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LEARN & GROW
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Week of March 15, 2009
KEY VERSE
"And Agrippa said to Paul, 'In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?' And Paul said, 'Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am — except for these chains.'" (Acts 26:28-29)
CENTRAL TRUTH
Our lives should be examples to persuade people to follow Christ.
DEVOTION
The chapters this week find Paul surrounded by problems. He is arrested, the religious leaders are mad at him because of his new beliefs, and he's surrounded by people who want to kill him. Though not the best situation for Paul to be in, he doesn't seem to worry about these problems. Paul knows he can trust God to work all things out for His purposes. Paul is an excellent example for us when we are faced with hard times and problems. He remains steadfast in his faith and throughout his imprisonment, using every opportunity to tell people about what God has done for him.
To have a steadfast faith like Paul's is not impossible. What is needed in my generation are students willing to be totally sold out for Christ. The only way to face the problems that come our way is to have Christ at the center of our lives. Just like Paul, not only will our faith be steadfast, but we will also have opportunities to tell others about the awesome things that God has done! We might not find ourselves standing before governors or kings, but every day we are in front of our family, teachers, and friends. I remind myself of this reality when responding to friends that have problems; am I giving my opinion or am I sharing with them God's view? Do not waste all of these wonderful opportunities to share about Christ, beginning with His saving grace.
God chose Paul to be his messenger of hope, love, and salvation to impact the world. Jesus touched Paul's life in an amazing way, and Paul was never the same. God has chosen each one of us to be His messengers and to help others understand that He wants to touch their lives in amazing ways, too. This is true for me as a high school student and it is true for you, too! Look at Paul's example and ask God to help you apply it just as Paul has! God has great plans for our lives.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What kind of problems have you found yourself surrounded by this week? How might these verses encourage you to stay steadfast in your faith?
- How could these verses this week help encourage others in difficult situations? Look for opportunities this week to boldly proclaim Christ to our world lost in darkness.
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