/YPsJF12

JAn/FEB2012 bible locator old testament Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles

2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther Job Psalms Proverbs Ecclesiastes Song of Songs Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations Ezekiel

Daniel Hosea Joel Amos Obadiah Jonah Micah Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah Haggai Zechariah Malachi

new testament Matthew Mark Luke John Acts Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians Galatians

Ephesians Philippians Colossians 1 Thessalonians 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy 2 Timothy Titus Philemon

Hebrews James 1 Peter 2 Peter 1 John 2 John 3 John Jude Revelation

OTHER CWR DAILY BIBLE-READING NOTES: For young people

For adults

Pens for 3- to 6-year-olds Topz for 7- to 11-year-olds Mettle for 14- to 18-year-olds

Every Day with Jesus Inspiring Women Every Day Lucas on Life Every Day Cover to Cover Every Day

Young People’s Every Day with Jesus (YP’s) is published by CWR, Waverley Abbey House, Waverley Lane, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 8EP, UK © CWR, 2011. All rights reserved.

This ‘super wise, Jesus and the guys, testing times’ issue would never have happened if it wasn’t for … Text: Paul Thompson @ Digital Dimensions • Senior Editor: Lynette Brooks • Concept development, editing, design and production by CWR • Photographs: Getty/Thinkstock (cover) • Printed in England by Linney Print • The text in YP’s is republished every four years, working to a rolling four-year programme for 11- to 15-year-olds.

www.ypsonline.org.uk

YPsJF2012.indd 1

It’s 2012 – the Olympic year has begun! There must be many sportsmen and women around the world hoping for gold and glory this year.

The Olympic motto is ‘Citius, Altius, Fortius’.

Didn’t know that? Well, given that it’s Latin, I’m not surprised! You may recognise ‘Faster, Higher, Stronger’, though! This is what all the competitors are aiming to be – and it led me to wonder what I’m hoping for this year. I’m definitely hoping to beat the longest vocal note challenge for the new YP’s Record Breaker feature, but I’m also hoping to read my Bible more regularly (aiming for every day), to brush my dog more regularly so he sheds less hair everywhere (aiming for every day) and to eat less chocolate (not aiming for every day!).

I hope as well that YP’s will continue to help you all dig deeper into God’s Word. We’ve got a few new-look pages in this issue, and we’re kicking off the New Year with some superwise words from Proverbs to get you off to a good start!

So here’s hoping for a year in which we get to know God better so we can impact the world around us with His love.

I’m off to brush the dog ... bypassing the bar of chocolate sitting oh so close to me. Byeee ...

l a i r o t i ed

23/8/11 11:26:56

Happy new year!

We look forward to easing you into 2012 with a bit of people-watching.

Meet the Wisdoms – like most of us, they are just trying to live as best they can, but they struggle at times. Enter King Solomon! He’s the guy who penned most of the wise words in the book of Proverbs. Let’s see what he would have to say about the Wisdoms ...

2

YPsJF2012.indd 2

23/8/11 11:26:58

sun 1 jan PROVERBS 1:1–7

‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge ...’

Proverbs 1:7

M

ost>> h r u o ee t

One night God invited Solomon to ask for anything he wanted.

Thoughts of a new palace, a four-wheel drive chariot and a winning lottery ticket whirled round his mind, but instead he asked God to clue him up to be a good leader. As a result God wised him up to managing himself, others and his business in top style (1 Kings 3:4-14; 4:29-34).

Proverbs gives us a chance to benefit from God’s Mr Advice.

Solomon says you can have knowledge and know how to do what is right, just and fair (v.3). And even if you think you are fairly clued up, Proverbs will add to your understanding.

So, what was so special about Solomon’s wisdom? We have masterminds, computer whizz kids and self-styled wise guys today, so why bother with the observations of a king who lived 3,000 years ago? And how is his advice going to be better than that given by our magazine agony aunts? The answer is found in verse 7. Solomon’s wisdom originates from God. It isn’t an ‘I think ...’ wisdom but a ‘God says ...’ wisdom.

It begins with an acceptance that God knows best ... because God knows everything.

ENGAGE

of nd the ins and outs People who understa o wh e reetwise’. Thos city life are called ‘st ys and outs of God’s wa understand the ins d Go really believe are life-wise. Do you His d to wise you up to knows best? Ask Go can d behaving, so you ways of thinking an e year 2012. really know Him in th

3

YPsJF2012.indd 3

23/8/11 11:27:02

mon 2 jan PROVERBS 2:1–11

‘For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.’

Proverbs 2:6

too Before we get atching involved in w d to oth ers we nee me simple understand so guidelines.

Solomon lists some of the things we need to do to tap into God’s wisdom.

1. Listen in. How can you double-click into God’s ways if you switch off to the Bible? Make sure those satellite dishes on the side of your head are tuned in when people explain the Bible. Find out all you can about God. 2. Think about it. Don’t let Bible wisdom go in one ear and escape out of the other without leaving its footprints all over your brain. Puzzle it out.

Think how it applies to you. Memorise it.

3. Pray about it. Don’t just offer one of those silent drop-asleep prayers. If you really want God’s advice, let Him know you mean business. Ask Him to show you the best thing to do in every situation.

4. Search for the right way. Many of life’s problems don’t have easy answers. Wisdom is as rare as silver. You don’t always discover the right thing to do straight away. That’s why it’s vital to pray and lap up the Bible regularly, and even ask the advice of experienced Christians.

5. Believe God has the answer. Solomon found that God knows the best way to deal with any situation and looks after those facing difficult problems.

