Student Devotion Session 1: We Have The Power

Key Verses: Acts 2:1-8 New International Version (NIV)

The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?

Have you ever traveled on an international flight? Tons of people from different cultures get crammed into the same space. The airliner's cabin is jam-packed with different fashions, languages, manners... smells. But regardless of any cultural differences among the passengers, most of them have one thing in common after they finally settle in their seats. Other than the snack and beverage cart, anticipation for the in-flight movie consumes the thoughts of young and old alike.

Sure, some people tune it out, disregarding the entertainment beaming from overhead monitors; but most of captive audience is paying some attention. Here's the coolest part: Everyone is watching the same thing, but the headphones allow each individual to hear his or her own language. It can be pretty amusing to scan the channels and hear some well-known actor overdubbed in different dialects.

On a much greater scale, this is similar to what happened in Acts 2. People from all over the ancient world had gathered in Jerusalem during Pentecost. Christ had recently ascended into the clouds, and now the disciples were huddled together, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

Read Acts 2:1-8.

Acts 2 describes the beginning of the Church. Imagine the sound of jet engines inside your house. The Spirit lands on each Christ-follower, floating like a flame, a burning light above each person's head. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, everyone rushes outside and begins sharing God's story. Miraculously, people from different cultures hear the stories in their native language. Seventeen different people groups are named in verses 9-11.

Now read the reactions in verses 12-18.

The scene caught some people's undivided attention. Others tuned out. Peter explained that the time had finally come for God to begin working in a new way among His people. The power of God had poured out on all people, regardless of ethnicity, age, or gender. The Holy Spirit was and is doing incredible things for all who will follow Christ.

The bottom line is now that the Spirit has arrived, empowering God's people, we're all in this thing together. Are you ready for the trip of a lifetime?

Student Devotion Session 6: Show Mercy

Key Verses: Jude 1:17-22, "¹⁷ But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. ¹⁸ They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” ¹⁹ These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. ²⁰ But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, ²¹ keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. ²² Be merciful to those who doubt"

Have you ever heard the phrase, "Like a fish trying to swim upstream?"

A fish downstream has it easy. A fish's body is designed to make minimal resistance in the water. The current propels it forward. With just the lightest bit of work, it can basically cruise the stream without a care in the world, gliding on the force of the water.

But a fish swimming upstream has it pretty bad. It has to fight twice as hard to get anywhere. The current is working against it, resisting its every move. Everything is working against it. And you can only imagine how it feels when one of its neighbors goes zipping by, headed downstream, just going with the flow...

Read Jude 1:17-22. Jude was written by Jesus and James' half brother. The book of Jude is all about swimming upstream. It is a letter written to Christians who found themselves going against a hostile world. The passage you just read speaks to this fact. Jude said that there will be people who doubt you and make fun of you. (This is what the "scoffers" means). Not only did James say that Christians are to stay strong in the face of the scoffers, he said we are to show mercy to those who question our way of life.

As a follower of Christ in this world, you are a fish swimming upstream. You are fighting the current of a world that will only hate and make fun of you. But Jude said that you couldn't retaliate, you couldn't ignore them. He said you have to be merciful to those who have questions and bring the message of Jesus to those who have not heard it.

This is easier said than done. But as a follower of Christ, you don't have a choice. It comes with the territory. See, God's plan since the beginning of time was for you to lead people to Him. By showing understanding and mercy mixed with the truth of God's Word, you show people the way to life in God.

Swimming upstream might be hard. But it's worth the fight.

Student Devotion Session 5: Do Good To Others

Key Verses: 1 Peter 3:8-16, "⁸ Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. ⁹ Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. ¹⁰ For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. ¹¹ They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. ¹² For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” ¹³ Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” ¹⁵But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander."

Imagine what would happen if you picked up your iPod, pressed play, and ketchup came out, or consider what your response would be if when you pressed down your car's gas pedal, it turned on the TV in your house. Want another one? OK, how would you react if you turned on the faucet to pour a glass of water and dog food came out? If any of these ridiculous situations actually happened, you would be totally shocked, amazed, and possibly frightened. Why? Simple: it's all about expectations.

You'd be shocked if you turned on your iPod and ketchup came out because you wouldn't expect it, the nature of an iPod is such that you have come to expect certain things. Because an iPod's essential nature is that of an mp3 player, it is only natural that when you press play, you hear music. You expect this because you know it is the nature of an iPod.

Read 1 Peter 3:8-16. First Peter is actually a letter Peter wrote to Christians in several specific regions of the Roman Empire. These Christians were experiencing significant persecution because they claimed to follow Christ and only Christ. Peter wrote this letter to encourage and instruct them in their time of persecution. In verse 8, Peter made a statement that sums up the overall meaning of this passage. He said, "Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble." The rest of the passage more or less supports this command from Peter: Live a good life. Do the right thing.

If you are a follower of Christ, you are called to live a life that separates you from the world around you. You must strive to get along with others, show sympathy for their circumstances and challenges, love them, care about their problems, and show them patience and kindness. Why? Because Christ lives in you. All of these actions serve to testify to the world why you are different. Your actions point to God.

Just like the essential nature of an iPod is to play music, your essential nature as a Christ-follower is to demonstrate Christ's love for the world through your right living.

Christ expects if from you. Isn't it time you showed the world the difference He has made in your life?

Student Devotion Session 4: Serve The World/Love Others

Key Verses: Philemon 1:4-6, "⁴ I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, ⁵ because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. ⁶ I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. ⁷ Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people."

When you hear the word "service", what comes to mind?

Do you think of acts of service? Chances are, this is where your mind goes first. When you hear the word service you probably think about cutting the grass for someone, or bringing meals to your shut-in neighbor, or going on a medical mission trip.

But there is another side of service. And that is an attitude of service. Acts of service are things you do. But you would not be inclined to do acts of service unless you had an attitude of service. It's an interesting twist, don't you think?

What makes an attitude of service? Well, read Philemon 4-6 to find out. Did you rad it? Do you see the answer? Now, you're probably saying, I don't see anything in there about service. Well, in one way you might be right. Paul doesn't actually mention the word service in this passage. However, he says a great deal about the attitude of service.

Paul says that Philemon's love for all the saints is widely known. And it is Philemon's love that makes him a servant. Why? Because you can't do acts of service without an attitude of service. And you can't have an attitude of service unless you first love other people.

Loving others means putting them above yourself. It means looking at meeting their needs as more important than meeting your own. Loving others is a humbling act. And it is this valuing of others in live that motivates service. If you want to have an attitude of service, pray that God would lead you to love others more.

Once the love of God for others is in your heart, you will naturally want to live out of an attitude and a lifestyle of serving. Your actions will speak to what is in your heart. And ultimately, God will be glorified because of it.