Day 1
Today’s Scripture:
Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him.
Acts 8:30-31
Big Idea
God wants you to discover what true spirituality is all about.
Today’s Thought
Are you ready for an adventure?
For the next few weeks, you’re going to travel on a journey with your friends in your youth services and small group and on your own with this devotional as you discover what it means to be an r12 Christian — a person who lives out Romans 12. This week, we’re focusing on an important question: What is true spirituality? In other words, what does it mean to be an authentic follower of Christ?
Today’s verses come from a fascinating passage in the Bible. Philip encounters a guy from Ethiopia who was “reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah,” according to verse 28. This guy was searching for answers, and he recognized the power of God’s written word to find those answers — but he needed help understanding exactly what Isaiah meant. It turns out that this Ethiopian man was reading a prophetic passage about Jesus!
A lot of people in our culture are searching for answers, too. They have this nagging sense that life holds a deeper meaning than just acquiring lots of stuff, impressing lots of people, and earning lots of money. Many people know that spirituality matters, but they don’t quite know where to find it and how to experience it.
Maybe you’re on a search. You’re wondering what it means to become an r12 Christian. You want to know how your life can impact others. You have lots of questions, but you’re not quite sure where you can find the answers.
Guess what? God’s OK with our search for answers. God created humanity to think and reason and examine and seek and explore. Our questions don’t scare God. (After all, He IS God!)
You’ll discover what it means to be an authentic, growing, mature Christ-follower as you spend time digging into Romans 12 over the next few weeks. Write your questions in the blank space at the end of each day’s devotional entry. Take your questions to your small group gatherings each week. Talk about these questions with your friends. And get ready for the adventure!
Prayer
God, I’m so glad You aren’t afraid of my questions. I want to learn more about what it means to be an authentic, r12 Christian. Help me on this journey. I know that You hold the answers and that You’ll reveal them as I read the Bible, spend time in prayer, and talk with my friends in the coming weeks. Thanks for the adventure You have in store for me. Amen.
Day 2
the way, the truth, the life
Today’s Scripture
Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me."John 14:6
Big Idea
Jesus is the best companion and guide for the road trip of life.
Today’s Thought
Ever been on a crazy road trip? You know — the trip when your dad lost the keys to the rental car, or the trip when your friends KNEW that road was a shortcut, or the trip when your 20-year-old clunker decided it was time to die?
Oh yeah. Good times.
In many ways, life is like a crazy road trip. We have an ultimate destination, but the journey itself is where we have our greatest experiences. Our goal is eternity in Heaven with God, but how do we get there? Which path do we follow? Which roads do we avoid? How do we handle the roadblocks and obstacles and flat tires? How will we be changed by the adventure of being r12 Christians?
We can choose to navigate this journey on our own, but the wiser, better way is to turn to Jesus — almost like a spiritual GPS. (But maybe think of Jesus speaking with a more normal voice than most of those GPS devices use!) After all, Jesus told us that He’s the way, the truth, and the life.
When Jesus said He is the way, it reminds us that He is the path. He guides and directs and leads us. When you feel lost, Jesus is the one who helps you get back on track.
When Jesus said He is the truth, it reminds us that He is the teacher. When you don’t know how to handle a situation or what to say to a friend or how to apply something from the Bible, you can turn to Jesus for answers.
And when Jesus said He is the life, it reminds us that He is life’s source and creator. Who understands the right road to travel any better than the creator?
If you’re feeling a little lost or stuck or lonely today, turn to Jesus. He’s right there with you — the best companion for the journey of life.
Prayer
God, thanks for giving me direction in this life. I know that I can try on my own, but I don’t want to go through all the pain and heartache my choices could bring. I want my life to follow Your path because You have an incredible dream for me. Help me turn to Jesus for guidance and instruction and strength each day. Amen.
Day 3
regulations and rituals
Today’s Scripture
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls."Matthew 11:28-29
Big Idea
Being religious is tiring, but following Jesus is fulfilling, exciting, and satisfying.
Today’s Thought
Pop quiz: You can tell when people have become mature Christians because they say the right words, do the right things, avoid the wrong people, wear the right clothes, and act nice to other people, right?
Answer: Not necessarily.
People talk about Christianity being a religion, and in a technical sense, they’re right. But being a follower of Christ isn’t the same thing as being a religious person — in fact, it’s the opposite!
Religious people are convinced that God’s love is directly related to their actions and deeds. They believe they can earn God’s love and acceptance — or they think God will stop loving them if they don’t act a certain way or perform well enough, as if God were a judge on American Idol. That’s a recipe for burnout, fatigue, and disappointment because our human efforts will always fall short.
