Day 17

Ephesians 4:13-15, Hebrews 5:12-14, 2 Timothy 2:22

Some of life’s most significant decisions happen between the ages of 18 and 25. We pick careers and degree programs. We move away from home, maybe buy a house or meet our spouse. 

The journey to maturity isn’t easy, but young adults don’t have to go at it alone. Instead of being influenced by others, they can begin “speaking the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church” (Ephesians 4:15). 

Praise

• Who helped, or is helping, you navigate the transition from adolescence to adulthood? What specifically are you thankful to that person for?

• Maturing doesn’t always feel good, but it produces good things in us. How has God been faithful to you as you’ve matured? What are some good things maturity has brought out in you?

Repentance

• 2 Timothy 2:22 tells us to flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteous living (NLT). Where do you find yourself drawn to immature thinking or irresponsibility? Where do you find it easy to revert back to who you were before Jesus?

• Each generation faces its own challenges. How is your attitude toward those older or younger than you? Are you quick to dismiss the Boomers or Gen Zers around you?

Ask

• What do you want to see more of in young adults at our church? Ask God to fill them with wisdom, compassion, boldness, kindness — any fruits of the Spirit that come to mind. 

• We all need spiritual mothers and fathers, those who are a life stage ahead and can help us follow Jesus. Ask God to continue to send spiritual mothers and fathers to invest in the young adults. 

Yield

• What is God saying to you about your role in connecting a generation around Jesus and each other?  

• If you’re in your 30s or older, allow the Holy Spirit to show you if there’s someone you can invite to follow you as you follow Jesus. If so, who?

Day 16

Hebrews 4:16, James 5:13-18, Psalm 41:3

Often, when life doesn’t go as planned, we pull away from God, assuming He has abandoned us. But nothing could be farther from the truth. 

Jesus promises never to leave us or forsake us. And Hebrews 4:16 encourages us to draw near to Him in our time of need. 

So when we get an unexpected diagnosis, when loved ones are sick or injured, we turn to God, who made us and sustains us. We pray for healing and for miracles. We trust Him to work through science and the supernatural to do what only He can do. 

Praise

• What has God healed you from in the past? Think about healing you’ve experienced physically or emotionally. 

• How have you seen God draw near to you when you or someone you love was sick? Take a few minutes to thank Him for carrying you through that season.

Repentance 

• Where do you turn first when you or a loved one is sick? Where does James encourage us to go first? 

• What do you do when someone you’re praying for seems to be getting worse, not better? Do you continue to pray? Why or why not? 

• Is there any situation in your life where you’re struggling to trust God for healing? Be honest with Him about it. He can take it.  

Ask

• Where do you need healing physically or emotionally? Draw near to the throne of grace, that you may receive mercy and find grace to help in your time of need. 

• Does anyone you know need healing from an injury or illness? Ask God to heal them, but also to show you additional ways to pray for them. 

Yield

• Healing doesn’t always come the way we expected. Is there any area where your prayers for healing could benefit from more listening than talking? What would it look like for His will to be done in that situation? (Matthew 6:10)

Day 15

Genesis 1:26-27, Romans 2:11, Acts 10:34-35, Galatians 3:28, Revelation 7:9

God created all of humanity in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). That means all of us are more alike than we are different. Everyone, of every race or ethnicity, is created by God and reflect His workmanship. 

Holding a bias toward one group of people over another is a sin. We won’t overcome racism by ignoring all the unique and beautiful ways God made us. 

What we need more than anything is to appreciate our differences and listen to each other’s experiences, knowing that we each have something to show the other about God.  

Our internal bond as brothers and sisters in Christ is greater than any external difference (Galatians 3:28). One day, we will all worship Jesus together — people of every tribe, nation, and tongue. And as a church, we get the unique opportunity to pursue that kind of uncommon unity right here, right now.

Praise 

• How can our differences lead us to praise God?

• What does God teach us about Himself through our differences?

• How can we move from acknowledging our differences to celebrating them?

Repentance

• Who do you spend your time with? How well do you know people of other races or ethnicities?

• Have you ever looked the other way rather than confront prejudice?

• Where might you need to confess bias toward another person or group? 

Ask

• When’s the last time you grieved with someone over injustice? Ask God to show you the things that break His heart. 

• Where do you see the consequences of prejudice or racism? Ask God to bring healing where there has been hurt, to bring reconciliation where there has been division, and to give each of us the boldness to go deeper with people who are not like us. 

Yield 

• What would “uncommon unity” look like in your neighborhood, workplace, and/or small group?

• Are you willing to let God make you an instrument of healing? Give yourself time to listen as the Holy Spirit shows steps you can take this week to bring reconciliation to your spheres of influence. 

