Huddle Resource · Youth Leaders

Quick Devotional Guide for Leaders

A simple, five minute framework to help you share what God has been speaking to you. Not a sermon, just your story, scripture, and encouragement for the team.

Plan Time: 5–10 minutes
⏱️ Share Time: 3–5 minutes
Section One
How To Prepare

Before You Share

Use this to get ready in a few focused minutes. Keep it simple and honest.

Step 1 · Pray (1–2 minutes)
  • Ask God, “What do you want me to encourage our team with this week?”
  • Ask for clarity, peace, and boldness as you share.
Step 2 · Pick One Main Idea

Choose one thing to focus on:

  • A Bible verse or short passage that stood out to you.
  • Something from your personal time with God.
  • A key thought or quote from a recent sermon.

Examples of clear main ideas: “God is close when we feel overwhelmed.” “Small obedience matters.” “God uses ordinary people who are willing.”

Step 3 · Map Out A Simple Outline

Aim for a five part flow:

  • 1.Opener (story or question)
  • 2.Scripture
  • 3.What God showed you
  • 4.Application for our team
  • 5.Prayer
Section Two
Live Flow

Sharing In The Huddle

Here is a simple template you can follow while you share.

Step 1
Opener · 30–60 seconds

Start with something relatable.

  • A quick story from your week.
  • A feeling many of us share (tired, busy, excited).
  • A simple question, for example: “Have you ever felt like you had nothing left to give?”
Step 2
Scripture · 1 minute

Read a short verse or passage out loud.

  • Good places to pull from: Psalms, Proverbs, Gospels, Ephesians, James.
  • After reading, ask: “What word or phrase stood out to you?” (1–2 quick responses).
Step 3
What God Showed You · 1–2 minutes

Share from your own life, not just information.

  • “This verse stood out to me because…”
  • “Lately I have been feeling…, and God reminded me that…”
  • Keep it honest and short. You do not have to share every detail.
Step 4
Application For Our Team · 1–2 minutes

Connect the idea to serving students tonight.

  • “So as we lead students tonight, this means…”
  • “Here is one way we can live this out…”
  • Give one simple challenge, for example, “Look for one student to encourage.”
Step 5
Prayer · 30–60 seconds

Close by thanking God and asking for His help.

  • Thank Him for the scripture and reminder.
  • Ask Him to help your team live it out and lead students well.
  • Invite His presence into service and small groups.
Section Three
Example Huddle Devo

Sample Devotional Script

Here is a complete three to four minute example a leader could share.

Theme · Do Not Give Up In Doing Good

“Hey everyone, quick question. Have you ever shown up to serve and felt tired or distracted, like you do not have much to give tonight? I felt that way this week.

I was reading in Galatians 6:9, where it says:

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

This verse stood out to me because honestly, life has been busy. Work, family, and everything else has felt heavy, and it is easy to think, ‘I am just going to go through the motions tonight.’

But God reminded me that what we do here is “doing good.” It might not feel huge to us, but it matters to Him. Every conversation, every student we check on, every small moment of listening is a seed that He is using, even if we do not see the harvest yet.

For us as leaders tonight, I think this means two simple things:

First, show up with intention, even if you feel tired. Ask God, ‘Give me strength for this one night, for these students.’

Second, look for one student to encourage. Not five, not the whole room, just one. Ask a follow up question, listen a little longer, remind them that God sees them.

So as we go into service and small groups, remember that God sees your faithfulness. You may feel tired, but He is not tired. He is still working in you and through you.

Let me pray for us.

God, thank you for trusting us with these students. When we feel weary, remind us that you are our strength. Help us not to give up in doing good. Tonight, show each of us one student we can be intentional with. Use our words, our listening, and our presence to point them to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

You can adapt this example with a different scripture and theme, but keep the same simple flow.
Section Four
Tips & Checklist

Make Your Devo Strong And Simple

Use these as a quick gut check right before you share.

Keep it brief

Aim for three to five minutes. This is not a full sermon, it is a focused encouragement.

Be yourself

You do not need to sound like anyone else. Share in your own voice and personality.

Use notes

It is completely fine to bring a few bullet points on your phone or a small paper.

Stay hopeful

Challenge is good, but let the main tone be encouragement, grace, and hope.

Point to Jesus

Share your story, but always end with who God is and what He is doing.

Quick Planning Checklist
What scripture am I reading?
What is the one main idea I want the team to remember?
What is one personal example or story I will share?
What is one challenge or action step for our leaders tonight?
How will I pray to close?