Apicontent

It’s time for a day of reflection … how are the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount encouraging you? Challenging you? Inspiring you? Convicting you?

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

Quick Links

Knowing Our Perfect God

Mercy

Discernment

What Are You Looking For?

No Middle Ground

Test the Fruit!

Reflection

This week’s lesson focused on God’s character. Why is it important for us to know God’s character?

What do you already know about God’s character?

What steps do you need to take to learn more about God’s character?

The Sermon on the Mount has very strong words about what it means to follow Jesus. What has been your response to the words of Jesus? 

In what ways have you been integrating the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount into your life?

In what way do the people in your life see you living out the principles of mercy and discernment as described by Jesus?

In “What Are You Looking For?”, Matthew (in the key verses Matthew 7:7–12) challenges us to ask, seek, and knock. How often do you take time to ask, seek, and knock?

Are your requests in line with God’s will?

How did you feel about the challenges expressed in “No Middle Ground”? Do your thoughts and feelings line up with what the Bible says?

In “Test the Fruit?” Beth Yoe wrote: “Jesus tells us we can know false prophets by the actions of their lives. A tree produces fruit according to its own kind. If we want to know if one’s teaching is from God, an easy test is to examine the life of that person! The works of the person’s life will testify for or against them. If the direction of their teaching leads us to godliness, humility, patience, love, joy, and a host of other Christian graces, it surely points us to the truth. However, if their doctrine is one of dissension and pride, and takes people away from governing themselves or their families, we had better flee or at the very least dig deeper ourselves for real truth.”

Are the leaders you are depending on for teaching and instruction bearing the fruit of Jesus?

Is your life bearing the fruit of Jesus?

Go a Step Beyond

This week’s lesson focused on God’s character. Christian writer and speaker Josh McDowell talks about God’s many attributes (his inherent character) in the video resource we’re recommending for this week: Attributes of God (Part 1)

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” —Matthew 7:7

This week we came to the end of the series on the Sermon on the Mount. What is one key concept you have incorporated into your life because of the past weeks of focus on these words of Jesus?

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

Quick Links

Hear God’s Word

Living for Jesus

The Right Foundation

Amazed!

The Death and Resurrection of Jesus

The Beginning of the End

Reflection

This week’s lesson brings us back to a focus on reading God’s Word.

The lesson began with listing five ways we experience God’s Word: hear it, read it, study it, memorize it, meditate on it.

Which one of these is easiest for you?

Which one do you need to give more focus to?

The lesson concluded with a discussion of the four steps we need to take when we hear God’s Word: receptivity, comprehension, conviction, transformation.

Which one of these four steps do you tend to focus on?

Do you typically go through all four steps?

What do you need to do to actually make sure you get to and through the transformation step of letting God’s Word change you?

In the devotional “Living for Jesus,” Beth Yoe wrote, “God is not looking for an outward, ritualistic relationship with His children. He desires inward obedience, as our desire, not as a burden.”

Are there areas of your life that represent an “outward, ritualistic relationship” with God? What do you need to do to change that?

What areas of your life represent an “inward obedience”?

In general, the theme this week was “doing” the Word of God. Are you a “doer” of God’s Word?

In what ways do people see the Word of God in your life?

What action do you need to take this week to be more obedient to God’s Word?

Go a Step Beyond

This week’s lesson brings us back to the priority of letting God’s Word guide our lives. Take a couple of minutes to be challenged and encouraged by this week’s recommended resource: How to Develop an Appetite for Bible Study

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” —Matthew 7:21

Time to take a moment to reflect upon what you have been reading for the past week. The lesson has taken us back to a focus on the importance of God’s Word. In what ways does God’s Word influence you on a daily basis?

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

Quick Links

Read God’s Word

Pay Attention!

God Has a Perfect Plan

The Great Love of Jesus

A Servant of All

A Willing Heart

Reflection

What is your current plan for reading God’s Word on a regular basis?

What kind of accountability have you included in your plan? Without some type of accountability, your plan may soon become just a good idea.

It is interesting that immediately following our lesson on reading God’s Word, Beth Yoe included this quote from Charles Spurgeon in her devotional, “If you wish to know God, you must know his Word. If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works by his Word. If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.”

