Forward Magazine (Fall20)

Sep • Oct • Nov 2020

Volume 17 Issue 1

Three Months of Devotions:

"Beginnings"

13 Week Study through

Genesis, John, and more.

Feature Article:

“There Has to Be More”: An Interview with Justin Jackson

Features:

Gender Identity

18 and Pregnant

#neverthirstagain

Bible in a Year

Chronological Bible Reading Schedule

If you’d like to read the Bible through in a year’s time, you

can follow this plan—reading a few chapters each day in

the order that events occurred. By next August 31, you’ll

finish up with Revelation!

❏ 9/01 Gen 1-3

❏ 9/02 Gen 4-7

❏ 9/03 Gen 8-11

❏ 9/04 Job 1-5

❏ 9/05 Job 6-9

❏ 9/06 Job 10-13

❏ 9/07 Job 14-16

❏ 9/08 Job 17-20

❏ 9/09 Job 21-23

❏ 9/10 Job 24-28

❏ 9/11 Job 29-31

❏ 9/12 Job 32-34

❏ 9/13 Job 35-37

❏ 9/14 Job 38-39

❏ 9/15 Job 40-42

❏ 9/16 Gen 12-15

❏ 9/17 Gen 16-18

❏ 9/18 Gen 19-21

❏ 9/19 Gen 22-24

❏ 9/20 Gen 25-26

❏ 9/21 Gen 27-29

❏ 9/22 Gen 30-31

❏ 9/23 Gen 32-34

❏ 9/24 Gen 35-37

❏ 9/25 Gen 38-40

❏ 9/26 Gen 41-42

❏ 9/27 Gen 43-45

❏ 9/28 Gen 46-47

❏ 9/29 Gen 48-50

❏ 9/30 Ex 1-3

❏ 10/01 Ex 4-6

❏ 10/02 Ex 7-9

❏ 10/03 Ex 10-12

❏ 10/04 Ex 13-15

❏ 10/05 Ex 16-18

❏ 10/06 Ex 19-21

❏ 10/07 Ex 22-24

❏ 10/08 Ex 25-27

❏ 10/09 Ex 28-29

❏ 10/10 Ex 30-32

❏ 10/11 Ex 33-35

❏ 10/12 Ex 36-38

❏ 10/13 Ex 39-40

❏ 10/14 Lev 1-4

❏ 10/15 Lev 5-7

❏ 10/16 Lev 8-10

❏ 10/17 Lev 11-13

❏ 10/18 Lev 14-15

❏ 10/19 Lev 16-18

❏ 10/20 Lev 19-21

❏ 10/21 Lev 22-23

❏ 10/22 Lev 24-25

❏ 10/23 Lev 26-27

❏ 10/24 Num 1-2

❏ 10/25 Num 3-4

❏ 10/26 Num 5-6

❏ 10/27 Num 7

❏ 10/28 Num 8-10

❏ 10/29 Num 11-13

❏ 10/30 Num 14-15;

Ps 90

❏ 10/31 Num 16-17

❏ 11/01 Num 18-20

❏ 11/02 Num 21-22

❏ 11/03 Num 23-25

❏ 11/04 Num 26-27

❏ 11/05 Num 28-30

❏ 11/06 Num 31-32

❏ 11/07 Num 33-34

❏ 11/08 Num 35-37

❏ 11/09 Deu 1-2

❏ 11/10 Deu 3-4

❏ 11/11 Deu 5-7

❏ 11/12 Deu 8-10

❏ 11/13 Deu 11-13

❏ 11/14 Deu 14-16

❏ 11/15 Deu 17-20

❏ 11/16 Deu 21-23

❏ 11/17 Deu 24-27

❏ 11/18 Deu 28-29

❏ 11/19 Deu 30-31

❏ 11/20 Deu 32-34;

Ps 91

❏ 11/21 Jos 1-4

❏ 11/22 Jos 5-8

❏ 11/23 Jos 9-11

❏ 11/24 Jos 12-15

❏ 11/25 Jos 16-18

❏ 11/26 Jos 19-21

❏ 11/27 Jos 22-24

❏ 11/28 Judg 1-2

❏ 11/29 Judg 3-5

❏ 11/30 Judg 6-7

Devotional Magazine

Sep • Oct • Nov 2020

Volume 17 Issue 1

ISSN 2168-4677

RANDALL HOUSE

ACTING CURRICULUM DIRECTOR

Katie Greenwood

FORWARD EDITORS

David Jones, M.O.L.

Carol Reid

THEOLOGICAL EDITOR

Danny Conn

A list of devotional writers contributing

to D6EveryDay Currculum is available at

D6Curriculum.com.

DESIGN MANAGER

Andrea Young

DESIGN

Nic Dennis

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND CEO

Ron Hunter Jr., Ph.D.

BOARD MEMBERS

Mike Trimble, M.R.E., M.Div., Chairman

Paul Bryant, M.Div., Vice Chairman

Steve Lindsay, Clerk

Jay Baines, M.A.R., M.Div.

Darin Gibbs; Mike Mounts

Kendall Ross, M.A.

Randy Scott

Tim York, M.A.R., M.R.E.

Send your correspondence to:

Randall House

114 Bush Road, Nashville, TN 37217

1-800-877-7030

Notice: By submitting letters and other materials

to Randall House you agree all submissions

are the property of Randall House, and you

agree that Randall House has been granted the

non-exclusive right to use and/or reproduce any

submissions in any manner and for any purpose.

Copyright © 2020, Randall House,

114 Bush Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37217.

All rights reserved. Published quarterly by Randall

House. No reproduction of materials permitted

without permission under penalty of law

ORDER INFORMATION:

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Devotions

Beginnings. That’s the theme of this fall’s study in Forward magazine and the new D6 EveryDay Curriculum.

We will hit the high points from the book of Genesis with our study of the text and some foundational

lessons in apologetics. We will look at the gospel of John and his introduction to the ministry of Jesus Christ.

Then we’ll finish the quarter with Job and a lesson about suffering.

Every day, you’ll find devotions that give you a Scripture to read, a short devotional thought, something to

meditate on or journal about, and then a follow-up challenge.

You’ll also see the beginning of some new features in Forward: a new column by author and youth pastor Jon

Forrest (Forrest Fire) and a new EveryDay DIY project will be in each issue. Interviews and articles and fun

pages continue to offer you profitable reading. You’ll enjoy what you are learning but also be able to launch

conversations with your friends and family. Every day, be intentional about being an authentic Christfollower,

building your faith, and sharing it with others.

07 September

08 Week One

September 5 - 11

God Created

Everything

10 Week Two

September 12 - 18

How Can I Know

God Exists?

12 Week Three

September 19 - 25

God's Design for

Men & Women

14 Week Four

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2

Sin Entered

the World

25 October

26 Week Five

October 3 - 9

Grace Extended

in Judgment

28 Week Six

October 10 - 16

God Opposes Pride

30 Week Seven

October 17 - 23

Jesus Is God

32 Week Eight

October 24 - 30

Jesus Offers New Life

43 November

44 Week Nine

Oct. 31 - Nov. 6

Jesus Meets Our

Deepest Needs

46 Week Ten

November 7 - 13

Jesus Works Miracles

48 Week Eleven

November 14 - 20

Jesus Has Power

Over Death

50 Week Twelve

November 21 - 27

Faith Is Tested

by Trials

52 Week Thirteen

Nov. 28 - Dec. 4

Why Does God

Allow Suffering?

2 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Contents

Features

____________________________

04

04 “There Has to Be More”:

An Interview with

Justin Jackson

Editor David Jones talked to NBA

Mavericks Star, Justin Jackson,

about his commitment to Christ

and his opportunity to share the

gospel, even on the basketball

court.

16 Gender Identity

John Stonestreet and Brett

Kunkle warn against swallowing

society’s lies about gender and

encourage believers to embrace

our Creator’s design for male

and female.

20 18 and Pregnant

Following God’s design for sexuality

includes setting boundaries

for sex outside of marriage. This

honest first-person account

addresses the regrets and heartache

that come when we disregard

His instructions. The story

doesn’t end there though.

34 #neverthirstagain

The woman at the well didn’t

have an iPhone, but she probably

faced the same pressures to

conform to the opinions of her

neighbors that you and I do. Jesus

confronted her insecurities

and emptiness and met her true

needs.

Highlights

____________________________

19 By the Numbers

20 Man to Man

21 Girl Talk

25 Pop Goes the Culture

37 Between the Pages

38 EveryDay DIY: Rolled Paper Art

40 Around the World

43 One of These Things

Is Not Like the Others

54 Cartoon Beginnings

55 Forrest Fire

56 Top 10

16

20 34

57 All About the Beginning

3

“ There

Has

to Be

More”

An Interview

with Justin Jackson

“For three years I was one of the luckiest

guys in the world because I got to coach

Justin Jackson.”

Those were the words of Hall of Fame

coach Roy Williams as Jackson’s number

44 jersey was unveiled in the Smith

Center rafters at the University of

North Carolina. As a basketball star, Justin

Jackson won ACC Player of the Year

honors and a national championship

before setting his sights on the NBA.

Now a member of the Dallas Mavericks,

Justin acknowledges that it wasn’t just

his basketball skills that developed in

college, but also his faith in God.


I know that your family moved around a lot

when you were growing up. How would you

describe what your childhood was like?

I loved it. We lived in the same place about four

years at a time. We were able to see different

places and make some good friends all over the

place. I have a little brother and two little sisters.

We were all so close, and we still are. We literally

did everything together growing up. I loved my

childhood.

You've been very outspoken about your faith.

When did it begin to take shape?

I grew up in a family of believers. Every Sunday

and Wednesday we’d go to church, and I grew up

in Awana. I would always hear stories of people

who grew up in the same sort of family setup as

I did, and the stories would say that eventually

it has to become your own faith. For me, it didn’t

truly become mine until probably my second or

third year in college.

When I first got to college, I kind of went away

from it. When I say “away,” I don't mean I said,

“Forget God, I'm doing my thing,” but I went

away from what I said I believed in for a while. I

still said I was a believer and went to church. But

for a while I was just doing it because I felt like it

was what I was supposed to be doing. Eventually

it got to the point where I said, “This is mine. He

is my Father. He is my Creator.” Once I got to that

standpoint, it changed everything for me.

I always tell the story about what happened

after we won the National Championship. The

next day we flew back and had a pep rally with

a bunch of fans. After we finished, I sat there

and thought, Okay, what's next? What else is

there? What we had always worked for—what

everybody in college basketball works for—was a

chance to get to the Final Four and win a championship.

That was the top of the top, and we

had just done that. Yet I felt, “There's supposed

to be more. There has to be more than this “right

now” sort of success. There has to be more.”

I always tell the story about

what happened after we won

the National Championship.

The next day we flew back and

had a pep rally with a bunch of

fans. After we finished, I sat

there and thought, Okay, what's

next? What else is there?

After three years at the University of North

Carolina, you made the jump to the NBA, but you

later went back to UNC and earned your degree.

Why was that so important for you to do?

It started out as a promise. I had promised my

family I would finish no matter when I left. I was

only a year away and had about 15 credits left.

However long my NBA career lasts, that's a very,

very small amount of time in the whole scheme

of life. Having that [degree] to fall back on and do

something with is pretty important.

You've had a lot of accolades come your way.

You were a top recruit out of high school, ACC

Player of the Year, a national champion, and an

NBA first round pick. With so much of your life

revolving around basketball, how do you keep

that from being what defines you?

I always say you have to find things you enjoy

outside of your career. I've been blessed that

my career is something I love, but at the same

time, it is my job. And so for me, it's finding other

things.

Thankfully I have a wonderful wife who shares

the same [spiritual] beliefs. When I come home

5

from a game or practice and things might not

have gone well, she's very good at reminding me

that I'm way more than a basketball player. It

is a matter of realizing you are way more than

whatever your career is. I think a lot of people

fall into that [trap]. At the end of the day, God has

placed us in whatever career we're in, but that

isn’t the main reason He created us.

How do you keep yourself grounded and focused

on what's most important?

It’s about always remembering what my purpose

is. When I got drafted, my wife and I saw

it as a huge blessing. We were so excited, but we

used that opportunity to say, “We're going to try

to make this world a better place.” For me, that

looks like being a great teammate or being a guy

that everybody can talk to or hang out with.

There are a lot of judgmental believers out there

who think they are way better than people who

don't believe because of the fact that they have

God. I put my faith in God a while back and I

know where I'm going, but at the same time I’m

called to walk through this life with people who

might not be believers and hopefully lead them

to Christ. That's kind of my mindset. Whether

I'm playing a lot, playing well, not playing well, or

whatever it is, I try to be that guy who can walk

through life with believers and non-believers

and be that example of who we're called to be.

You mentioned that idea of wanting to make

the world a better place. You and your wife are

doing incredible work with GiGi’s Playhouse.

Why is that organization so meaningful to you?

GiGi’s Playhouse is an achievement center for

individuals with Down syndrome. That sounds

complicated but really it’s just a place where people

with Down syndrome can go and do normal

activities. A lot of times people with disabilities,

especially people with Down syndrome, are told

they can't do certain things. But with GiGi’s Playhouse,

there is a school aspect where they go and

have school just like everybody else. It’s a place

where they can go and do cooking classes or do

arts and crafts. It’s a place for them to feel loved

and feel as normal as we do. My wife has an aunt

who has Down syndrome. While my wife was at

the University of Florida, she volunteered at the

location in Gainesville. When I got drafted and

went to Sacramento, she said, “I feel like I’m being

led to bring one out here.” We connected with

some awesome families out there. We’re still in

the process of raising as much money as we can

so we can keep it going. It's a pretty neat deal.

A lot of times people feel like they

have to go a certain path, and

if they don't do it, then they're

a failure . . . . Don't feel like you

have to pursue something

because so-and-so says it.


Today’s teenagers are facing so much

pressure to have their entire lives

mapped out before they even leave

high school. What advice would you

offer to the teenager struggling to

figure out the next steps?

A lot of times people feel like they have

to go a certain path, and if they don't do

it, then they're a failure. As a teenager,

you really have no idea what you want

to do. You have things you love to do, so

continue to do those things. Sometimes

teenagers can be a lot harder on themselves

than they should be. The amount

of responsibilities you have as a teenager

compared to once you get older

is almost zero. So enjoy it, and enjoy

whatever you're doing! Don't feel like

you have to pursue something because

so-and-so says it. And if you make a

mistake, get back up and keep going.

When I was as a kid, I was so hard on

myself when I would make a mistake.

And most of those mistakes were so

small, but in my mind I thought, This

the end of the world! Keep striving for

what is important, and always try to

have fun with it.

Since you're playing in Dallas,

settle the debate: In-N-Out or

Whataburger?

Oh, it's definitely Whataburger.

Who is the one defender you don't want to see staring

you down on the court?

That's tough. There's some very obvious ones—guys like

Kawhi, and when LeBron is really locked in, he’s a tough

guy to score on. There are a lot of good defenders, and

a lot of different styles of defending, so it's hard to pick

one.

Which of your teammates is the worst at video games?

That's a hard one. It depends on what game we’re playing.

If we're playing Call of Duty or something like that,

Courtney Lee is our worst. But if we're playing [NBA] 2K,

then I'm probably right there. I'm not a big sports gamer.

Is it surreal to see yourself on NBA 2K?

It's definitely weird. But it's for sure cool. I think every

kid growing up in sports has that goal. But I feel weird

playing as myself. It's not a normal thing.

September Quick Look

30

31

01

02

03

04

05

06

Pet Rock Day

13

Grandparents’

Day

20

27

07

14

21

Batman Day

28

Good Neighbor

Day

08

15

22

29

09

Teddy Bear Day

16

23

30

?

Ask a Stupid

Question Day

10

World Suicide

Prevention Day

17

Constitution Day

01

11

18

24 25

Cheeseburger

Day

Comic Book Day

Doodle Day

02

12

Video

Games Day

19

Talk Like

A Pirate Day

26

03

7

Week One:

September 5 - 11, 2020

Theme:

God Created Everything

Study Text: Genesis 9:1–17

Saturday - Sunday

Read Genesis 1:1—2:3

Monday

Read Genesis 9:1–17

Tuesday

Read Exodus 20:8–11

Suppose you filled a piñata with

tiny pieces of candy. Now suppose

you shattered that piñata and

watched the candy pieces fly in a

hundred different directions, each

one landing in a predetermined

location to form the words, Happy

Birthday. Not a single piece missed

its mark. That seems pretty ludicrous,

doesn’t it?

Sadly, many people accept a similar

theory to explain the origin of

the universe: the Big Bang Theory.

God’s Word, though, paints a far

more creative, purposeful picture

of the origin of everything we see.

