Easter_Curriculum by Lifetogether Ministries

foreward by Brett Eastman, Preseident LifeTogether

Journey To Easter

The

Prepare your heart for Easter

Longing for a more meaningful celebration of the resurrection? Wish you had a deeper relationship with Jesus? - This study will guide you as walk toward Easter. You’ll gather with a small group to study and respond to four invitations from Jesus. Each day, you’ll connect with Jesus with thirty days of individual devotions. In your Journey Toward Easter, you’ll move closer to the Savior and build relationships with other like-minded individuals.

4 INVITATIONS FROM JESUS

(Your Name Here)

Pastor Steve Johnson

Sample devotional: Read: John 12: 30-33

Senior Pastor, Faith Community Church

Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted upfrom the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

Reflect: The gift I want to give you is simply this: freedom from sin. So many today mistake their

own rebellion for freedom. But of course, bad choices catch up with them, and they’re trapped, not free. I want to drive the devil from this world, and from your heart, where he tries to whisper lies of shame: that you are unworthy, or unloved. Not true. Draw near to me and you’ll experience the truth, and it will set you free. Free from shame, free from loneliness, free from the pressure of trying to impress others.

30 DAYS TO EASTER “Everyone needs hope. But what do you do when you find yourself without it? Hope Rising will encourage you to hold on to the hope that Christ has for us.” Craig Groeschel, Senior Pastor of LifeChurch.tv, Author of Altar Ego, Becoming Who God Says You Are

(Your Name Here)

Pastor Steve Johnson

Senior Pastor, Faith Community Church 2

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means -- electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise -- except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Copyright and use of the curriculum template is retained by Brett Eastman. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotes are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 and 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. ISBN Printed in the United States of America

Endorsements “Everyone needs hope. But what do you do when you find yourself without it? Hope Rising will encourage you to hold on to the hope that Christ has for us.” Craig Groeschel, Senior Pastor of LifeChurch.tv, Author of Altar Ego, Becoming Who God Says You Are

“Everybody needs hope. Hope Rising is an authentic and gutsy dealing with life, faith and God; especially so when some things are not making sense. I love Gene Appel. I love his heart and I love the way that he treats complex issues with insight, sensitivity and integrity. He speaks as one who has tasted pain but without the negative residue. There is something very powerful about people sharing their stories, too. Hope Rising will birth hope in many who desperately long for it and feel like it is in short supply.” Dale Stevenson, Senior Pastor, Crossway Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia

“You know restaurants, movies and sports teams all can get vastly over-rated, but not so with hope. That’s why I’m so excited about this series! My buddy Gene Appel knows as much about hanging onto hope through the challenges of life as anybody I know. He’d be the first to tell you that there are a lot of things in life that are over-rated, but HOPE is not one of them!” Mike Breaux, Author and Teaching Pastor, Heartland Community Church, Rockford, IL

“Everyone needs hope. Without it we curl up and die. With it the giants in our lives can be faced up to and conquered. Hope Rising will remind you of the power and reason for the hope that we have in Christ. This is a message that can change you and your church. I recommend it.”

“I’m so excited that the series Hope Rising has found it’s way into your hands. In a world full of challenges, disappointment, fear, loss, injustice and pain we all need to know that there is still hope. Without hope we would certainly give up. Without hope we would not have the courage to rise up. Without hope we would not have the strength to speak up. For those feeling hopeless, my prayer is that this series will leave you filled with hope!” Christine Caine, Founder of The A21 Campaign

“After I watched this video series , my first thought was ‘At last!’ The stories in Hope Rising will awaken your own stories. Each one is a story of triumph and tragedy that will inspire you to believe that God is most obviously present even when he seems apparently absent. Gene’s teaching let me know that there’s someone who truly understands that God’s strength is made perfect in our imperfections. This is a resource you’ll go back to again and again.” Pete Wilson, Senior Pastor of CrossPoint Church, Nashville, TN “My friend Gene Appel is an encourager, communicator and teacher whose message of hope will strengthen your faith and elevate your life. Hope Rising presents a living message that will enable you to overcome difficult circumstances with the confident expectation that your future is in God’s Hands.” Jack Graham, Pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, TX