In what ways are you seeking to know God through His Word?

In what ways are you experiencing God’s power?

What are you learning about God’s purposes through His Word?

In “God Has a Perfect Plan,” Beth Yoe included these words from Hudson Taylor, “God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”

What in your life specifically represents God’s work?

Are you pursuing it in God’s way?

In what ways are you experiencing God’s supply?

What steps do you need to take in order to experience God’s work, God’s way, and God’s supply?

In what ways are you currently following Jesus?

Go a Step Beyond

This week’s devotionals discussed passages in the Bible that describe events leading up to Jesus’ death. Take a moment to reflect on the reality of Jesus’ death as you watch this week’s recommended video: “Why He Died“

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize these verses:

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” —Isaiah 55:8–9

Time for some reflection. As you are reading the devotionals focused on the death and resurrection of Jesus, what emotions are you experiencing? What thoughts and feelings do you have about the reality of Jesus’ death?

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

Quick Links

Study God’s Word

So That You Will Believe

Standing Firm

Sorrow

Confusion

Resting in Jesus

Reflection

The lesson this week was on studying God’s Word. The entire lesson is summed up with the last question included in the 4-Step process: What am I going to do with this new insight and understanding?

In what ways are you currently applying the insight and understanding you receive from God’s Word to your life?

If you are not currently making an application of God’s Word to your life, what space do you need to make in your life in order for this to happen?

This week all of our devotionals focused on the Passover meal that Jesus shared with His disciples before His betrayal and crucifixion. This is often referred to as the “last supper.”

Which of the devotionals was most meaningful to you?

Which of the devotionals did you find troubling or sad?

Did any of the devotionals encourage you?

In “Standing Firm,” Beth Yoe wrote: “Standing firm and fully assured even when the winds of trial and dire circumstances are blowing is a mark of a mature Christian. It is also a mark of one who brings God much glory. It is easy to be ‘on fire’ when circumstances are favorable, but let a little rainfall on our parade and we are often found wallowing in self-pity, groaning, and complaining. How much better for us to season our lives with the spices of contentment and joy rather than to harbor bitterness and resentment which will corrode our vessels like acid.”

Identify all of the adjectives Beth used in this paragraph.

Which ones most describe you?

Which ones do you want to experience?

Ask the Holy Spirit to transform your life into one of contentment and joy.

Yesterday Beth Yoe wrote in “Resting in Jesus”: “It is God’s desire for us to be abiding, not striving or struggling. We are always to be looking to Jesus and His power. He is our strength for service as well as our source of abundant unchanging joy.”

In what ways are you abiding in Jesus?

When in your life do you tend to strive and struggle in your own strength?

How can you remember to let Jesus be your source of power?

Go a Step Beyond

If some inspiration to be more diligent in your Bible study is what you need, take a few minutes to watch this video: How to Study the Bible: Application

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” —Hebrews 13:8

Think about this … what are you learning from God’s Word that is making an impact on your life?

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

Quick Links

Memorize God’s Word

Misplaced Trust

The New Covenant

Helped by the Holy Spirit

Search Me, O God!

Pray that You Will Not Fall into Temptation

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?

Make a list of all the scripture you currently have memorized. Is it a lot or a little?

What plan do you have for continuing to memorize scripture so that it can impact your life?

In “Helped by the Holy Spirit,” Beth Yoe wrote, “As believers, we are not left to our own resources in our sufferings but are helped by the Holy Spirit.”

In what ways do you tend to depend on your own resources?

In what ways have you experienced the help of the Holy Spirit?

How can you remember to turn to the Holy Spirit first when facing situations that are beyond your own abilities or resources?

In “Search Me, O God!” Beth challenges us with these words: “How do we go about searching and guarding our hearts so as to equip ourselves for the high calling of discipleship? Like King David, we must ask God to search our hearts and point out to us what needs to go and what needs to be fanned into flames. We must seek His ways fully through the study and application of His Word, through prayer, through praise and thanksgiving, and through hiding His Word in our hearts.”

Spend some time with God, asking Him to direct you. Seek Him, praise Him, hide His Word in your heart.