Day 14

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, Proverbs 27:9, Proverbs 27:17, John 15:13-17

Who would you be without your friends? No, really. Think about it for a second. 

Who are the friends who shaped how you see the world? The ones who helped you decide what was right or wrong, cute or not cute. The people you called in a crisis or a break-up. The people who will take your kids for the day or help you move. 

Ecclesiastes reminds us, “Two are better than one...” We need friends who are friends with God to help us find our way. And not only do we need those people, but we also need to be those people for others. 

Praise 

• What are some ways your close friends reflect God’s character? 

• How has your life been made richer or fuller through the relationships God has brought into your life?

• What are some ways God has been a good friend to you? What has His friendship taught you about friendship?

Repentance

• What’s one area where you know you haven’t been a great friend? 

• Is there any unresolved conflict between you and your friends?

Ask 

• What do you want to see God grow in you so you can be a better friend?

• What do you want to see God do in your friends’ lives?

• Who was the last person who made you feel fully known? Ask God to continue to grow your existing friendships and/or bring you new ones.   

Yield

• What if what we want for our friends isn’t what God wants for them? Ask God what He wants for you and your friends. Then, sit quietly and wait for Him to speak. 

Day 11

Matthew 19:13-15, Psalm 78:4-6

In Matthew 9:14, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” 

Jesus wants to connect with kids just as much as He wants to connect with us. In fact, there’s a lot we can learn from kids about faith when we welcome them as Jesus did. 

Our kids ministry exists so children can experience Jesus on their level. At GCC, children from birth through fifth grade come to a safe environment with age-appropriate, creative, and fun Bible teaching. It’s a place where relationships with other kids and leaders can be established. 

The goal is that kids would be engaged, have fun, and be excited about church. By making a space for kids, we’re making a way for kids to come to know all the reason we love God and He loves them.  

Praise 

• Each week, volunteers sing, dance, play, and teach kids about Jesus. Who are some of the people who invested in you as a kid? Thank God for them. 

• What are some reasons you can be thankful for our kids ministry? If you have kids, ask them what they are thankful for. If you don’t have kids, think about how GCC is influencing kids throughout our church or families you know. 

• How does it feel to know that God loves and welcomes kids? What does that tell you about His character?

Repentance

• When you think of kids, your own or someone else’s, what comes to mind? Do you get stressed and annoyed, or do you find yourself smiling and filled with love?

• Is there anything about your attitude toward kids that needs to change to align with Jesus’ heart for kids?

• What’s been your experience with our kids ministry? Is there anyone that you need to forgive or ask forgiveness from?

Ask

• It takes dozens of adults every week to make our kids ministry happen. Ask God to call adults into our kids ministry. Ask Him specifically if it is what’s next for you. 

• How might your community look different if more people knew Jesus and started following Him as children? Ask God to bring kids to a saving understanding of who Jesus is through the lessons they experience at GCC. 

Yield

• Who are the kids in your life? Whether you birthed them, adopted them, or love them as your own, when’s the last time you asked God what He would have you pray for your kids? Before they were “ours,” they were His. Sit for a minute and wait for the Lord to speak to you about the kids you love. 

Day 10

Psalm 50:9-12, Matthew 9:36-38, Matthew 6:19-33

Did you know the God who created the universe cares deeply about your individual needs as well as the collective needs of our church? 

Psalm 50:10 describes God as owning the cattle on a thousand hills. In other words, God owns everything. So if we need something, all we need to do is ask. 

When we’re overwhelmed by the needs of people around us, we remember Jesus’ words in Matthew 9 and ask the Lord to send out workers into his harvest field. When we’re worried about money, we remember Jesus’ promise in Matthew 6 that if God clothes the grass, he will also take care of us. 

God will never run out or get run down. We can’t exhaust His generosity because generous is who He is. 

Praise 

• Where have you seen God increase your life this year? Have you experienced growth relationally, spiritually, financially, or emotionally?  

• How have you seen God fulfill a specific need?

• Where have you seen God grow our church this year? What answered prayers can you celebrate and thank God for?

Repentance

• Before asking for increase in any area of life, examine you’re stewarding what you’ve already been given. Where have you been a good steward? Where does your stewardship need to be stretched?

• Are you lacking contentment in any area of life? What’s driving it?

• Is there any area of your life where you’re making your own increase? What would it look like for you to commit to trusting Him instead of trying to do things on your own?

Ask

• What are the ministry needs of Grace City? Ask God to send more group leaders, volunteers, and family volunteers, so more people can connect to Jesus and each other. 

• What are the financial needs at Grace City? Ask God to provide for that need, no matter how big or small.

Yield

Spend a few minutes listening to where God wants to increase you this year.

• Is He prompting you to serve?

• Is He prompting you to tithe regularly?

• Is He wanting to grow your group?