“HOPE RISING is a powerful and creative answer to life’s difficult questions about faith and humanity. Gene Appel has assembled stories of real sojourners who’ve traveled the uneven roads and now have gathered to offer a tangible hope to others on the same passage. If you need not only answers but understanding, this is for you. “ Wayne Cordeiro, Author and Pastor New Hope Christian Fellowship

Larry Osborne, Author and Pastor, North Coast Church, Vista, CA

The Journey to Easter: Invitations from Jesus Table of Contents Contents

Endorsements Foreword by Welcome

Using this Workbook (read this first) Outline of each session SESSION ONE: Come and Follow

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:19-20)

SESSION TWO: Take and Eat

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” (Matthew 26:26)

SESSION THREE: Watch and Pray

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41)

SESSION FOUR: Go and Tell

Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28:10)

Appendices

Frequently Asked Questions Small Group Agreement Small Group Calendar Spiritual Partners Memory Verse Cards (Clip and Review)

Small Group Leaders Hosting an Open House Leading for the First Time Leadership Training Prayer and Praise Report Small Group Roster Notes

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Foreword The most powerful force in the world is not generated by splitting atoms or focusing lasers. It lies beyond the control of any technology, the price of any corporation or the control of any government. The most powerful force in the world is available to its poorest citizen. It has no cost, although desperate people would pay anything for it. It has no known limits, although those who lack it would travel anywhere to find it. It is called hope. And hope is rising. A friend of mine, the best marriage expert I know, said that when he counseled couples his goal was simply to help them experience ten percent improvement. Because if they could do that—no matter how bad their marriage had been—they would taste hope. And once someone tastes hope, all bets are off. Anything can happen. Hope springs eternal. It’s hope that keeps young couples seeking to give birth to new little lives even though our world can be such a mess. It’s hope that brings every baseball team back to spring training. It’s hope that keeps courageous young children battling against foes as difficult as cancer. Hope is there at the beginning of every marriage, at the birth of every business, at the launch of every friendship, at the commencement of the most long-shot dream. Human beings can survive almost anything. But we cannot outlive our hope. A wise writer said that human beings have three strategies for coping with the disappointments that are inevitable to life in this world. One is despair— to continue to want, but to believe what I want will never come to fruition. Human beings cannot last long in despair. Another strategy is resignation. In resignation, I try to cope by convincing myself that I don’t really want my heart’s desire after all. Then there is hope. Hope means I keep wanting, and I trust that something better is coming. The Bible is the great book of hope. Paul does not say: “May the God of all Resignation fill you with Resignation...” God is the God of hope. You are about to become a student of hope. Gene Appel and Eastside are in the hope distribution business. And when all our immediate hopes for this or that outcome fail (and sooner or later they all will), every human being needs a fall-back hope, a foundational hope, an ultimate hope. There is only One. So join in, read, study, talk, think, pray....and hope. Hope is rising. - John Ortberg

Acknowledgements Pulling together a creative curriculum and creating the kind of resource you hold in your hand and the accompanying DVD doesn’t just happen. Brett Eastman, Allen White and the team from LifeTogether have been encouraging, creative, passionate partners who brought an enormous deal of energy and guidance to this project at every step of the way. We could not have done it without them. Jill Gille, Korry Ashton, and Jan Lynn brought their professional and production expertise in capturing the stories and teaching on top of already full schedules and worked their usual magic. We can’t do anything at Eastside without feeling the support, protection, and the big picture vision of our elder board who undergird all our ministries and efforts and are the most supportive group of leaders on the planet. The unsung heroes are the Connection and Small Group leaders who inspire us to resource and bless their contributions with resources like this as they create environments for thousands to belong, grow and serve. Finally, a special word of appreciation goes to the staff of Eastside who, with great vulnerability, shared their personal stories on the Hope Rising DVD. These are not just Hope Givers doing a video project, but these are people who give hope to thousands of people every day as they selflessly advance God’s work in the hearts and lives of people.

