Apicontent

So, how’s it going? You’ve been exposed to a lot of God’s Word since you first indicated you wanted to learn more about God and his plan for you! What is happening in your life? Are you excited? Overwhelmed? Joyful? Connected … to God … to others?

Take a few moments to consider all that you’ve read, thought about, prayed about, maybe discussed with other people, and learned in the past week. If necessary, go back and read anything you received this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

You’ve Started an Amazing Journey

Get to Know God Better

Jesus is God!

Jesus, Our Master Creator

Embracing the Light

Becoming a Witness to the True Light

Reflection

What is the most exciting thing you’ve learned in the past week?

In what ways have you been challenged in your faith?

In what ways are you thinking about God’s Word more every day?

Have you found a group of other believers to share life with? If so, in what ways do you think these people are going to help you grow in your relationship with God? If not, what steps are you taking to find a group?

In what ways are you experiencing more of Jesus as “the light” in your life?

Is there anything specific you need or want to do in the coming week to be more intentional about following Jesus?

Go a Step Beyond

Every week we will include a recommendation for an additional JO App resource or website where you can find more information to help you discover even more about growing in your relationship with Jesus.

Take a few moments to check out this article: Why Grow?

Write It on Your Heart

Here are a few words of encouragement from the Old Testament. Take a few minutes to memorize this verse and carry it with you into the new week.

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” —Isaiah 41:10

It’s time to take a day to step back and reflect on all that you’ve read, thought about, and experienced in the past week.

In what new ways are you experiencing more of Jesus in your life?

In what ways is God’s Word affecting your mind, your life, and your relationships?

Are you finding ways to connect with other believers and talk about what you are learning regarding what it means to have a new life in Christ?

If necessary, go back and read anything you received this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

Four Immediate Benefits!

Children of God

God with Us!

Proclaiming the Truth

God’s Fullness

Jesus, Our Savior

Reflection

This week, what Biblical truth really challenged you? Encouraged you? Convicted you?

You are God’s child and you have a new life in Christ! What impact is this knowledge making on your everyday life?

In “Children of God,” you read, “How lavishly He has loved us!” In what ways do you see God’s love in your life as “lavish”? In what ways does this concept seem difficult for you to understand or apply to your life?

A theme throughout this week has been: God with us. What does this phrase mean to you? How are you experiencing it?  What questions do you have about it?

Even though you may be a new Christian, you can share God’s truth! Is there anyone in your life you can identify as needing Jesus in their life? How can you begin to speak God’s truth into their life?

In “Jesus, Our Savior”, Beth Yoe observed, “The solution to our sin is Jesus!” We’ll be discussing “sin” in more detail later, but what is your initial reaction to her statement about Jesus being the solution to our sin?

Is there anything specific you need or want to do in the coming week to be more intentional about following Jesus?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for an article with information on what it means to have a new life in Jesus Christ: Born Again as a New Creation

Write It on Your Heart

Take the time needed to memorize this verse:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” —1 John 1:9

So, how are things going? Which idea from this week’s lesson and devotionals really challenged or encouraged you in your relationship with Jesus?

In what ways are you making decisions and choices that reflect your faith in Jesus Christ?

In what ways are you connecting with other believers and sharing what you are learning about what it means to have a new life in Christ?

If necessary, go back and read anything you received this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

How Can You Be Sure of Your Relationship with Christ?

God Has Been Made Known to Us 

Who Is This Guy?

God’s Call to Repentance 

True Humility

Jesus Takes Away Our Sin

Reflection

As you consider all that you read and experienced this week, what Biblical truth most encouraged you in your relationship with Jesus?

What thought or idea about the “fact, faith, and feelings” concept have you been able to apply to your life this week?

Earlier this week you read, “We want to be faithful and wise servants that are ready on His return! It matters greatly how we live our lives, both for our benefit now and for His ultimate return.” In what way(s) are your currently living your life in anticipation for Jesus Christ’s return? Is this a new thought for you? What difference does it really make for us that Jesus Christ is going to return?

John the Baptist was a truly humble servant of God. Have you ever thought about humility as a character quality of a Jesus-follower? How do you see this quality in others around you?

Just yesterday, John 1:29 reminded us again of our sin: “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!’” As you are learning more about God from His Word, what thoughts do you have about sin in general, and about your own sin in particular?

Is there anything specific you need or want to do in the coming week to be more intentional about following Jesus?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for an article with information on what it means to have a new life in Jesus Christ:  Be Sure You Are a Christian

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” —Romans 8:37–39

Okay, you’ve made it through four weeks of lessons, devotionals, and reading God’s Word! In what ways is your life changing? In what ways are you experiencing God?

Have you found that local group of believers yet to share your joys and concerns and questions and celebrations with? Yes, we are consistently reminding you about that because it is so important!

If necessary, go back and read anything you received this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

Faith: Knowing Who You Can Trust

Jesus Revealed

This is the Chosen One of God!

