Free Quinceañera Sermon

Recently I had the honor to preach at my first ever quinceañera.

I had heard about the quinceañera ceremony in Spanish class way back in high school, but I had never had the privilege of being invited to one – much less preaching it!

Panicking a little about being asked to speak at something so foreign to me, I did the first thing any good pastor would do. I Googled it! I looked for sermons I could steal reference for my studies.

Unfortunately, there just weren’t many resources out there, Many of the ones I did find were written in King James speak. They were far too traditional and not very Gospel-centered for my taste. So I called up some of my pastor friends to see if any of them had ever done a quinceañera, but none of them had.

I had no other resources, so I borrowed what I could, watched every YouTube video I could find that wasn’t in Spanish, and wrote my own version of a quinceañera sermon.

I am posting it here in hopes that it helps out the next guy who is as clueless as I was. Feel free to steal borrow it and make it your own.

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Quinceañera Sermon

Ceremony Order

• Court Enters
• Quinceañera & Parents enter
• Welcome
• Opening Prayer
• Message
• Gifts
• Oaths
• Quinceañera Shares
• Closing Prayer

WELCOME

On behalf of the [Last Name] family I would like to welcome you all to the Quinceañera of [Girl’s Name].

My name is [Your Name]. I have had the pleasure of… [Reference How You Know the Girl/Family]. I am honored that I have been asked to speak today.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the tradition, a Quinceañera is a big step in the life of a young woman. It is a ‘coming of age’ ceremony – a celebration of [Girl’s Name] turning 15 and making the transition from a young girl to becoming a woman. Even more important than a birthday celebration, the Quinceañera is also deeply spiritual. It is a time for [Girl’s Name] to take responsibility for her own faith.

As a young woman, [Girl’s Name] will no longer be able to rely solely on the faith of her parents. She will have to take ownership of her own faith.

So today is a day for [Girl’s Name] to make a public commitment in front of God and all of you, her friends and family, to live a life fully devoted to our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.

But before we begin, please join with me in prayer.

PRAY

Father God, we gather here today to celebrate the amazing life you have created in [Girl’s Name]. The Bible tells us that you knit her together in her mother’s womb. You deeply love her. You know every detail of her life. And there is nothing that pleases you more than when she lives a life fully devoted to returning that love back towards you.

Lord, I thank you for the pleasure it has been personally to know [Girl’s Name]. To see her love, passion and excitement for life. Lord we ask you today as [Girl’s Name] makes the transition from a girl to a woman, that you will take priority in her life. That she will live her life dedicated to loving like you loved, and serving like you served all the days of her life.

It’s in the name of Jesus that we pray. Amen.

MESSAGE

I will never forget… [Speaking directly to the girl, begin with a personal story about the girl followed by a few good characteristics about her that you admire.] (If you don’t know her well, interview her friends and family and say how they have described her).

[Here is some of what I said] (((You always make your presence in a room known. You are passionate about life. You have a fire inside of you that I hope never dies out…. You have a servant’s heart. I love how willing and eager you are to serve others. I cannot count the number of times you helped us out with… Your passion for helping people is contagious…You are a natural-born leader…Your commitment to church is a rare thing in todays day and age, and it will serve you well. Don’t ever stop.)))

I cannot believe that you are 15 already! Wow, time flies. I have had the privilege from watching you mature from the little girl I first met into the young woman who stands before us here today.

Today we celebrate your transition into womanhood.

(1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV) “When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man (or woman), I put the ways of childhood behind me.” 

[Girl’s Name], this is an awesome time of your life – a time when you can dream and learn and grow. But it is also a difficult time. The world can be a difficult place. You will face trials and temptations. You will go through peaks and valleys.

The carefree days of your childhood are behind you. You are responsible for your actions and the decisions you are going to have to make.

In the years to come, I want you to remember what the Bible teaches in Proverbs 3:5-6:

(Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV) “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

[Girl’s Name], if you trust God and follow after Him with all your heart, He will guide you. He will make your paths straight. He will show you the right and wrong choices in life.

As a young Christian woman, you must never forget the sacrifice and the price that Jesus paid for you on that cross.

Like all of us, [Girl’s Name], you were once dead in your sins. You messed up. You fell short of God’s perfect standards. But God loves you so much that he sent his one and only son into the world to pay the price for your sins. Jesus paid the debt that you could never pay. He died on the cross in your place, for all of your sins (past, present and future), so that you could be back in right standing before God.

And remember, Jesus didn’t stay dead. On the third day, Easter Sunday, Jesus conquered death and the grave and rose again so that you can be assured that he can also raise you again to experience eternal life with Him in Heaven.

[Girl’s Name], don’t ever forget the price Jesus paid for you on that cross. Don’t ever forget what Jesus did for you.

