Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – March 23

Posted on March 23, 2016

Bible Verse for Teenagers Daily Bible Verse and Devotion

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. – John 3:17 (NLT)

Jesus didn’t come to this earth to condemn and judge it. He didn’t come to give the world a piece of His mind, or remind them of their sin.

Instead, Jesus came to save the world from their sins. He came to let the world know that there is salvation when they call on the name of Jesus. This is the good news of the gospel. Jesus came not to tell us how bad we were, but to save us.

[Tweet “Jesus came not to judge us but to give us a way to know God – @studentdevos”]

All we have to do is accept what Jesus did for us. We have to realize that we need a savior and accept the salvation and forgiveness that Jesus offers.

 

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion – March 22

Posted on March 22, 2016

Daily Bible Verse and Devotion on God's Love

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Have you ever met someone who re-gifts? You know, they get a gift that they really don’t like and then they end up giving that gift to someone else? These gifts aren’t heartfelt and didn’t cost the giver anything.

This is completely different than what God did for the world. God loved the world so much that He gave. He went over and beyond and gave something that cost Him a lot. He gave us Jesus so that anyone who believes in Him will not perish.

God did an amazing thing for us. He made sure that we could live a life full of abundance and being able to know Him. Because of God’s amazing gift, we can now experience life in a new way. We no longer are slaves to sin, but we’re alive to God.

3 Tests To See If You’re In Love

Posted on February 17, 2016

Teen and Youth Devotion on Finding Out If you're in love

How do you know if you’re really in love? Is there some magic formula, math equation, or science experiment that can tell you? How do you know when you’ve found the “real deal” and when to just keep looking?

There’s got to be a better way to approach relationships and dating. We’ve come up with three tests to find out if the relationship you’re in or pursuing has the potential to be the real thing.

  1. Test #1 – The Push Test
    The best way to find out if your relationship is true love is by putting it through the push test. The push test takes an honest look at your current relationship and asks, “What is this relationship pushing me toward?” Is your relationship pushing you toward God? Are you challenged to be a better Christian by the person you’re dating? Or does your relationship make you do, say and go places that you’re not comfortable with? Is your relationship pushing you toward your goals? A true relationship headed toward love and marriage will push you closer to God and challenge you to accomplish your goals.

    Stop forming inappropriate relationships with unbelievers. Can right and wrong be partners? Can light have anything in common with darkness? – 2 Cor 6:14

  2. Test #2 – The Church Test
    The church test is a great way to find out if your relationship really is love. The church tests asks if how you act and the things you do around your crush or boyfriend/girlfriend were viewed by your pastor, or even Jesus himself would you be embarrassed? Is your relationship causing you to do things physically, verbally, or any other way that isn’t right? If it is, you need to cut the relationship off. As a Christian, you’ve got the spirit of God living on the inside of you. You should be acting in ways that reflect that new nature.

    Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself – 1 Cor 6:19

     

  3. Test #3 – The Family Test
    This test asks how your family feels about the person you’re dating. Do they feel that you’re a better person because you’re with them? Or do they see some red flags in your relationship? Do they become worried about your behavior when you’re with that person? If your family has concerns about your relationship, you need to take those to heart. If a relationship doesn’t pass the family test, you should seriously consider calling it off.

    If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.” – Ephesians 6:3 (NLT)

These three tests should help you determine if your relationship has the potential to be true love. Always be sure to spend time praying and asking God about your relationship. Also, don’t be afraid to call off a relationship if it’s not headed in a good direction. Your heart is too valuable to not be protected. Determine today to make good choices when it comes to dating.

If you’re a youth leader, and you enjoyed this devotion, be sure to check out the youth leader lesson on the same topic. We’ve also got a ton of great resources in our youth leader resources section, so check them out!

What Christians Have in Common With Spiderman – Part Two

Posted on February 1, 2016

Teen Devotion about being new in Christ

In part one of this lesson, we talked about the amazing transformation that happens when you become a Christian. We talked about how your Spirit has been made new. Our identity changed when we received Jesus as our savior. We are not the person we used to be, we’ve been made alive unto God. This lesson takes a look at some of the awesome superpowers we now have since we’ve asked Jesus into our hearts.