According to Genesis, our Lord

turned on the lights, not with the

flip of a switch, but with the echo

of a powerful word. He simply said,

“Let it be.” And it was.

Meditate

In what ways do you reflect the

attributes of the Creator, the One

who created you in His image?

Demonstrate

Memorize Genesis 1:1 and say it

often throughout the week.

According to the National Geographic

Society, the cheetah can

go from 0 miles per hour to 60

in only three seconds. The only

way I move 60 miles per hour is

behind the steering wheel of my

Chevy. I also learned from National

Geographic that female cheetahs

give birth to three cubs at a time. In

the human realm, twins are a rarity;

triplets are almost impossible to

imagine.

Cheetahs might seem superior to

humans in speed and reproduction,

but God didn’t task them with

filling the earth with a multitude

of Chesters. He chose people to

fill it because only humans were

created with souls and the ability

to follow the One who created

them. Noah received marching

orders to reproduce and to share

with a new generation the promise

of life through God. God values

humankind.

Meditate

What can you do to encourage

your friends and family to come to

faith in God?

Demonstrate

Write Matthew 5:16 on a sticky

note and put it on your bathroom

mirror as a reminder of God’s purpose

for you

Sometimes you have to work really

hard on Sunday. I first discovered

this truth as a senior in high school,

overwhelmed by a looming research

paper, yet dutifully sitting

in church in my dress and uncomfortable

shoes. Even with all of my

diligence and devotion to godly

matters, thoughts of my assignment

still crept in. Before I knew it

I was making mental outlines and

considering killer statistics that

backed up my points. Suddenly,

Sunday wasn’t holy.

The words of Exodus 20:8 don't

simply mean that we should

remember the Sabbath day like

we would remember to brush our

teeth or remember to show up

for school on Monday. We are to

earnestly remember the Sabbath

day, to set it apart as holy. Make it

a point to make Jesus the point of

your Sunday.

Meditate

What does it mean to keep the

Sabbath holy? What does this

commandment permit or forbid?

Demonstrate

Don’t beat yourself up spiritually

when you fail to achieve perfect

focus on Christ on a given Sunday.

When you get distracted, take

a deep breath and refocus your

thoughts on Him.


Wednesday

Read Psalm 8:5-9

I recently ate lunch with a friend

at the top of a tall, glass building.

The view was incredible. As I gazed

down on the fragile-looking, antsized

people scurrying about on

the sidewalk below, I wondered if

my view was similar to God’s as He

looks down on His chosen creation.

Surely we seem vulnerable

and insignificant.

The psalmist experienced a similar

sense of wonder as he considered

God’s handiwork all around him.

As he described God’s viewpoint,

though, he depicted something

much different from what I had

imagined. When our Creator gazes

upon us, He doesn’t see weak

little creatures; He sees royalty.

Although even a cardboard Burger

King crown is more than we have

earned, the God who hung the

moon and calls the stars by name

gives His people glory and honor.

Meditate

How do these verses define your

real worth? How does this definition

differ from the way the world

values you?

Demonstrate

Commit to viewing and treating

yourself and those around you as

what you are: crown jewels of our

Heavenly Father.

Thursday

Read Psalm 136:3–9

You’ve probably sung some “camp

songs,” like “Michael, Row the

Boat Ashore” or “Kumbaya,” with a

repeated phrase that may or may

not have formed an earworm in

your brain. Maybe Psalm 136 was a

camp song! Imagine singing verses

3–9 around the campfire as you

looked up at the stars. The repeated

phrase certainly drilled home

a vital truth for them (and us) to

remember.

This psalm serves as a history

lesson for the children of Israel, beginning

at Creation. God’s design

is evident in the wonders of the

sun, moon, and stars. We continue

to marvel at the expanse of the

universe and continue to rejoice

in God’s enduring mercy to us—as

high as the heavens are above the

earth (Psalm 103:11).

Meditate

When was the last time you got

a good glimpse of the stars away

from the city lights? How did they

make you feel?

Demonstrate

God is the Designer of the universe.

What song would you sing or

play to honor Him?

Friday

Read Ephesians 4:17–32

One day I absentmindedly set a

hot coffee mug on our perfect oak

table. It left a wicked white steam

ring. Devastated, I turned to Google

and found an “easy” three-step

solution to strip away the mark.

It took three days and ended in

bloody knuckles, but I am happy to

report I successfully restored the

table to its former glory.

When God created people, He

called us “very good.” And we were.

Then, life in a fallen world happened.

Although Jesus saved us by

grace, we must work alongside Him

to strip away the sin in our lives,

most of which begins in our minds

and spews out of our mouths.

It’s no easy process. It hurts, but

God’s glory is worth it.

Meditate

In what ways can your most stubborn

“stains” (sin) be traced back

to wrong thinking?

Demonstrate

Check out 2 Corinthians 10:5 and

define what it means to take your

thoughts captive and to be in control

over them.

Notes:

9

Week Two:

September 12 - 18, 2020

Theme:

How Can I Know God Exists?

Study Text: Psalm 19:1–6

Saturday - Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Read Genesis 1:1; Psalm

19:1; 148; Romans 1:19-20;

2:12-15; Hebrews 10:16

Warnings are everywhere. “Warning:

Ovenware will get hot when

used in oven” on a baking dish.

“Remove child before folding” on

a baby stroller. “Allergen Warning:

Contains peanuts” on a can of

peanuts. Some things shouldn’t

have to be noted in writing. You

would think that common sense

would cover them. Apparently,

either common sense is not so

common or people commonly

refrain from using it.

Our Creator gave each of us a

sense of what is right and wrong,

even before we enter a relationship

with Jesus. That innate sense

of morality testifies to the existence

of God, as do the workings of

the universe, the beauty of nature,

and the miracle of life itself. People

with good common sense acknowledge

God and believe.

Meditate

To what natural, spiritual, or intellectual

evidence do you point

when asked why you believe in

God?

Demonstrate

Don’t get too hung up on proving

God’s existence to someone who

chooses not to believe. Do what

you can, but then leave the matter

to the Holy Spirit.

Read Psalm 19:1–6

Psalm 19 was written for a choir

director so it could be sung as congregational

worship to God. David

attempted to help his readers see

evidence of God’s glory through

creation. After all, there is always

evidence of a creator when you

examine the creation. The psalmist

expressed that the heavens and

skies both declare the glory of God

even though they cannot verbalize

their worship of Him (verse

4). Even if you can’t see the sun,

everyone still feels its presence

(verse 6). It has no voice but still

testifies to the Creator.

All of this describes creation as

God’s display case, not only to

give evidence of His existence and

involvement but also to demonstrate

His glory. God declared all of

creation was made with a purpose;

that purpose is to bring Him praise

and to point people to Him.

Meditate

What is your favorite part of nature?

How does nature testify of

God’s handiwork?

Demonstrate

Memorize verse 1 of today’s

reading so you can breathe it as a

prayer of praise the next time you

find yourself gazing at a magnificent

sky.

Read Psalm 8:1–4

Katherine Wise is an incredibly

gifted singer. She was our first

student in school history to qualify

for National Honor Choir, and

she toured China with her college

chorale. Shana has been in awe

of her for years. When I told our

daughter that Katherine would be

giving her voice lessons, a look of

utter confusion crossed her face.

“Why? She’s Katherine Wise. Why

would she want to work with me?”

After convincing her that Katherine

wanted to teach her because she

cared and saw great potential in

her, Shana got excited. After her

first lesson she sat in the car and

said over and over, “I got to sing

with Katherine Wise!”

In today’s verses, the psalmist

questioned why the matchless

architect of the universe bothers

with flawed, insignificant men and

women. The answer? Because

He loves us and sees potential for

great things. That level of passion

speaks profoundly to the truth of

His existence.

Meditate

In what ways does God intimately

involve Himself in your life? How

does your relationship affect your

faith in His existence?

Demonstrate

Guess what? You get to walk and

talk with the God of the universe!

You get to live with Him, now and

forever. Don’t hold back your joy.

10 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Wednesday

Read Romans 1:32

Recently, our town tornado siren

blew while I was in Walmart. I quickly

dashed to the self-checkout and

started scanning and bagging so I

could get to my family. I was on my

last item when the scanner quit. I

tossed the item on the floor and

ran out the door . . . with a cartful

of groceries for which I hadn’t

yet paid. When I discovered my

egregious error I called Walmart,

returned to the store with the groceries,

and paid. I can’t begin to tell

you how many associates thanked

me for doing so. I was stunned.

Apparently, not everyone returns

and makes things right.

This level of rottenness isn’t a new

thing. Today’s verse points out that

the Gentiles knew the truth of God

in their souls, but they chose to

ignore it. Ignoring the truth within

you doesn’t nullify its existence or

the God who placed it there.

Meditate

In what situations has God’s truth

spoken to you and led you to do

the right thing?

Demonstrate

Use the actions of your friends,

neighbors, teachers, and family as

a springboard for discussing why

they know right from wrong. Morality

exists because God has given us

a sense of what’s right and wrong.

Notes:

Thursday

Read 2 Chronicles 36:15–16

My husband and I live down the

street from my mother. Since we

see her often, there is no question

that she exists. Even on particularly

busy weeks when I don’t see her

at all I have no doubt she’s around

because she calls. And calls. And

calls. On one particularly busy day

at work she attempted to call me

17 times. When I had a moment to

look at my phone I was concerned.

Surely something was terribly

wrong. Nope. In the multitude of

voicemails she left, she asked the

same question: “Are you coming

for supper Friday night?” It was

Monday.

Today’s verses tell us that God revealed

His presence to His people

by speaking to them repeatedly

through His prophets. Unfortunately,

their messages were met

with resistance, but God was not

deterred. He continues to speak to

the hearts of people. Let’s listen.

Meditate

In what circumstances does God

speak to you? What can you do to

hear Him better?

Demonstrate

If you ever find yourself doubting

God’s presence, try shifting your

prayer routine. Prayer should be

a two-party conversation. Stop

talking and start listening. Then

journal your thoughts.

Friday

Read Jeremiah 30:1–2

My job description recently

expanded to include board of

education secretary. It is now my

duty to attend board meetings

and write down what happens. My

notes must include discussions,

motions, vote counts, and pass/

fail statements. These notes serve

as an official record of what occurs

at each meeting and prove the

meeting took place. I am far from

the first board secretary. In fact, we

have a vault that includes records

from former board secretaries that

date back to the late 1800s.

In today’s verses, God commanded

Jeremiah to record everything

he heard from the Almighty.

Because of his faithfulness in

doing so, we are able to read God’s

words. They serve as evidence, not

only of what God said, but also that

He spoke to Jeremiah.

Meditate

What words from Scripture have

most profoundly affected your

faith in God’s existence?

Demonstrate

Keep a spiritual journal or write

notes in the margins of your Bible.

Your reflections will become a

record of your walk with Jesus for

your personal review and for future

generations to read.

11

Week Three:

September 19 - 25, 2020

Theme:

God's Design for Men & Women

Study Text: Isaiah 43:5–7

Saturday - Sunday

Read Genesis 1:26–28;

2:18–24; Matthew 19:3–6

marriage as He sees it.

Monday

Read Isaiah 43:5–7

Tuesday


From the time I was a little girl I

dreamed of and made plans for

my wedding. I kept a box filled with

clippings from bridal magazines. I

chose colors, songs, and bridesmaids.

Honestly, I didn’t spend

too much time dreaming about

marriage. It sounded nice to have

someone around all the time to kill

spiders and go to social functions,

but that was the extent of my

visions of wedded bliss.

Marriage is far more wondrous

than even the most lavish wedding.

A wedding is an event—a

moment in time and soon to be

a memory. God designed marriage

to be between a man and a

woman, and it is supposed to be

for a lifetime. I can’t begin to describe

how fantastic it is. Brandon

and I are a team—a spider-killing,

event-attending, life-navigating,

obstacle-climbing force. We help

one another because we are one.

Today’s culture views marriage

with little importance. But that’s

not how God views it.

Meditate

What do you expect out of marriage?

Do you plan for the commitment

to last until “death do us

part”?

Demonstrate

Pray today for the person you will

marry. Ask God to help you see

Do you remember getting lost in

the grocery story or Walmart when

you were a kid? You stopped to

look at something, and your mom

moved on to the next aisle and

you couldn’t find her—or some

less obedient scenario. Your heart

started pounding and you frantically

called out, searching up and

down the store rows, hoping not to

be kidnapped by a stranger!

The children of Israel knew that

feeling too. That’s why Isaiah’s

message to them hit home. Fear

not! I am with you. You are my

children. I will gather you together.

I made you. When you face uncertainty

and difficulty, God would

say the same to you. Your life has

purpose and meaning because

He created you on purpose for His

glory (verse 7).

Meditate

Why does knowing you were created

by God reduce the fear factors

in your life?

Demonstrate

Create a wallpaper for your phone

or tablet that reminds you of these

truths: God created you for His glory.

He promised to be with you. You

don’t need to be afraid.

Bushman eyebrows. I inherited

them from my father. The Hendersons

are renowned for the

unibrow. I can tweeze my brows

before bed and wake up to a forest

the next morning. Okay, it’s not

that bad, but it’s close! Thankfully,

facial hair isn’t the only trait I

picked up from my dad. I also got

his artistic talent and his passion

for vocabulary, and most days

I reflect his patience and quiet

strength.

According to today’s verses, God

created Adam in His image. We

don’t know precisely how, but

Adam reflected God. God placed

a part of Himself in Adam. When

Adam and Eve had children, they

were made in the image of God

as well, and thus began the godly

heritage of humankind. Each of us

has been made in God’s image. We

bear the image and name of Christ

in all we do.

Meditate

How do you reflect your parents’

physical, mental, emotional, and

spiritual traits? How do you reflect

the traits of God?

Demonstrate

Memorize Psalm 139:14.

12 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Wednesday

Read Malachi 2:14–16

Marriage is a covenant. It isn’t

merely a business transaction or

a social custom. It is a commitment

made between a husband

and wife with God as a witness.

Marriage was God’s idea from the

beginning.

Does that mean someone’s name

is marked off His list if a marriage

fails? No. God is gracious. But it

does mean that you should view

marriage as a serious, lifelong decision.

You should guard your heart

and ask for godly counsel before

you choose a marriage partner.

You should do everything you can

to protect your marriage—saving

yourself for one spouse, maturing

mentally and emotionally and

spiritually to be a loving husband

or wife, finding role models, and

accepting instruction so that your

future marriage will honor God.

Meditate

What is God’s repeated command

in verses 15 and 16? How can you

obey it?

Demonstrate

Observe a Christian married

couple in your church, and write

down three ways their relationship

could one day be a model for your

marriage.

Thursday

Read Mark 10:2–12

A network TV reality show invites

desperate singles to apply for

the opportunity to be matched

up by a panel of scientific and

relationship experts. The catch:

the couple will experience much

more than just a blind date. They

will meet and then marry, all in one

riveting hour (minus commercials).

This is a disgrace to marriage!

According to Jesus, God takes a

serious stance on marriage. Nothing

should be allowed to come

between a man and woman who

vow to love each other until death.

Don’t let just anyone pick your

future mate. Instead, trust the One

who created you. Marriage should

not be entered into lightly. God

should be the foundation of all of

our relationships.

Meditate

In what ways should you involve

God in your relationships with the

opposite sex?

Demonstrate

Pray about any future relationships

you might have, even if you don’t

yet want a serious one. Trust God

to bring you into a relationship

grounded in faith.

Friday

Read John 2:1–11

Jesus’ first public miracle was at

a wedding. He showed up for the

celebration and kept the party

going.

The occasion of that miracle was

another way to confirm that God

honors and affirms marriage. He

planned for a husband and wife

to have a lifelong commitment to

each other, and He celebrated it

with them. He makes provisions

for other weddings too—to supply

a couple with resources to bless

the community around them.

He provides for parents to bring

up children, for families to have

economic and emotional security.

Sometimes, that might take a

miracle! But He is God and He’s up

to the job. Remember, one day, to

invite Him to your wedding too.

Meditate

How was Jesus’ miracle surprising

to the host of the party? How are

God’s supplies better than what

we can come up with on our own?

Demonstrate

Have you attended a wedding

lately? Think about ways the bride

and groom included (or failed to

include) Jesus at their wedding.

Notes:

13

Week Four:

Sept. 26 - Oct. 2, 2020

Theme:

Sin Entered the World


Saturday - Sunday


Monday


Tuesday


Imagine an intense childhood

game of Hot Potato between you

and your friends. As the timer or

the song winds down the desperation

grows. No one wants to take

the potato in these critical moments

and end up stuck with it.