(2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV) “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ” 

Because of Jesus, you are made new. You are no longer defined by what you have done, but what He has already done for you. Your worth is no longer wrapped up in your accomplishments, or what anyone else thinks about you. Your worth is based solely on your position as a child of God.

Nothing can take that away from you. And nothing in this world will last, except your relationship with Jesus. Because at the end of your life, when you stand before God in heaven the only question that will matter is did you know Jesus.

That is why the Bible says in Proverbs 31:30, in speaking about what a woman should be like:

(Proverbs 31:30, NLT) “Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.”

Seek after The Lord with all your heart [Girl’s Name]. My hope and prayer is that you continue to become a woman after God’s own heart – a woman who loves her friends, cherishes her family, and commits whole-heartedly to her faith.

GIFTS 

At this time the family has prepared some gifts for you. Each gift has symbolic meaning to represent your loyalty and commitment to God.

[The gifts given will vary between cultures and families. You will need to speak with the family about this. The following is what the ceremony I officiated gave. I announced the names of the people presenting the gift and the shared the symbolism of each gift]

1. BIBLE – Mr. & Mrs…

This Bible is a reminder to keep God’s Word as a central part of your life. (Psalm 119:105) “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” May this Bible guide all the days of your life.

2. TIARA – Mr. & Mrs…

The Tiara symbolizes that you are a “princess” before God and the world; you can triumph over childhood and have the ability to face the challenges ahead. It is also a reminder of the greater crown that Christ will place on your head one day in Heaven.

3. EARRINGS – Mr. & Mrs…

The Earrings are a reminder to always listen to the word of God, and the Holy Spirit. May you always listen to God’s voice, and do as He tells you.

4. NECKLACE – Mr.& Mrs…

The Necklace is a symbol of faith and a reminder of your Quinceañera celebration

5. DRESS – Mr. & Mrs…

The Dress represents purity and that you are set apart for a life of holiness.

6. WATCH – Mr. & Mrs…

The Watch represents being aware of time and the events in your life. It is a reminder that life is short and that you need to make the most of every second.

7. RING – Mr & Mrs…

The Ring symbolizes purity. It represents your commitment to a life of sexual purity, and is to be worn as a reminder until the day you are married.

Oaths

[Girl’s Name], God calls us to purity, not because He wants to make our lives more difficult, but because He wants to make our lives better. One of the easiest ways that you can mess up your life is through giving in to sexual temptation. As a young woman, this temptation and pressure from others will only get more difficult.

So today, [Girl’s Name], you are taking this ring as a symbol of perfect unity with Jesus. It is given to you as a gift by the people who love you and will support you in this commitment. Every time you look at your hand, may this ring be a reminder that true love waits and of your commitment to purity. This is not just a gift for you, but also a gift you are giving to your future husband by saving yourself for him and him alone on your wedding night.

If you agree to take this oath of purity [Girl’s Name], please repeat after me.

(Quinceañera’s Oath) Believing that true love waits …I make a commitment to God, … myself, … my family, … my friends, … my future husband, …. and my future children … to a life of purity … I vow to remain pure … from this day … until the day…  I marry the man… God has for me.

[Parents Names], could you please stand and come forward… As [Girl’s Name]’s parents, I ask that you also commit to living a life of purity yourselves, and holding [Girl’s Name] to these same standard.

If you agree to love and support [Girl’s Name] in her commitment to purity, please repeat after me.

(Parents Oath) Believing that true love is pure, … I join [Girl’s Name] … in committing to a lifestyle of purity. … I make a commitment to God, … myself, … my family, … and my community of faith … to set an example for [Girl’s Name]… in purity… and accountability… in biblical relationships… from this day forward.

Now to all of you, [Girl’s Name]’s friends and family.

(Congregation Oath) Do you commit to surround [Girl’s Name] with the love, grace and truth of Jesus Christ; to pray for her and with her; to speak the truth in love into her life when she needs to hear it; to always be there for her whenever she needs; to set an example for her in Christian living; and to encourage her in her continual faith in God from this day forward?

If you agree say, “We Do!”

QUINCEAÑERA SHARES

At this time, [Girl’s Name] has a few words she would like to share.

[Quinceañera shares…] (this is usually a speech, but may also include a song or dance)

PRAY

Lord, we ask you now as [Girl’s Name] moves from childhood to adulthood that you will watch over her. Bless her. Guide her steps. Help her in the decisions ahead that will determine the direction and destination of her life.

Give her the strength to make the right choices even when its hard. Give her the courage to stand for what is right, even if she is the only one standing. Give her faith to trust in your Word, even when trials and temptations come her way.

We also pray that you would help us, her friends and family, to help guide [Girl’s Name]. To look out for her. To love her. To strengthen her in her faith together.

It’s in the name of your son Jesus that we pray. Amen.

[Dismiss the Quinceañera, followed by the court]

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