  1. God gave us the ability to enjoy everything that He provided.
    In Genesis 1, we see the account of God creating  The earth. He created, plants, trees, animals, and they were all for us to enjoy.
    God gave us everything we need to live a happy, full life. He created all these things so that we could enjoy the things he provided.
  2. We can enjoy peace of mind and emotional stability.
    For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. – 2 Timothy 1:7
    Things around you might be going crazy. But no matter what you’re facing, know this that God will see you through. In Him, you have emotional stability.
  3. The ability to fellowship and walk with God.
    This ability makes Christianity unique. God created you because He loves you and wants to spend time with you. He sent His son, Jesus to die on the cross for you so that you could live a life free from inferiority, guilt and fear.

You might not be able to climb walls, shoot spider web, or do any of the really cool things that Spiderman can do, but God has left you some pretty amazing superpowers. Who you are in Christ is greater than any problem or any circumstance you might face.

[Tweet “Who you are in Christ is greater than any problem or circumstance you face – @studentdevos”]

In life, you’ll probably face some challenges. When you do, remember that with God inside of you, you are now like Spiderman. Even though you can’t climb walls, with God’s help you can overcome any
challenge that life might throw your way.

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” – Romans 8:31

Youth Leaders

If you’re a youth leader, and you liked this devotion, we have a similar youth group lesson outline available in our youth leader resource center.

What Christians Have in Common With Spiderman

Posted on December 14, 2015

Teen Devotion about being new in ChristSpiderman is an awesome superhero. However, his real name is Peter Parker and he was orphaned and living with his aunt and uncle. His ordinary life changes one day he gets bit by a radioactive spider during a science demonstration. Because of the spider bite, he gets spider-like powers: super-strength, ability to climb walls, and great jumping skills.

Did you realize that as a Christian, you’ve got super powers too? Sure you can’t climb buildings, or be able to jump really high, but like Peter Parker, we underwent a huge transformation when we became Christians.

To understand this transformation, we’ve got to go way back in time. Back to Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve lost their right standing with God. They were created to walk and talk with God. When Adam and Eve sinned and ate the fruit from that tree they were no longer right before God, and that’s because God can’t condone sin. God couldn’t have the relationship he had with them before.

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Jesus came and gave us a way back to God We were separated from God but God loved us too much to let us die in our sins. Because of what Jesus did there is now nothing that can separate you from God.
Just like Peter changed after getting bitten by a spider, once you became a Christian your whole identity changed.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! –  2 Cor 5:17 (NLT)

A Christian isn’t renovated like a house, He is a new creature. You weren’t just made over, but rather something which never before existed.

As a Christian you’ve got a lot in common with Spiderman. You’ve got a whole new identity that is found in Christ. As you get into the word and learn more about who you are in Christ, you’ll find you just keep growing in that new identity.

Youth Leaders

If you’re a youth leader, and you liked this devotion, we have a similar youth group lesson outline available in our resource center.

Manger Madness – (Why Jesus Came)

Posted on December 7, 2015

Youth and Teen Christmas DevotionIt’s the Christmas season, and everywhere you look, people are gearing up for Christmas. Yesterday, I walked into a store and saw they had a countdown of days left until Christmas. Christmas is a fun time of the year, between the gift giving, gift getting, fun lights and decorations, you’d have to be a real Scrooge to not enjoy Christmas.

You’ve probably seen all the decorations and the nativity scenes, but have you ever wondered, ‘Why Did Jesus Come?’. Why did Jesus come to earth. He had it going up in heaven, He was God’s son, and it really doesn’t get much better than that.  Did He come to earth because He wanted to practice His walking on water skills? Or was heaven getting really dull? Why was it that Jesus needed to come to earth as a baby?

Jesus had a problem to fix.

Each of us had a problem. We were stuck in our sin. We were trapped and slaves to sin. There was no amount of good works that could make us right with God. Simply put, we needed a savior.

For we know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that sin’s dominion over the body may be abolished, so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin – Romans 6:6 (HSCB)

Jesus did what we were unable to do by ourselves. We couldn’t make ourselves right with God. We were trapped, slaves to sin. Jesus paid the price that our sins deserved. He was a one time sacrifice, payment in full for our sins, shortcomings, mess-ups and failures.

Jesus gave us a new identity.

We used to be slaves to sin. Jesus changed that, and when He did, we were given a new identity. When we accept Jesus as our savior, we are considered right with God. We identify with Jesus now, not sin. We identify with victory, not defeat!