Look, the Lamb of God

Share Your Good News

The Power of Our Words

Reflection

As you are being exposed to God through His Word, what are you learning about Him and about being in a relationship with Him?

This week’s lesson, “Faith: Knowing Who You Can Trust”, was on the topic of faith. In what area of your life is it easiest for you to have faith in God? In what area is it most difficult? In what way(s) did you display faith in God is this week?

In the devotionals this week, Jesus was revealed as the Son of God! In Jesus Revealed”, you read, “All believers are called to reveal Jesus, whether it be in our homes, or in our workplaces, or among our friends, or even among our enemies. Basically, wherever God places us, we are to show forth Jesus.” In what way are you revealing Jesus to those around you?

In “The Power of Our Words,” we read about the disciples Andrew and Simon Peter sharing their good news about Jesus. It is said, “A heart filled with Jesus will spill out to others in both words and in deeds.” In what ways are you sharing your good news about your relationship with Jesus?

In what ways is being in a relationship with Jesus changing your life? In what ways are you growing in your relationship with Him?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for another article with information on what it means to have a new life in Jesus Christ: A Trust Relationship

Write It on Your Heart

Take the time needed to memorize this verse:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” —Matthew 11:28–30

Time for a day of reflection … If you have time today for only one question to reflect upon, let it be this one: In what ways are you seeing Jesus working in you and through you?

If necessary, go back and read anything you received this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

Yes, You Can Have a Relationship with God!

You Shall See Greater Things!

Encounters with Jesus

The Humility of Jesus

Finding Security and Comfort

Jesus Is Calling You

Reflection

As you are learning more about God through His Word, what are you learning about Him and about being in a relationship with Him?

One of the key points in this week’s lesson was:

“Knowing about God is not the same as knowing Him personally and intimately.”

Why do you think it is important for you to have a relationship with God? In what ways is your relationship with God making a difference in your life?

In the introduction to the new devotional series this week, we read:

“No one is beyond his [God’s] love and compassion.”

What do you think of that statement?

Have you ever felt beyond God’s love?

Are there people you know who you think might be beyond God’s compassion?

What does the Bible tell us about God’s acceptance of each one of us (if necessary, take some time to do a little research as you answer this question!)?

In the first devotional in the new series, Beth Yoe included these encouraging words from David Platt:

“The Holy Spirit is the Comforter, the Helper, the Guide, the very presence of God living in you. The great promise of God in prayer is this: We ask God for the gift—He gives us the Giver. We ask God for the supply and He gives us the Source. We ask God for the money and He doesn’t give us cash; instead, so to speak, He gives us the bank … He delights in giving us himself. The resources of heaven are ready and waiting for the people of God who desire to make much of him in this world.” 

What is your initial reaction to this thought?

What would happen in your life if you really embraced this principle?

Beth Yoe wrote, “It is no strange thing to meet with discouragement and hindrance. However, when we seek the Master we find security and comfort.” Think about the keywords in this sentence for a moment: discouragement, hindrance, security, comfort. In what ways is God teaching you more about Himself through situations in your life that would include those words?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for another article with information on what it means to have a new life in Jesus Christ: Growing Closer to God The Trinity

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Be still and know that I am God.” —Psalm 46:10

Every day you are receiving information that has the potential to change your life. As you read God’s Word and reflect on the life of Jesus, what difference is it making in your life?

As you consider all that you read this week, what is one overarching statement you can make about how you are experiencing God?

If necessary, go back and read anything you received this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

Becoming Like Jesus

Just One Touch

No Obstacles

Desperate

Jesus Has the Power

Let Others Know!

Reflection

This week’s lesson was about new life in Christ. A new life is often exciting and full of possibilities, but what types of things have the potential to distract or discourage you from growing in your relationship with Christ?

One of the key principles to living a victorious life in Christ is surrender to the God through the Holy Spirit. What thoughts and feelings do you have about surrender?

In a devotional this week, Beth Yoe included a quote by George Mueller:

“Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.”

What would it mean in your life to truly take a step out in faith?

Life does not suddenly become easy when Jesus comes into our lives. Sometimes life is just hard. Jesus encourages us with these words: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)

What is causing you to be weary?

In what ways are you burdened?

What “rest” do you seek? Take time to pray and ask God to lead you into His rest.

Yesterday Beth Yoe challenged us with these words: “God has placed each one of us in this specific time and place to be a beacon of light in this dark world. We are to shine like stars. We are to be salt that has not lost its saltiness; the preservative that permeates this decaying world.”

In what ways are you shining the light of Jesus in our dark world?

In what ways are you salt?

What situations and relationships in your life need the light of Jesus?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for another article with information on what it means to have a new life in Jesus Christ: Embracing Your New Identity in Christ

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 1:6

A daily dose of God’s Word can make a huge difference in our lives. As you consider all that you’ve read and reflected on this week, in what ways is God changing you? Blessing you? Challenging you? Using you?

