DAILY DEVOTIONAL. Know God / Week 1 PRELUDE SOCIAL WORSHIP STORY GROUPS HOME WEEK 1 CREATION POINTS TO THE CREATOR.

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1 Know God / Week 1 WEEK 1 CREATION POINTS TO THE CREATOR. DAY 1 LIVE // Have you ever experienced a beautiful sunset or noticed the sun s rays shining through the clouds one afternoon? These are moments when creation points to the wonder of its Creator, and we get to see it. Slow down today and look around for ways in which nature points us to the One who created it all. 1

2 Know God / Week 1 DAY 2 HEAR // God created everything the sky, the sun, the sea, and even you and me. Sometimes we can go through life so fast we don t even realize this truth, but every once in a while it s worth stopping to remember the magnitude of God and His creation. What s even more amazing, this same God wants a personal relationship with us. How incredible is that!? DAY 3 PRAY // God has set everything around us in the exact place it needs to be in order to function properly. If Earth were a fraction closer to the sun, we would burn up. And if Earth were any farther away, we would freeze. This level of specificity and care points directly to the God who created it all. When you pray today, thank God for His sovereignty over the heavens and the earth. 2

3 Know God / Week 1 DAY 4 LIVE // While God created everything on heaven and earth, humans are the only ones made in His image. But what does that mean for us? It means we are to live as image-bearers of the One who created us. Everything we think, say, and do should ultimately point to God. How can you reflect God s image in your life today? DAY 5 TALK // It can be mind-blowing to think that the same God who made everything around us also took the time to make you. He formed you with His hands and took great care to create you in His image. But God didn t just make you with care in His image He made the people around you, too. Today, text a friend and remind them how awesome they are, just because God made them. 3

4 Know God / Week 2 WEEK 2 PRAYER HELPS US KNOW GOD BETTER. DAY 6 LIVE // Sometimes prayer can seem like a huge and daunting task. How do I start? What should I say? These questions cloud our minds so much that sometimes we completely opt out of praying altogether. Well, in Matthew 6, Jesus outlines the exact way we should pray. He starts by saying we should address God as Our Father. The point here is that we are sons and daughters who can address God the same way a child addresses his or her father. As you go about your day today, remember that God views you as one of His children and He is eager to hear from you. 4

5 Know God / Week 2 DAY 7 PRAY // Prayer should be our first response to anxiety. If we worry about something, we should find the time to pray about it. God is eager to hear from us, so don t hesitate to bring to God whatever it is that s weighing on you. Pray honestly today and ask God to fill your needs whatever they may be. He is always listening. DAY 8 HEAR // Sometimes when you pray it can feel like no one is listening, but this couldn t be further from the truth. God always hears you. He hears our every prayer, every thought, and every word. Always. As you go through your day today, remember that God s listening and is eager to hear your thoughts and prayers. 5

6 Know God / Week 2 DAY 9 TALK // Talking to God can be somewhat intimidating He is the creator of the world and everything in it. Thankfully, the author of Hebrews reminds us that we can approach God with confidence, knowing that He wants to listen to us in our time of need. As you pray to God today, don t be shy; speak with confidence knowing that you are heard. DAY 10 PRAY // Although the idea of praying continually may seem unrealistic, this type of constant communication with God makes for a much improved relationship between you and Him. Today, do your best to pray continually. Let God in on whatever it is you re facing today and see if you notice a difference in the way life feels when you re intentional about talking to God throughout your day. 6

7 Know God / Week 3 WEEK 3 YOU DON T HAVE TO KNOW EVERYTHING TO SHARE SOMETHING. DAY 11 TALK // As a Christian, it can feel like you need to be able to make a firm defense of every aspect of your faith and why you believe what you believe. But there s something equally important to bring to a conversation about faith: grace. In every conversation with believers and nonbelievers alike we need to show grace. God cares about the state of our hearts during every conversation. So when you speak today regardless of the topic shower your words with grace. 7

8 Know God / Week 3 DAY 12 LIVE // Because we are sons and daughters of God, we can walk through life with the firm confidence that comes from knowing and being known by the Creator of the universe. Whenever someone challenges your faith, remember that your identity is in Whose you are. We are God s sons and daughters, and the way we live and act look very different when we remember this truth throughout the day, DAY 13 HEAR // The point of telling someone about Jesus is not to win an argument. And it is not our job to correct, criticize, and debate. Rather, we should simply focus on gently and gracefully sharing the truth of God with them. Christians are responsible for sharing the Gospel, but it s not up to us whether or not other people will accept what we say. We are simply told to speak and pray that God will grant others ears to hear and eyes to see. 8

9 Know God / Week 3 DAY 14 TALK // David was clearly unashamed of his relationship with God, and the example he sets forth in the Psalms is one that is really worth following. In Romans 1, Paul says, For I am unashamed of the gospel of Christ David and Paul really set the standard for what it looks like to talk about God and what a relationship with Him means. The bar they set is high, but it can be reached. How can you be unashamed of the Gospel at home, at school, or on the sports field today? DAY 15 PRAY // When we are telling others about Jesus, we are never going to be alone. God does not send us out by ourselves to share our faith we have the Holy Spirit with us always. Today, thank God for His constant presence. Then ask God to remind you of His presence the next time you re walking into a situation and feeling alone. 9

10 Know God / Week 4 WEEK 4 WORSHIP IS MORE ABOUT THE WHO THAN THE HOW. DAY 16 LIVE // As a Christian, it s easy to get caught up in trying to do all the right things and none of the wrong things. But when we get so focused on right and wrong actions, we can forget the reason why we try in the first place. Jesus should always the reason for our actions everything we think, say, and do is supposed to point back to Him. Today, as you face tough decisions, remember Who you re ultimately doing it for. 10

11 Know God / Week 4 DAY 17 HEAR // Sometimes, we get so caught up in our day-to-day lives that we forget that God is even there. It s easy to go through life with your head down, focusing on what you have to do each day and nothing else. But we have to remember to look up. God is above everything we do and everything we do, we do for Him. DAY 18 PRAY // It can be easy to pat yourself on the back every now and then for doing a something good or for not doing something bad. But the truth is, everything we do that glorifies God, we can only do because God is works in us. This truth can be humbling, but it s worth remembering. Pray today and thank God for the ways He has worked through you. 11

12 Know God / Week 4 DAY 19 TALK // One of the best ways to learn about God is to talk about God to the people He has put in our lives. If we go to church on Sundays, sit quietly through the talks and through small group, and then leave, we are missing out. This week, engage in the conversation in small group, ask questions, and be ready to learn something new about Him. God is eager to teach us more about Himself; we just have to be willing to open our minds and hearts to Him. DAY 20 LIVE // God is always with us. That truth will never get old. No matter what you re going through today whether life is rough or smooth sailing God is right there with you. Life is hardest when it s lived alone, but thankfully, we never have to be alone. As you go through today, remember that God is by your side in every step you take. 12