GOODBYE YESTERDAY: Shift Into Something New

High SchoolAmplify United
Written By Amanda Hahn

Preached to: Middle & High School Students

Speaker: Pastor Amanda Hahn

This week’s message reminded us that faith isn’t stuck in yesterday—it moves forward into God’s new thing (Isaiah 43:18–19). We can’t fully embrace the future God has for us if we’re still clinging to the past.

Key Points:

  • Goodbye to Yesterday’s Chains – Let go of past mistakes, regrets, and old habits that hold us back.

  • Hello to Today’s SHIFT – God doesn’t just call us out of something, He calls us into something new; shift your heart, attitude, and priorities toward Him.

  • Step Into Tomorrow’s Promise – Trust that God will make a way in the wilderness and bring life to dry places as we move forward in faith.

Challenge:
What do you need to leave behind, what shift does God want to make in you today, and what new thing is He calling you to step into?

Keep up with all that’s going on at Amplify Youth, including dates, times, sign-ups, and forms, on our main page.

Amplify Main Page

  • 🍽 Night 1: Goodbye Yesterday

    Scripture: Isaiah 43:18 – “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.”
    Discussion Questions:

    • What are some “yesterdays” (mistakes, regrets, fears) that can hold us back?

    • Why is it sometimes easier to look back than to look forward?

    • How can we encourage each other to let go of the past and trust God’s plan?

    • Action Step: As a family, each person writes one “yesterday” they want to leave behind on a piece of paper. Pray together and then tear up the paper as a symbol of letting it go.

    🍽 Night 2: Embracing the SHIFT

    Scripture: Isaiah 43:19 – “See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?”
    Discussion Questions:

    • What does it mean to have a “shift” in your heart, attitude, or priorities?

    • Can you share a time when God shifted something in your life?

    • What is one small change we could make as a family to put Jesus first this week?

    • Action Step: As a family, choose one intentional “shift” for the week (like praying together before school, playing worship music in the car, or committing to an encouraging word daily). Write it on a sticky note and place it somewhere everyone will see.

    🍽 Night 3: Stepping Into God’s Promise

    Scripture: Isaiah 43:19 – “I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
    Discussion Questions:

    • What does this verse teach us about God’s promises?

    • Where do you see “dry places” in your life or in our family where we need God to move?

    • How can faith help us step into the future with courage instead of fear?

    • Action Step: Each person shares one promise or dream they’re believing God for. Pray together and ask God to provide a “pathway” or “river” in those areas.

  • INTRO

    • We’ve been talking about the SHIFT—new day, new location, new setup—but God wants to shift something inside of us.

    • Moving forward requires letting go of yesterday; you can’t embrace the new while clinging to the old.

    • Theme: Say “Goodbye Yesterday” so we can step into the NEW God is doing.

    POINT 1: Goodbye to Yesterday’s Chains

    • Yesterday represents past mistakes, shame, regrets, and old habits.

    • Just like Israel looked back at Egypt, we can get stuck in what God already freed us from.

    • Isaiah 43:18 – “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.”

    • Illustration: Carrying a heavy backpack while trying to run forward slows you down; you have to drop it to finish the race.

    POINT 2: Hello to Today’s SHIFT

    • God doesn’t just call us out of something—He calls us into something new.

    • Isaiah 43:19 – “See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?”

    • SHIFT in:

      • Heart – hunger for His presence.

      • Attitude – expect God to move.

      • Relationship – make Jesus your first priority.

    • Illustration: A car can’t shift gears without moving forward—if you stay in neutral, you go nowhere.

    POINT 3: Step Into Tomorrow’s Promise

    • God promises to make a way in the wilderness and bring life to dry places.

    • Isaiah 43:19 – “I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

    • The future isn’t something to fear—it’s something to step into with faith.

    • Illustration: Winners don’t look back at the last lap; they press toward the finish line.

    CALL TO ACTION (Altar Response)

    • Lay it down: Leave yesterday’s sins, regrets, or fears at the altar.

    • Lift it up: Surrender and ask God for His new thing.

    • Step forward: Physically move in faith—kneel, stand, or come forward as a sign of stepping into His promise.

    NEXT STEPS

    1. Pray daily – Ask God to shift your heart and lead you forward.

    2. Read daily – Memorize Isaiah 43:18–19.

    3. Invite a friend – Don’t walk into the new thing alone; bring someone with you.

  • Isaiah 43:15–19 (NLT) – “I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator and King. I am the LORD, who opened a way through the waters, making a dry path through the sea. But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

Amanda Hahn
Next

THE FINAL LAP