Day Scripture Question Reflection Take Action 1 2 Pet. 1:3 Jesus called us by his glory and goodness (excellence). How does our knowledge of his life example call us to be excellent? Why is our example of Christ to others more important than our words about him to them? Describe your example as you see it through the eyes of your friends and family. 2 Matt. 5:14-16 Jesus said we were to be the light of the world. What did he mean by that? 3 Matt. 5:13 Jesus said we were the salt of the earth. What does that mean? 4 John 13:1-15 What was Jesus example all about here? 5 John 13:1-15 Why was washing feet such a humble task? How did Peter respond when Jesus came to him? Why so? Light shows the way, reveals obstacles in our way, removes darkness, and in the sun s case gives energy. How is your life a light to the world? Salt preserves and spices up food. Humans also need some salt for body functions. How are you salt? How can you imitate Jesus example for being a servant? What are some humble tasks today that are usually done only by the lowliest workers? How do you respond when Ask a parent how you can be a better example at home. Text or email a youth worker and ask them how you can improve your example. Text or ask a friend how you can be a better example. Do something special today to serve your parents. Make sure it something they wouldn t expect. If they ask why you are doing it, say you are doing it to show how much you appreciate all that they do for you. Make a commitment to be humble today go last in the line, take the lowest job, do what you are asked to do the first time you are asked, and with a good attitude.
6 1 Pet. 2:21 What does it mean to follow in Jesus steps? What specific example of Jesus was Peter referring to? 7 2 Cor. 3:18 What happened to Moses when he spent time with God on the mountain? How does that apply to our spending time with Jesus fixing our thoughts on him and meditating on his constant presence in our lives? 8 Luke 9:23 What does it mean to deny oneself to follow Jesus? What does it mean to take up our cross? What does it mean to follow him? 9 Heb. 3:1 What are we to fix our thoughts on? What does that mean? 10 Col. 3:1-3 How does setting our hearts and minds on things above (Jesus) others humble serve you? How much suffering (or even minor inconveniences and expectations) are you willing to endure for Jesus before you start whining, complaining and even quitting? How does your life reflect Jesus glory when you spend time with him? How do you allow serving yourself to get in the way of serving Christ? Why is it always better for YOU to do what Christ wants you to do to follow his example? How often do you specifically think about Jesus throughout the day? What in your life robs Jesus of your heart and mind? Ask God to reveal to you how you can more effectively walk in Jesus steps. Then try to do it. Spend some time in prayer and meditation asking Jesus to be with you. Picture him sitting across from you, being your friend and having a good conversation with you. Picture yourself following Christ today. Try to picture how he would be have in each circumstance you are in. Then imitate how you think he d act or respond. Put some reminders around to think about Jesus. For example, you can put 3 X 5 cards in your books or you could put one on your bathroom mirror. Picture yourself setting a dial in your brain on the things of Christ.
instantly cause us to start behaving more like him? 11 Heb. 12:1-2 Who are the witnesses that we are surrounded with? (hint: look back at Heb. 11) What do we need to do to run more effectively? How do weights and sins hold us back in the race? What does it mean that Jesus is the author of our faith? What does it mean he is the perfecter of our faith? 12 1 Cor. 11:1 What did Paul tell the Corinthians to do here? What is the important thing to look for in others lives to determine if you should imitate them? 13 Matt. 23:1-3 Jesus hated poor examples in those who were supposedly God s people. What were the leaders of Israel doing that Jesus hated so much? What weights or sins might you need to remove so that you can run Christ s race better? How can you imitate Christ by imitating other faithful disciples? Hypocrisy is defined as the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense. Hypocrisy is insincerity. Insincerity is not being on the inside what you are on the outside. Jesus told these to clean the inside of the cup first. How Now work to keep it set there all day. Picture yourself running a race today for Christ. It s a marathon not a sprint, so pace yourself. Try to think about Jesus in each situation, so that you an run the race the way he did. Pick someone out today that you think is a good example of following Christ. Think about how they apply Christ s example in their own life and try to imitate it in some key areas of your own life. Ask a youth worker how you might be one of those to say one thing and then live another way. Pray God will help you work on improving upon that.