WELCOME

Welcome to The Journey to Easter: Invitations from Jesus, an integrated, comprehensive experience that will prepare your heart for Easter. Using the Lenten season as a time of preparation and reflection will make Good Friday and Easter that much more meaningful. The Journey to Easter allows you to experience that preparation in the context of community. The Journey to Easter integrates what you are learning in church on the weekends with what you’re studying in your small group, and with your individual times with God. In the context of your small group, you’ll dig deeper into the topics and Scriptures you’ve heard in the weekend messages. In that faith community, you will learn, discuss and grow. On your own between meetings, you’ll be guided through rich devotional times that again integrate with what you’re learning and experiencing at church and in your group. This study consists of four sessions, each focused on an invitation Jesus made to his disciples, and to all people. How you respond to these invitations has the potential to change your story in significant ways. You’ll have a chance to learn together, to discuss and share your own stories in a way that focuses on practical real-life application as you find your story in the Easter story. The four sessions are • Come and Follow • Take and Eat • Watch and Pray • Go and Tell At the end of each session, you’ll find daily devotions that will allow you to prepare for Easter in a unique way. You’ll read a Bible verse, then read a reflection written as if Jesus were speaking directly to you. You’ll then have a chance to respond. As you do, you’ll grow closer to Jesus and prepare your heart for Easter. In addition to the written study, this curriculum includes a DVD with teaching from your pastor. In your discussion, you’ll dig into the Bible but also respond to what you watched on the DVD. Our prayer is that you would experience God in a fresh way as a result of this study, and that you would experience Easter in a new way as a result.

Using this Workbook

Outline of Each Session

(Tools to Help You Have a Great Small Group Experience!)

Life change happens in small groups. In the setting of community, we can obey Jesus’ command to love one another. In this study, you’ll not only read and discuss Biblical texts, you’ll think and talk about how to apply what you’ve learned to your everyday life. The goal is not that you’d accumulate knowledge, but that your life would be transformed, and your character will reflect that of Jesus Christ.

1 2 3

4 5

otice in the Table of Contents there are N three sections: (1) Sessions; (2) Appendix; and (3) Small Group Leaders. Familiarize yourself with the Appendix parts. Some of them will be used in the sessions themselves. I f you are facilitating/leading or coleading a small group, the section Small Group Leaders will give you some hardlearned experiences of others that will encourage you and help you avoid many common obstacles to effective small group leadership. se this workbook as a guide, not a U straightjacket. If the group responds to the lesson in an unexpected but honest way, go with that. If you think of a better question than the next one in the lesson, ask it. Take to heart the insights included in the Frequently Asked Questions pages and the Small Group Leaders section. Enjoy your small group experience.

ow read the Outline of Each Session on N the next pages so that you understand how the sessions will flow.

A typical group session for the Journey to Easter study will include the following sections:

INTRODUCTION.

Each lesson will open with a brief thought that will help you prepare for the session and get you thinking about the particular subject you will explore with your group. Make it a practice to read these before the session.

SHARE YOUR STORY.

The foundation for spiritual growth is an intimate connection with God and His family. That connection is built by sharing your story with a few people who really know you and who earn your trust. This section includes some simple questions to get your talking—letting you share as much or as little of your story as you want. Each session typically offers you two options. You can get to know your whole group by using the icebreaker question(s), or you can check in with one or two group members—your spiritual partner(s)—for a deeper connection and encouragement in your spiritual journey.a small group come to life. As the group develops intimacy, use the Spiritual Partner’s Check-In Page and Prayer and Praise Report to keep the group connected.

HEAR GOD’S STORY.

In this section, you’ll read the Bible and listen to teaching, in order to hear God’s story—and begin to see how his story aligns with yours. When the study directs you to, you’ll pop in the DVD and watch a short teaching segment. You’ll then have an opportunity to read a passage of Scripture, and discuss both the teaching and the text. The focus won’t be on accumulating information but on how we should live in light of the Word of God. We want to help you apply the insights from Scripture practically, creatively, and from your heart as well as your head. At the end of the day, allowing the timeless truths from God’s Word to transform our lives in

Christ is our greatest aim.

