Roots Student Ministry Podcast

The story of the shepherds hearing about Jesus wasn't enough for them, they had to go experience Jesus for themselves. So they traveled to the town of Bethlehem to go see Jesus with their very own eyes. This story helps us know that a relationship with Jesus is meant for everyone.

When we go all the way back to the very first Christmas, we realize that Jesus really shook things up. He didn't come exactly how everyone expected their Savior to come, but He came in a way that was far better for everyone. Because He came, everyone can now live a life with a relationship with Jesus.

The invitation that Jesus came to bring is the biggest invitation that you can have...a relationship with Him. We saw this invitation the very first day that Jesus was born, when the lowly Shepherds were invited to see Jesus. And that story can let you know that you're invited too.

It's good to have people you can look up to. But sometimes, if we are not careful, we start to compare ourselves to them and think that we can't live up to the standard they laid out for us. If we find ourselves comparing, we need to let God transform and renew our hearts and rest in the identity that He gave us.

When we start to compare ourselves to others, we start to become envious and jealous of the person who we compare ourselves too. We may even wonder if we can ever live up to the way they live or every have the talent they have. But the best way to combat that jealousy is to celebrate what you have and celebrate what they have. It will make you an overall joy-filled person.

In a world that is full of comparison, we can be confident in ourselves knowing that God doesn't compare ourselves to others. Instead, we should turn our focus on God and know that He made us just the way He wanted to make us.

When we're in a dark world, the Bible helps bring clarity to the darkness. It lights it up so we can see clearly around us. It may not illuminate all the answers we're looking for, but within context, it helps us know what our next step should be.

The Holy Spirit speaks to us when we are reading scripture. So it's important to keep the words of Scripture on our hearts. We do that by memorizing and living out the Scripture that we have memorized.

There are a lot of confusing things that we can read in the Bible. Most of the time it's confusing because we open the Bible to a random page and start reading. But when we really spend time looking into the context of what is happening at that time, it creates clarity for us so we can understand the Bible better.

We all probably have different views about the Bible. Some of us may love reading it, while others of us may get confused when we read the Bible. What's important is that we understand that Jesus is the main part of the WHOLE Bible. Which means we need to read Scripture through the filter of Jesus. That way we can get to know God and how He works.