14 1 Tim. 4:12 What does it mean to set the believers an example in speech? 15 1 Tim. 4:12 What does it mean to set the believers and example in life? 16 1 Tim. 4:12 What does it mean to set the believers an example in love? 17 1 Tim. 4:12 What does it mean to set the believers an example in faith? 18 1 Tim. 4:12 What does it mean to set the believers an example in purity? might you find yourself to be hypocritical? Think of all the different places to speak. Are there some areas where your words and tone are not very much like Jesus? Ponder whether those around you see you as a devoted Christian? The love Paul is talking about here is the Greek word, agape, meaning the love of God. This is a love that is all about simply doing what is right no matter how you feel. How well are you doing in rising above your moods and feelings to do what is right toward everyone in your life? Do others see you as one who trusts God, even when things aren t going your way? Why or why not? Jesus said it was the pure in heart that will see God Read Eph. 4:25, 29. What does it mean to speak truthfully to your neighbor? What does it mean to not let unwholesome talk come out of you mouth? Work on doing these today? Write a brief description of your life example as seen through your friends eyes. Pray that you will grow in this example. Make a list of two or three areas where you need to rise above your feelings to do what is right, even when you don t feel like it. Think about how this is loving like Christ loved. Ask God to increase your faith in him. Keep praying about it all day, every time you think about it. Identify one impurity in your life that you will work all day to put
19 1 Tim. 4:16 What does it mean to watch our life and doctrine closely? 20 1 Pet. 3:15-16 Why is the message of our life to others every bit as important as being prepared to answer the questions of others? 21 Heb. 12:3 Who does the writer say we should consider? What does this mean? 22 Matt. 3:13-17 What is the example Jesus is setting here? 23 Matt. 4:1-11 What example did Jesus set in resisting temptation: (Matt. 5:8). Pure means that something is only one thing. What is the one thing you need in your heart to be truly pure the one thing that will actually drive our impurities? Why is carefulness and thoughtfulness so important to following Christ s example? How careful and thoughtful are you in following Christ? How can you improve the message of your life to others? How does considering Jesus life and all its challenges help you endure in your own and grow stronger? How can you following Jesus example in your own commitment to God? Have you committed your life to God and been baptized into him? Why or why not? How could you follow Jesus example better in handling out of your life. Write down two specific goals: one of something you need to learn more about and another of something in your life that you intend to improve on in following Jesus. Write out your answer to the following question: Why are you so committed to being a Christian? Today, consider how Jesus dealt with hardship and suffering in his own life and think about how to apply that to your own challenges. If you are studying Focus on Jesus with a youth worker, commit yourself to study harder and be more committed. If you are not in a one-on-one study about Jesus with a youth worker, get one started. Make a list of all the temptations you face each day. Think about
The temptation to eat because Satan wanted him to, vv. 3-4? The temptation to prove himself to Satan, vv. 5-7? The temptation to give into Satan so that he could have possessions and power, vv. 8-10? 24 Matt. 5:3 What does it mean to be poor in spirit? 25 Luke 2:41-52 In what ways was Jesus a good example for you? 26 John 14:31; Luke 6:46-49 What is Jesus example here? What is the contradiction Jesus is talking about? How does obedience prepare us for the storms and challenges of life? 27 Luke 8:16-18 Why are lamps put on stands? How does this apply to us? What does Jesus say about our secrets? What does it mean to consider your temptations? Poor in spirit is the opposite of being full of oneself. How did Jesus set us an example in being poor in spirit? Jesus took an interest in the things of God, and at an early age wanted to learn as well as teach and influence others, even leaders. He also was obedient to his parents. How can you apply these to your own life? How can you have the same attitude as Jesus in your own life? How careful are you in the way you listen and learn about God? how Jesus would resist each and try to imitate him. Do something today to make it about Christ and others and totally NOT about you. Be obedient and respectful to your parents. Try to do things before they have to ask you to. When they ask or tell you to do something, do it immediately without having to be asked twice. Be obedient in some way in which you may not have not been so obedient lately. Confess a sin or secret to a parent, trustworthy friend, or a youth worker today. If you re not sure whom to talk to, as an adult you trust who would be good for you
carefully how we listen? 28 John 13:34-35 How was this command a new command? (hint: look at Matt. 22:39 for the old command) What was the standard or reference point of the old command and what is the reference point of the new command? 29 Phil. 2:5-8 Jesus is our model of what doneright-looks-like. Describe the model he sets for us in attitude. 30 Col. 3:12-14 As God s children, what are lives to be like? How are we to forgive others, v. 13? 31 Rom. 8:29 What did God predestine us to be like in Christ? How will loving others as Jesus loved them rather than loving them as you love yourself change the way you love? What needs to grow in your own attitude? Do you forgive others as Christ forgives you? Is conformity to Christ your real goal, or are you satisfied with partial conformity. Read Matt. 5:48 and consider your calling. to talk to. Do something for another that is loving them as Jesus loves you, rather than just as you love yourself. Ask a parent of youth worker how they see you can grow in your attitude to be more like Jesus. Make a list of others you may not have forgiven and may even be vengeful toward. In prayer before God, forgive them completely. Then if you need to communicate that to them, do it. Write a few sentences that describe how you see Christ s model of living for you. Pray that God help you to be more devoted to imitating him. Then go work at it.