Adam and Eve played a spiritual

game of Hot Potato in the garden.

Neither of them wanted to take the

blame for the sin they both committed.

Eve blamed the serpent,

while Adam blamed the “woman

God gave him.” Neither took responsibility

for their actions.

Today we still point fingers. When

we are caught red-handed, we

blame our family background, our

friends, our circumstances, or

something else. Passing the blame

does not fool God. It only perpetuates

the long cycle of sin, which

began in Eden.

Meditate

In what ways could you grow

spiritually if you always accepted

responsibility for your sin and

sought repentance?

Demonstrate

Own your mistakes. Instead of

passing blame to someone else,

ask, “How did I contribute to the

problem, and how can I learn from

my mistake?”

As part of my public relations job

at our local school, I manage our

Twitter account. I detest Twitter.

Expressing myself in 280 characters

or less is so stifling. I constantly

have to whittle down my tweets.

It’s so annoying.

David would not be adept at

Twitter. Take Psalm 38, for example.

Over the course of 22 verses,

David expressed his guilt and anguish

over his sin. When I first read

this psalm, I found it a bit over the

top. I don’t think I’ve ever felt that

guilty about anything. As I consider

it more fully, though, I realize that

maybe the problem lies with me,

not David. Perhaps I don’t take my

sin and distance from God seriously

enough. If I did, maybe there

wouldn’t be as much.

Meditate

How seriously do you take your sin

and its power to separate you from

God?

Demonstrate

Don’t allow “Forgive me of my sins”

to become a habitual, thoughtless

prayer. Take time to reflect on the

damage a particular sin inflicts

on others and how it affects your

relationship with God.

Freshly fallen snow speaks poetry

to my soul. Dirty snow, on the

other hand, is disgusting. I always

cringe at the huge pile of blackened

beauty in the Walmart parking

lot. It’s hopeless; nothing can

ever restore it to its former glory.

To understand the blackness of

David’s soul, as described in Psalm

51, first you must understand the

sin that led to it. David had an adulterous

affair with a married woman

and then had her husband killed in

battle. Pretty dark stuff. However,

no sin is so black that God can’t

make it snowy white, exactly what

David begged Him to do.

Meditate

What can you learn from David’s

story that will help you when you

struggle with guilt over sin?

Demonstrate

Don’t let remorse over sin build

up; deal with it as soon as possible.

Satan loves to use our guilt to condemn

and shame us into erroneously

thinking we are beyond help.

14 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Wednesday

Read John 8:42–47

I was a junior in high school when

Stephen Mobley walked in a

Domino’s and shot the manager in

the neck. Mobley was sentenced

to death, but his lawyer appealed,

claiming that Mobley was born to

be a killer due to a genetic abnormality

common among several

family members. The effort failed,

and Mobley was executed in 2005.

The idea that people are born

murderers isn’t new, and it is still

hotly debated. However, Jesus

confirmed that someone was,

indeed, a deceitful killer from the

beginning. Satan lied to Eve in the

garden with one intention: to bring

death. And he’s been lying and

killing ever since. His goal for you,

too, is a death sentence.

Meditate

How can you protect yourself from

Satan’s vicious lies?

Demonstrate

Help Jesus thwart Satan’s intent to

kill. Lovingly and persistently share

with your friends and family the

message of salvation.

Thursday

Read 2 Corinthians 11:1–6

Paul was concerned that Satan

would deceive the Corinthian

believers, just as he deceived Eve

by leading her to distrust God and

His good intentions for her.

Satan likes to paint God as the bad

guy. Why won’t God let you do anything

fun? If God loves you, why

did He allow your loved one to die?

Why didn’t God make your plans

work out the way you wanted?

Maybe He doesn’t care about your

dreams. Sound familiar? I’ve heard

them too. Let’s do what Eve failed

to do and fight Satan’s lies with

God’s truth.

Meditate

What lies has Satan planted in your

mind regarding God’s intentions

for you? How have they affected

your faith in God?

Demonstrate

Review Genesis 3:1–5 and compare

the serpent’s carefully

crafted lie (verse 1) to God’s actual

instructions (2:17). Take time each

day to read and memorize God’s

Word to avoid falling victim to Satan’s

schemes like Eve did (verses

2–3).

Friday

Read 1 John 2:15–17

The star hitter sulked dejectedly

back to the dugout. What just happened?

How had he struck out on

only three pitches? First the sinker,

then the fastball, and finally the

lethal curveball. The importance

of a deadly three-pitch sequence

cannot be overstated

Jesus noted that Satan, too, uses

a three-strike combination. He

appeals to our sexual desires, our

physical desires, and our pride.

Dwelling on that lustful thought—

strike one! Taking something that

doesn’t belong to us—strike two!

Verbally condemning another’s

sin while ignoring our own—strike

three! When Satan throws his best

game, you and I had better be

prepared to strike back.

Meditate

In what ways does Satan tempt

you in the areas of sexual and

physical desires and pride? How

should you respond?

Demonstrate

Check out Matthew 4:1–11 and

learn some tips from the Master

Defeater of Satan’s deadly strikes.

Apply His technique the next time

you face temptation.

Notes:

15

By John Stonestreet & Brett Kunkle

In our culture, the words male and female are outdated. These terms assume a fixed gender binary. And everyone

knows you can’t assume a person’s gender anymore, right? So the culture has created a new word, cisgender,

to refer to individuals “who have a gender identity that matches the sex that they were assigned at birth.”

But that definition raises questions: Assigned by whom? Parents, medical professionals, society, the individual?

Make no mistake, new words and new definitions are not always neutral or harmless. The term cisgender

has two assumptions built right into the definition. First, that sex is “assigned” and not a biological reality.

And second, that gender is chosen, not innate. And even though many in our culture buy into these assumptions,

we shouldn’t. A video that went viral on YouTube illustrates some of the problems that result from

today’s confusion on gender identity.

16 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Joseph Backholm, former president of the Family

Policy Institute of Washington, asked students at

the University of Washington about their views on

gender identity and public-restroom policy. At first,

the students affirmed the right of every individual

to choose the bathroom that corresponds to their

perceived gender. Backholm followed up with a

series of questions:

• “If I told you that I was a woman, what

would your response be?”

• “If I told you that I was Chinese, what

would your response be?”

• “If I told you that I was seven years old,

what would your response be?”

• “If I told you I’m six feet five inches, what

would you say?”

Amazingly, the vast majority of students were

unwilling to say that Backholm wasn’t anything

he claimed to be. One particular student’s answer

sums up the responses: “If you thoroughly debated

me or explained why you felt that you were six

foot five, I feel like I would be very open to saying

that you were six foot five or Chinese or a woman.”

However, Joseph Backholm is a five-foot-nine-inch

white guy. In this brave new world, gender—and

almost anything we believe about ourselves—is

fluid.

Don’t buy t he cult ural Lies

Lie #1: Gender is merely a social construction.

When it comes to gender and sexuality, our culture

says there are no objective truths, only subjective

preferences. If you feel it, declare it to the world,

and it becomes so. Gender, we’re told, is not rooted

in biology; instead, it’s what’s referred to as a social

construct, which just means an idea people within

a culture create (“construct”).

There is no dominant vision of gender identity for

our culture, and no limit. And we’re beginning to

see the endless absurdities that follow from this

reasoning. There are people who wear pet collars,

eat from a bowl, and identify as dogs. There are

grown men who identify as little girls. There are individuals

who marry themselves (called sologamy).

If we can create our own gender identity, why can’t

we create any identity we want? Social construction

is free to go anywhere our minds will take us.

But this slippery slope can’t hold up under the

weight of its own consequences. If you self-identify

as a sixty-five-year-old man, should the federal

government start sending you Social Security

checks? If you self-identify as a six-year-old girl,

should you be able to enroll in first-grade at the

local public elementary school? If the answer is

no, then why is a biological male who identifies as

a female allowed to impact the laws of the land so

that he can use the restroom or locker room of his

choice?

Lie #2: We should validate people’s thoughts

and desires so they’ll flourish.

The culture encourages, “Be who you are.” Whatever

reality you select for yourself is just fine. In fact,

the choice to defy reality is often viewed as an act

of courage (as in the case of Bruce “Caitlyn” Jenner).

Anyone who merely questions a person’s view

of their own reality is labeled a bigot. The definition

of “tolerance” has shifted. We must now accept

and affirm whatever lifestyle someone chooses. If

a man thinks he is a woman in his own mind, he

must be a woman in your mind also.

So how can we respond? First, it’s not bigotry; it’s

biology. Objective facts about physiology, anatomy,

chromosomes, and DNA exist. Maleness and

femaleness are undeniable physical realities. On

the other hand, there are no objective medical or

scientific tests to determine transgenderism. It

exists only in the mind of the individual. It’s purely

subjective.

Essentially, a doctor cannot diagnose an individual

as transgender. The individual diagnoses him- or

herself. Instead of treating someone’s psychological

confusion, the gender-identity movement

says that sex-reassignment (or what is now being

called gender-confirmation) surgery is the answer.

But is it? If surgery was indeed a biological fix for

gender-identity confusion, transgender people

wouldn’t regret their sex-change surgeries. Yet, a

significant number do.

A person may be able to alter his or her physical

appearance, but reality remains. The empirical

17

data demonstrates that sex-reassignment surgery

isn’t helping the transgender community. Many

don’t flourish after surgery; they continue to struggle.

As difficult as it may be for transgender people

to hear, psychological causes are the best explanation

for gender confusion. Therefore, if we treat

the body and not the mind, we won’t be able to

help our friends and family struggling with their

gender identities.

Only in the case of transgenderism are physical

solutions offered for a psychological incongruence,

which are very permanent. For example, a ninety

-pound teenage girl who struggles with anorexia

may believe she is grossly overweight. But doctors

won’t do surgery to make her body thinner. They

don’t doubt her feelings, but they consider her

self-perception inaccurate and therefore treat her

mental and emotional health.

Recapt ure t he

wonder of god’s St ory

You won’t find the word transgender in Scripture,

but that doesn’t mean God has nothing to say

about the issue. He speaks directly and explicitly

about gender in the creation account: “Male and female

[God] created them” (Genesis 1:27). God didn’t

make gender-neutral humans. Gender is part of

God’s design, deeply grounded in His created order

and woven into the fabric of reality.

The distinction between male and female does

nothing to undermine the value and dignity of

either. Both are made in the image of God. Our

equality is secured by that fact alone. No distinction—ethnicity,

gender, age, sex—threatens the

equality of human beings. All are image bearers.

All have equal and immeasurable worth in the

sight of God.

Transgender people feel that something is wrong.

They say they feel like a woman trapped in a man’s

body or vice versa. However, in light of God’s Story

of reality, their diagnosis is incorrect. Gender isn’t

something to suppress or remove. Human wholeness

comes not by denying reality but by accepting

it.

singular cure. Rather than affirming any and all

desires as good, Scripture offers this insight: “Let

no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted

by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil,

and he himself tempts no one. But each person is

tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own

desire” (James 1:13–14). Not every human desire is

proper. Many lead us straight into sin, bringing

brokenness into our lives: “Then desire when it has

conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully

grown brings forth death” (verse 15). Our transgender

friends have a good desire for wholeness, but

they’ve taken it in the wrong direction. The result

is sin and brokenness.

But that’s not the end of God’s Story! The only

thing that will put a fractured human being back

together is the One who fashioned him or her.

God redeems us from our sin through the work

of Christ on the cross. His Story shows us how we

were made and how He intended us to function

properly.

Gender is a gift. God made us male and female,

and the unique design and functioning of the

sexes isn’t something to eradicate. It’s a good gift to

celebrate.

John Stonestreet is president of the Colson Center for

Christian Worldview and cohost of BreakPoint, the daily

cultural commentary founded by the late Chuck Colson.

John is the coauthor of Restoring All Things, Same-Sex

Marriage, Making Sense of Your World, and A Practical

Guide to Culture. He and his family live in Colorado Springs.

Brett Kunkle is the founder and president of MAVEN (www.

maventruth.com), a movement to equip the next generation to

know truth, pursue goodness, and create beauty for the cause

of Christ. He is an associate editor for the Apologetics Study

Bible for Students and co-author of A Practical Guide to Culture.

Brett lives with his wife and five kids in Southern California.

Taken from A Student’s

Guide to Culture by John

Stonestreet and Brett

Kunkle, © 2020. Used

with permission by

David C Cook. May not

be further reproduced.

All rights reserved.

For the person struggling with gender identity,

God’s Story offers an accurate diagnosis and the

18 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

There are 45

different

varieties of

pumpkin

Colors can be

orange, white,

yellow, red,

blue, tan, or

other colors.

Technically,

pumpkin is

a fruit.

Pumpkins

are about

90% water.

They are rich

in Vitamin A,

Vitamin K,

Vitamin C, and

Potassium

Number of people who

carved Halloween

pumpkins in the US:

2017: 150.01 million

2018: 147.88 million

2019: 145.09 million

Every October the

Annual Circleville

Pumpkin Show in Ohio

attracts over

400,000 visitors

(100,000 per day).

PSL (Pumpkin spice

lattes) are Starbucks’

most popular seasonal

drink. In 2019, they

had sold more than

424 million worldwide.

However, drinking

pumpkin spice

coffees does not have

any of the health

benefits of eating an

actual pumpkin!

19

From the Awkward Past

to a New Beginning

By

Jeffrey Dean

Imagine you are standing in line at

your favorite fast food restaurant

when you get a tap on your shoulder.

You turn around to see someone

standing there whom you’ve never

met. This person begins to have a

conversation with you. If this doesn’t

seem odd, what happens next just

might. Imagine that person begins to

tell you everything you’ve ever done

wrong!

Such a scenario is hard to imagine,

isn’t it? After all, you’re just there

trying to get your Chick-fil-A #1! It’s

almost unthinkable to conceive that

someone you’ve never met could

actually stand there revealing some

of your most regrettable moments,

right?

Well, a story like this did happen in

the Bible . . . kind of. John 4 tells the

story of a woman who went to the

town well to draw water. While there,

she met a man who, in one brief

conversation, basically told her everything

about her four failed marriages.

And, if that wasn’t embarrassing

enough, He told her He knew she was

living with a man she wasn’t married

to. Though we don’t know the name

of the woman, we know her life was

changed that day because the man

she was speaking to was Jesus.

Why did Jesus meet this woman and

remind her of her failed relationships?

Did He want to condemn her?

Was He trying to make her feel even

worse about her past? I don’t think so.

I believe He wanted to show her these

three things:

1. Your past doesn’t

define your future.

Jesus wasn’t reminding this woman

about her past to beat her down

mentally. He wanted her to know

that regardless of the past, she could

still have an amazing future. Acts 3:19

tells us that when we turn to God, He

actually wipes away the things of our

past. Don’t buy the lie that your past

defines your future. With God, the

past is the past.

2. It’s never too late to

have a new beginning.

Sometimes we have to be reminded

of the ugliness of the past in order

to better understand how desperate

we are for a new beginning. I am sure

this was a tough conversation for

the woman to have with Jesus. But

it was a necessary one to help her

see that she didn’t have to continue

living in her past. The Bible tells us

she believed in Jesus that day and

everything changed! Here’s a question

for you to answer: Is there anything

about my past that needs a new beginning?

If so, take your past to God

and ask Him for a new start!

3. When you are changed,

you can pay it forward.

After the woman talked with Jesus,

the Bible tells us she went back to her

town and told many people that she

met the Messiah. Many in her town

surrendered their lives to Jesus because

of the woman’s story. If you let

Him, God can use you to help change

someone’s life too. Maybe you have a

friend or co-worker who needs to hear

your story. Ask God to show you who

needs to hear it.

It’s so good to know it is never too late

to begin again with Jesus. No matter

where you have been or what you

have done, when you choose to accept

Him as your Savior, He changes you.

And with your new beginning, you

just might have the courage to share

your story with someone you meet in

line!

- Jeffrey Dean is a pastor, evangelist, and

author of several books, including Watch This,

This Is Me, and The Graduate Handbook. You

can connect with Jeffrey at jeffreydean.com.

20 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Defeating Fear With Gratitude

by Shannon Primicerio

Nothing teaches gratitude quite like a global pandemic.

By the time you read these words we will (hopefully)

be on the other side of COVID-19, also known as

the coronavirus. But I’m writing this three weeks

into a statewide “stay at home” order here in California

where schools have been shut down, church

gatherings have been canceled, and businesses

have been shuttered. Everyone I know has been

impacted. With all of us locked away inside of our

houses, many of us are wondering not only when

we will be allowed to emerge but what state our

communities will be in when we do.

That café where I loved to grab lunch and iced

tea—will it be gone for good? The donut shop that

actually had gluten-free donuts—will it survive

this? My husband’s barbershop owned by his childhood

friend—will it ever open again?