Look at what Jesus said in Matthew 11. He called out to people who were burned out on religion, tired of following routines and rituals, and exhausted by trying to earn God’s love. Jesus promises a different life, one filled with rest, refreshment, and joy. That’s the sign of true spirituality and an authentic, vibrant relationship with God.
God’s love isn’t based on your performance. You can’t earn forgiveness. You can’t work your way into Heaven. Forgiveness, salvation, eternal life, a fulfilling life on this earth — these things are experienced through a relationship with Jesus.
Ultimately, God is more concerned about what’s happening inside of us than
on the inside, it’s going to be obvious on the outside! Our lives will reflect that change. That’s part of our experience as r12 Christians. Focus on your relationship with Jesus, and change will happen!
Prayer
God, help me to avoid the trap of performing religious duties just to please You. Help me experience and understand what it means to find rest, refreshment, and joy in my relationship with You. Thanks for loving me, even when I don’t deserve it. Change and transform me into the person You want me to be — from the inside out. Amen.
Day 4
live a life of love
Today’s Scripture
Jesus replied, "‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’"Matthew 22:37-39
Big Idea
Love God and love other people — that’s the heart of true spirituality.
Today’s Thought
Who’s your role model? Thanks to our life experiences, most of us know that if we want to learn a new skill or sport or instrument, it’s best to find a role model — someone who knows the ropes and can teach us the tricks of the trade. Watch this person closely. Imitate this person. Use this person as the model.
What about our journey to become r12 Christians? Who’s the best role model?
True spirituality is defined and grown by loving God and loving other people. And in our journey to understand and experience true spirituality, our best role model is Jesus.
Jesus’ words here in Matthew 22 are really insightful. Did you realize that these two commandments summarize the big themes of the Ten Commandments? Seriously! Take a look at Exodus 20 and you’ll see that the first four commandments involve our relationship with God, and the final six commandments involve our relationship with other people. Jesus took an entire chapter and condensed it down to one text message — give or take a few characters.
And as you examine Jesus’ life in the Gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John — you discover that He didn’t just talk about loving God and loving others. He lived it out. Jesus loved His Father with every part of His life. Jesus regularly spent time praying to God the Father.
Jesus loved the outcasts and sinners and ordinary folks. He loved the people who followed Him and the people who rejected Him. Jesus loved the people who betrayed Him — even when it was one of His own disciples. Jesus’ lifestyle matched His instructions. That’s why Jesus is our perfect role model for true spirituality.
Prayer
God, You know that I want to love You and other people. And You know that some days I do pretty well, but other days I really struggle. Would you help me today? I want my life to reflect the life Jesus led, with a love for You and a love for the people around me. This isn’t my natural attitude, so I’m depending on You to help me grow in this area. But I know it’s Your desire for my life, so together we can make it through today. Amen.
Day 5
an ongoing process
Today’s Scripture
For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, "It is through faith that a righteous person has life."Romans 1:16-17
Big Idea
God is working in your life today, and He will be working in your life tomorrow.
Today’s Thought
OK, time for a case of good news/bad news. Let’s start with the bad news: You’re human and you will never be perfect — even if you follow Jesus for 100 years. Sorry. Hate to be so blunt, but it’s true. So, what’s the good news? Even the greatest Christians in history were imperfect — people like Billy Graham, the Apostle Paul, Mother Teresa, and Martin Luther. God was still working in their lives, helping them mature and become more like Jesus until the day they died.
Most of us wish we could just push a button and suddenly achieve Jesus-like status. But it’s reassuring to realize that generations of Christ-followers have traveled this same journey of spiritual growth — the journey of growing closer to God.
Think back to the day you decided to follow Jesus. Maybe it was a week ago, or a year ago, or five years ago. How are you different today? How has God helped you with anger or lust or greed or impatience? What are some ways you’re more like Jesus today than you were on that day you became a Christian? (And hey, if you haven’t yet made the decision to follow Jesus but you want to know more, check out page 87 here in this devotional.)
Right now, pause and think of three ways you’re different because of your relationship with Jesus. Write them down in the blank space at the end of today’s devotional.
And then take time today to thank God for the ways you’ve changed during your spiritual journey. If it’s a huge change, that’s awesome! If it’s a bunch
of small, tiny changes, that’s awesome too! Every change is a reminder that God has worked in your life and is continuing to work in your life — and an encouragement to keep trusting God to change and transform you as an r12 Christian.
Prayer
God, thanks for all the ways You’ve worked in my life and how You’re helping me today to become a more authentic, committed follower of Jesus. On the days I get discouraged because I don’t see the evidence of change in my life, remind me of the person I used to be and how I’m no longer that person. Thanks for Your love, forgiveness, and patience. Amen.
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