STUDY NOTES.

This is a brief section with additional commentary, background or insights on the passage you’ll study in the Hear God’s Story section.

CREATE A NEW STORY

God wants you to be a part of His Kingdom—to weave your story into His. That will mean change—to go His way rather than your own. This won’t happen overnight—but it should happen steadily. By small, simple choices, we begin to change our direction. This is where the Bible’s instructions to “be doers of the Word, not just hearers” (James 1:22) comes into play. Many people skip over this aspect of the Christian life because it’s scary, relationally awkward, or simply too much work for their busy schedules. But Jesus wanted all of His disciples to help outsiders connect with Him, to know Him personally, and to carry out His commands. This doesn’t necessarily mean preaching on street corners. It could mean welcoming a few newcomers into your group, hosting a short-term group in your home, or walking through this study with a friend. In this study, you’ll have an opportunity to go beyond Bible study to biblical living. This section will also have a question or two that will challenge you to live out your faith by serving others, sharing your faith, and worshiping God.

options allow individuals or the whole group to expand their study, while still accom¬modating those who can’t do homework or are new to your group.

DAILY DEVOTIONS.

Each week on the Daily Devotions pages we provide scriptures to read and reflect on between group meetings—a month’s worth of reflections that will prepare your heart for Easter. This is a chance to slow down, to read just a small portion of Scripture each day, and reflect and pray through it. Each day, you’ll not only read a verse, but you’ll also read a paragraph written as if it were a personal note to you from Jesus. You’ll then have a chance to journal your response to what you’ve read. Use this section to seek God on your own throughout the week. This time at home should begin and end with prayer. Don’t get in a hurry; take enough time to hear God’s direction.

WEEKLY MEMORY VERSES.

Each week on the Daily Reflections pages we provide scriptures to read and reflect on between group meetings. We suggest you use this section to seek God on your own throughout the week. This time at home should begin and end with prayer. Don’t get in a hurry; take enough time to hear God’s direction.

FOR ADDITIONAL STUDY.

If you have time and want to dig deeper into more Bible passages about the topic at hand, we’ve provided additional passages and questions. Your group may choose to do study homework ahead of each meeting in order to cover more biblical material. If you prefer not to do study homework, this section will provide you with plenty to discuss within the group. These

Session1 Come and Follow Memory Verse: “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. (Matthew 4:19-20) What does it mean to follow? People will tell you they follow certain sports teams, or follow news of the stock market. You can even follow someone on Twitter. As a first-century rabbi, Jesus had followers—as did other rabbis and religious leaders. Often, it is the followers who would seek out the relationship, not the rabbi himself. But Jesus is different. He goes looking for followers in unusual places: seashores and tax booths, rather than religious schools or temples. In the first century, following Jesus meant leaving family and career to become a student, a disciple. It was a full-time, all-in endeavor. What does his invitation mean to us today? Even if we wanted to, we can’t roam the countryside listening to Jesus teach, watching him perform miracles, and asking him questions. But he still extends an invitation to ordinary men and women today: come and follow. On the journey to Easter, it might just be our first step. What will that look like in your life?

SHARE YOUR STORY Each of us has a story. The events of our life—good, bad, challenging or wonderful—have shaped who we are. God knows your story, and he intends to redeem it—to use every struggle and every joy to ultimately bring you to himself. When we tell our stories, sharing them with others, we give others the opportunity to see God at work. When we share our stories, we realize we are not alone—that we have common experiences and thoughts, and that others can understand what we are going through. Your story can encourage someone else, and telling it can be a path to freedom for you, and for those you share it with. Open your group with prayer. This should be a brief, simple prayer, in which you invite God to be with you as you meet. You can pray for specific requests at the end of the meeting, or stop momentarily to pray if a particular situation comes up during your discussion. As you begin at this first meeting, take time to pass around a copy of the Small Group Roster on page ???, a sheet of paper, or one of you pass your Study Guide, opened to the Small Group Roster. Have everyone write down their contact information. Ask someone to make copies or type up a list with everyone’s information and email it to the group this week. Then, begin your time together by using the following questions and activities to get people talking.

hat one character trait do W you look for in leaders you are wiling to follow?