What are you learning about Jesus as you read about the events leading up to his death?

Go a Step Beyond

As you consider memorizing God’s Word and as we read through the various accounts of the events near the end of Jesus’ life, here’s an article to read and reflect upon regarding the reliability of the Gospels: Are the Gospels Reliable?

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” —Romans 5:8

We are in the middle of reading devotionals about the events leading up to Jesus’ death. What are you learning from God’s Word about God and his work in the world through these readings?

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

Quick Links

Meditate on God’s Word

Embracing God’s Will

God’s Strength

Don’t Fall Asleep!

Betrayed

By His Wounds, We Are Healed

Reflection

This week’s lesson was about meditating on the Word of God? What one principle do you remember from that lesson?

When do you take time to meditate on God’s Word?

What benefit to your own life do you see in taking time to meditate on God’s Word?

Beth Yoe discussed the importance of joyfully accepting God’s purposes for our lives in “Embracing God’s Will.”

Do you embrace God’s will or do you fight against it?

Why is it sometimes difficult to embrace God’s will for us?

How can we recognize God’s will and joyfully accept it?

Beth followed up the devotional on God’s will with a devotional on God’s strength. In your own life, how are these two concepts linked?

Beth included this quote by Alexander Maclaren in the devotional on God’s strength: “Peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God.”

What steps do you need to take in your life to help you focus on the presence of God?

The next day Beth closed her devotional with these words: “Let all of our trials lead us to earnest prayer.”

When you are facing trials, to what or whom do you most often turn to? Why do you not pray first?

How can you begin to discipline yourself to turn to God immediately when faced with a difficulty, struggle, or trial?

In “By His Wounds, We Are Healed”, Beth wrote: “To free humankind from bondage, He [Jesus] became bound and we owe our liberty to His bondage.”

Take a few moments to reflect upon Jesus’ decision to become bound in order to pay your debt of sin.

Take time to thank Him for your liberty and freedom.

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” —Psalm 143:10

Allowing God’s Word to influence us at any moment throughout the day can make a huge difference in our lives. As you consider all that you’ve read and reflected upon this week, in what ways is God’s Word changing you? Transforming you? Challenging you?

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

Quick Links

Anger

Fear

What Is in Your Heart?

King of the Jews

Suffering

God’s Plan Unfolding

Reflection

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

In this week’s lesson on anger, well-known and respected psychologist Henry Brandt said,

“I have never found anger to be a positive factor in problem-solving. I have never found anger to be righteous. It is always a hindrance to intelligent straight thinking and rational behavior. In an instant, anger can change a person from being satisfied, cheerful, and relaxed to being dissatisfied, unhappy, and tense. There is universal agreement that unrestrained anger can destroy us.”

Think for a moment about how you handle your anger? Is it in a godly way, or in a way that hurts other people and sometimes destroys relationships?

What action steps did you decide to pursue relative to what you learned in that lesson?

This week Beth Yoe wrote in the devotional on fear:

“We need to identify what temptations are most appealing to us and will cause us to fall. We must know where we are most tempted and seek to avoid placing ourselves where we are likely to tumble down.”

Take a few minutes to think about when and where you are most tempted.

What is your typical response?

How can you either avoid these temptations or confront them with God’s help?

In the devotional on suffering, Beth included this quote by Billy Graham:

Whatever the circumstances, whatever the call, whatever the duty, whatever the price, whatever the sacrifice—His strength will be your strength in your hour of need.

What are you currently facing that has you needing the strength of Jesus? Take time to ask Him for it now!

Go a Step Beyond

To deepen your understanding of the key concepts about anger found in this week’s lesson, take time to read this article: Anger vs. Forgiveness

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize these verses:

“Go ahead and be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life” —Ephesians 4:26–27, The Message

Time for a day of reflection … what are you learning about the death and resurrection of Jesus? What difference is it making in your day to day living?

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

Quick Links

Forgiveness

Jesus Died for Us!

Hope in Times of Despair

Love that Results in Courage

He Has Risen!

But They Did Not Believe

Reflection

This week’s lesson confronted us with the hard truth of forgiveness. The lesson ended with this question:

Are there people in your life you can’t or won’t forgive?

