LEARN: Growing In Truth

Preached to: Middle & High School Students

Speaker: Pastor Amanda Hahn

Big Idea: God’s Word is alive and always relevant—but to grow in truth, we must learn how to study it, keep it in context, and apply it to our lives.

We live in a world full of voices, opinions, and half-truths. The Bereans in Acts 17 set an example for us: they didn’t just listen—they searched the Scriptures daily to see if what they heard was true. To grow in truth, we must learn how to study God’s Word, keep it in context, and apply it to our lives.

Here are five keys to help us grow in truth:

1. Look For Yourself

Don’t just rely on what others say—open the Bible and check it yourself. God’s Word is the ultimate source of truth.

2. Keep It In Context

Verses were written to real people, in real times, for real reasons. Always ask: What came before this? What comes after? Who was this written to and why?

3. Keep It Current

Though written long ago, God’s Word is alive and still speaks today. Ask yourself, “What does this mean for my life right now?”

4. Get the Big Idea

Don’t get lost in the details and miss the message. Step back and ask: What’s the main truth God wants me to understand here?

5. Apply It

James 1:22 reminds us not just to listen but to do what God’s Word says. Truth transforms when we put it into practice.

Next Steps:

• Try the S.O.A.P. method with one passage this week.

• Pick a Bible reading plan.

• Ask God to help you apply what you read.

• Consider joining TBQ!

Like the Bereans, let’s commit to learning God’s Word so we can live in truth and reflect Christ to the world.

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

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• Dinner Table Discussion Guide

  Night 1: Look For Yourself

  Scripture: Acts 17:11 – “They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.”

  Discussion:

  • Why is it important to read the Bible for yourself and not just rely on what others say?

  • Have you ever thought something was in the Bible but later found out it wasn’t? How did that change your perspective?

  • What’s one practical way we can make Bible reading a part of our family’s daily routine?

  Night 2: Keep It In Context & Current

  Scriptures:

  • 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Correctly explain the word of truth.”

  • Hebrews 4:12 – “The Word of God is alive and powerful…”

  Discussion:

  • Why do you think it’s dangerous to take a verse out of context? (Example: quoting just part of a sentence.)

  • How can the Bible, written thousands of years ago, still apply to us today?

  • Share one verse that has encouraged you or challenged you recently.

  Night 3: Get the Big Idea & Apply It

  Scriptures:

  • James 1:22 – “But don’t just listen to God’s Word. You must do what it says.”

  • Acts 17:12 – “As a result, many…believed.”

  Discussion:

  • What’s the difference between knowing the Bible and living the Bible?

  • Why do you think people notice when we apply God’s Word to our lives?

  • What’s one thing we can do as a family this week to live out God’s Word?

• Sermon Outline

  Introduction

  • “Is It In The Bible?” game → examples of real vs. fake Bible quotes.

  • We live in a world full of fake news, opinions, and half-truths.

  • To grow in truth, we must know how to study God’s Word ourselves.

  Key 1: Look For Yourself

  • Bereans searched the Scriptures daily (v.11).

  • Don’t just take someone else’s word for it—test everything against Scripture.

  • Application: Open the Bible and check it for yourself.

  Key 2: Keep It In Context

  • Bible written to real people, places, and cultures.

  • Context = parts before and after a passage that clarify meaning.

  • VIDEO: Cool Carll Bible Verse Comebacks.

  • Application: Always ask: What came before? After? Who was it written to and why?

  Key 3: Keep It Current

  • God’s Word still speaks today.

  • Isaiah 40:8 – Word stands forever.

  • Hebrews 4:12 – Word is alive and powerful.

  • Application: Ask, “What does this mean for my life this week?”

  Key 4: Get the Big Idea

  • Don’t get lost in the weeds—see the big picture.

  • “Can’t see the forest for the trees” → focus on details but miss the truth.

  • Application: Step back, keep it in context and current, then ask: What’s the main truth?

  Key 5: Apply It

  • Difference between knowledge and wisdom = application.

  • James 1:22 – Don’t just listen, do what it says.

  • Acts 17:12 – People believed because Bereans applied truth.

  • Application: When you apply God’s Word, your life changes—and others notice.

  Closing Challenge / Altar Call

  • We can’t demonstrate God if we don’t know Him or His Word.

  • Tools: S.O.A.P. method, Bible Reading Plan, Teen Bible Quiz (TBQ).

  • Invitation: Ask God to help you grow in truth—to not just read, but understand, live, and demonstrate His Word.

  Next Steps

  1. Try S.O.A.P. with one passage this week.

  2. Pick a Bible reading plan (The Bible App).

  3. Ask God to help you APPLY what you read.

  4. Join TBQ.

• Scriptures

  Acts 17:10–12 (NLT)

  10 That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue.
  11 And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.
  12 As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.

  Isaiah 40:8 (NLT)

  The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.

  Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)

  For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.

  James 1:22 (NLT)

  But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.