded in a tough moment?
- What are some practical ways we can read and remember God’s Word daily—especially when life is busy?
Night 3 – Who’s in Your Pit Crew?
Topic: The influence of friends and community
Read Together: Ephesians 6:10–11, 13 (NLT)
Discussion Questions:
- Why do you think God gave us spiritual “armor”? What does it protect us from?
- Who are the people in your life helping you grow in your faith? Who might be pulling you away from it?
- What kind of friend do you want to be for others when they’re going through slippery seasons?
STARTER:
Begin with a relatable and fun illustration—ask students if they’ve ever tried to walk, bike, or drive on a slippery surface (rain, mud, or ice). Show a brief “traction fail” video clip (cars spinning out, people slipping) to highlight how quickly things go wrong without grip.
Transition: Just like we need traction to stay in control on the road, we need spiritual traction to stay grounded when life gets chaotic.
POINT 1: Life Will Get Slippery
📖 Matthew 7:24–25
- Life isn’t always smooth—temptation, anxiety, and peer pressure are real.
- Jesus didn’t promise a storm-free life, but a storm-proof foundation when we build on Him.
- We can’t wait until things fall apart to try and find traction.
POINT 2: God’s Word Is Your Grip
📖 Matthew 4:1–11
- Just like traction keeps a car from sliding, God’s truth keeps our hearts from drifting.
- Jesus used Scripture to fight off the enemy—we must know the Word to stand strong.
- Truth isn’t found in social media, culture, or feelings—it’s found in God’s unchanging Word.
POINT 3: You Can Stand Firm No Matter What
📖 Ephesians 6:10–17
- God equips us with the armor we need—especially the belt of truth—for every battle.
- With the right foundation and gear, we can keep moving forward, even through storms.
- It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being planted in something greater than ourselves.
APPLICATION: Traction in Action – 3 Challenges for the Week
1. Grip Before You Slip – Read the 4-day devotional and get into God’s Word before the chaos hits.
2. Check Your Pit Crew – Evaluate your friend group. Are they helping you move forward or causing you to spin out?
3. Memorize an Anchor Verse – Lock Matthew 7:24–25 into your heart to keep your footing when life feels shaky.
Wrap-Up Thought:
You don’t have to spin out when life gets rough. With Jesus as your foundation and His Word as your grip, you can stand firm and keep moving forward—driven by faith, built to last.
Matthew 7:24–25 (NLT)
“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.
Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.”
Matthew 4:1–11 (NLT)
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil.
2 For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry.
3 During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”
4 But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple,
6 and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you.
And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”
7 Jesus responded, “The Scriptures also say, ‘You must not test the Lord your God.’”
8 Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
9 “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”
10 “Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “For the Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve only him.’”
11 Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus.
Ephesians 6:10–17 (NLT)
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
12 For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.
15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.
16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.
17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.