Scriptures: John 1:1, John 1:14, Genesis 1:26, Job 38:4, Acts 17:24-26, Colossians 1:15-16

A Plan from the Start 

In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God . . . The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. 

John 1:1, 14a (CEV) 

Wars, cancel culture, crime, mental illness . . . the world feels completely out of control sometimes. Who is in charge of this mess anyway? Will we all be okay? 

While many people grasp at one thing after another to try to be in control and safe, Scripture assures us that God still sits on the throne in heaven. God created the world and everything in it, and he is in control. God started with a master plan, and he will see it through. 

In today’s Bible reading, the writer, John, introduces us to Jesus, who is called the Word. The Word was with God before the sun burst into a ball of fire, and the Word was also God. It’s a mystery we can’t quite grasp, but John explains that God created everything with the Word and that this same Word, who was there from the beginning, became a human being—Jesus, God’s Son. 

Jesus, who would have to die for our sins, knew us from the start and he chose to create us as well as live among us. And because of all Jesus has done for humanity, the God who set this whole world into motion continues to be intimately involved with his people through the ages. 

Jesus approved of his masterpiece when he created you. You can be confident in your future with him. 

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Jesus came to help us get to know God better. One way we can learn more about who Jesus is and what he has done for us is by reading the Bible. Consider a plan today for how you can build to a daily rhythm of Bible reading.

INSPIRATION 

“God’s plans for you are better than any plans you have for yourself.” 

–Greg Laurie, American pastor and author 

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Genesis 1:26

Job 38:4

Acts 17:24–26

Colossians 1:15–16

Scriptures: John 8:10-11, Nehemiah 9:17, Psalms 51:1-2, Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9

No Cheap Grace 

Jesus stood up and asked her, “Where is everyone? Isn’t there anyone left to accuse you?” “No sir,” the woman answered. Then Jesus told her, “I am not going to accuse you either. You may go now, but don’t sin anymore.” 

John 8:10–11 (CEV) 

Do you know someone who never really repents? Oh, they’ll quickly say they are sorry if they get caught, but they never really mean it enough to quit their bad behavior. When Christians do that, some people say they’re acting on “cheap grace.” They’re acting like God’s mercy will get them out of the deserved punishment for sin without them having to change their heart. 

On the other hand, some people are all about punishing sin—especially in others. If you even look like you are doing something wrong they may want you kicked out, shunned at youth group, and unfriended on social media. 

Jesus didn’t fall into either of those camps. In this Bible story, an adulterous woman was brought before him. The crowd was ready to stone her—to cancel her out. But when Jesus quietly said, “You can throw a stone if you’re perfect,” they all dropped the rocks and walked away. 

Jesus loved this woman enough to forgive her. He released her from punishment, even the shame she could punish herself with. And when he told her, “Don’t sin anymore,” he expected a change in her behavior and her heart. And he expects changes from us, too. 

Justice demands punishment for our wrongdoing. Forgiveness and mercy means you don’t get what you deserve. God provides both through Jesus—through his death on the cross. Repentance means you have a made-up mind not to do it again. And Jesus helps with that, too. 

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

We are all sinners. Yet, sometimes we still judge others. Jesus is asking us to drop our stones. This means, look into your own heart first before judging the hearts of others. Take some time to think about sins in your own life. Write your prayers to God in a journal or on some paper. He is listening to you and is ready to forgive… always. 

INSPIRATION 

“Grace isn’t amazing unless you understand that you don’t deserve it.” 

—Jackie Hill Perry, Christian author, speaker, poet, and rapper 

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Nehemiah 9:17

Psalm 51:1–2 

Acts 3:19 

1 John 1:9

Scriptures: John 14:27, Psalms 23:1-2, Isaiah 26:3, John 16:33, Philippians 4:6-7

True Peace 

I give you peace, the kind of peace only I can give. It isn’t like the peace this world can give. So don’t be worried or afraid. 

John 14:27 (CEV) 

Depression. Stress. Anxiety. Grief. The pits teens often fall into seem deeper than ever. 

So, when Jesus talks about offering peace, it can be hard to imagine. Peace in our world is at best temporary—an agreement to lay down weapons for a little while, but not necessarily resolving tensions. 

In today’s Bible passage, Jesus was talking to his disciples. He knew they were going to face harsh trials. He wanted to assure them that he is always with them, through the Holy Spirit. And because of this, they could have peace even despite the hard times. 

And you can have this peace, too. Jesus offers it to you today, just like he did all those years ago. After all, he is the same yesterday, today, and forever! No matter what you and your family are going through, you can still experience peace in your hearts because of Jesus. 

Depression. Stress. Anxiety. Grief. They are all real emotions. Pray today to ask Jesus to be your true, inner peace, despite the circumstances of life. He longs to give you that comfort and love. You just need to accept it today 

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Jesus’s peace doesn’t stop the storm around us, but it stops the turmoil inside us so we can walk through the difficult times and still be okay. Thinking about Scripture helps. Write out today’s key verse in a journal or on some paper.

INSPIRATION 

“The peace of God is first and foremost peace with God; it is the state of affairs in which God, instead of being against us, is for us.” 

—J.I. Packer, English-Canadian theologian, pastor, and writer 

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Psalm 23:1–2

Isaiah 26:3

John 16:33

Philippians 4:6–7

Scriptures: Hebrews 4:15, Psalms 147:5, Isaiah 53:2-3, Luke 2:52, Hebrews 2:18

The Third Culture Kid 

Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 

Hebrews 4:15 (CEV) 

“Everyone knew everyone and no one knew me,” were the words of a girl who lived overseas before moving back to the United States. 