And where the future looks scary, the present

looks chaotic. I’ve suddenly become my daughter’s

first grade teacher as I help her navigate “distance

learning,” and I am trying to support my husband

who is a small business owner and is scrambling

to keep his business afloat. These are scary and

trying times.

Waking up every morning to circumstances I don’t

know how to brace for has been unnerving, and

gratitude has been one of my primary weapons of

choice against fear. I’ve begun walking through my

days with eyes of gratitude, stopping to thank God

for things that often went unnoticed.

One verse I have been clinging to in this time is

Proverbs 4:23, which says to guard your heart because

everything you do flows from it.

While that might seem like an odd verse to choose

right now, here’s why I find it so impactful: While

I can’t choose my circumstances, I can choose my

response to them. If I pour fear into my heart, then

fear will flow out of my heart in anger, frustration,

panic, etc. But if I pour gratitude into my heart,

then love, peace, and a desire to help others will

flow out of my heart.

This isn’t true just during a global pandemic. It’s

true all the time, and especially as we look toward

Thanksgiving. Remember, everything we do flows

from our hearts.

So what are you pouring into your heart? And

what is flowing out of it?

Shannon Primicerio is the author of ten books for teenage girls,

including The Divine Dance. Learn more about Shannon and her

books at beingagirlbooks.com.

21

18 AND

PREGN

What comes to mind when you think about the end

of high school? Is it graduation, hanging with

friends, the opportunity to go to college, that

impending freedom? Those are all things I looked forward to.

However, I took freedom a bit too far, because while I was enjoying

my newfound freedom that summer, it wasn’t long before I

found myself in a surprising and life-changing situation.

As I put several random items on the checkout counter, I

carefully tucked the little white box in the middle, hoping the

cashier wouldn’t notice what I was actually there to buy. Once

home, I placed that pregnancy test on the bathroom sink. The

pink plus sign was already as bright as could be, yet I still set a

timer and went in the other room to wait, begging and pleading

that the symbol would not be there when I went back in.

However, that two minutes was a passageway into a whole new

path in my life.

The pregnancy test was positive. Complete shock and fear came

over me as I sat on the couch in a rundown apartment. I didn’t

cry, I didn’t talk, I just stared into the unknown.

I made an appointment at the local health department a couple

days later. They confirmed my pregnancy and gave me several

resources for doctors’ offices and how to sign up for WIC and

food stamps.

What was happening here?! How did I go from walking across

the stage on graduation day to sitting in a health department all

alone with all kinds of referrals and a positive pregnancy test in

my hand? How would I tell my parents? How would I do this?

How was I supposed to pay for a baby? All of those thoughts

went through my mind. I felt ashamed, embarrassed, and afraid.

22 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

ANT

23

Finding Grace and Kindness

At this point it was only a few weeks until college

started. I had already signed up for classes, but

school was the furthest thing from my mind. I had

to figure out a way to tell my parents that not only

was I pregnant, but I was pregnant by a boyfriend

they did not approve of. It was overwhelming and

hard to digest. I felt so alone. I didn’t have to think

too long on how I would tell my parents because

they found out. I’m not proud of this, but my

initial reaction was to lie. But they knew. As I look

back, I’m sure they were scared and unsure of how

to react and deal with this news themselves.

As the next day or two passed, I knew I had to tell

my parents the truth (even though they already

knew). I felt like I could not do it alone so I called

a former teacher whom I had stayed in contact

with over the years. I asked if I could talk with her.

As I sat in her classroom, I cried as I told her my

situation. I cannot remember everything she said

back to me, but what I do recall is the grace and

kindness she poured out on me. I remember the

kind tone in her voice, her hand on my hand reassuring

me it would be okay, even though I felt like

it wouldn’t be. There was no judgment and I will

always be thankful for that kindness. She asked if I

would like for her to go with me to tell my parents,

and I said yes. It was still scary, but having someone

by my side did alleviate some of the stress.

People Care

Being pregnant was not easy. The physical part

wasn’t hard, as I had a mostly easy and healthy

pregnancy. But the emotional part was daunting.

In hindsight, I wish I had sought out a counselor

or spoken with someone at church regularly. But

this was not common in my small town.

It is important to connect with godly people

who can be sounding boards and give advice and

wisdom as needed. Thankfully, there are many

resources out there today that can help young

people in these types of situations. There are faithbased

pregnancy centers around the country like

the Hope Clinic for Women in Nashville that offer

free counseling, pregnancy tests, sonograms, and

many other helpful resources. They also provide

ways for new moms to earn free diapers, wipes,

and clothing. There is also an organization called

Embrace Grace that offers many of the same types

of services and even gives baby showers to expectant

moms. They are located in churches around

the country. Even if you do not have family support,

there is a team out there who would love to

stand beside you, pray for you, hold you up, and

give encouragement along the way.

When you find yourself pregnant at such a young

age (or any non-ideal time), it is scary, and people

will tell you what you should or should not do.

Some will say making that one “choice” to end the

pregnancy is the easy way out. However, there’s a

better way. There is a world full of resources and

people who love you and want to help you. Do not

allow fear to be the leading thought in your mind.

Fear will tell you that you should be ashamed,

embarrassed, and that you will not amount to anything.

But please rest assured that is not what God

thinks. Do we mess up? Yes! Of course we do. And

we must face the difficult consequences of our sin.

My bad decision was not part of God's design, but

I'm thankful He forgives and can redeem our bad

decisions. God is full of grace and so are His people.

There are people who want you to succeed and

want to help. And there is so much joy when you

see that sweet baby’s face.

You Are Not Alone

If this is you, if you find yourself pregnant, the

first thing you should know is that you are not

alone. You are not the only person who has had a

baby out of wedlock or at a young age. You can still

go to college! You can still get a great job. Getting

pregnant as a teen does not doom you to working

a dead-end, low-paying job for the rest of your life.

It will take more work, but with God’s help you will

find the strength to push through! You are strong,

you are able, and you are loved!

Oh, and that little plus sign at the beginning of the

story? She is now a beautiful 20-year-old young

lady who is finishing up her sophomore year in

college. And the scared teenage girl who took that

test? She went on to college, received her Master’s

degree, and is enjoying life in beautiful Tennessee.

24 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

What if I told you I knew the secret to stronger relationships,

less acne, better sports performance, higher

grades, and longer life? Would you be interested?

It’s your lucky day because I’m about to reveal the big

secret:

Go to bed!

No, seriously. The big secret is sleep!

Okay, okay, I can feel you rolling your eyes, but give

me a minute to throw some science your way that

might change your mind. According to the CDC,

teens like you need about 8-10 hours of sleep each

night. However, over 70% of high school students

don’t get enough sleep on school nights!

No big deal, right? Wrong! Sleep is important, and not

just so you keep your eyes open during that biology

lecture. When we don’t get enough sleep it leads to irritability,

forgetfulness, poor grades, acne, a decrease

in athletic ability, relationship issues, and illness.

And is it possible we miss God’s voice on Sunday

mornings because we’re too exhausted from our late

Saturday nights?

If you don’t think illness and acne are bad enough,

By David Jones

Sleep

On It!

according to Matthew Walker’s book Why We Sleep

(Scribner, 2017), being awake for just 22 hours straight

puts your performance on the same level as someone

who is drunk! Yikes! And while you might think a

Monster or Red Bull will even things out, caffeine can

make things worse.

So what should you do?

While the obvious answer is “get more sleep,” you

need to be strategic about it. Along with cutting out

the energy drinks and limiting caffeine, it’s important

to put down your phone and other devices at least

an hour before bed. There’s an invisible blue light

that’s emitted by our devices, and that light makes it

difficult to fall asleep.

If you find yourself spending hours watching online

videos, remember that YouTube isn’t going anywhere

and those videos will be there tomorrow. If you have

a bad case of FOMO, take a deep breath and remind

yourself that you won’t miss anything important.

You’ll actually spend more time worrying about missing

something than actually missing something.

Ready to be faster, stronger, smarter, and healthier?

The secret is out! Now go get some sleep!

October Quick Look

27

04

on a Sunday!

28

05

29

06

30

07

01

International

Coffee Day

08

02

Name Your

Car Day

09

03

10

Taco Day

11

18

25

12

19

26

13

Chocolate

Cupcake Day Suspenders Day Apple Day Nut Day

Howl at the

Moon Day

Noodle Day

20

27

14

21

28

15

22

29

16

Dictionary

Day

23

30

dic·tion·ar·y

/'dikSHə,nerē/

noun

17

24

31

a book

people used

before the

internet to

look up the

meanings of

words.

25

Week Five:

October 3-9, 2020

Theme:

Grace Extended in Judgment


Saturday - Sunday

Read Genesis 6:5—7:5

Monday


Tuesday

Read Titus 3:1–14

When I was in high school, a famous

country music star crooned

a haunting melody about whether

a special relationship was worth

the pain experienced along the

way. While the song made my

friends and me ponder the disappointment,

confusion, and agony

of loving an imperfect yet wonderful

human being, the boys rolled

their eyes and prayed for a new

song on the radio.

Thankfully, God is faithful despite

the pain we cause. Frustrated,

disappointed, and in utter agony

over the sin He saw in the world He

created, God was grieved that He’d

made it. He could have destroyed

everything and everyone, but He

didn’t. He remained faithful to

Noah because Noah, although

imperfect, was faithful to Him. God

could have wiped it all out and

ended the continuing cycle of pain

inflicted on Him by sinful man, but

He gave favor to Noah. We are alive

today because of God’s faithfulness.

Meditate

God is grieved by sin. How does He

view repentance?

Demonstrate

If you are struggling with a particular

sin, spend time in prayer. God

doesn’t want you to feel burdened

with guilt. He wants to forgive you

and help you turn away from sin!

When I was a little girl I was terrified

of heights. One day my babysitter’s

teenage daughter led a group

of us kids on a nature hike. Things

progressed well until we came to a

dried-up creek bed with a fallen log

stretched across it. Our fearless

leader attempted to coerce us

across the log, but I had none of it.

I wasn’t about to crawl out on that

rickety-looking piece of wood. Instead,

I trudged through the creek

bed and picked up a family of

chiggers and a bad case of poison

oak in the process.

Psalm 84:12 seems so simple

on the surface, but putting its

message into practice is often

terrifying. Following our leader with

full faith is much easier said than

done. However, we can trust that

walking with Him through the scariest

of situations is perfectly safe.

Following our own path is not.

Meditate

How can putting full trust in God

relieve stress and worry in your

life?

Demonstrate

Memorize Psalm 84:12. Allow this

verse to assure you of God’s best

intentions toward you, even when

He asks you to do the seemingly

impossible.

God leads His children to perform

certain tasks throughout their lives.

You read about some of those

tasks today. But before we discuss

those, let’s examine the jobs we’re

not called to do. You might have

noticed a few items missing from

Paul’s list, such as social media

slandering, political activism, boycotting,

picketing, rejection, and

exclusion, to name a few.

Sadly, Christians often mistakenly

believe God has called them to

rid the world, or at the very least

our country, of sin. That’s not our

job. Our underlying task is to love,

to serve, to obey, and to proclaim

freedom found in Christ. It’s a fulltime,

very difficult job, and it takes

on many forms, as noted by Paul.

When we obey God and His Word,

we will be ready for every good

work that comes our way. There’s a

good chance other people will take

notice as well.

Meditate

What do tasks like respecting

government officials and living in

peace look like for teens?

Demonstrate

Consider one practical way you

can show God’s love to someone

this week, and put it into action.

26 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Wednesday

Read Matthew 24:36–44

One day on the way to work my

husband said, “I wonder what a

Greyhound bus is doing in this

part of the country.” My response:

“What bus?” Brandon said, “Are

you seriously telling me you did not

see the giant, double-decker bus

that just passed us on the road?”

Nope. I was making a grocery list

in my mind. Did I mention I was

driving? Not good.

Jesus reminded His disciples that

the people of Noah’s day were

super busy doing stuff. Perhaps

everyone was too busy with life to

pay much attention to the giant ark

Noah was building, and those who

noticed it obviously didn’t think it

was worth getting invested in. Why

did Jesus bring up this piece of

history? To remind His followers,

including us, to pay attention. Jesus

is returning soon. By diligently

obeying Him and sharing the gospel

with those who need to hear it,

we show we are prepared for that

day. We prove He has our utmost

attention.

Meditate

How might you benefit if you spent

less time on pointless tasks and

more time on things that have

eternal value?

Demonstrate

For the next 24 hours make a

conscious effort to be aware of the

people around you. What needs

can you fill? How can you bring

hope, joy, and comfort to others?

Notes:

Thursday

Read Psalm 94

Bible scholars aren’t certain who

wrote Psalm 94, but several believe

it might have been King David.

Regardless of its author, Psalm 94

is the perfect expression of the

coexistence of God’s justice and

grace. Although many think justice

and grace are absolute opposites,

God exhibits both attributes, and

that’s a very good thing for us (and

for whoever wrote Psalm 94). In

verse 2, the author petitioned

God to give the prideful what they

deserve: punishment.

Have you ever struggled with

pride? I know I have. King David

certainly did. Pride in his royal

position led him to sleep with a

woman who was not his wife. That

pride pushed him further down a

bad path that led to his having her

husband killed in battle (2 Samuel

11). Although David suffered God’s

punishment for his sin, he also

found God’s mercy. God didn’t

wash His hands of David; He didn’t

give up on him. Neither will He give

up on us, even in our most prideful

moments.

Meditate

What negative consequences

might result if God was just but not

gracious? What might happen if

He never brought justice to sinful

situations?

Demonstrate

Psalm 51 is David’s psalm of repentance

after his sin. Read it slowly

and take note of its themes. Consider

what it means to be broken

and repentant before God.

Friday

Read Luke 8:22–26

My friend Julie and I took a cruise

to the Bahamas the year after

we graduated from high school.

Our tropical paradise reward

to ourselves for our hard work

was going wonderfully until we

sailed through the worst tropical

storm in our cruise line’s history. I

became so dizzy I couldn’t stand

up, while Julie tossed her cookies

on multiple occasions. She took

some anti-nausea pills, which took

care of her seasickness, but also

knocked her out. There I was, stuck

in a very small and spinning room,

feeling very alone. However, it was

just a feeling; I was not alone.

It’s funny how powerful God’s

presence becomes on a stormtossed

boat. He’s always with us,

but it seems like we call to Him

more when the waves start rolling.

From Noah to the disciples to me,

God has always been there to calm

the storm, and I’m not just talking

about the one rocking the waves.

Even when we don’t realize it, God

provides protection for us and

keeps us safe from life’s storms.

Meditate

How has God revealed His comforting

presence to you during

difficult times?

Demonstrate

During your next stormy season,

look for signs of God’s presence,

remembering that our gracious

God never sleeps on the job.

27

Week Six:

October 10-16, 2020

Theme:

God Opposes Pride


Saturday - Sunday

Monday

Tuesday


Several years ago a group of boys

in our school persisted in causing

trouble and failing to get their work

done. When their teacher separated

them they accused her of gross

injustice and set about plotting

ways to accomplish their mission

of class destruction in spite of her.

When the time came to assign students

to classes for the following

year, we made sure to separate

them. We didn’t want to tear apart

a group of friends, but we did not

want them to create more havoc

either.

I can understand the hesitancy

of Noah’s descendants to spread

out according to God’s instruction

(Genesis 9:1, 7). Spreading out

requires separation from friends

and loved ones. It necessitates

change. However, our loving Lord

had a wonderful plan for them. In

love, He scattered them.

Meditate

What are some difficult things

Jesus might ask you to do?

Demonstrate

God’s will involves living for Him

daily. In order to have the courage

to say “yes” to the big tasks, be

faithful in the small things.


Like Noah’s descendants, Joseph

was separated from his home

and family. However, Joseph was

scattered not because of his own

sin, but because of his brothers’.

To us this seems unfair, but it was

a pivotal part of God’s plan to save

Joseph’s family, as well as the entire

nation of Egypt, from a coming

famine.

How do we respond when life is

unfair? Your dad gets a new job in

a new part of the country and you

are separated from your friends.

You get accepted to your college

of choice, but your significant other

does not. Your parents divorce,

and you feel alienated from a treasured

part of your family. You get

cut from the basketball team and

consequently feel cut out of your

friends’ lives. Being separated is

painful and seems unfair. But never

forget that you can be a Joseph.

God can use your tough situation

in a tremendous way. He is faithful,

even when we don’t understand

what’s happening.

Meditate

When life doesn’t make sense, will

you continue to trust God?

Demonstrate

Think of a struggle you are currently

facing, and then read Genesis

50:20 to find encouragement.