• What are you hoping to get out of this group?

• Whether your group is new or ongoing, it’s always important to reflect on and review your values together. On pages ???-??? is a Small Group Agreement with the values we’ve found most useful in sustaining healthy, balanced groups. We recommend that you choose one or two values—ones you haven’t previously focused on or have room to grow in—to emphasize during this study. Choose ones that will take your group to the next stage of intimacy and spiritual health. If your group is new, welcome newcomers. Introduce everyone—you may even want to have name tags for your first meeting. We recommend that you rotate host homes on a regular basis and let the hosts lead the meeting. We’ve come to realize that healthy groups rotate leadership. This helps to develop every member’s ability to shepherd a few people in a safe environment. Even Jesus gave others the opportunity to serve alongside him (Mark 6:30–44). Look at the FAQs in the Appendix additional information about hosting or leading the group. The Small Group Calendar on page ??? is a tool for planning who will host and lead each meeting. Take a few minutes to plan hosts and leaders for your remaining meetings. Don’t pass this up! It will revolutionize your group.

Watch the DVD for this session now. Use the Notes space provided on page ??? to record any key thoughts, questions, and things you want to remember or follow up on. After watching the video, have someone read the discussion questions in the Grow section and direct the discussion among the group. As you go through each of the subsequent sections, ask someone else to read the questions and direct the discussion.

HEAR GOD’S STORY God uses stories to guide us. When we read the true stories of Scripture, we learn what God is like, we see His plan unfolding. And we learn principles for our own lives. How can we become a part of God’s story? By aligning our stories with His. By not just understanding what it means to follow Him, but actually doing it—changing our attitudes and actions to live as he would live. Use the following questions to guide your discussion of the teaching and stories you just experienced, and the Bible passage below. You may want to use the study notes on page ?? to guide your reading and discussion.

Read Mark 10:17-22 1 7 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

1 We are all familiar with Jesus invitation to his disciples (see Matthew 4, for example) to come and follow. But in this passage, Jesus asks a man some translators call the Rich Young Ruler to follow him. What’s your first impression of this young man?

2 Jesus tells this man that no one except God is truly good. But we often hear people say, “I’m a good person.” What do you think Jesus means?

3 In verse 18, Jesus lists several of the Ten Commandments (See Exodus

20:1-17, and Deuteronomy 5:6-21). The young man insists he has kept all of them. Do you think he is telling the truth?

4 If what you “follow” is that which you give the most time and attention to, what would you say this young man was following?

5 Why did Jesus tell the man to sell everything and give all the money

to the poor? Is this his direction to all who want to follow Jesus? (See study notes)

6 When you read this passage, what questions come to your mind? What do you wonder about?

Going Deeper

STUDY NOTES “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17) It’s interesting that a rich young man wants to figure out how to get an inheritance of eternal life—as if it were another possession. And Jesus’ response is curious: even though he came to set us free from the law, he answers by talking about the Mosaic Law, which was far more than just the 10 Commandments (see, for example, Leviticus 17-21, for a partial list). But Jesus doesn’t say that’s the way to eternal life—he merely points out what the Law says. The man is blind to his faults and doesn’t realize that when he says he has kept the law perfectly, he’s lying (and therefore violating the Law). Although Jesus doesn’t mention the first commandment of the ten (“You shall have no other gods before me”) it becomes obvious by the end of the conversation that this young man worships money and has put it before following God—and has thus not kept even the first commandment.

NOTES Use this space to record your thoughts, questions and ponderings as you watch the video and discuss the Bible passage.