ENGAGE

ly two n travelled for near The original wise me The to track down Jesus. ar st a ng wi llo fo s year a field e treasure hidden in kingdom of God is lik but once u need to dig deep Yo ).

46 4:4 13 t. at (M ed. Wise are never disappoint you strike gold you sus today. people search out Je

PRAY

Lord Jesus, as I search for You and Your wisdom, may I find You. Am en.

4

YPsJF2012.indd 4

23/8/11 11:27:05

tues 3 jan PROVERBS 3:19–26

‘By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations ...’

Proverbs 3:19

CHALLENGE What is God’s wisdom? And why do we need it anyway? Isn’t today’s scien ce more up to date? And as for understandin g ourselves and other people ... hav en’t the psychologists sorted all that out ?

God’s wisdom is the ultimate! His knowledge makes the reference section of your library look sad. While scientists, psychologists and other clever ’ologists are puzzling out the ABC of life and living, God’s got the lowdown on the entire alphabet.

His wisdom constructed the whole universe - the largest building project ever. Every tiny molecule, atom and particle was planned, created and set in position. And when the universe was test driven it worked perfectly first time. Each detail of our planet was carefully planned to support human life. On the other hand, we get ourselves into all sorts of a mess with the things we’ve made. Who are we to question that God knows best?

God is not like a super boffin: full of facts but no good at dealing with people. He made us and knows every detail of our lives. That’s why we come with an instruction booklet - the Bible. Following the Maker’s instructions will help us to avoid malfunctions, blowing a fuse and ending up on the scrapheap.

Those who trust that God knows best have no need to get wound up about anything. God knows the cause of all our problems and has an answer to them. Don’t try to be self-confident. Be confident in God -

He’ll help you.

ENGAGE

Read Proverbs 30:5 -6: God is always rig ht.

He doesn’t make mi stakes. And becaus e God does everything rig ht, we can rely on Hi m to help and protect us . Do you need God to shield you from anything to day? Talk with your Maker and work out the right moves to make.

5

YPsJF2012.indd 5

23/8/11 11:27:07

wed 4 jan PROVERBS 1:20–33

‘... but whoever listens to me will live in safety ...’

Wisd o Unive m for advice? o g u o y ld u o sh re rsity Whe Proverbs 1:33

a cost b ut th ere is llege free, is ce vi Co ’ ad ols ’s Fo d Go e m ake . Most peopl it g n ri o n ig to nsid ering hout even co it w s n io is ec d em to do. ig ht want th best, wh at God m h ink we know t ly al ic at m o We aut ake. be a big mist and th at can Banana brains love their simple ways, mockers mock and fools don’t want to know God. So how does God handle all the rejection?

He doesn’t slap people down with, ‘You’re going to do it like this whether you like it or not’. It’s not His way to bully people into following Him, but He does warn us of what will happen if we ignore His advice.

Ignore God’s advice and it may become too late to change the way things work out. God is keen to share His thoughts on any matter with us (v.23), but if we reject what He says we can expect trouble. And when we’ve got ourselves into another mess, although God will forgive us, we have to face up to the damage and hurt we have done to ourselves and others.

Listen to God, take His advice and live without all the hassle that comes from disobedience.

Later on in his life Solomon ignored God’s wisdom and became a womaniser and a playboy. His actions led to the kingdom of Israel eventually being broken up in two. You see, even people like Solomon, who know what God wants, can go wrong unless they actually do what God wants!

Wisdom University

ENGAGE

decisions at through the key ch to us es vis ad o Solomon als 15:22). If you are th wise people (Prov. wi ke ma to ve ha we you don’t know out something and unsure what to do ab about it and, if Bible for help, pray e th in k loo to e er wh tians. th experienced Chris wi er ov s ing th at ch necessary, the right way. e at the right time is vic ad ht rig e th g Takin

6

YPsJF2012.indd 6

23/8/11 11:27:12

Fo

thurs 5 jan PROVERBS 9:1–18

‘... knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.’

Proverbs 9:10

Solomon was n’t solo man doing things learnt to tal his way. He k things throu gh with God His advice. An and take d that’s not as easy as it ways sometim sounds. God’s es seem less up -beat than oth er ways.

Wh

ere will th e Wisdom choose to s go for ad vice?

Wisdom University

FOOLS’ COLLEGE thing. The more outrageous the better.

lege

Col ols’

Fo

ENGAGE

e

leg

Wisdom will always reward you (v.12). Col lnts’appeal mFollowing God may not have theoinsta o o d s i W F or ‘wow ity ’ factor other options offer, but it s r e v i alway n s work s out best in the end. Let’s wise up U to the fact that a ‘good time’ is only good when God is there. God is good and by heading away from Him you eventually bump into a ‘bad time’.

Why not have a good time now?

PRAY

No rules. Do your own rself but be able to think for you To apply, you must not questioning t hou wit ng ne else is doi instead do what everyo to be gullible, our courses learn how why. Those accepted on ant to believe ir consciences. It’s import devious and ignore the found out. feel like without being that you can do what you . for separation from God All courses qualify you Wisdom University

e olleg

s’ C Fool

SITY WISDOM UNIVERany one wishing

This course is open to alif ications are to learn and live. No qu will discover that you e necessary becaus knowing God. true knowledge is about God are the ones Those who get to know ting to know God is who do really well. Get live life to the full. the way to learn how to

Father, thank You for the rewards that wisdom offers. Help me to keep these rewards in mind.

Amen.

7

YPsJF2012.indd 7

23/8/11 11:27:13