Riverbend Youth

Riverbend Youth exists to help Students Discover, Deepen, and Deploy the Good News about Jesus and at our inaugural D-Now (short for "Disciple Now"), we had 3 sessions over the course of 1 weekend to talk about just that. In this session, TJ talks about how we can DEEPEN our faith, by looking at RBYouth's theme verse: 1 Timothy 4:12.

Riverbend Youth exists to help Students Discover, Deepen, and Deploy the Good News about Jesus and at our inaugural D-Now (short for "Disciple Now"), we had 3 sessions over the course of 1 weekend to talk about just that. In this message, guest speaker TJ Gilliam explains that we can't have a DEEP relationship with Jesus that we share with others if we don't first accept His INVI...

What if the reason you feel stressed, overwhelmed, or anxious… is because you’re living for TOMORROW instead of today? In this message, Bailey challenges us to stop treating life like a waiting room, and to bring the Kingdom of God on earth as it is in Heaven NOW. Jesus gives us clear instruction in Matthew 6:33–34:--Seek first the Kingdom.--Stop worrying about tomorrow.--Live fully in today. This...

We all want to know the future...But what if God intentionally doesn’t show us the whole picture? Psalm 119:105 says:“Your word is a LAMP to my feet and a light to my path.”Notice it says "LAMP," not "spotlight."In this message we explore why God usually shows us the next step… not the whole staircase, and how His Word guides us through the uncertainty of life. Scriptures refer...

Have you ever heard someone say  “everything happens for a reason” … and it just made you more frustrated? In this message, D$ looks at a powerful story from the book of Philemon and shows how God can take betrayal, conflict, and pain and turn it into something meaningful. Through the story of Philemon and Onesimus, we see that even our hardest struggles can become part of God’s bigger purpose. If...

What is my purpose? So many of us feel pressure to have our future figured out. We feel anxious. We feel lost. Some even wonder if their life has meaning at all. But what if your weakness isn’t something that disqualifies you…What if it’s the very thing God wants to use? Looking at Second Corinthians 12, we see how Paul the Apostle had a “thorn in the flesh” — something that limited him. Instead o...

Temptation isn’t the sin — it’s the invitation. Why does peer pressure feel so overwhelming? Why are the “small” compromises the hardest to resist? And what do we do when nobody else is watching? In this sermon, Kaleigh helps us explore:The science behind the teenage brainWhy fitting in feels like survivalDavid’s resistance in 1 Samuel 24David’s failure in 2 Samuel 11How small compromises lead to...

What if the problem isn’t your habits… but your heart? Every year people say, “I’m going to read the whole Bible.” But what if slowing down and focusing on just  one verse  could change everything? In this message from Proverbs 4:23, we unpack what it really means to  “guard your heart.”  Not the muscle beating in your chest — but your inner self. Your desires. Your thoughts. Your motives. Your id...

Lillie sits down with RBYouth Worship Leader Jenna Thomas to talk about Spiritual warfare, and so much more!

In this talk, Reyn makes a connection between LifeStraws' ability (or lack thereof ) to purify contaminated water, and Jesus' perfect ability to purify US of all unrighteousness.

February is the "month of love," but there’s more to your heart than just pink decorations and emojis. In this message, D$ dives into Matthew 4 to show how Jesus handled temptation in the wilderness. Whether it’s "doomscrolling," chasing immediate gratification, or looking for shortcuts, we all face moments that test our spiritual health.

In this session, D$ gets vulnerable about her calling, while cross-referencing the account of Peter walking on the water in Matthew 14, ultimately encouraging listeners with the fact that Jesus will carry you THROUGH what He calls you TO. It might be uncomfortable, but it is definitely WORTH IT!

Most of us grew up thinking Christianity is about believing the right things so we can go to heaven when we die — but that’s not actually what the Bible emphasizes. In this conversation, we explore what salvation really means, why Jesus framed it as rescue and restoration, and how we’re called to bring heaven to earth right now.

Did we share too much in this one? 🤔 BOTTOM LINE: Your Story, God's Glory. GOAL: To move students away from highlight‐reel sharing to honest testimony, trusting the Holy Spirit to help them speak. SCRIPTCH: John 15:26–27

"Who Am I?" Why is this the simplest AND most difficult question to answer? In session 1 of 4 in our new series on identity called "Verified" [VRFD], we begin to break it down, starting with Psalm 23.

If you’ve ever felt like the Gospel had to be more than “pray a prayer and wait for Heaven,” this talk is for you. Friend of RBYouth, Marc Lynch, brings a message that challenges the idea of Christianity being about an angry God and rule-breaking people, longing to escape Earth for Heaven when we die. Instead, we look at the Bible’s bigger story. Jesus didn’t come to help us leave the world. He ca...

Love God, Love People, Love Self (LGLPLS). I.e., Jesus' "Greatest Commandment," as seen in Matthew 22. We got HONEST about how hard it is to love God, others, and ourselves. We hope this episode brings you some hope, encouragement, and reassurance that you're not alone AND you can always grow in LOVE :)

Move people from a CATEGORY to a CONVERSATION. Get to know THEM, not only their REPUTATION. In this session, we look at the fact that the way we see people isn't always accurate, and how we can actually love ALL people, no matter what.

Are some people more valuable than others? What is a human life really WORTH? in this session, we'll talk about everything from Labubu's to God Himself to try and find out! BOTTOM LINE: Loving your life comes from knowing your worth. GOAL: Help students understand that their value doesn't change, because their value doesn't come from what they do, it comes from GodSCRIPTCH: Luke 15...

Lillie invites Associate Youth Pastor, Delaney Estes to the show, in this incredible conversation that we pray both blesses and encourages you! Please leave a "like," and share with a friend!

It's all bout the first 3 moves! Our new series, "Start Here," breaks down what Jesus said is the most important way to live. BOTTOM LINE: Start with loving God, because God loved you first. GOAL: To encourage students to take a step towards loving God. SCRIPTCH: Matthew 22:36-39 NIV

Our series on Faith & Science concludes with a Q&A, where special guest Marc Lynch joins Reyn "on the couch" to tackle questions submitted by our audience throughout the series.

It's the third session of our series on Faith & Science, and we're taking a historical look at the existence of Jesus and the validity of His resurrection from the dead. What do you think!?BOTTOM LINE: Build Your Faith on What Matters MostGOAL: To help teenagers realize that their questions don't have to keep them from growing in faith—being curious can actually grow it. SCRIPTCH:...

In session 2 of our series on Science and Faith called "Make It Make Sense," we take a look at principles in physics such as superposition, quantum entanglement, and infinity, and cross-compare them with Biblical principles such as prophecy, resurrection, and Creation itself.

From our series on faith and science called "Make It Make Sense," Session 1 (of 3) looks at evolution, Creation, DNA, and the Universe through a Biblical AND scientific lens. BOTTOM LINE: As you Explore Science, your faith can Expand GOAL: To give teenagers the space to wonder and process their views about faith & science and to encourage them to see how learning about one can help t...