Daily Devotional

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, – 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

This week, we’re going to be talking about apologetics. That word might make you want to stop reading right now out of boredom. And I get it. I used to think the idea of studying apologetics was boring and lifeless. But as I’ve grown in my walk with God, I’m beginning to see that studying apologetics isn’t boring and useless.

By studying apologetics, we can share the love of God with others confidently. In 1 Peter 3:15, we read about being prepared to give an answer for the hope we have in Christ. Part of our job when we share our faith is to give people the answers they need to the questions that stop them from believing in Jesus.

Today’s Truth: When we study apologetics, we can share God’s love with others confidently.

If you’re like me and have thought that apologetics are boring and lifeless, stick with us this week. Each day I’ll share with you reasons why learning apologetics is good, and hopefully, give you a good foundation as to why we should study God’s word and learn to boldly speak up and proclaim the truth found in God’s word to those around us.

Pray: God, give me a heart for those around me. Help me to share my faith boldly with others so that I can let them see the hope that’s found in Jesus.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you feel that you could confidently share your hope in Jesus with others? Why or why not?
2. Who is someone you could share your hope in Jesus with this week? Ask God for opportunities to share with them.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Phil 4:6 (NIV)

What is stressful in your life? Are you getting ready to go back to school and the idea of dealing with all the drama makes you almost sick? Perhaps your parents are fighting a lot and it makes you feel unsettled and scared. Regardless of the situation, stress and anxiety will show up at different points in your life.

The truth about anxiety is that if you give in to it, it will ruin your life. If left undealt with, anxiety will stop you from doing the things God has planned for you.

Truth One: I Can Control My Response

When anxiety hits, it’s good to know that you can control your response to the stressful situation. You can choose to give in to anxiety and let it cripple you or you can choose to overcome it.

Truth Two: I Can Say No To Anxiety

Even if you have a good reason to be anxious, you can say no to it. You can choose to focus on the truths in God’s word. You can combat anxiety in your life and overcome it.

Truth Three: I Can Choose Peace – Even When Things Don’t Look Good

It’s true, we all face those moments in life when things don’t look good. Maybe it looks like your parents will split up. Perhaps you’re failing a class and will have to repeat it next semester. Sometimes things just don’t look good. The truth is, in the middle of all the bad things happening around you, you can choose to live in peace.

You can look to God, to His word and find peace there. God’s promises are true. And you can choose to be at peace even when everything around you is not going the way you’d like it to go.

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So today be encouraged. You might be facing something that’s really stressful. You might have every reason to be anxious. But instead of giving in to anxiety, choose to focus on these three truths. Realize that God loves you, He’s rooting for you, and He will see you through every situation that you face.

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. – Eph 4:29 (NLT)

One time, my grandma made a pumpkin pie and she used chili powder instead of nutmeg as one of the ingredients. When we ate the pie, we were surprised at how bad it tasted. One small ingredient in the batter made a huge impact on the flavor of the pie.

Today’s Bible verse talks about the importance of words. Words are small things, that make a huge impact. A word can tear someone down or build them up. And while it’s easy to take our words for granted, we should be trying to do what we can to speak words of life to others.

Our words should be good and helpful. They should be words that build others up and encourage them. So today, as you’re speaking, take notice of the words you use. Ask God to help you use words that are good, helpful and encouraging!

Pray: God help me to put a guard over my mouth. Help me to remember to use language that builds others up rather than words that tear people down. I ask for your help today, In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. – Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)

Have you ever dealt with depression, low self-esteem, and anxiety? If so, you’re not alone. Mental health issues like these are common, especially after the things you’ve dealt with in 2020.

In the midst of all of this, it’s good to remember that you’re not alone. God tells us that He will be with us when we walk through the fire. That means that even when you struggle, you’re not alone. You don’t have to face these things by yourself. God is there, ready to walk you through to the other side.

Don’t forget that God has provided total and complete freedom for you through Jesus. Believe to see victory over mental health issues. Know that God has provided you with an overwhelming victory through Jesus. Stand strong and expect to see God come through for you.

I remember always being bothered by bullying. When I rode the bus to school, there was a little girl who always got bullied because she was short for her age. The older kids would pull her hair and just make her feel bad.

I hated watching that, so I decided to reach out and be her friend. I asked her to sit on the bus with me. After a few weeks, this girl became one of my best friends that year at school.

We will always have bullies. Why? Because we will always have sin in the world. As long as people are not letting the Bible be the foundation for their actions and decisions, we will always have people doing bad things to other people. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that you can help. If you see someone being bullied, determine not to just sit by and watch or ignore it. Instead, choose to be a safe place for that person. Let them eat lunch at your table. Invite them to sit by you. Talk to them. Be an encouragement to them and look for ways to tell them about Jesus, if they don’t already know Him.

