rooted student book sample

THERE IS A LIGHT.

NOT JUST AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.

BUT RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR DARKEST HOUR OF NEED.

HAVE YOUR EYES BEEN OPENED TO THE LIFE-CHANGING HOPE OF THE GOSPEL?

ARE YOUR HANDS SHARING YOUR BLESSINGS WITH BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN NEED?

IS YOUR HEART OVERFLOWING WITH THE LOVE OF A HEAVENLY FATHER?

DO YOU LIVE FOR THE SAKE OF AN ETERNAL HOME?

A SEED OF HOPE HAS BEEN PLANTED IN YOU.

THE WORLD NEEDS IT TOO.

IT’S TIME TO GROW UP.

IT’S TIME TO GO DEEP.

IT’S TIME TO SHARE.

HOPE.

All Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New International version. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

It is illegal to photocopy or otherwise reproduce any portion of this book without the prior written permission of the publisher.

justlikechrist.com

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IntroductIonLesson 1devotIon 1Lesson 2devotIon 2true story of hopeLesson 3devotIon 3Lesson 4devotIon 4concLusIon

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“the Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captivesand release from darkness the prisoners…

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.they will be called oaks of righteousness,

a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.”IsAIAh 61:1-3


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2000 years ago, Jesus stood in a small town, unrolling a scroll with these words todeclare that He was the fulfi llment of God’s promise. Later, Jesus again used thisdescription to assure His imprisoned cousin, John the Baptist, of His identity andmission. He was more than a moral or religious teacher. He was more than a politicalreformer or social activist. He was the promised Messiah – the Christ. He was thehope and light of the world.

This is what we still need now – not just morality or religion. Not just social justice,charity, friendship, education, or positive thinking. We need real hope and eternalchange. We need to be valued, loved, saved, and empowered by our heavenly Father.

Today, the poor still need to hear the good news of the gospel. Broken hearts stillneed healed. People are still trapped in the darkness of sin, hopelessly lost. But Godis picking up His children from the dust and breathing new life into them, dressingthem in beauty, joy, and praise, washing away their sorrow, and growing them upfor all the world to see His glory on display through the good fruit of their lives.

A dIfference cAn Be MAde.In you.And throuGh you.todAy.And forever.


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I WIsh I hAd never:What would you like to change in the present/past?

I dreAM thAt soMedAy:What are your plans for the future?

I WAnt to ALWAys hAve:What is your prized possession?


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GospeL

ephesIAns 1:18-23

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the LIGht of HOPEfollow along with your leader by filling in the blanks. use the space provided to take notes.

is found when people the of christ. (ephesians 1:18)

God his as a glorious .(ephesians 1:18)

nothing is than the life-changing of the . (ephesians 1:19-23)

123

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1 John 2:2 MAttheW 24:14

ZephAnIAh 1:18 John 3:16

In hIs hAnds

MArK 8:36 GALAtIAns 3:22

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I said to myself, “I know more and I’m wiser than anyone before me in Jerusalem. I’ve stockpiled wisdom and knowledge.” What I’ve fi nally concluded is that so-called wisdom and knowledge are mindless and witless—nothing but SPITTING INTO THE WIND. Much learning earns you much trouble. The more you know, the more you hurt. I said to myself, “Let’s go for it—experiment with pleasure, have a good time!” But there was nothing to it, nothing but SMOKE. What do I think of the fun-fi lled life? Insane! Inane! My verdict on the pursuit of happiness? Who needs it? With the help of a bottle of wine and all the wisdom I could muster, I tried my level best to penetrate the absurdity of life. I wanted to get a handle on anything useful we mortals might do during the years we spend on this earth. Oh, I did great things: built houses, planted vineyards, designed gardens and parks and planted a variety of fruit trees in them, made pools of water to irrigate the groves of trees. I bought slaves, male and female, who had children, giving me even more slaves; then I acquired large herds and fl ocks, larger than any before me in Jerusalem. I piled up silver and gold, loot from kings and kingdoms. I gathered a chorus of singers to entertain me with song, and—most exquisite of all pleasures—voluptuous maidens for my bed. Oh, how I prospered! I left all my predecessors in Jerusalem far behind, left them behind in the dust. What’s more, I kept a clear head through it all. Everything I wanted I took—I never said no to myself. I gave in to every impulse, held back nothing. I sucked the marrow of pleasure out of every task— my reward to myself for a hard day’s work! Then I took a good look at everything I’d done, looked at all the sweat and hard work. But when I looked, I saw nothing but smoke.SMOKE AND SPITTING INTO THE WIND. There was nothing to any of it. Nothing. Ecclesiastes 1:16-2:11 (The Message)

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WrIte doWn everythInG you couLdn’t IMAGIne LIvInG WIthout:

WhAt WAs the MAIn thInG God shoWed you In thIs Lesson?

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perspectIve is everythInG

you others

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for We Are God’s WorKMAnshIp, creAted In chrIst Jesus to do Good WorKs… ephesIAns 2:10

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for We Are God’s WorKMAnshIp, creAted In chrIst Jesus to do Good WorKs… ephesIAns 2:10

command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.1 tIMothy 6:17

Those of us living in the United States typically have a skewed idea of what it is to be in need. Here are a few statistics to help us better understand what it truly means to be in need: almost 1.5 billion people live on $1.25 a day or less, 22,000 children die each day because of poverty, more than 11 million children die each year from preventable diseases, and more than 1.5 billion people don’t have access to clean water.

Now, open your Bible and read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, whom he left in charge of the church in Ephesus, and in this passage, he gives Timothy some instructions for the wealthy. Paul says that the rich are to put their hope in God and not in their wealth, because money and possessions are temporary and undependable. Instead, Paul says that they should enjoy what God has given them, while also being generous and ready to give to those who are in need.

Have you ever said “I’m starving” when you were hungry, or “I’m poor” when you couldn’t afford something you wanted? Most of us have. Regardless of your fi nancial situation, odds are you aren’t actually starving or poor. In fact, most of us in the United States are extremely wealthy by the world’s standards. Every fi ve seconds a child dies from a hunger-related disease. That means that by the time you’re done reading this devotional, roughly one hundred children will have literally died from hunger. This isn’t a guilt trip. It’s a reminder that we have an abundance compared to so many other people. That means we also have a responsibility. What are you doing with the things God has given you? As soon as possible, take time to go through your belongings, asking God how you can give of what you have to help others.

cuLtIvAtInG your souLPERSONAL DEVOTION

1. Are there material things in your life that you’ve put your trust in? If so, what are they?

2. What are you doing with your belongings and your money to help others?

3. After reading 1 timothy 6:17-19, write down at least one specific thing you will give, sell, or somehow use to share the hope of christ with someone in need.

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rooted student book sample

Documents

darkest hour of need

good news

seed of hope

real hope

new life

good fruit

heavenly father

world needs