So now, it’s up to us to get our thinking lined up to what God’s word says about us. The Bible tells us that we’re a new creation.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! – 2 Cor 5:17 (NLT)

We’ve been identified with Christ, but it’s up to us now to change how we see ourselves. We often look at our shortcomings and failures. We focus on those things, rather than focusing on how Jesus sees us. He sees us a new people. He doesn’t see our sins and shortcomings, rather He looks at us and sees a new identity. And now it’s up to us to live out that new identity.

Don’t let this just be another Christmas.

Don’t get so used to the Christmas lights, manger scenes and Santas everywhere that you forget what it all is really about. Jesus came to earth as a baby in a manger. But He didn’t just do it for kicks or because He was bored. He had a mission. He was going to bring mankind back into relationship with His father.

That’s the good news of Christmas. That we can know God the father and we’ve been made new because of what Jesus did!

Youth Leaders

If you’re a youth leader, and this Christmas lesson resonated with you, we have a similar youth group lesson outline available in our resource center. Check it out, and all the other youth group lessons, games, and outlines we’ve made available. We hope it will bless you and your youth group this Christmas season!

How to Make Reading the Bible Less Overwhelming

Posted on November 30, 2015

Teen and Youth Devotion on Reading the BibleDo you ever feel confused when you read the Bible? You’re not alone. Reading the Bible can be confusing at times. Its a spiritual book and the truths contained in it take time to dig out.

The good news when it comes to reading the Bible is that you’re not doing it alone. The Bible says the Holy Spirit will give special help to you and will be your teacher. He will show you truths as you read the Bible.

A good thing you can do to help you is to start thanking God for the Holy Spirit and His help in your life. Begin to believe that He will be your teacher and show you things.

As you start doing this, it will help make reading the Bible less overwhelming and will help you to understand what you’re reading easier when you realize that you’re not doing it alone. You have a helper and a teacher to help you navigate through Bible reading.

He will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will shew you things to come. – John 16:13

So as you read the Bible, remember that you’re not doing it alone. You’ve got the help of the Holy Spirit to help you understand and show you things.


Thrive Teen Devotional: Take a Turn for God in Just 5 Minutes a Day One great way to make reading the Bible less overwhelming is to use a devotional book. Here’s one that we like!

 

If you’re a youth leader and you’re looking for resources to share on reading the Bible, here’s a great one for you!

 

Why Should I Read The Bible?

Posted on November 23, 2015

Teen Devotion why should I read the Bible

Have you ever needed to take some medicine for when you were sick? Maybe you had a nasty cold and you ran to the doctor to get a prescription for some medicine to help you get better faster. Let’s say you went to the pharmacy, got the medicine and brought it home. You set the medicine on your counter and left it there. A few days later, you ended up calling the doctor. You couldn’t understand why you weren’t getting any better. Your doctor would probably ask you if you were taking your medicine as often or as much as he/she had prescribed. Since the medicine is still sitting on the countertop, you’d have to say ‘no’ that you weren’t taking it like the doctor had prescribed.

The only way for medicine to work for you is to get it in you. If it just sits on your counter all week, its not doing you any good. Its when its in you that its real power goes into effect.

The same is true when it comes to reading the Bible. The Bible does no good in your life unless you get it into you. You’ve got to spend time reading it, thinking about it and doing what it says for it to have power and make change in your life.

[Tweet “When you get the Bible into your heart, it has the power to change your life. – @studentdevos”]

Here’s a few things to think about:

  • You should spend enough time reading, thinking about and doing the Bible until it becomes a part of who you are.
  • The goal of reading the Bible is to grow. You shouldn’t be in the same place you were a year ago.
  • God can be more real to you now than He was last year.
  • To really get the most out of reading the Bible, it may take tuning some other distractions out of your life.

The Bible is more than just an ordinary book. It has the power to change you. As you read it, it will become more alive to you and you’ll want to know God more. Choose to make the Bible important in your everyday life.

Student Devos Recommends This Book

Living By The Book by Howard and William Hendricks.
This book has some awesome suggestions on ways to make reading the Bible more fun. It also makes reading the Bible seem way less overwhelming!

 

If you’re a youth leader and want a youth group lesson on reading your Bible, check out the resource below. It comes with all you need to have a great youth group night!

Amazon Reviews – What They Teach Us About Thankfulness

Posted on November 16, 2015

Teen Devotion Youth Lesson on ThankfulnessHave you ever spent time reading some of the reviews on Amazon? They can be really helpful when you’re trying to make a decision on which product to buy. You can take your time and read the experiences of others, which helps you make an informed decisions when buying products.