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. – Philippians 2:4 (NLT)

We aren’t to just sit by when we see people mistreated. So when you see someone being hurt or bullied, choose to help them. Don’t just worry about yourself, but take an interest in others. As you do, you’ll be amazed at how God will use you to help those around you.

Today’s Truth: Share the love of Jesus by Taking an Interest in Others.

You can make a huge difference in the friends and family around you by loving them, taking an interest in them, and letting Jesus shine through you!

Pray: Jesus, help me to take an interest in others. I ask for boldness to stand up and share your love with others in my world each day. Amen.

Have you ever been influenced by your friends to do something you knew you probably shouldn’t do? Maybe you skipped a class simply because everyone else was. Perhaps you stayed quiet when you knew you should have stood up for something.

Peer pressure is something each of us deals with at times in our lives. It’s when we change our behavior to match what our friends are doing, even if we don’t agree with it. Sometimes we do it simply so we don’t stand out. Often, peer pressure causes us to go against our values because we don’t want to say no, even when we know we should.

The pull of peer pressure is very strong. And it takes real boldness to stand up and walk away when you know that those actions will cause you to be ridiculed behind your back.

My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! – Proverbs 1:10 (NLT)

And even though sometimes we give in to peer pressure, saying yes to peer pressure doesn’t make things easier in the long run. Saying yes when you should say no sometimes makes you feel worse than you would have if you had just walked away.

Today’s Truth: A yes to peer pressure today doesn’t mean things will be easier tomorrow.

So if you haven’t, determine that this year you will stand up firm for God. Don’t let your friends influence you to make bad choices. Instead, decide that you will stand up boldly for God even if you’re alone. Don’t give in and go against what you know in your heart is right. Stand up. Stand firm for what is right. Even though you might experience ridicule in the short term, in the long run, you’ll be happy that you chose to stand up for what is right.

Pray: God I ask for your help this year at school. Help me to be bold and say no to peer pressure. I want to be a light for you this year in everything I do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Go Deeper:

1. Where are you tempted most when it comes to peer pressure?
2. What are some strategies you can use to help you say no when you’re tempted to give in to peer pressure?

I remember being confronted many times in school, and not knowing what to say to the students who asked questions about my faith. I wasn’t really sure what I believed or how to defend my faith. As a result, I was often silent when asked about my faith.

There’s power in understanding what you believe and why you believe it. Then when students come and question your faith, you can respond confidently, and hopefully influence them to love Jesus too.

So spend some time researching why you believe the Christian faith. There are many good resources online where you can find good solid apologetics for the Christian faith. Read them. Understand why you believe what you do about Jesus. If you’re struggling to find something, reach out to your youth pastor, pastor, or church leader and see what they’ve found helpful.

Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. – 1 Peter 3:15 (NLT)

Studying Helps You Succeed

When you go to take a test at school, you’re going to do better on it if you have spent time studying for the test. Then when you’re asked the questions on the test, you’re able to answer them confidently. In the same way, if you study what you believe, you’ll feel more confident when your faith is tested by the questions of others.

So if you haven’t, begin studying. Become confident in your faith in Jesus. Know that faith in Jesus is not uninformed, but it’s the most rational natural thing out there. Be prepared to confidently respond when others ask questions about your faith.

Today’s Truth: Knowing what you believe gives you boldness to answer the critics.

Pray: God help me to find good resources to help me defend my faith. I ask you for supernatural opportunities this year to share my faith with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Things to think about

1. Do you feel confident to defend your faith? Why or why not?
2. What are some ways you can become more confident in defending your faith?

Going back to school is intimidating, especially if you don’t like doing schoolwork. The idea of keeping up with all your assignments can cause anxiety, and cause you to dread the start of school. It’s true, going to school can be stressful, however, it’s good to remember that you’re not going to school each day alone.

God is always there with you. The good news is, He has not left you to figure out school alone. Instead, God wants to help you each day when you walk into that school building.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. – Isaiah 41:10 (NLT)

Don’t forget that God wants to help you as you transition back to school. Ask Him for ways to help make studying and schoolwork easier. Seek His wisdom and help with those subjects that are difficult and overwhelming for you. Ask God to bring the things that you’ve studied back to your memory. God is there and wants to help you, you’ve just got to ask Him.

Today’s Truth: Ask God for Help

Remember as you head back to school that you’re not going into the school building alone. You can rely on supernatural help from God. He is there to walk with you in the new school year. So, don’t give in to fear. Each time fear begins to attack your heart, speak truth from God’s word. Remind yourself that even in the most difficult of circumstances, God always comes through for those who trust in Him.

Pray: God thank you for helping me with school this year. I ask you to show me ways to make schoolwork less overwhelming for me. I know that with your help I can do my best at school this year. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Things to discuss and think about.

1. What things are you the most concerned about regarding the upcoming school year?
2. How can you ask God to help you with those things?
3. What is one thing you want to see God do for you this year at school?