 TEXT: GALATIANS 5:13–14 (NLT)
For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” THOUGHT: In Christ, we are given complete freedom. The purpose of this freedom is not to fulfill our own selfish desires—it means we are free to love and serve others as Jesus did. TALK: “God, help me to love myself and love my neighbor as You have loved me.” TAKEAWAY: You love your neighbor by loving yourself, and you love yourself by receiving God’s love. When we encounter God, this should always lead to loving the people around us. If you don’t feel like serving others, spend time with God until you do! SOCIAL MEDIA POST: I find true and absolute freedom in following Jesus. Freedom isn’t pursuing whatever I want—it’s pursuing what God wants. #youthalive
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 TEXT: MATTHEW 20:28 (NLT)
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. THOUGHT: It is often human nature to want to be served rather than to serve others, but this is not what Jesus modeled. TALK: “God, help me to lay down my selfish desires and serve others.” TAKEAWAY: One of the ways that we, as Christians, can show we are different from everyone else on the planet is to be quick to serve others. Who are you serving today? SOCIAL MEDIA POST: Jesus called His followers to serve others rather than themselves. What if we took His commandment seriously? #youthalive  TEXT: ISAIAH 41:10 (NLT)
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. THOUGHT: When you share your faith, do not be afraid. When people don’t respond positively, do not be dismayed. God will strengthen you so you can continue sharing your faith, even if you don’t experience instant success. TALK: “God, fill me with courage and help me to persevere in the mission You have called me to.” TAKEAWAY: One of the hardest things to do in life is try again after you’ve failed. Begin thinking of success in terms of how often you’re able to share Christ—whether or not people respond positively. SOCIAL MEDIA POST: I don’t save people—God does. When I plant the seed, God brings the growth. Don’t give up if some don’t believe immediately. #youthalive  TEXT: JOHN 14:26 (NLT)
But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative that is, the Holy Spirit he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you. THOUGHT: The Holy Spirit, who lives inside of you, will teach you everything you need to know as you spend time with God and read the Scriptures. When you’re “in the moment” of sharing your faith, He will remind you of the things you’ve learned and give you the exact words you need to speak in the moment. TALK: “God, fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me to depend on You and not my own strength.” TAKEAWAY: You may not think you are prepared to share your faith, but none of us are ever really fully prepared there comes a point where you have to choose to rely on God. SOCIAL MEDIA POST: When we talk about our faith, God gives us the words to speak. That’s how much He wants to be in relationship with people. #youthalive  TEXT: 2 TIMOTHY 1:6–9 (NLT)
This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of pow- er, love, and self-discipline. So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News. For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. THOUGHT: You have the power to say “no” to fear and “yes” to love when you remain aware of the power and gifts that God has placed inside of you. TALK: “God, help me to remain aware of Your love and power inside of me and share You with others.” TAKEAWAY: The context of being given a spirit of power, love, and self-control relates to sharing the gospel. Even if you are afraid in the moment, you can say “no” to that fear and discipline yourself to share who Jesus is. SOCIAL MEDIA POST: Fear visits everyone, but God’s perfect love drives it out. God, fill me with Your love so I can be bold and courageous! #youthalive  PSALM 96:2–4 (NLT)
Sing to the Lord; praise his name. Each day proclaim the good news that he saves. Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does. Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! He is to be feared above all gods. THOUGHT: If we never take risks, how will we be able to proclaim the amazing things that God does? TALK: “God, give me the courage to share what You have done in my life with others.” TAKEAWAY: What has God done in your life recently that you can share with others? SOCIAL MEDIA POST: God doesn’t ignore us He’s actively bringing about His will in the world. I see Him move in my life regularly. #youthalive  TEXT: MATTHEW 28:18–20 (NLT)
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” THOUGHT: If all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Jesus and He lives inside of you, how will this impact the way you view evangelism and making disciples? TALK: “God, help me to recognize the power that You’ve put inside of me and make disciples for Your kingdom.” TAKEAWAY: When you set out to reach your campus, remember that God has not only given you a mandate He has given you spiritual authority and will always go with you. SOCIAL MEDIA POST: God the Father gave all authority in heaven and on earth to Jesus. As a believer, Jesus’ power is in me. Crazy! #youthalive  TEXT: 1 PETER 3:15–16 (NLT)
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. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. THOUGHT: If someone asks why you follow Jesus, are you prepared to give an answer that reflects the impact He has made in your life? TALK: “God, help me to grow in my understanding of what You’ve done in my life, and give me the courage to share my faith when opportunities arise.” TAKEAWAY: If you haven’t already developed your two-minute testimony, begin working on it today. SOCIAL MEDIA POST: Every believer has a story of God intervening in their life. I’d love to tell you mine ask me about it next time you see me! #youthalive  TEXT: HOSEA 10:12 (NLT)
“Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the lOrd, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.” THOUGHT: Each of us have sin and struggles that attempt to cover up the soft spots of our heart. If we plow and break through those hard areas, we will make our hearts ready to re- ceive and grow seeds of righteousness. TALK: “God, show me what areas I need to plow through in my heart. Give me the wisdom and guidance to not allow life’s struggles to get in the way of the abundant life You have for me.” TAKEAWAY: Take inventory of your heart. As God reveals areas in your life that require change, ask Him to help you experience freedom. Consider sharing your desire to change with your youth pastor or an accountability partner. SOCIAL MEDIA POST: Keeping a soft heart takes work. It can be painful when God shows me my sin and ask sme to change but it’s worth it. #youthalive  HOSEA 10:12 (NLT)
I said, “Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love.” THOUGHT: If we haven’t invested diligently and intentionally in our own lives or the lives of those around us, our harvest will be lacking the love and potential it could have seen. TALK: “God, help me to love when it is hard, help me to serve when it becomes difficult, and help me to never give up. The harvest is coming and I know it will be worth it.” TAKEAWAY: What seeds are you planting in your life and in those around you? Remember, what you sow you will reap. SOCIAL MEDIA POST: Loving others is a choice we make every day. It’s not always easy, but you reap what you sow. #youthalive |
RYANBROOKS
Youth Pastor at People's Church in Arnold, MO.
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