Leaving reviews on Amazon can teach us some things about thankfulness.

Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. – 1 Chronicles 16:8

Give thanks

The first part of this verse talks about giving thanks to the Lord. But what does giving thanks to God really look like?

Giving thanks is something that requires expression. If you don’t express your thanks in some way, the person you’re thanking will never know that you’re thankful. So, if you’re thankful to God, you’ve got to express it. You could journal your thankfulness, you could write a song, or even just express those thoughts in prayer. It doesn’t matter how your thankfulness is expressed, just that you do let God know that you’re thankful for all He has done in your life.

Benefits of thankfulness

Being thankful has some benefits. The first one is that thankfulness helps others. If we look at the example of Amazon reviews, when you leave a review, it helps others. It helps people know if they want to buy the product, or if the product is good. When you express your thankfulness for a product or for something that God has done, it helps others.

Being thankful also helps you. Whether you know it or not, being thankful is good for you. If you’re upset or feeling depressed, one of the best ways to help yourself out is to be thankful. You can start thanking God for all the good things in your life. As you do, you suddenly realize that you’re not as sad or upset anymore. Being thankful helps you!

Let others know what God has done

If you were to find a great deal at a new store, or listen to a great new song, you’d tell people about it. When you experience something good, you tell others about it. If you bought a great product online, you’d give it 5 stars, or write a great review. We are wired to share good news with others.

[Tweet “Don’t forget to share what God has done for you! – @studentdevos”]

The problem is, many times we forget to share the good things God is doing in our lives with others. We know that God is good and has done great things in our lives, but often, we don’t share Him with others. We don’t take the time to tell people how God has changed our lives.

Challenge yourself to not become unthankful. Decide to express your thanks to God and to others this week. Choose to give thanks and see how great it is!

If you’re a youth leader and you’re looking for resources to share with your youth group, check out our lesson outline and powerpoint available for free based on this devotion!

 

3 Interesting Facts About Fear

Posted on November 4, 2015

Teen and Youth Devotion on Fear

Halloween was just a few days ago and the season always gets me thinking about fear. Honestly, it’s hard not to think about fear when you’re constantly surrounded by so many scary images everywhere you look. If you turn on the TV many of the channels have some sort of scary movie on. If you walk into a store goblins and witches decorate the displays. It seems like everywhere you go this time of the year, you’re surrounded by scary images. All these things got me thinking about what fear is and what it does in our lives. So here are three facts about fear.

No one is immune to fear.

There are lots of subjects that don’t always apply to everyone. Not everyone deals with suicidal thoughts. Not everyone deals with self-esteem problems. However, each of us deal with fear in our lives. We might be afraid of different things, but we all have fear. Some of us are afraid to speak in front of others. Other people fear death, flying, sleeping, or tons of other things. No matter the type of fear we have, the thing is we all have in common is that we deal with fear.

Fear Slows Us Down

Fear stops us in our tracks. If you’re afraid to fly, it stops you from getting on an airplane. Your fear of flying stops you from enjoying getting to somewhere quickly. It doesn’t matter what fear you face, fear stops you from living your life to it’s fullest.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. – John 10:10

This verse describes what fear does in our lives. It kills and destroys. It also shows us that fear is not something that God designed. God doesn’t want you to no longer enjoy living your life. God wants you to enjoy live and live it to the fullest!

Love takes away fear

When you really get to know God’s love for you, it removes fear from your life. When you see how much God cares about you and wants to take care of you, you begin to realize that you have nothing to fear.

There is no room in love for fear. Well-formed love banishes fear. Since fear is crippling, a fearful life—fear of death, fear of judgment—is one not yet fully formed in love. – 1 John 4:18 (Message)

When you begin to get an understanding of God’s love for you, you realize you have no reason to fear. If you struggle with fear in your life, then spend some time reading your Bible. Begin to focus on God’s love for you, and you’ll realize that you have nothing to fear. God has taken care of everything you need.

[Tweet “If you could even begin to comprehend how God feels about you, it would change everything! – @studentdevos”]

If fear is something that you really struggle with, take some time to get open and honest before God. Realize that you can go to Him with your fears. Also, spend time reading your Bible. The more of God’s word you get into your heart, the more you realize there is nothing for you to fear. God has provided everything you need!

If you’re a youth leader and you liked this lesson, you can download a lesson outline and discussion questions to share with your youth group.