“Jesus looked at him and loved him.” (Mark 10:21) Like this young man, we are all looking for an easy way to get right with God. And also like him, we are blind to our own faults. But the good news is that Jesus loved this young man, and loves us, not because of our “goodness” or rule-keeping. We cannot earn his favor—he love us not “because of” but “in spite of.” That is what grace is all about. “…you will have treasure in heaven.” (Mark 10:21) Jesus often compares the kingdom of God to treasure. (See for example Matthew 13:44-46) In Matthew 6:19-21, he taught more fully on the idea of storing up treasure in heaven, and reminding his listeners that you can’t serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). Often, storing up heavenly treasures involves letting go of earthly ones. At its heart, Jesus’ teachings on money are really about trust: do we trust God enough to give him access to our resources? See also 1 Timothy 6:6-10.

CREATE A NEW STORY God wants you to be a part of His Kingdom—to weave your story into His. That will mean change—to go His way rather than your own. This won’t happen overnight—but it should happen steadily. By small, simple choices, we begin to change our direction. The Holy Spirit helps us along the way: giving us gifts to serve the body, offering us insights into Scripture, challenging us to love not only those around us but those far from God. In this section, talk about how you will apply the wisdom you’ve learned from the teaching and Bible study. Then think about practical steps you can take in the coming week to live out what you’ve learned.

1 If you follow someone, you move in the

same direction they do. What area of your life is moving the same direction as Jesus?

2 What area of your life seems to be stuck, or even moving in the opposite direction of Jesus?

3 As you listened to the video teaching, what

is one point that really stuck with you? What longings did it stir in you? What is one step you want to take as a result of what you heard?

8 Jesus served people—if we want to follow him, we’ll do as he did.

The first step toward doing that connecting with God, allowing that relationship to energize and strength us. This week, how will you nurture that connection? Can you commit to spending time in daily prayer or study of God’s word (use the Daily Devotions section to guide you). Tell the group how you plan to follow Jesus this week, and then, at your next meeting, talk about your progress and challenges.

9 To close your time together, spend some time worshiping God together—praying, singing, reading Scripture.

- Have someone use their musical gifts to lead the group in a worship song. Try singing á capela, using a worship CD, or have some one accompany your singing with a musical instrument. - Read a passage of Scripture together, making it a time of praise and worship as the words remind you of all God has done for you. Choose a psalm or other favorite verse. - Ask everyone to share: “How can we pray for you this week?” Be sure to write prayer requests on your Prayer and Praise Report on page ???. - Close your meeting with prayer.

4 If you had been the young man in the Bible story we read, how would you have responded to Jesus?

5 What do you need to let go of in order to respond to Jesus’ invitation to follow him?

6 What is one thing you’d change about the way you’re doing things at work in order to follow Jesus while you’re there? What would it look like to be the doctor or manager or mom who follows Jesus?

FOR ADDITIONAL STUDY If you feel God nudging you to go deeper, take some time between now and our next meeting to dig into His word. Explore the Bible passages related to this session’s theme on your own, jotting your reflections in a journal or in this study guide. A great way to gain insight on a passage is to read it in several different translations. You may want to use a Bible app or website to compare translations. Read John 10:25-30 Jesus compares himself to a shepherd, and us to sheep. In order for sheep to follow, what sort of relationship do the sheep need to have with the shepherd? What does a shepherd do for his sheep? What role does he play in their lives? According to verse 28, what does Jesus the Shepherd give us, his sheep? ------------------------------------------Read Luke 9:23-26 In this passage, Jesus tells his followers that they must take up their cross. As we think about Easter, what do you think this means? In verse 24, Jesus offers a paradox: to save your life, you must lose it. Have you ever saved something by letting go of it? As you think about Jesus’ journey to the cross, what did he have to “lose” in order to obey God’s plan? ------------------------------------------Read Hebrews 12:1-3 What is “the race marked out before us”? What does that have to do with following Jesus? This passage tells us to fix our eyes on Jesus—an essential part of following him. Since we can’t see Jesus in the flesh, what are some practical ways we can fix our eyes on him? What “opposition” did Jesus face? What does this passage teach us about following him? -------------------------------------------

Daily Devotionals Welcome to a 30-Day experience that will draw you closer to Jesus. Each day, read the verse given. Take your time. Imagine that Jesus is sitting with you. Then, imagine him saying the words in the “reflect” section to you—reassuring you with his presence and loving you with his words of comfort and strength. After reflecting on Jesus’ words to you, take some time to journal your response back to him. You can write whatever’s on your heart. Answer the “respond” question only if it’s helpful. You may want to go another direction and that is exactly what you’re free to do. On the first day, you may want to read over all the verses for the week to get the “big picture” of the passage. But then walk slowly verse by verse, listening to Jesus and responding to him as you meditate on the truths of Scripture and experience his presence.