Read Psalm 33

Adolf Hitler had a plan. He desired

a world filled with blonde-haired,

blue-eyed Aryans. This was his

definition of the “master race,” and

he wanted the world completely

devoid of Jews, gypsies, and

physically or mentally challenged

people.

Fortunately, our Lord, who came

to earth in the form of a Jewish

carpenter, had other plans. As the

psalmist noted in verses 10–11,

God’s plan trumps all others. He is

the ultimate thwarter of plans that

do not match up to His high ideals

of righteousness, justice, and love

(verse 5). God has a glorious plan

for your life, and you need not

worry about anyone or anything

threatening to destroy it. God’s got

this. Your worst enemy holds no

power over you or the mission God

designed especially for you. Yes,

you will face obstacles, setbacks,

and even what seems like defeat.

How you deal with those things

is up to you, but in the end God’s

plan for you will prevail.

Meditate

What should you do and think

when it seems like evil plans will

succeed?

Demonstrate

Grab a pad of sticky notes. Write

out Isaiah 55:8–9 and post the

notes in prominent places to

remind you that God’s ways are

always higher than man’s ways.

28 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Wednesday

Read Acts 2:1–13

Walt Disney World welcomes

countless guests each year from

hundreds of different people

groups. To help all guests enjoy

their experience in a safe way, Walt

Disney World designers created

special methods to communicate

material in many different languages.

Instructional signs contain

easy-to-understand graphics;

some cast members speak multiple

languages; and guests can

utilize Disney World’s translation

device, “Ears to the World.”

God knows that the most important

message people will ever

receive is the gift of salvation

through Jesus Christ. At Pentecost,

He used a miracle to deliver this

message to different people in

their native languages; He made

the disciples instantly multilingual.

God continues to communicate

with people on their level and in

their particular circumstances,

and He allows us to take part in the

process. You and I possess unique

characteristics, temperaments,

and experiences to reach people

that others might not be able to.

Let’s communicate Christ!

Meditate

How can you share your past

experiences, your current phase of

life, or your interests to communicate

Christ to others?

Demonstrate

Journal the names of three people

that God has placed in your life,

then speak with them on their level

and share the hope of Christ.

Thursday

Read Acts 2:14–41

They shouldn’t have won the

game. In 2008, the New York

Giants battled the New England

Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. My husband

adamantly refused to watch

the game. He loathed Tom Brady

and the Patriots and couldn’t bear

to watch them beat the Giants.

True to his prediction, the Patriots

entered the fourth quarter with

a 7-3 lead, but things began to

change. After a few incredible plays

the score was 17-14 Giants with 35

seconds left on the clock. I beckoned

Brandon to join me. “Nope!

They’ll blow it. Just wait and see.”

They did not. The New York Giants

won Super Bowl XLII.

From a human perspective, Jesus

shouldn’t have won. His own

people cried for crucifixion, while

the most powerful religious and

political leaders pointed the way to

Golgotha and a gruesome execution.

Jesus should not have gained

victory over sin and death, but He

did. Why? Because that was God’s

plan from the very beginning.

Meditate

How do God’s victories in the past

affect your faith when you face

your own seemingly insurmountable

obstacles?

Demonstrate

Peter answered the question of his

listeners (verse 37) with two steps

and a promise (verse 38–39).

Have you taken those steps and

received that promise?

Friday

Read James 1:13–26

I totally messed up the plan. On

the morning of my birthday I

decided to head to work a half

hour early to finish some paperwork.

When I got to my office my

co-workers and friends were busy

blowing up balloons, laying out

cake and cookies, and signing my

birthday card. They glared at me

and demanded in unison, “What

are you doing here so early?” I

messed up the plan because I

didn’t know about the plan.

Although we don’t have the power

to mess up God’s plan, we can

cause unnecessary difficulties or

remove ourselves from the plan.

How do we prevent ourselves

from becoming obstacles to God’s

plan? James gave us some great

advice: be good listeners, be careful

what we say, be doers of God’s

will, and control our tempers.

Sounds like a great plan. Now let’s

follow it.

Meditate

What would be different in your

life if you (and others) were quick

to hear, slow to speak, and slow to

anger?

Demonstrate

Research Bible verses that deal

with the three principles James

listed in verse 19. Use an online

Bible study tool or ask your pastor,

parents, youth leader, or another

trusted adult for help.

Notes:

29

Week Seven:

October 17-23, 2020

Theme:

Jesus Is God

Study Text: Hebrews 1:1–2

Saturday - Sunday

Read John 1:1–18

Monday

Read Hebrews 1:1–2

Tuesday

Read Exodus 29

When I asked my then-future

husband, “What is your dad like?”

Brandon responded, “Imagine a

gray-haired me. We look alike, talk

alike, and act alike. I’m pretty much

him, just younger.”

Sometimes God seems to be a

great mystery. His vast knowledge,

power, and holiness are intimidating.

Sometimes He appears

unapproachable, unknowable.

However, as John testified, we

can know God through His Son,

Jesus—the mind and expression of

God, the Word made flesh. As this

passage tells us, Jesus, the Word, is

God and was present at the time of

Creation. Jesus is the Son of God,

but He is God as well. If we want to

know what God is like, we simply

need to look at His Son. Jesus is

God!

Meditate

What have you learned about God

by reading about Jesus’ ministry

on earth? How does this knowledge

affect your faith in God?

Demonstrate

Take time to thank God for His

willingness to step down from the

throne, assume human flesh, and

live among us so we could know

Him.

Have you ever watched one of

those instamatic photos as it

develops? At first, you see odd

shapes, then a “negative” of the

picture, and finally, the details and

colors start to fill in the complete

photograph. What used to be a

weird blob turns out to be your

brother!

Imagine the first two verses of

Hebrews as that developing photo.

The Old Testament prophets, as

well as the symbolism in sacrifices

and characters and events,

pointed to a full picture of God.

However, until Christ came, the

picture was not complete. As we

study this “snapshot” further, we

see that Christ was there all along,

even from Creation.

Meditate

How do you envision Christ’s role

in Creation?

Demonstrate

Consider yourself in the big picture

of God’s plan for the world. The

Creator of the Universe died in

your place!

My husband and I considered

spending a night on our honeymoon

trip to Arizona in an authentic

Native American teepee.

Although we both possessed a

high degree of historical passion,

I decided I didn’t want to be quite

that intimately acquainted with

the Native American way of life.

Before Christ came, God dwelled

in a tent (the Tabernacle, and later

the Temple) so the people could

experience His presence. Even

in that tent, though, He was set

apart. Entering the tent without

meeting certain requirements and

performing certain rituals resulted

in a person’s death. In the New

Testament, however, God put on

bones, flesh, skin, and hair and

walked many miles in our shoes.

As a result, we serve a Savior who

understands our trials and temptations.

He can sympathize with

us because He has been with us

(Hebrews 4:15).

Meditate

How willing are you to walk in

someone else’s footsteps to gain

better understanding?

Demonstrate

Challenge yourself to grow in your

relationship with Christ by serving,

loving, and reaching out to the

outcasts, just like He did.

30 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Wednesday

Read John 8:12–30

If you’re near a window, take a

minute and look outside. If it’s

daytime, take a quick glance at the

sun. If it’s nighttime, spend a few

seconds observing the moon. The

earth rotates on its axis to bring

about day and night. When your

little corner of the world faces the

sun, there is light. When it turns

away, there is night. Although our

terminology (the sun sets, the sun

rises, etc.) makes it sound like the

sun moves, it does not. The earth

makes the journey.

Jesus, God’s Son, is the Light of

the World. When we walk close to

Him we live in light. If we turn away,

things get dark, confusing, and

dangerous. The Son doesn’t move;

He remains faithful. If darkness

falls upon us we should acknowledge

our sin and turn back to the

light. Just as Jesus said in verse 12,

whoever follows Him will not walk

in darkness but will have the light of

life. Follow the light.

Meditate

What things lead you away from

God’s light? What things help you

turn back to Him? How can you

put more focus on the things that

lead you to Him?

Demonstrate

Enjoying the light of Christ is not

enough. You need to share it.

Check out Matthew 5:16 for further

instructions.

Thursday

Read Colossians 1:15–23

According to Supergluecorp.com,

a popular urban legend claims

that Super Glue was discovered

accidentally during an attempt to

find a remedy for battle wounds in

World War II. The truth: scientists

discovered Super Glue in 1942

when they searched for materials

to make clear plastic gun sights for

the war effort.

Not only is Jesus the perfect cure

for the wounds to our souls that

have been inflicted by sin, but He

is also the glue that rejoins us to

God. Colossians 1 tells us Jesus is

the image of the invisible God and

created all things. Through Him all

things hold together. Only because

of Jesus, we have been reconciled

to the Father. His work on the cross

is the glue that makes everything

possible. He holds the world

together. Without Jesus, we would

be doomed. Because of Jesus, we

can have eternal life.

Meditate

God created the plan to reconcile

people to Himself through Jesus’

death. What should this tell you

about your worth to God?

Demonstrate

As you encounter lost people who

seem to hate the message of the

gospel, remember that before you

were reconciled to God, you were

His enemy too. Pray that a nonbeliever

you know will begin the

reconciliation process.

Friday

Read Jeremiah 11:6-8

Have you ever tried to tell friends

about an intense experience, only

to be met with blank stares and

indifference? After observing their

puzzled gaze, chances are good

you muttered the classic phrase, “I

guess you had to be there.”

Although we weren’t there to

wish upon the first twinkling star,

to smell the fragrance of the first

flower, or to hear the first birdsong

ever performed, you and I hold

front row seats to God’s ultimate

creative genius: the act of making

all things new within our hearts

and souls. As it turns out, He saved

His greatest miracle for those who

would place saving faith in His Son.

While we were dead in our sins,

Jesus created for us new hope,

new life, and a new future. God

called His original creation of man

and woman, “Very good.” You are

His masterpiece.

Meditate

Jesus wants to create a new you.

What role do you play in the process?

Demonstrate

Choose to see those around you

as precious creations of Christ—

masterpieces in the making.

Notes:

31

Week Eight:

October 24-30, 2020

Theme:

Jesus Offers New Life

Study Text: Isaiah 45:18–23

Saturday - Sunday

Read John 3:1–21

Monday


Tuesday

Read Luke 18:9–17

Do you remember your favorite

birthday party from when you

were a kid? It’s hard not to enjoy

a birthday. The day is all about us!

However, I once heard a parent

declare, “Kids’ birthday parties

should celebrate their moms.

We’re the ones who did all the work

and endured all the pain to give

them life! It should be about us!”

Jesus did all the work to bring us

new life through His grace. He

endured the pain for all people.

Nicodemus was a wealthy and

respected man. From an earthly

standpoint, he was the definition

of success. However, he was missing

the one important aspect that

really matters: Jesus. Rich, poor,

religious, atheist, male, female—all

are hopelessly lost in lives of sin

unless they are reborn in Christ.

Jesus has given us new life. That is

something worth celebrating!

Meditate

What are you doing with the new

life Christ has given you? How are

you using your days to serve Him

and others?

Demonstrate

Nicodemus had great prestige,

but he was lacking Jesus. Think of

one person you know who needs

Jesus. Pray for that person every

day this week.

If the National Honor Society at

your school is like the one where I

work, admission is all about what

you do. To gain membership a

student must excel academically

and actively participate in various

school clubs, activities, and community

service opportunities. With

some organizations, it’s all about

who you know. However, when it

comes to being inducted into NHS,

the people you know won’t do a

bit of good; it’s all about your good

works.

According to Isaiah’s messianic

prophecy and its New Testament

counterpart, Philippians 2, salvation

is all about who you know.

Only one name brings salvation.

As Isaiah 45 tells us, every knee will

bow and every tongue will confess

at the name of the Lord Jesus.

Good works are great things, but

they won't get you into Heaven.

Only Jesus Christ can save you.

Meditate

Do you trust your salvation to Jesus

alone, or do you feel your good

deeds justify your eternal life?

Demonstrate

Good works don't provide salvation,

but they should be proof of

salvation. Let your relationship

with Jesus Christ encourage you to

serve someone today.

The difference between the humble

tax collector and the proud

Pharisee lies in the standard they

compared themselves to. While

the Pharisee judged himself holier

than the “sinners” around him, the

tax collector realized he fell short

of the ultimate standard: God’s

holiness. The tax collector saw

his need for grace and mercy; the

Pharisee did not.

Jesus came to seek and save the

lost, but a person has to realize

he or she is lost before asking to

be found by God’s grace. Unfortunately,

many people refuse to

acknowledge they are sinners

and in need of saving grace. They

know they need something, but

they’re too prideful to admit it.

We all fall short of God’s perfect

glory (Romans 3:23). We all need

a Savior. Don't let pride keep you

from reaching out and accepting

God’s grace.

Meditate

How do you measure personal holiness?

Do you compare yourself

to others or to Jesus?

Demonstrate

Comparing your spirituality to others

is a recipe for disaster. Those

who do this end up either full of

pride or full of shame. Neither

pleases God. Focus on the forgiveness

and grace of God.

32 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Wednesday

Read 1 Corinthians 3

Aren’t babies adorable? They are

so innocent, pure, and helpless.

They depend on us for everything

from food to clean diapers. On

their own they can do nothing but

sleep, eat, poop, and cry. Babies

are great, but we don’t want them

to remain that way. They must

learn to walk, talk, and feed themselves.

Babies are supposed to

grow up. How tragic if one were to

remain a helpless infant!

To be born again we must approach

God as humble little

children who can do nothing about

our sin. However, we are supposed

to grow up. Paul did not find the

Corinthian believers’ immaturity

to be cute. In essence he said,

“Grow up!” Paul even called them

“infants” because they were

allowing disagreements to divide

the church. Jealousy and immaturity

don't look good on a Christian.

Believers are saved to grow in faith,

love, righteousness, and joy.

Meditate

What evidence of spiritual growth

do you see in your life?

Demonstrate

It’s never too late to start growing

in Christ. Memorize Philippians 1:6

and let it encourage you to cooperate

with the work Jesus is doing

in you.

Notes:

Thursday

Read 2 Timothy 1:1–11

From stray dogs, to baby bunnies,

to toads, if I see a critter in peril I

act swiftly. I even saved a vulnerable

mollusk family. I fixed them

a cozy little terrarium, but they

insisted on escaping. You wouldn’t

believe the places snails cropped

up that fall!

I rescue furry—or slimy—friends because

I love them and want them

to live. I want them to thrive.

Jesus feels the same about us,

and we are much more precious

than the animals of the earth. God

made us in His image. We are His

masterpiece. Taking this idea a

step further, God sent His Son

to die for us. Why? Because He

wants us to accept the free gift of

salvation. In 2 Timothy, Paul told

Timothy that the Lord calls us to

salvation through His grace so we

can thrive in holy new lives. God is

in the business of saving people.

Will you accept His offer and live in

His love?

Meditate

What would it look like for you to

thrive in the new life Jesus has

given you?

Demonstrate

To live in holiness means to act

like Jesus and to allow His Spirit to

breathe in us. For a more specific

explanation of what this life in the

Spirit should look like, check out

Galatians 5:22–23.

Friday

Read 1 John 5:1–4

People pay a lot of money for

purebred dogs. The pooch’s pedigree

assures them that the dog

will be a particular size and have

a particular look and, most likely,

have behaviors that are typical

of that breed. They also cost a

lot more and may have a greater

potential for health problems. A

qualified breeder, though, will have

documentation that the puppy is

born of purebred parents and will

provide that evidence to the new

owner.

What is the proof that someone

is born of God? First John 5:1–4

lists some behaviors and beliefs

to verify that someone belongs to

the family of God. If someone does

not love other believers, does not

keep His commands, and does

not overcome the pull of the world

system, what would be a natural

conclusion?

Meditate

Can others tell that you belong to

Jesus by the way you act?

Demonstrate

Make sure your attitudes match

your words today.

33

By Lindsey Carney

She twirled in the cutest red dress, matching lipstick, and floppy sunhat. I sighed and double tapped. Then

there was the basset hound puppy with his floppy ears and droopy eyes. Who couldn’t love that? Next came

the perfect cup of coffee with the swirly heart. Who came up with latte art? Tap-tap. If the next one was a

beach picture, I was throwing my phone across room. Thankfully, my phone was safe. It was a group of friends

who had hiked five miles to watch the sunrise from Mount LeConte. I tapped until the red heart showed itself

and then closed Instagram.

My 98-pound Labrador rested on the floor. Unless people think it’s cute to look at your tail sideways, we

weren’t going to be Instagram-worthy that morning. “That basset hound doesn’t have anything on you, old

man.” He eased off the floor to follow me to the back door. It wasn’t a five-mile hike, but surely it counted as

something to take my dog out every morning.