If necessary, go back and read anything you received this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

Who is the Holy Spirit?

In the Right Place at the Right Time

Living Water

Are You Thirsty?

Making Things Right

Set Free

Reflection

What are you learning about Jesus that you never knew or never thought about before?

This week Beth Yoe wrote:

“Why is it that it is often easy for us to argue with Jesus? As His followers, all the promises of Scripture are ours, yet we often question His plan, or His ability, or His compassion, or His love. If we do not see a visible sign of how Jesus will accomplish a promise, we often dismiss it. Our understanding of His ability to achieve a promise is inconsequential, yet unfortunately, we still lean all too often on our own veiled wisdom.”

In what areas of your life are you questioning God’s plan, or ability, or compassion, or love?

In what ways do you lean on your own wisdom to accomplish the things God has put in front of you?

What steps can you take to have a greater dependence on God and the Holy Spirit’s power in your life?

Beth also wrote:

“We need to be open to the Holy Spirit’s conviction so that we can live in the liberation that Jesus bought for us on the cross.”

In what ways do you sense the Holy Spirit convicting you? 

What liberation do you think Jesus has for you?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for another article with information on what it means to have a new life in Jesus Christ: Depending on God for His Power

Write It On Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” —Proverbs 3:5–6

God is a personal God … and He is reaching out to you personally through the work of the Holy Spirit. In what ways are you experiencing God’s care, His power, His compassion, His peace?

It’s time to think about all that you’ve read this week! If necessary, go back and read anything you received this week that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

Put the Truth of God’s Word into Your Life!

You Matter to Jesus

Good News

Lord, Help Me!

In the Presence of Jesus

Priorities

Reflection

This week’s lesson focused on the truth of God’s Word. The Bible is the primary way that God communicates His desires for His people to His people! By taking time to read God’s Word on a regular basis, you will continue to grow spiritually and be able to stand firm when difficulties and deceptions come into your life. The Bible is nothing less than the words God himself chose for us to hear! The Bible is God’s “road map” for your life.

Do you actually own a Bible? If not, read the Bible in this app. It is an English version called the New English Translation (NET) Bible.

If you cannot actually get a hard copy, with today’s technology it is easy to read the Bible online or download it in many different languages. For information on other versions of the online Bible in different languages, refer to Read the Bible.

This week’s devotionals were based on Jesus’ interactions with a woman who needed His living water, a woman who had a demon-possessed daughter, and His dear woman friends, Mary and Martha.  

Which encounter encouraged you most at this point in your life?

Did you find yourself asking questions after any of the exchanges?

What one lesson from these three interactions can you take into next week?

In what ways do we see God’s love, compassion, care, and/or confrontation in these stories? 

In what ways do you think God is speaking to you right now?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for another article with information on what it means to have a new life in Jesus Christ: God’s Word

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize these verses:

“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” —2 Timothy 3:16–17

God is reaching out to you personally through His Word, the Bible. Honestly, how much time are you spending each day reading your Bible and learning about God’s love for you and His desire to work in you and through you?

Take a few minutes to consider all that you learned this week through the New Life in Christ lesson and the daily devotionals. If necessary, go back and read anything you received that you want to reconsider … or that you missed!

Quick Links

God is Communicating with You!

The Holiness of God

Thank You, Jesus

Jesus, Have Mercy on Me!

What Do You Need from Jesus?

Praise to God

Reflection

This week’s lesson continued our focus on taking time each day to read God’s Word. The Bible is the primary way that God communicates His desires for His people to His people! There is no short cut to making God’s Word a part of your life, you simply must take time to read it on a regular basis. 

This week’s devotionals were based on Jesus’ interactions with ten lepers and a blind beggar.

As you think about Jesus’ interaction with the lepers, where would you place yourself in the story? As one of the lepers who forgot to say thank you, as the one leper who returned to Jesus, as one of the disciples hearing the story and learning from it, as someone in the crowd? What kind of response do you need to give to Jesus?

Why is it important for us to say, “Thank you”?

Beth Yoe wrote, “The beggar cries out with faith and fervency to Jesus for mercy and favor. He believes Jesus is able to help him. Do we believe as he? Jesus is able to come to our aid! Jesus is able to come to our rescue! Jesus is able to meet our needs! Jesus is able to fill our empty cups! Jesus is able!”

Do you need Jesus to come to your aid? Do you need Jesus to come to your rescue?

What need do you have that only Jesus can meet?

In what area of your life do you need to say, “Jesus is able!”?

What one principle can you apply to your own life from Jesus’ interaction with the blind beggar?

In what ways is God speaking to you as you reflect on the past week’s information and inspiration?

Go a Step Beyond

Here’s this week’s recommendation for an article with additional information on how to study the Bible: Bible Study Tools

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”—Psalm 119:105