Day 2

Read John 12:26: Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. Reflect: Don’t be afraid, my child. You can’t serve me from afar—I’m asking you to come along with me, to walk beside me as we serve together. And when you do, you’ll experience my presence. That will bring me joy, and will be the most fulfilling thing you’ve ever experienced. And it will empower you to serve in ways you never dreamed possible. Let’s do life together, and see where this adventure takes us. My Father loves you, and wants to honor you. Come and serve, and discover the joy of not just honoring God, but being honored by him. Respond: What do you imagine being honored by the Father will be like?

Day 1

Read John 12:25: Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Reflect: Do you know what I want to give you? It’s so much better than the things you think are so wonderful. While I’ve given you blessings in this life, those are not for you to cling to—they’re to remind you of me, of my love for you. The ambitions, worries, possessions—all the things that clutter up your life—let go of those things. Open your hands, drop all of that, and let me give you the gift of a different sort of life—one that will last forever. Respond: In what ways has following Jesus caused you to shift your priorities? What further shifts is Jesus asking you to make?

Day 2 25

Day 3

Read John 12:27-28: “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name!” Reflect: These hours before the cross were so very hard for me. My soul was indeed troubled. But here’s the truth, my dear one: I thought of you, and because I love you so much, I could not turn away. This was the reason I came—so that you would be able to have a relationship with me. My motivation was my love for you—and nothing could ever make me turn away from that opportunity. If you follow me, you may also receive some difficult assignments from my Father. But know this: I’ll be with you. Together, we’ll glorify the Father.

Respond: What is troubling your soul today? What do you need from Jesus to comfort you?

Day 5.

Read: John 12: 30-33: Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die. Reflect: The gift I want to give you is simply this: freedom from sin. I want to drive the devil from this world, and from your heart, where he tries to whisper lies of shame: that you are unworthy, or unloved. Not true. Draw near to me and you’ll experience the truth, and it will set you free. Respond: How did Jesus’ death draw people to himself? How can your decision to follow him also draw others to him?

Day 4

Read John 12:25: Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him. Reflect: Today, try to see with spiritual eyes, my child. The cross, meant by men to be an object of shame, became a way to glorify God—because it showed the extent of his love. God often speaks, but many people merely hear a rumbling, which they ignore. Can you walk through your day attentive, noticing that God’s voice his always near? When you begin to see spiritual realities, the things that seem difficult or painful will bring you joy, and will bring glory to the Father. Respond: In what ways has following Jesus caused you to shift your priorities? What further shifts is Jesus asking you to make? Respond: What specific situation are you facing right now where God is asking you to obey, and therefore glorify him?

Day 6

Day 6. Read: John 12:34 : “The crowd spoke up, “We have heard from the Law that the Messiah will remain forever, so how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” Reflect: Do you trust me, my child? Matters of faith are not always easy to understand, especially when you come at them with pre-conceived notions. Seek to understand, not just with your intellect, but with your gut and your heart. Let go of what you think you know, open your heart to me, and seek truth. Let grace shape your understanding of the Law, let peace rule in your heart. Be ready for the unexpected, and trust me. Respond: What misconceptions are you clinging to, just because that’s always how you’ve seen things?

Respond: What misconceptions are you clinging to, just because that’s always how you’ve seen things?

Day 7.

Read John 12:35-36: Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” Reflect: When you put your trust in me, believing in me, you become a child of the light. My child, dance in the light. Revel in the fact that I’m shining my love on you all the time—and freely share that light with others. Keep walking with me, following me, and you’ll experience joy. Respond: What does it mean to you to believe in the light?