How in the world do people get these picture-perfect lives? Is it filters? Editing apps? Selfie ring lights?

34 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

#perfectlife #notreally

Painting a perfect picture when your life is anything

but perfect is nothing new. It dates back

thousands of years. They didn’t have an iPhone

B.C. back then, but they battled between the

outward appearance and internal truth, much like

today. I know their methods of transportation had

floppy ears, and men wore what might resemble

hospital gowns, but people also wore strappy sandals,

ate good bread, and I bet several of them even

rocked a man bun.

Throughout the Gospels we see religious people

who put their version of perfection on display and

tried to hold others to their high standards for

outward appearance, but John 4:1–42 tells us about

a woman who was far from perfect. I cannot help

but wonder what her Instagram account would

have looked like if she were around today.

How do you make five weddings look like they belong

on Pinterest? #mythirdspringwedding

#marriageadvicecards #fifthtimesacharm

How do you make your life not look friendless when

you are always alone? #lonerbychoice #justshy

How do you act like your life is full when really you

are running on empty? #cuphalffull #goodlife

The other women went to the well together, in the

early morning hours, before the heat of the sun

cracked the Samaria clay. She made the daily trip

alone, in the midday sweltering heat.

I don’t know if she had been handed five certificates

of divorce or if she had buried several of her

husbands. Either way, that’s a lot of rejection, a lot

of heartache. And she wasn’t even married to the

sixth man with whom she was living.

Her life was far from perfect. Maybe she wore a

smile every day to cover the wounds on the inside.

I know I have. I’ve been asked how I was doing,

and while “great” came out of my mouth, internally

I was far from it. I’ve brushed on my favorite

mascara and posted a funny caption when I was

nothing but sad. I know what it’s like to be falling

apart but to seem like I have it all together.

I’m not saying you need to make an announcement

to the entire world when your life is in the

gutter. I’m also not saying you shouldn’t use filters

or that pictures shouldn’t be edited. What I am saying

is that you don’t have to have it all together.

The people that you are scrolling past don’t have it

all together either, contrary to what they have on

display. Behind put-together rooms with perfectly

placed globe lights and fluffy pillows is a closet

with last week’s clothes thrown in a pile. Right after

the couple posted they had hit the five-month

mark and life couldn’t be better, she gave him the

stink eye. And what you can’t hear in that colorcoordinated

family photo is the mom yelling at

them to all look at the camera and smile. It still

took 16 tries to get the picture. And despite what

you might think, the parents in that photo argue

too.

#perfectlyimperfect

No one has it all together. Only Christ can wear the

crown of “perfect,” and He chose to not leave us in

our flawed ways.

35

Our Savior calls you to the well too.

It’s a safe place for your sins to be

forgiven and your chin to be raised.

In John 4, when Jesus left Judea to return to Galilee,

He could have gone around Samaria. That’s

what many of the religious leaders did. They would

take a longer route just to avoid the people they

called “dogs” and “half-breeds.” But not Jesus. He

never looked down His nose at others; He called

people to lift their eyes to meet His.

That’s what happened the day a nameless Samaritan

woman showed up all alone at the well. Jesus

didn’t arrive in the morning when the rest of the

townspeople would be there. He arrived at noon

and sat beside the well, waiting to talk to her—just

like He wants to talk every day to me, and to you.

It’s a meeting of the perfect with the imperfect.

The well was a place where the truth was laid bare

and the Samaritan woman wasn’t condemned. Jesus

didn’t pick up a stone, He didn’t make a hurtful

comment, and He didn’t walk away from her. Our

Savior calls you to the well too. It’s a safe place

for your sins to be forgiven and your chin to be

raised. The presence of Christ is the only place true

fulfillment is found. It is where the imperfect and

the perfect collide. He fills our thirsty souls, and we

find we don’t need to put a life on display that says

anything different.

That day at the well the Samaritan woman no

longer stood in the shadows of her townspeople.

Instead, she went to them and told about her

meeting with Christ. Because of that, many in her

village believed in Jesus! We, too, must be willing to

share the difference that Jesus makes in our lives.

That’s our testimony.

How might she have captioned her life after meeting

Christ at the well that day?

“This morning I was lonely and empty, my

life was far from great. Then I met Jesus.

He knew my entire story and accepted

me anyway. My life will never be perfect

but I’ll be meeting with the One whose

is.” #hetoldmeeverythingieverdid #theonlyperfectone

#ibelieve #myvillagedoestoo

#nofilter

The struggle of outward perfection and inward

truth is nothing new. In today’s world where light

is filtered, flaws are blurred, the good is enhanced,

images are “loved,” and comments are connected

to self-worth, you must remember the well. There

are no filters at the well, flaws are welcome, hard

questions are asked, hard questions are answered,

and love is more than a red heart on a screen.

No matter what others put on display, the reality

is no one has it all together. But the One who is

perfect is waiting on you to meet with Him. He’s

not there to condemn you, and He can handle the

hard stuff. You will have rough days, messy closets,

arguments, tears, and break ups. Christ is the only

thing that is and ever will be perfect in your life.

When you let that truth be on display, others in

your life will listen, see for themselves, and believe.

#justaskthewomanatthewell

Lindsey Carney is a writer, speaker, and Bible teacher.

She also owns Treasure 2 Farm in the rolling hills of Middle

Tennessee where she lives with her husband, Jason, and

their four children. Visit her website at lindseycarney.com

36 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Gopher Wood

Genesis 6:14 says the Ark was made out of gopher wood.

What is gopher wood? We don’t know! This is the only

place in the Bible where “gopher wood” is used. What

we do know is that it has nothing to do with the animal

called a gopher. But scholars don’t know what type of

tree produced gopher wood. It’s possible this type of

tree existed before the Flood but no longer exists today.

While we can’t say with certainty what type of tree or

wood was used, the important thing to remember is that

God provided for Noah and gave him the right materials

to build the Ark.

Jesus’ Travel Plans

In John 4, Jesus left Judea and headed to Galilee. Verse 4 says Jesus “had” to pass through Samaria.

From a travel standpoint, it made sense to pass through Samaria because it was the shortest route.

It would be like traveling from Texas to Kansas and passing through Oklahoma. However, strict

Jews hated Samaritans so much that they took a longer route just to avoid Samaria. It would be like

going from Texas to New Mexico to Colorado and then to Kansas, just to avoid people in Oklahoma.

However, Jesus was no ordinary Jewish leader. Not only did He travel through Samaria, but He broke

the cultural customs of the day and met with a Samaritan woman, offering her living water that

changed her life.

Can we believe in the miracles of the Gospels?

As William S. Craig and C.S. Lewis encourage us, if we start with who God is, miracles are not so hard to

accept. Can God intervene in the world He created? Yes. Does God intervene in the world He created?

Yes. When He does, the effects are miraculous. What helps us to confidently accept Jesus’ miracles?

Consider three truths:

1. There were witnesses. Something done in the presence of 5000 witnesses is hard to refute!

But we’ve seen enough magic shows and trick photography that we still doubt. So there were

other witnesses to other miracles too—reliable, trustworthy people who witnessed them

up close and personal. There were non-believers, skeptics, who witnessed the miracles and

acknowledged them. Actual people who were healed by Jesus gave first-person accounts.

Christ’s miracles were done in public places with many people who could see what happened.

2. The miracles were varied. Jesus didn’t have some oft-rehearsed scheme for deceiving

onlookers. In various places, He healed various people with various illnesses and disabilities.

He provided food or drink, gave life to dead people, cast out demons, calmed the storm, and

filled boats with fish, and more. And we don’t even know what else (John 21:25).

3. The miracles had purpose. As in other scriptural accounts, the miracles of the Gospels gave

confirmation to the authority of both the message and the messenger.

For more information, see Know Why You Believe (Paul Little, IVP, 2008), Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World (Josh

MeDowell and Sean McDowell, Thomas Nelson, 2017), Miracles (C. S. Lewis, HarperOne, 2015), and Reasonable Faith (William Lane Craig, Crossway, 2008).

37

Rolled Paper Art

Recycle magazines to make some unique 3-D art projects!

What you’ll need:

1. Pattern—with simple lines

2. Board, canvas, or

cardboard to glue your

finished product onto

3. Old magazines with

colorful pages

4. Craft glue that dries clear

5. Scissors

6. Dowel stick (small

diameter), knitting needle,

or pencil

Directions:

Step One: Choose

a pattern that is not

too complicated. Use

a copier to make it the

size you want it to be.

(For your first effort,

you’ll probably want

to stay about 8 x 10

inches. Smaller means

it is hard to work in the

small spaces; larger

means you’d have to

stack your paper rolls.)

Cut out the pattern.

Step Two: Tear or cut

out colorful pages from

old magazines. You

can trim off portions

(borders, print), but the

pages will generally be

unrecognizable when

you have rolled them

up. You can use just

portions of the page

too, but they will make

shorter rolls.

38 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Step Three: Roll the pages tightly around

the dowel (or knitting needle or pencil), starting

at a corner. You can start anywhere, but

the corner makes it easier to get started with

a tight roll and makes your paper roll extend

longer. Try to roll evenly so that the entire tube

is the same diameter. When you get to the end

of the paper, glue the corner down and gently

slip the roll off your dowel. Let them dry.

Step Four: Make a lot of them—more than

you think you will need. Your fingers will get

sticky.

Step Five: Glue the rolls to your pattern. Try

to fit them very close to each other. On your

first attempt, go with a random arrangement.

You may want to try more intentional color

patterns after some practice. It is easier to

glue the rolls down to cover the pattern, a few

rolls at a time (and let them dry for a few minutes),

and then trim them off to fit the pattern.

Just turn your piece over, and trim off any part

of the roll that hangs over the pattern.

Step Six: Glue your piece to the board (or

canvas or cardboard), let it dry or a day or two,

and display it!

Please send us pictures of your creations to forward@d6family.com

and we’ll feature them on the D6Family Facebook page!

39

On the scene from mission fields...

In Alpedrete, Spain with Emily & Marc Edgmon

Hola! We are Emily and Marc Edgmon and we have lived in Spain most of our lives. Marc was even born here.

We live in a town called Alpedrete near the capital city of Spain, Madrid. We wanted to tell you about some

roadblocks that keep young people our age from making their dreams come true.

One of those is the education system. Marc and I grew up in

the Spanish school system from the time we were three years

old until ninth grade (Marc) and eleventh grade (Emily). The

Spanish school system is very different from the American.

Elementary school ends at sixth grade and you go directly

into high school for seventh through twelfth. High school is a

big change from elementary school as the teachers seem not

to respect the students and the students don’t show much

respect to teachers either. Some students seemingly are there

just to pass their classes and have a fun time, which leads

to lots of chaos in the classrooms and makes it difficult to

learn. Often, students have to repeat grades in order to pass

them. In eleventh and twelfth grades, students really feel

the pressure because at the end of twelfth grade they take

a test that determines what they can study in college. For

example, someone who dreams of being a doctor, but scores

lower than a 13.075, will not be allowed to study medicine and

will have to choose a different major. This greatly impacts

students' performance in university and about 20% of college

students drop out every year.

Students in Spain

Madrid, Spain

Another roadblock for some young people is addiction.

In Spain many teenagers and young adults love going

out to parties. Most of the time when there is a party in

our town everyone goes—from the popular kids to the

not-so-popular kids. At these parties there is always alcohol

that the hosts charge for or the teens bring themselves.

In public parks throughout the year it is common

to find a group of friends with different bottles of alcohol

they mix with soft drinks. This public drinking is called

“botellón.” Each year, binge drinking leads to deaths,

sometimes in kids as young as 12 years old. There is also

40 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

a very laid-back attitude toward marijuana consumption.

Studies show that one third of kids between seventh and

twelfth grade have consumed the drug. Many don’t realize

that the use of it during adolescence puts them at a higher

risk of depression or suicide in adulthood.

Nearly half of Spanish young people do not identify with

any religion at all. This means that many are trying to

handle their studies, navigate cultural pressures, and look at

a difficult economic future with no hope to build on. Paul,

speaking to the Ephesians, said that before they knew Jesus

they were without hope and without God in the world (Ephesians

2:12). Praise God that He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to

give hope and purpose to each life. We thank God every time

one of our friends asks us about the hope we have. Some

have joined us for special outreaches in the summer or even

come to church services. Others have a closed heart right

now. Will you pray for young people in Spain?

Facts about Spain

• If you love the beach, Spain is the place for you!

With nearly 5,000 miles of beaches in a country

that is roughly the size of the state of Texas there

is plenty of sand and surf for everyone.

• If you love weird ways to celebrate, then you will

love Spain. Everyone knows about the running

of the bulls in Pamplona, but did you know that

La Tomatina is an annual festival where people

throw a ton and a half of tomatoes at each other?!

• In 2019, nearly 84 million tourists visited Spain.

While the majority come from the UK, Germany,

and France, there are always a good number of

American visitors too.

Far de Cap Salines,

Mallorca, Spain

Religious Breakdown

• 10 million Spaniards live in towns with no

gospel witness at all.

• Evangelical believers are only 1% of the

population.

• Many Spaniards identify as Catholics, but do

not attend mass or follow church teachings.

• More people now identify as atheist or

agnostic (29%) than Catholic (23%) in Spain.

How You Can Pray

La Tomatina

Festival

• Economic and physical recovery after

the COVID-19 pandemic in the town of

Alpedrete. They were already struggling

with soaring unemployment.

• English lessons and outreach ministries

in a nearby city; the missionary team

hopes to plant another church there.

Emily and Marc with their parents Anthony and Lea

• Effective opportunities for sharing the

gospel with teens in the community,

like a fall Christian apologetics event in

Madrid called “Reboot Spain.”

41

SENDING THE GOSPEL

TO THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

God’s Word is being proclaimed in some of the world’s most remote and hard-toreach

places through Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse.

Learn more at

SAMARITANSPURSE.ORG/ENDSOFTHEEARTH

National Shoebox Collection Week: November 16-23, 2020

Which one of these is not like the other?

Here is a list of names. Which one does not belong?

For example:

Try these

Mary, Lazarus, Simon, Martha

Answer: Simon does not belong. The others were siblings, the members of

Marthaís household when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead.

Answers on page 57

November Quick Look

01

08

15

America

Recycles Day

02

09

16

03

Extra Mile Day Deviled Eggs Day Sandwich Day

Tongue

Twister Day

Clarinet Day

10

17

Take a

Hike Day

04

11

Origami Day

18

05

12

19

Play

Monopoly Day

06

Nachos

Day

13

World

Kindness Day

20

07

14

21

Adoption Day

22

23

24

25

26

27

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Parfait Day

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Flossing Day

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43

Week Nine:

Oct. 31 - Nov. 6, 2020

Theme:

Jesus Meets Our Deepest Needs

Study Text: 2 Kings 5:1–27

Saturday - Sunday

Read John 4:1–42

Monday

Read 2 Kings 5:1–27

Tuesday


I watched a toddler pitch a fit in

church one Sunday. The child demanded

one thing after another—a

toy, a snack, a new lap on which to

sit—but nothing satisfied her. The

mother noted, “She didn’t sleep

well last night. She needs a nap.”

Parents are so good at getting to

the heart of the problem.

The Samaritan woman who served

Jesus a drink at the community

well thought she needed water

to quench her physical thirst,

but Jesus saw a deeper need. He

introduced Himself as the source

of living water and proceeded to

wow her with His knowledge of her

private life. The woman, an outcast

in her culture, became a disciple

of Christ and then an evangelist.

She told everyone about the

Savior who got to the heart of her

problem.

Meditate

What deep, spiritual needs has

Jesus met for you?

Demonstrate

Jesus delights in taking care of

our deepest needs. Tell someone

about something Jesus has done

for you.

Several years ago a friend of mine

attempted to help me out of a

serious financial mess. When he

offered a check to me I initially

refused. I was humiliated at the

thought of accepting help, but

I desperately needed it. Finally,

I agreed to take the check but

promised to pay it back with interest,

to which my friend replied,

“Please, just take it.”

Naaman was in a similarly desperate

situation. A commander of the

army, he was stricken with leprosy.

His situation was not hopeless,

however, because God graciously

offered to heal him. Yet, just like

my pride urged me to refuse help

from a friend, Naaman’s pride

got in the way. He initially refused

to obey God’s prescription for

healing. Finally, he obeyed and was

healed, but he still wanted to pay

for the service. Elisha responded,

in essence, “Just take it.” There was

no cost for the miraculous work of

God.

Meditate

When you experience a need in

life, do you turn to Jesus first or as

a last resort? What role does your

pride play in the matter?