Take some time alone with God to confess your inability to forgive, and ask the Holy Spirit to forgive them through you. As you rely on Him, He will give you the power!

Forgiveness can be an ongoing process! Take a few moments to once again consider the above question and spend time with God, allowing him to work in your heart.

This week’s devotionals brought us to the passages in the Bible describing the actual death and resurrection of Jesus!

What emotions did you have as you read about Jesus’ death?

What thoughts did you have as you read the words, “He is risen!”

Beth Yoe challenged us with these words:

“Oh that all of our passions and desires would always lead us to Jesus! There is a difference between simply knowing Jesus as a person and passionately loving Him as our Lord. When we are inspired with love and delighted by His presence, it is not a compulsion but a pleasure to walk with Him. Just as a child who adores their father’s company, our delight in Him should be prompted by joy.”

What steps do you need to take to experience passion and desire that leads to Jesus?

Go a Step Beyond

As you consider the resurrection of Jesus, take a few minutes to check out this video: Proofs of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize these verses:

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.” —Ephesians 4:31–32, NKJV

As you take a day for reflection, answer this question: In what ways is your life being transformed by the Word of God?

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

Quick Links

Know What God Wants You to Do Every Day

Only Jesus

I Have Seen the Lord!

Go to God … First!

Peace Be with You!

A Job to Do

Reflection

What one idea from this past week’s topics had the biggest impact on your life?

This week’s lesson emphasized, that God reveals His will to us through: His Word, the Holy Spirit, other people, and providential circumstances.

Which one of these do you tend to mostly depend upon?

Which one do you need to learn more about? What steps are you going to take?

What is one area or circumstance in your life that requires God’s direction? Take time, right now, to ask Him to show you clearly what He wants you to do.

In “Only Jesus,” Beth Yoe included these words from Charles Spurgeon:

We shall never find happiness by looking at our prayers, our doings, or our feelings; it is what Jesus is, not what we are, that gives rest to the soul.

In what ways do you let Jesus define your happiness?

What other things often take the place of Jesus (be honest!)?

What action steps do you need to take in order to allow Jesus to be the central thing in your life?

Mary exclaimed, “I have seen the Lord!” In what ways have you seen Jesus?

When is the last time you went “to God … first”? What difference did it make?

In what ways are you experiencing God’s peace?

How do you see God’s peace in the people around you?

In what ways are you growing in your relationship with God?

In what ways is the Holy Spirit leading, directing, and guiding 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: Abiding in Christ

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2)

Over the past couple of weeks, we have focused on the death and resurrection of Jesus. What difference is the reality of the risen Christ making in your life?

If you missed any information this week or want to reconsider something, take a moment to access that material through the “Quick Links” section.

Quick Links

Jesus said, “I am …”

Stop Doubting and Believe

Jesus Makes Another Appearance

Do You Love Me?

A Special Blessing

Parables in the Book of Luke

Reflection

This week’s lesson focused on the “I am” statements of Jesus:

• “I am the bread of life.”
• “I am the light of the world”
• “I am the good shepherd.”
• “I am the door.”
• “I am the resurrection and the life.”
• “I am the way … truth … and the life.”
• “I am the vine.”

Which one of these statements is most real to you at this point in your life?

Which one of these statements do you need to learn more about from God’s Word?

Beth Yoe focused this week on Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances. Why do you think these appearances are important in the biblical narrative?

What did you learn this week about Jesus as you read through the Bible verses and Beth’s observations?

In “A Special Blessing,” Beth Yoe included these words from Joni Erickson Tada: “God doesn’t just give us grace; He gives us Jesus, the Lord of grace.”

Why do think Joni makes this distinction?

In what ways have you experienced the Lord of grace?

What one principle can you apply to your life from this week’s devotionals?

Go a Step Beyond

This week we read about how Jesus interacted with Thomas after Thomas doubted the reality of Jesus’ resurrection. What doubts do you have? Check out this week’s recommendation for a video with the One-Minute Apologist as he talks about how God’s presence can calm our doubts: How Can God’s Presence Calm My Doubts?

Write It on Your Heart

Take a few minutes to memorize this verse:

“Jesus [said], ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” —John 14:6