When a kid lives in a culture different than the one their parents grew up in, they’re called a Third Culture Kid. They’ll pick up on one culture from their parents and other cultural elements from their friends. It can be hard for them to feel at home anywhere. And when you feel like an outsider, it’s tempting to do anything to fit in, even if it’s wrong. 

Perhaps the ultimate Third Culture Kid was Jesus, God’s Son. He purposely set aside all the goodness of Heaven to come to Earth. He was born as a helpless baby and experienced everything we do while growing up—learning lessons, feeling out of place . . . so we know he has compassion for us when we go through hard times. He knows the temptation to be like everyone else, the feeling of being misunderstood, and the longing for home. 

But Jesus stayed faithful to his mission while in this foreign land. He never sinned or forgot who he was or where he came from. He lived wholeheartedly and never compromised, understanding his time here was a sacrifice. 

You are also here on mission. Don’t get distracted by sin, instead remember who you belong to—Jesus. When you’re feeling out of place, Jesus understands. 

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

When you feel out of place, it’s hard. But God has an important mission for you. Stay on track so you can fulfill his mission while living in a way that honors him! In a journal or on some paper, write your very own prayer to God, asking him to help you stay the course and focus on his mission for your life. 

INSPIRATION 

“As you walk through the valley of the unknown, you will find the footprints of Jesus both in front of you and beside you.” 

—Charles Stanley, American author and pastor in Georgia 

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Psalm 147:5 

Isaiah 53:2-3 

Luke 2:52 

Hebrews 2:18

Scriptures: Luke 4:2, Proverbs 28:10, Lamentations 3:40, 1 Corinthians 10:13, Hebrews 2:18

Jesus and IG 

For 40 days Jesus was tested by the devil, and during that time he went without eating. When it was all over, he was hungry. 

Luke 4:2 (CEV) 

You know it’s not good for you. And you know you are addicted and just checked it 20 seconds ago, but . . . you pick up your phone and check your social media or text messages again. Sigh. 

It’s really hard to use social media and smart phones responsibly. They’re built to addict people. It’s too easy to make snarky, rude comments when you’re hiding behind a screen. It may feed your ego briefly, but then knocks your self-esteem down when people don’t respond. It can be a colossal waste of time, or even a door to soul-crushing things like porn or bullying. 

But social media and smart phones in themselves are not bad. They’re a way to stay connected to friends around the world. They can influence people for the good. What’s a teen to do? 

Obviously, Jesus didn’t tell us how to deal with social media. But he did show us many principles that can be applied: like living your life with purpose, reacting to others in kindness, not being obsessed with how others view you, and resisting anything that’s wrong. Jesus shows us how to fight the devil’s baiting by calling out his lies and combatting them with God’s truth in the Bible. 

God has promised to help us escape temptation. So, if you find your social media habits are not a positive influence in your life, ask him for wisdom on what to do. He can help you take a break, block negative or crude people on your feed, or use it for good to tell people about Jesus. 

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Think about it! Too often we do things without thinking about the consequences or if the actions align with God’s will. Pray and work through these questions. 

• How do you feel after you post something?
• How do you feel after people respond—or don’t respond?
• How much of your feed is positive and encouraging?
• How can you use it to influence your generation for good?

INSPIRATION 

“Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sight of God, takes from you your thirst for spiritual things or increases the authority of your body over your mind, then that thing to you is evil.”

—Susanna Wesley, a minister’s wife in the early 1700s, and the mother of John and Charles Wesley who became well-known theologians 

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Proverbs 28:10 

Lamentations 3:40 

1 Corinthians 10:13 

Hebrews 2:18 

Scriptures: John 15:18, Psalms 34:21-22, Psalms 71:24, John 16:33, 1 John 3:12-13

Be Reckless 

If the people of this world hate you, just remember that they hated me first. 

John 15:18 (CEV) 

If I say anything, I’ll be unfriended. They will block me. They will . . . hate me. 

So many things can land you in the no-friend zone. It’s a battlefield out there. You have to say things that won’t offend anyone. You have to dress a certain way to fit in with the crowd. You need a certain number of followers on social media to be relevant. 

Jesus tended to not care about what people thought about him. He called people out when they were wrong. He upset the status quo. He didn’t let people off easy. He disagreed. He made them face their sin. He exposed prejudice and hypocrisy. He didn’t make it easy for people to like him. 

Jesus pointed people back to God, and because they wanted to live their own way, they hated him for it. He didn’t play it safe, and he ended up being killed—crucified by an angry mob. 

But Jesus didn’t want to live safely. His measure of success was not in how many friends he had. He was on a mission with consequences far beyond this life. He valued God’s approval over people’s, and through his life, he changed the world. 

Safety or the number of likes you get is not the goal. Your life is worth so much more than people’s temporary approval. Following Jesus is reckless according to the world’s standards. Be reckless! 

SPIRITUAL FITNESS TRAINING

Think of some of the decisions you have made to gain the approval or “likes” from others. Often, these decisions aren’t in line with God’s Word. What were your motivations, and how can you avoid these patterns in the future? Using the prompts below, map out a plan of attack to be reckless for God! 

• Decision I Made
• Why I Did It
• How I’ll Fix It (with God’s Help!)

INSPIRATION 

“Satan hates God for his own sake, and everything that is dear to God he hates for the very reason that God loves it.” 

—A.W. Tozer, American pastor and author in the mid-1900s 

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help you expand Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Psalm 34:21-22

Psalm 71:24 

John 16:33 

1 John 3:12-13