Demonstrate

Spend five minutes in prayer

today and talk to Jesus about your

needs. You don't have to use big

words or fancy phrases. Just be

honest with Him.

I live in a small, rural community.

Five churches sit within the city

limits of my hometown of just over

1000 people. That’s not counting

the dozen or so country churches.

You can understand my surprise

when I heard about a little girl who

attended a neighborhood Vacation

Bible School. She had never

heard of Jesus. How could that be

possible?

When Jesus sent out the disciples

to share about His ability to

meet the deepest spiritual needs

of the lost, He reminded them

to give freely because they had

freely received. How are we doing?

Consider the Joshua Project’s astounding

assertion that there are

approximately 7300 unreached

people groups in the world (www.

joshuaproject.net). Although it’s

a bit shocking, chances are good

there are people around you who

have never heard of Jesus. Will you

tell them?

Meditate

How can you take the message

of Christ and help meet people’s

deepest spiritual need?

Demonstrate

Write a letter or email to a friend

or family member that explains

the hope you have in Christ. Even

if you don’t send it, this activity

might help you see that sharing

Christ’s message isn’t so scary

after all.

44 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Wednesday


In addition to identifying the 7300

unreached people groups in the

world, The Joshua Project also

offers up the following astounding

statistics:

• Together, the 50 largest

unreached people groups

are comprised of 1.47

billion souls.

• Approximately 81% of the

world’s Hindus, Muslims,

and Buddhists do not

know a single Christian.

After Jesus had commanded His

disciples to go to all the world to

preach the gospel, they traveled

thousands of miles to help Him

meet the world’s greatest spiritual

need: salvation. Our role in the

continuing task is simpler. The

world often comes to us. We are

truly a global society. There is no

excuse for not doing our part to

evangelize the world.

Meditate

What opportunities do you have

to interact with different cultures?

How can you use these opportunities

to share the gospel?

Demonstrate

Don’t forget that your school cafeteria,

the street on which you live,

and your favorite local hangout are

part of “all the world” too.

Notes:

Thursday

Read Luke 10:25–37

I grew up watching Sesame Street

on PBS and singing along with

the characters. My favorite song

asked, “Who are the people in your

neighborhood?” The song then

proceeded to answer this question,

telling us that the people in

our neighborhood are the people

we meet every day.

An expert in Jewish law asked the

question long before Sesame

Street. He directed it at Jesus in an

effort to justify himself. In a sense,

the man was trying to determine

who was not his neighbor, which

would give him an excuse for not

loving everyone. Jesus’ answer

proved a bit more elaborate than

Bert and Ernie’s. In the parable

Jesus made it clear that everyone

is our neighbor, even people we

don’t particularly like. No matter if

they’re our best friends or people

we’re meeting for the first time,

our neighbors are the people—all

the people—we meet. The bottom

line? Jesus wants to meet

the needs of all the people in

the neighborhood; therefore, so

should we.

Meditate

What groups of people are you

less than thrilled about serving?

How can you overcome these

hesitations?

Demonstrate

Make a concentrated effort in

the coming days to reach out to

students at your school who get

overlooked or shunned, even the

ones who bring it on themselves.

Friday


One of my favorite cartoons

features stuffed-with-fluff Winnie

the Pooh, who finds himself stuck

in the doorway of his home. In

Owl’s words, he is “a wedged bear

in a great tightness.” While some

of his friends pull on Pooh from

the outside, other pals push from

the rear in a team effort to provide

Pooh with the one thing he needs

most: freedom.

Sin wedges us into a very great

tightness. As if leaving us stuck isn’t

bad enough, sin also squelches the

light of Christ and blankets us in

darkness. Frozen by fear, penned

in by pride, locked in by lust, we

desperately need one thing: freedom.

Thankfully, as Isaiah’s prophecy

foretold, our truest friend, the

Lord of Light, is willing and able to

set us free. Although many despise

Him and reject Him, Jesus is our

Redeemer. He can provide freedom

that no one else can.

Meditate

Who needs your help and friendship

in accepting Jesus’ offer to

set them free from the sins that

imprison them?

Demonstrate

Stuck in sin? What are you waiting

for? Turn to Jesus. Come out! Be

free!

45

Week Ten:

November 7 - 13, 2020

Theme:

Jesus Works Miracles

Study Text: Deut. 2:1–7

Saturday - Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Read John 6:1–14

A few years ago, I adopted a dog

from a rescue shelter. Charlie’s former

life was filled with abuse and

neglect. But his new life includes a

provision of everything he needs.

He has food, water, a soft, cozy

bed in which to sleep, and most of

all, love and affection.

Jesus provides for the needs of all

those who enjoy new life in Him.

What physical need did He meet

for the crowd of people in today’s

verses? Let’s be honest: we’re

a needy breed. Not only do we

require food, water, and shelter,

but we also crave attention, love,

comfort, joy, and purpose in life.

We also need instruction and discipline.

Our faithful Lord provides

it all.

Meditate

What does God’s faithful provision

teach you about His character?

Demonstrate

List five specific things God provides

for you.

Read Deuteronomy 2:1–7

I’m a bit of a control freak. The

school where I work has automatically

deposited my payroll

check into my checking account

each month for the past ten years.

Nothing has ever gone wrong; the

money has always been there

on payday, but I still log on to my

account every month to make

sure it’s there. Even in the face of a

perfect track record by the school

and bank, I still doubt.

Many believers tend to be control

freaks when it comes to trusting

God to provide for them. Although

He never fails us, we can’t seem

to resist coming up with a backup

plan, just in case He doesn’t come

through. How long had God been

with the children of Israel during

their time in the wilderness (verse

7)? During that time, what did they

lack?

Meditate

What consistent blessings from

God can you reflect on? How does

this help when you are tempted to

worry?

Demonstrate

Memorize Philippians 4:19.


My bed is unbelievably comfortable.

It has one of those pillow-top

mattresses; it swallows you in fluffy

softness when you flop into it at

the end of a busy day. The funny

thing about my bed, though, is that

it doesn’t provide rest if I fail to

crawl into it.

We live in a stressed world, with

many pressures and troubles that

rob us of rest. God promises to

give His weary children the rest

they need, and He’s not just talking

about physical weariness. As

today’s verses point out, in Him we

find rest for our souls too. However,

we can’t expect our stress to

disappear if we don’t turn to Jesus

and let Him swallow us up in His

love and comfort.

Meditate

What did Jesus offer to the weary

in today’s verses? What did they

have to do to get it?

Demonstrate

Turn your worries into prayers.

Catch yourself when you are

tempted to worry and take your

need to your Heavenly Father

instead.

46 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Wednesday

Read Luke 12:8–12

When I was in high school, I participated

in the drama program. On

big performance nights our teacher

always positioned a “prompter”

just off stage. If an actor forgot

what to say at a particular time

in the production, the prompter

would whisper the line to get him

back on track.

The Holy Spirit does the same

for us when we witness for Christ.

We know the story. We know the

message of salvation, but nerves

and Satan often get the best of

us at crucial moments. What did

Jesus say the Holy Spirit would do

for His disciples when they needed

to defend their beliefs? Never

fear; our Prompter will deliver the

message to us so we can deliver it

to the lost. So what’s stopping you

from sharing your faith now?

Meditate

How does fear of not knowing what

to say affect your willingness to

share your faith with others?

Demonstrate

Ask your small group leader to

recommend a good book to read

about sharing your faith.

Thursday

Read Luke 12:22–34

To better understand why Jesus

wants us to trust Him to provide

our basic needs, let’s conduct

a little experiment. Go into the

bathroom and stare straight into

the mirror. What do you see? If you

are completely zoned in to your

own reflection, you’ll see nothing

but yourself. You will never spot

the dirty towel on the floor or the

mark on the wall or even your cat

plotting your demise.

The same applies to your life. If

you spend all your time worrying

about your clothes, your hair, the

car you drive, or other material

things, you won’t notice the hurting

people around you to whom you

can reach out. Jesus wants you to

trust Him to take care of you. In the

meantime, you should take care of

others in His name.

Meditate

According to the first verse you

read today, what things are we not

supposed to worry about? Do any

of these consume some of your

brain power? How can you redirect

your thinking?

Demonstrate

Write Luke 12:29–31 on a notecard

and put it where you will read it

often.

.

Friday

Read 2 Corinthians 9:6–15

When you were a little kid, did your

parents ever have to make you

share your toys with your siblings

or friends? I know mine did. We

tend to think of our stuff as truly

belonging to us, when in reality

it belonged to God first, but He

graciously gave it to us to meet our

needs and desires. In return we

should share His bountiful blessings

with others, but we shouldn’t

do it begrudgingly or with a poor

attitude. What kind of giver does

God love (verse 7)?

When giving to others, whether

it’s money, time, or possessions,

consider this: God delights in using

His children to provide for others.

In sharing what you have with

others, you might be an answer

to a prayer. How could you not be

cheerful about that?

Meditate

Giving is one thing; giving cheerfully

raises the standard a notch. What

is your attitude about giving?

Demonstrate

Interview your parents or grandparents

about cheerful giving. How

have they been enriched by being

generous (verse 11)?

Notes:

47

Week Eleven:

November 14 - 20, 2020

Theme:

Jesus Has Power Over Death


Saturday - Sunday

Read John 11:1–44

Monday


Tuesday

Read Psalm 43

“I have an oil for that!” I have heard

those words come shooting out

of my mouth more times than I

care to admit in the months since

I have begun using essential oils

for everything from thickening hair

to curing toenail fungus. I’m fairly

certain my family and friends are

sick of hearing it.

“I have a cure for that! Faith! It’s all

you need!” Full of the best intentions

and utter truth, we often

throw faith at every problem our

loved ones present to us. While

faith in Jesus Christ is the answer

to life’s problems, sometimes we

need to show compassion before

people can understand that faith.

Jesus knew He would raise Lazarus

from the dead, yet He took time to

mourn with a grieving family. We’re

not always called to fix the problems

of others. Sometimes we’re

simply called to show the compassion

of Jesus.

Meditate

In what circumstances have

well-meaning people told you to

“just believe”? How did this make

you feel about the person’s care

and concern over your situation?

Demonstrate

When helping a friend face a crisis,

pray, show love and empathy, and

listen for the Holy Spirit’s leading.

Don’t try to “fix it” with religious

jargon.

Have you ever been in a crowd of

people yet felt absolutely alone?

Perhaps you were at a new school,

surrounded by hundreds of students,

yet knowing no one. Maybe

you attended a church event

where no one talked to you and

you were by yourself.

Hagar must have felt a similar void

as she isolated herself from those

who made her feel invisible, even

in their company. However, her

loving Lord spoke to her in her time

of greatest loneliness. Because of

her encounter she called Him, “the

God who sees me.” Sometimes

God’s presence is seen through

angels; other times He meets the

lonely through other people. It is

up to us to be ready, aware of the

needs around us, and willing to

reveal His love.

Meditate

How can you make sure your

words, behavior, and attitudes

convey to others that God sees

and cares for them?

Demonstrate

Be mindful of those who might

feel lonely. Reach out to someone

this week and be a compassionate

friend.

I witnessed an incredible act of

faith when my grandpa suffered

a series of strokes that left him

unable to communicate or care

for himself. As I stepped outside

my grandparents’ house for some

fresh air, I heard someone speaking

forcefully. I caught a glimpse

of my grandma, standing at the

fence, fist raised toward Heaven,

letting God have it. Some people

might think her behavior was

inappropriate, disrespectful, or

even blasphemous, but it shouted

faith to me. Gran didn’t hold back

her honest feelings about the

situation, nor did she relinquish her

faith. Her time of transparency with

God gave her strength for the long

months ahead.

Sometimes the psalmist seemed

to walk the line of two extremes. In

one verse he railed about God’s

apparent abandonment, but the

next verse is filled with eloquent

praise. Was he crazy? Unbalanced?

Maybe a little. We all are.

We’re human. Let’s be honest

about it.

Meditate

How will presenting your honest

feelings, doubts, and frustrations

to God free you to hold on to faith

during hard times?

Demonstrate

Check out Matthew 27:46 and experience

Jesus’ honesty with God.

48 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Wednesday

Read Psalm 105

Waiting can be awful—waiting to

turn 16 and take your driver’s test,

waiting to get your ACT or SAT

scores, waiting for the weekend,

waiting for that college acceptance

letter. Sometimes waiting is

particularly excruciating—waiting

on the results of a loved one’s

cancer scans, waiting to see if

your parents go through with their

divorce, waiting on the bench

outside the principal’s office after

being caught cheating. Yep, waiting

is rough!

At least we don’t have to wait in

shackles, like Joseph (verse 18).

God made him wait in terribly

uncomfortable circumstances,

and although he had no choice but

to stay put and endure, he chose

to remain faithful to God when he

could have checked out mentally

and spiritually. That’s impressive

waiting. What enabled him to do

it? His total commitment to God

and his unwavering faith in God’s

power and purpose.

Meditate

How can you use a time of waiting

to strengthen your faith in what

God is doing?

Demonstrate

Memorize Isaiah 40:31

Notes:

Thursday


All and every. These two words

are probably the most profound

words in verse 35. They convey to

us the vast reach of Jesus’ compassion.

He visited all the towns

and villages. He didn’t pick and

choose the ones that would offer

the warmest welcome or that had

already indicated firm support of

His ministry. He visited them all,

and while He was there He healed

every disease. He didn’t just bless

the “good people” with renewed

health. He didn’t just touch those

with minor issues. He didn’t ask for

evidence that the patients were

believers. He healed every one of

them.

What about us? When we encounter

a group of people do we love

and serve them all, or do we pick

and choose the pleasant ones, the

appropriately dressed ones, the

virtuous ones, the deserving ones?

Our answer determines the depth

of our compassion.

Meditate

Do you struggle to show compassion

to certain types of people?

What steps can you take to align

your heart with Jesus’ and more

effectively reach all and every?

Demonstrate

Ask God to help you have a heart

full of compassion that loves all

people.

Friday

Read Acts 4:32–37

The kindergarten school supply

list at my school asks families

to provide six boxes of crayons

per student. That seems like a

lot. What do we do with all those

crayons? The teachers sort them

all by color and split them among

all of the kindergarten students.

In this manner, none of our less

financially fortunate kids go without

crayons. I’m sad to say that

some parents are angered by this

procedure. They don’t believe they

should be held responsible for

other people’s duties to provide

for their kids. Some of them even

refuse to provide the requested six

boxes. Guess what? Their kids still

get crayons.

The early believers persistently

preached the good news of Jesus’

resurrection, but their actions

spoke far louder than their words in

testifying of the new life they found

in Christ. They shared everything.

No one was left wanting.

Meditate

How can this concept of sharing all

things among all people be carried

out without enabling people to be

lazy and neglectful of their responsibilities?

Demonstrate

Volunteer some time at a local

food pantry or thrift store. There

aren’t enough hours in the day for

staff members to sort through all

the donations they receive. Why

not offer a few of your free hours?

49

Week Twelve:

November 21 - 27, 2020

Theme:

Faith Is Tested by Trials

Study Text: 2 Chronicles 10

Saturday - Sunday

Read Job 1:1—2:3

Monday

Read 2 Chronicles 10

Tuesday


Swimming is not my thing. My

approach to large bodies of water

involves tentatively dipping my big

toe in to check the temperature

and then gradually easing the rest

of me into the water. When I first

met my husband, I warned him

that if he ever pushed me into the

water not only would our relationship

end, but his life might as well.

Easing into troubled times in life

would be nice, but most often

they come crashing down all of a

sudden, stealing our breath and

making us feel like we’re drowning

in worry, anger, depression, or sorrow.

Satan certainly shoved Job off

into the deep end of difficult times.

Job went from having everything to

having almost nothing. However,

Job held tightly to the one thing he

had left: his faith.

Meditate

When life gets tough, do you find

it easier or more difficult to cling

to your faith? Why was Job able to

hold on to his faith?

Demonstrate

Life is difficult. Spend time in

prayer and ask God to help you remain

faithful during the hard times.

When I was in high school the

members of our boys’ cross country

team decided it would be a

good idea to give a rude gesture to

the members of a rival team. Just

before judgment fell, our principal

reminded the boys they had been

told repeatedly to conduct themselves

in a manner that represents

our school well. Then he asked,

“Why on earth would you think this

was a good idea?” Let’s be honest—teenage

boys don’t always

think things through before acting.

Consider Rehoboam’s group of

young men. When asked to advise

the king they suggested boasting

about biceps and using scorpions

as torture tools. So much for

diplomacy. Why on earth would

Rehoboam follow their advice? It’s

tough to know why, but he did. This

resulted in a major catastrophe.

