Core 52 - Student

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Read the essay. Then note in the margins something you learned about yourself.

Memorize Genesis 1:1

Read Genesis 1–2. What does the record of our beginnings reveal about your life’s purpose?

Write down the question “Why am I here?” Then see what answers you find in John 1:1–3, Ephesians 2:10, and Colossians 1:15–16.

In what ways are you creative or talented? Art, music, poetry, encouragement, food, something else? Create something to give to someone, joining God in making a beautiful world.

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After reading the essay, jot down in the margin a few characteristics you have that reflect God in you.

Memorize Genesis 1:26

Read Ephesians 1. What does it tell you about who you are that the Genesis story doesn’t?

What do you learn about your identity from Psalm 8:5–6, Psalm 139:13–14, and Hebrews 2:6–8?

We claim an important part of our true identity when we take community seriously. Pick three friends and think about what abilities and characteristics they have that reflect God’s nature. that reflect God’s nature. (Your friends don’t need to be Christians, just humans.) Then share what you see with them. It will blow their minds.

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After reading the essay, write down five things or people you trust in. (Money? Boyfriend/girlfriend? Popularity? Technology? Science?) Be as honest as you can. Number them in the order that you trust most.

Memorize Genesis 15:6.

Read Genesis 21:1–7 and 22:1–18. How do you think you would have responded if you were Abraham, Sarah, Isaac?

Read Genesis 12:1–9, Romans 4, and Galatians 3:6. Jot down some lessons you could learn from Abraham.

Come up with a practical way to show God’s love to a hurting person this week.

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After reading the essay, how might your list of holy things change?

Memorize Leviticus 11:45.

How can someone who sins still be holy? Look for the answer in 2 Samuel 11 and Psalm 51.

If someone asked you what holiness is, which of these verses—Exodus 19:6, 2 Corinthians 7:1, or 1 Peter 2:9—would you use to help explain it?

You are a child of God. That’s your God-given identity. Write down one thing you must stop and one you must start to be who you truly are.

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Read the essay. What other important leaders is Jesus superior to?

Memorize Deuteronomy 18:18.

Read Exodus 2–3. How did Jesus fulfill Moses’s purpose?

What can you determine about Jesus and Moses from John 5:45–47, Acts 13:39, and 1 Corinthians 10:1–4?

Ask someone at work or school who he or she thinks is the GOAT in sports, movies, music, etc. After that person answers, consider sharing why you believe that Jesus is the greatest leader of all time.

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After reading the essay, would you say that you are on track to be the kind of leader God is looking for?

Memorize 1 Samuel 16:7.

Read 1 Samuel 15–16. What positive characteristics of David do you have, and which do you need to work on?

Based on Judges 21:25, 1 Samuel 8:1–18, and 1 Samuel 13:14, what habits should you work on to be God’s man or woman?

Ask a teacher, parent, coach, or other mentor to point out your greatest leadership strength. Ask this person how you could exercise that strength more.

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Read the essay. In your current season of life, where do you see God directing your life for good?

Memorize 2 Samuel 7:12.

In Matthew 21–22, how did Jesus act like a king without making the claim?

How do Matthew 1:1, Philippians 2:9–11, and Revelation 5:5 show us that Jesus is greater than David?

Make a list of the ten biggest events of your life. Where do you see God driving, directing, and protecting you?

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Which of the three steps to build happiness do you need to work on first?

Memorize Psalm 1:1–3.

Pain is not the opposite of happiness; meaninglessness is. Read Job 1–2 with this truth in mind. How is pain often a prerequisite for meaning?

How would you use Psalm 37:4, Philippians 3:1, and 1 Thessalonians 5:16 to answer the question “Does God want me to be happy?”

On your phone or on paper, list the alphabet. Now write one quality or gift God has given you to match each letter.

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What evidence from this essay gives you the most compelling reason to believe that Jesus is God’s son?

Memorize Psalm 2:7.

Since we’re talking about prophecy, let’s read part of the biography of the most famous prophet, Elijah (1 Kings 18–19). Was he the kind of person you could count on to tell the truth?

What evidence do we find in Psalm 22:1, Psalm 118:22–29, and Revelation 19:15 that Jesus is God’s son?

Have a conversation with your parents or guardians. Ask, “What gives you confidence that Jesus is really who he says he is?” If they aren’t believers, consider asking why. Listen respectfully, and be ready to tell them why you have confidence in Jesus.

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Read the essay. What characteristics of a shepherd do you find in the best leaders in your life?

Memorize Psalm 23:1–3. (Go for all six verses if you can!)

Now that you know the role of God as shepherd, read John 10 and think through how Jesus’s audience would have taken this claim.

On the first page of this essay, jot down a short list of important characteristics of leaders using Ezekiel 34:3–4, 1 Timothy 3:1–7, and 1 Peter 2:25.

Think of someone who looks up to you (e.g., younger sibling, classmate, team member). For that person, put into practice this week one thing from the list you made yesterday.

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On the first page of the essay, make a brief list of the evidence that convinces you that Jesus really is our Savior.

Memorize Psalm 110:1.

As you talk to people about Jesus, not everyone will be convinced. Read John 5–6, looking for similarities between the objections Jesus encountered here and the ones he faced in Matthew 21–22.

Look for the ways people reacted to Jesus’s claims in Matthew 16:16–18, Matthew 22:41–46, and Acts 2:34-37.

Write out a prayer. Praise Jesus for his power, or call out to him for help. As Messiah, he is both your powerful king and your compassionate priest.

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As you read the essay, can you think of anything else that was unpopular but turned out to be right?

Memorize Psalm 118:22.

Read the entire story of Peter quoting Psalm 118:22 in front of the Sanhedrin (Acts 3–4).

Think about these countercultural passages that turned out to be true: Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 21:33–46, and Acts 4:11.

Identify one popular thing you need to stop doing because it isn’t right.

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List three things from this essay that could put you on the path to becoming wise.

Memorize Proverbs 1:7.

In 1 Kings, read chapters 3, 10, and 11. List three things from Solomon’s life that could put you on the path to becoming wise.

Identify one principle from each of these passages that could put you on the path to becoming wise: Deuteronomy 10:12, Ecclesiastes 12:13, and James 1:5.

Ask two people at least twenty years older than you one simple question: “What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?”

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As you read the essay, ask yourself, “How good am I at becoming good?”

Memorize Isaiah 53:5.

The ten plagues really tell the story of our own stubborn hearts. As you read Exodus 7:14–11:10, ask yourself how you might be suffering because you refuse to do what God has asked.

What can you learn about sin and suffering from Leviticus 17:11, Romans 6:23, and 1 Peter 1:18–19?

Search for “Bible Project Atonement” on YouTube.2 Watch the six-minute video; then share it with a friend or on social media.

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As you read the essay, underline any statements that reflect your own experience of coming to God.

Memorize Jeremiah 31:33–34.

Read Matthew 3 and Luke 4. They describe Jesus being baptized in the Jordan River and tempted in the wilderness. How do these events mirror Israel passing through the Red Sea and then being tempted in the desert?

What do Luke 22:20, 1 Corinthians 6:19–20, and Hebrews 9:14–15 teach about having a relationship with God?

We come to know God through the Holy Spirit he put in us. What is the Spirit telling you about God right now? Pay attention. He might speak to you through a song, a scripture, a relationship, or even nature.