Rehoboam had the opportunity to

do what was wise and right, yet he

chose the way of foolishness, and

chaos followed.

Meditate

When you need advice and

wisdom, whom do you seek out?

Why? Why is it important to seek

out godly, wise people when you

need advice?

Demonstrate

Memorize Psalm 1:1. Remembering

and applying it will save you from a

world of trouble.

I used to think the children’s story,

“The Three Little Pigs,” was a good

representation of the wise and

foolish builders in today’s verses.

The importance of sturdy building

material cannot be overstated.

However, I changed my mind on

a recent trip to my husband’s

hometown. The new high school

was solid brick and super nice.

After I expressed my admiration,

Brandon informed me that the

new school rested atop a sinkhole.

“They’re just asking for disaster.”

Sturdy building materials are important,

but they’re not as critical

as a strong foundation. On sand or

sinkhole, the strongest brick house

will fall. The same can be said of

our lives, even if we build them

with the best education, the most

stellar talents and abilities, and the

coolest plans. When the storms

of life come, we will fall unless our

lives rest securely on a bedrock of

faith in Christ.

Meditate

What daily habits are you developing

that will strengthen your faith

foundation?

Demonstrate

In addition to prayer and Bible

study, keeping a faith journal is a

wonderful method of growing in

faith. Record your life experiences.

You’ll see God’s hand in every area

of your life, and in both good and

bad times.

50 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Wednesday


A high school student recently

gushed excitement about an online

class he was taking for college

credit. “It’s so easy! We never have

homework, and the test questions

come straight from the notes. I’m

going to take as many online classes

as I can!” I gave him a look and a

word of warning: “Don’t get used to

it. They aren’t always easy.”

It’s easy to get used to being comfortable.

We have enough food,

clothing, money, gas in the tank,

friends, and health to make life

fairly enjoyable most of the time.

That’s a good thing, right? After all,

Paul said contentment is beneficial!

Actually, a world of difference

lies between being content and

being comfortable. Being content

means you are thankful for what

you have in the present moment

and are satisfied, even if you don’t

have everything you want. You

can be content, even if you aren’t

comfortable.

Meditate

How can you develop contentment

within your heart and mind?

Demonstrate

Give something away! Give money

or a valued possession to someone

in need. Give time or kindness

when it is not convenient. Do this

in thanksgiving and sacrifice to

God who has blessed you richly.

Thursday

Read Hebrews 11:24–28

When I think about what it means

to give up everything you have,

my mind instantly goes to missionaries

who have traded in their

material possessions for a chance

to share the gospel with others. I’ve

seen friends leave their well-paying

jobs, sell their nice homes, and get

rid of their nice cars simply so they

could follow God’s call and move

overseas to share the gospel. God

called; they obeyed.

Moses could’ve continued a life of

luxury in the palace of Egypt, but

his Israelite heart wouldn’t allow it.

He walked away from power and

riches and into poverty and times

of great struggle, but he became

the deliverer of God’s people. God

called; Moses obeyed. Being rich in

love, faith, grace, and generosity is

far superior to being bank-account

rich.

Meditate

How can you share your blessings—time,

talents, material

possessions, money—with others?

How can sharing your blessings

provide an opportunity to share

the gospel?

Demonstrate

Find out ways you can support

missionaries, whether through

financial giving, prayer, or encouragement.

Friday

Read 2 Peter 1:3-11

Several years ago a popular singer

released a song that shot straight

to the top of the Billboard charts.

Its lyrics echoed a famous old

adage: What doesn’t kill you makes

you stronger. I blasted that song

on my iPod during my most recent

attempt to become a runner,

although the words didn’t help

much. I was fairly certain I would

be killed with every ragged breath.

However, the music and the volume

at which it played managed

to drown out my racing heartbeat

and desperate gasps for air.

As Job and countless other suffering

believers have discovered,

what doesn’t kill your faith truly will

make it stronger. Trials breed trust,

if we don’t succumb to self-pity,

doubt, and fear. What do we need

to survive? Peter’s recipe calls for

a little perseverance, self-control,

wisdom, and love. It’s a powerful

combination. It drowns out the

self-pity, doubt, and fear.

Meditate

How have perseverance, self-control,

wisdom, and love helped your

faith to survive a time of trouble?

How can you build these qualities

in your life?

Demonstrate

Read Job 1 again. Take some time

to think about verse 22 and what

it means to live with that type of

extreme faith.

Notes:

51

Week Thirteen:

Nov. 28 - Dec. 4, 2020

Theme:

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Study Text: Proverbs 17:9–17

Saturday - Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Read Job 2:11-13

After losing his mother—a lifelong

drug addict—to an overdose last

weekend, a local preteen boy

noted, “God has been preparing

me for this. I knew it was coming.”

His faith leaves me awestruck and

filled with questions. Why did God

allow this child, who has suffered

so much, to endure yet another

chapter of agony?

God allowed someone else to

suffer: His only Son. Jesus suffered

physical, mental, and spiritual

anguish as He paid for our sins on

the cross. Why didn’t God save

Him the pain? Because of His

love for us. As impossible as it is

to understand, and as hard as it

is to believe, God’s love permits

suffering. As part of the human

condition, we face disappointment,

disaster, disease, and death.

In addition to His presence and

help, God also sends us friends to

share our sorrows.

Meditate

In what ways have you experienced

God’s love in the middle of

suffering?

Demonstrate

Think of someone you know who

is hurting right now—whether

emotionally or physically. Do

something to help. If you don’t

know what to do, ask God to direct

you to just the right act of kindness

and support.

Read Proverbs 17:9–17

Fair-weather baseball fans root

for the home team . . . as long as

they’re winning. At the first sign of a

shutout, a rain out, or a washout of

a season, those fans are gone. But

if you’ve got a friend on the team,

even if he is on the bench, you

show up—no matter the weather,

no matter the score, no matter the

hopes for a pennant.

According to Solomon, the author

of Proverbs, there is no such thing

as a fair-weather friend. True

friends stand by your side and

offer assistance and comfort in

the worst of circumstances. Rather

than being scared away by your

suffering or awkwardly tiptoeing

around it, they share in it. They

stand up for you and stick close

to you. Fair-weather folks are just

acquaintances; they’re not friends.

Meditate

Are you a fair-weather companion

or a faithful friend in good times

and bad?

Demonstrate

Don’t overthink your methods of

loving and helping the suffering.

Keep it simple. Sometimes the

greatest comfort lies in quiet companionship

or shared sorrow.

Read Romans 8:18–25

Our son dragged sleds and tractor

tires around a field. He ran bleacher

steps. He high-stepped through

tires and hit walls. He sweated

through lunges and jumping jacks.

He bench-pressed heavy loads.

None of it was fun, but he was

focused on the pay-off: winning

football games. The temporary

suffering of football practice was

worth the reward of playing well.

Paul encouraged the suffering

Roman believers with much the

same message. Pain can produce

great things within believers, both

now and in eternity. It teaches

patience, compassion, and true

dedication to God. Jesus suffered,

so when we suffer for doing good,

our suffering makes us more like

Him. He is most definitely worth it.

Meditate

How have times of suffering made

you a stronger believer?

Demonstrate

Reflect on a time of suffering and

use your experience to fuel compassionate

acts toward those who

struggle with similar pain.

52 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Wednesday

Read Philippians 2:1–4

In the Garden of Eden, Adam

and Eve introduced sin into the

world. And it has been here since.

Because of the suffering our world

experiences, many question why

God hasn’t done something to

alleviate the suffering. The truth

is He has done something: He

entrusted us with special gifts so

we could be His beacons of hope

to a lost and dying world.

Paul taught the Philippians that

they had received special gifts

from Christ, and he challenged

them to use gifts like comfort,

peace, encouragement, and gentleness

to bless those who suffer.

We should do likewise. Instead of

asking God why He allows suffering,

we need to ask ourselves why

we allow it and what we will do

about it.

Meditate

Are you doing everything you can

to alleviate the suffering of those

around you?

Demonstrate

Take the Friendship Challenge:

Seek out a lonely, isolated, or rejected

student in your school and

show genuine friendship before

this week ends.

Thursday


My 92-year-old grandmother often

told me, “I can’t do much of anything

for anybody, but I can sit here

and pray!” Only Heaven knows the

eternal difference those sweet

pleas made in the lives of those

Gran mentioned to Jesus. She has

been with Him for a year now, and

I’m certain she talks His ear off.

Paul was even more passionate

about prayer than Gran was. He

understood it to be the key to

peace, comfort, holiness, and the

expansion of God’s kingdom. Are

you surrounded by lost, unsaved

people? Pray! Do you know someone

who is suffering? Pray! Has

someone you barely know been on

your mind a lot lately? Pray! Even

when you think there is nothing

you can do, there is something.

First and foremost, you must pray.

Meditate

Can you think of someone who

needs to know Jesus? Pray for that

person.

Demonstrate

Whether you use a phone app, an

online blog, or an old-fashioned

spiral notebook, keep a prayer

journal. Record your requests and

God’s responses. It will strengthen

your faith.

Friday

Read 1 Peter 1:3–11

My friend Gary ran a 100-mile race

last weekend. That’s right . . . 100

miles! When I asked Gary what

kept him going when the pain and

exhaustion set in, he simply replied,

“The promise of the finish.” I

assume the reward would not have

been as sweet if he had driven the

100 miles.

Peter offered a bit of encouragement

to his readers by reminding

them of the reward at the end of

the line for believers. The person

who faithfully follows Christ has

salvation and an eternal inheritance

to look forward to. This

reward is made even sweeter because

of the suffering we endure

on the journey. Surely, Heaven

wouldn’t be as sweet if we were

able to breeze through the gates

with no struggle.

Meditate

How does the promise of the end

of all suffering and the eternal

salvation of your soul help you

through difficult times?

Demonstrate

Encourage those who are struggling

to keep their focus on the

finish. While you’re at it, remind

yourself to do the same.

Notes:

53

Name that cartoon from the description

of its first episode.

1 2

Carnivoris Vulgaris will

stop at nothing to catch

dinner; a boomerang, school

crossing, boulder, and (of

course) an exploding rocket

are involved. Beep! Beep!

To be able to go

bowling instead of

accompanying their

wives to the opera,

Fred and Barney

pretend to be ill.

3

The main character is

sad because rain keeps

her from playing outside

in the barnyard. But

after the rain, she and

George get to jump in

mud puddles.

4

The teenage gang

searches for a missing

archaeologist who left

a suit of black armor

when he disappeared.

5 6

Jane decides to

buy a robot maid,

but George thinks

it may ruin his

chances for a raise.

Dreamy’s

ambition is to go

into space, and

Handy helps him!

7 8

Sweet Polly Purebred

and a rescue from a

bank vault introduce

a rather clumsy hero,

not a plane, not a frog.

After their own

planet explodes,

Jaga and Lion-O must

find a new home on

Third Earth.

9

Selina Kyle and

the terrorist

Red Claw are

featured.

After Elmer buys him

from a pet shop, he

refuses to be a pet

and eventually takes

over Elmer’s house

and sleeps in his bed.

10

11

To get to a chicken that’s

as big as a house, Boots

and his owner must cross

a broken bridge and open

a locked gate.

When he finally

breaks out of

Jellystone Park,

he wants back in to

avoid the hunters.

12

54 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

answers on page 57

insights from youth pastor

Jon Forrest

Fighting Doubt

They show up in those quiet moments when you’re

alone in the dark, trying to turn off your brain

so you can get enough rest to function the next

morning. They sneak in through cracks you didn’t

know existed. If left unchecked they can grow

until they take over your life.

I’m talking about mice, but now that I think about

it, doubt behaves in the exact same way.

An efficient way to avoid doubts about God is to

kick your brain into neutral and not think about

those difficult questions such as evil, our origins,

or how we got our Bible. This is an efficient way to

deal with doubt, but it’s also wildly inadequate.

I remember the first time I really wrestled with

the fact that although God owns the cattle on a

thousand hills, about 25,000 people starve to death

every day! God could speak the word and fix it, and

yet He doesn’t.

For a long time, I mastered the art of sidestepping

these doubts, usually by going to Taco Bell while

chanting, “Jesus, church, steeples, Moses, holiness,

etc.” until I fogged my mind with enough chimichangas

and mantras to function normally.

While chimichangas are the answer to many of

life’s questions, they are not the best way to fight

doubts you may have about God.

Our doubts are not a shock to God. Matthew 28:17

tells us that some of the 11 remaining disciples

doubted. This is after they had seen Jesus feed

5000 people with a Lunchables control not only

the weather but also the sea, heal the sick, raise the

dead, come back from the dead, and do so many

other things there aren’t enough pages on earth to

contain it. They witnessed all of that and yet they

doubted. And you thought you were weak!

Please hear this: doubt is not the end of the world.

As a matter of fact, I’d argue that some of the greatest

times of spiritual growth come from wrestling

with difficult questions. First Thessalonians 5:21

tells us to “test everything.” God is not intimidated

by your quest for truth. If given a fair investigation,

all real truth leads directly back to Him.

As you confront your doubts be sure to surround

yourself with people you trust who can help you

dig deep for truth. Emotions run deep when it

comes to these tough questions. Be careful not to

give in to a voice just because it is the loudest at

the moment.

Doubt is a natural part of making your faith your

own. God made that beautiful brain of yours and

I’m so glad you’re giving it a good workout.

Jon Forrest has been working with students at Bethel Free

Will Baptist Church in Ashland City, Tennessee for about 25

years. He is the author of Help! My Games Stink and FIGHT.

His passions include collecting Nerf guns (he estimates well

over 400) and lobbying for Chick-fil-A to get Honey Roasted

BBQ Sauce into the larger foil-covered plastic containers.

His wife Carrie and daughter Ellie lovingly put up with him.

55

All About the Beginning

Read the clues below to discover the first answer. Then, add a beginning letter to make a new

meaning, then add another beginning to find the third word. (Hint: Or go backwards! )

Example:

1. Go from everything above average height housing for a horse:

All Tall Stall

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

2. Go from a single unit a musical sound a rock

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

3. Go from a state of being a rabbit mutual possession.

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

4. Go from a state of being trim off extra

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

5. Go from an organ for hearing a preserve fruit a weapon with a sharp point

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

6. Go from what we breathe a set of two fix*

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

7. Go from a state of being being concerned causing fear

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

8. Go from never-ending a tool used to move or lift objects witty and intelligent

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

9. Go from frozen water tiny insects uniting by securing two ends*

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

10. Go from number one tatted adornment a location

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

11. Go from number one a measured speed outer areas

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

12. Go from number one competitive event unmerited favor

____________________ ____________________ ____________________

*add 2 letters Answers on page 57

56 SEP • OCT • NOV 2020

Page 54

Page 56

8. Thundercats

9. Batman: The

Animated Series

10. Bugs Bunny

11. Dora the Explorer

12. Yogi Bear

2. One, Tone, Stone

3. Are, Hare, Share

4. Are, Pare, Spare

5. Ear, Pear, Spear

6. Air, Pair, Repair

7. Are, Care, Scare

8. Ever, Lever, Clever

9. Ice, Lice, Splice

10. Ace, Lace, Place

11. Ace, Pace, Space

12. Ace, Race, Grace

1. Road Runner

2. Flintstones

3. Peppa Pig

4. Scooby Doo

5. Jetsons

6. Smurfs

7. Underdog

TOP 10

Reasons You’re Ready

to Go Back to School

10 It’s hard to have deep conversations

with your pets.

1. Paul (did not write a gospel)

2. Matthew (was not a fisherman)

3. Bartimaeus (was not a tax collector)

4. Philemon (did not write a book in the

New Testament)

5. Mark (was not one of the Twelve)

6. Matthew (was not a colleague of Paul)

7. Isaiah (not one of the books of the

Pentateuch)

8. Gideon (story not told in the

Pentateuch)

9. Adam (the others are Adam’s sons)

10. Rebekah (did not give birth to

Abraham’s child/children)

11. Kenan (not on the ark)

12. Tree of Eden (not one of the trees in

the Garden of Eden)

P.S. If your answer is different, you may

have strong support for it! Try it out on

someone!

Page 43

Answers:

09 You’re actually bored of being on your phone.

08 Those rectangular pizzas at school

are pretty amazing.

07 Practice makes perfect, and you’ve practiced

social distancing way too much.

06 The word “quarantine” makes you sicker

than a pop quiz in history class.

05 Real classroom > Zoom classroom

04 You’re desperate for any type of road trip,

even a five-mile ride on a school bus.

03 You finished Netflix.

02 It’s hard to play dodgeball by yourself.

01 You left a tuna sandwich in your locker months

ago and need to destroy the evidence before

you get blamed for the smell.

57

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