READ: JOHN 4:1-30, 39-42

There was something about His eyes, the way He looked at her. It was unsettling. She thought she knew all about men, understood how they thought. But this was different. “Go and call your husband,” He said.

She hesitated, eyes lowered. “I have no husband.”

He nodded. “True. You’ve had five—and the man you live with now isn’t one of them.”

Her fists tensed defiantly. “Since you know so much, prophet, tell me this. Is God’s chosen place of worship here, among my people, or in Jerusalem, where the Jews worship?” Her eyes flashed up to meet His, ready for the judgment and rejection surely waiting. What she saw startled her. An intense compassion in His eyes matched by words washing over her in love. He said, “The Father is seeking worshipers in spirit and truth.” She heard, “The Father is seeking you.”

Her battered heart leapt for joy. It didn’t matter—it never had! What she’d done, where she’d been—her fruitless search for God’s hiding place. He’d been there all along, pursuing her, waiting for her to see Him. Her water jar forgotten, she ran into the city. The words burst out, a testimony that wouldn’t be held back. “Come and see a man who told me all I ever did! Could this be the Messiah?” He knew her past, and He still wanted to give her a future.

Jesus gave Himself to save us. There is no greater love, no greater offering to be made. God in flesh went to the cross so we could have life with Him. This love, freely given, cannot be earned. Only received. Jesus knows all you’ve ever done. Everything. And He loves you and wants you anyway. He loves you just as you are. • Remi Oyedele

•Today’s story is how one author imagines John 4:1-30. Consider taking some time to read this passage for yourself. What do you notice? What questions do you have?

• Can you think of a time you felt like the woman at the well? Sometimes it can be hard to believe that Jesus loves us just as we are. Thankfully, God knows we need reminders of His love, and He invites us to come and see Jesus, the one who knows everything we’ve ever done, the one who went to the cross to die for us and be raised from the dead so we could be forgiven and brought near (Romans 5:6-11). Consider taking a moment to tell Jesus whatever is on your mind.

• To learn more about Jesus’s love for you, and what it means to receive it, check out page 104.

[The Samaritan woman said,] “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” John 4:29 (CSB) 

READ: 1 KINGS 11:4-6; 1 CORINTHIANS 7:39; 2 CORINTHIANS 6:14-18

He’s cute, he’s sweet, and he’s oh-so-nice. But he’s not a Christian.

She goes to church, and she’s so much fun, but Christ is not particularly important to her.

Is it okay to date them?

Being attracted to someone who doesn’t love Christ can be a really tough situation. Trust me, I’ve been there. What can you do?

First off, dating them is a bad idea. I’m really sorry. If Christ is the center of your life and identity, you can’t have a partner for whom Christ isn’t important. Even if they’re happy to live your Christian life right now, they don’t share your ultimate goal to love God and serve in His kingdom. It doesn’t matter how nice or “good” they might be. Entering a romantic relationship with someone who doesn’t know Jesus is often a path to heartache, sin, and regret.

So, you say no. Sound hard? It is. It’s the most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever done. But if I survived it, so can you. Because Christ is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9).

“But wait!” you may ask, “what if they become a Christian? Then can I date them?” If they really are sincere about following Christ—and wouldn’t give up on Him even if you weren’t in their life—then, yes. They’re God’s child, and you’re on equal footing. Good news: there are lots of real-life examples of this happening!

Bad news: there are also a lot of real-life examples of someone “converting,” but really only doing it for the other person, and never truly loving Christ. That’s an even worse situation, so be careful. If someone says they know Jesus, take your time before starting to date them. Find out why they believe and get lots of counsel from godly Christian adults in your life.

When in doubt? Wait and pray. And remember that, if Christ has a future spouse for you, it’ll be someone who really loves Him. You can trust God for your future. • Christiana Albrecht

• Have you ever been attracted to someone who doesn’t love Christ? What did you do?

• Do you know any Christians who are currently married to non-Christians? What could you learn from their experiences? How could you pray for them?

• If you’re attracted to someone who doesn’t share your faith, talk to Jesus about it. He has so much compassion on you. He knows your hurts, and He’s with you through it all (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NIV) 

READ: 1 CORINTHIANS 7:1-9, 25-38

You know that cute couple who’s always taking pictures of how much fun they’re having together and raving about one another? Ever been envious of them? It can feel really lonely to be the person who is still single when your friends are all dating. The Bible has good news: it’s okay to be single! In fact, sometimes it can be better than being in a relationship. In 1 Corinthians 7:7, the apostle Paul writes, “But I wish everyone were single, just as I am.”

Why on earth does Paul say that? Think of that couple again. They spend a lot of time thinking about each other, don’t they? Some of that is good, but the trouble begins when we’re so busy thinking about making our partner happy that we don’t think about living to please God. He has great plans and purposes for each of us. But it’s easy to lose our focus on God’s love and goodness when we start to place our identity in our relationship status instead of in Jesus Christ.

So, is it okay to date and get married? Absolutely. In this same chapter in 1 Corinthians, Paul makes it clear that it’s not a sin to get married and that faithful, loving Christian marriage between a man and a woman is one good way people can serve God and show His love.

But it’s important to think honestly about whether your romantic relationship helps you serve God better. Do you help each other grow deeper in your relationships with Christ? Are you able to serve each other and work together to serve others? When you’re together, do you see the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)? Those are good reasons to date. But if you’re in a relationship just to make you happy, the way you see yourself may start to be defined by that relationship, instead of by how God sees you and what Christ has done for you.

Being single can have its challenges, but remember, a lot of people in “happy” relationships end up very unhappy, and very regretful. The good news is, God wants to share His joy with us, and He can redeem even the messiest of circumstances. If you’re single, you might be surprised by how content you can feel as you eagerly look for opportunities to serve God, only pursuing a romantic relationship if that’s where He leads you (1 Corinthians 7:33-35). Regardless of our relationship status, as we seek to follow Christ above all else, we find true joy. • Christiana Albrecht

• As Christians, we’re part of God’s family (Romans 8:16-18). Married or single, we are never alone because we have Jesus and the community of His people. Who in the church has shown God’s love to you? How could you show Jesus’s love, especially to those who might be lonely?

But I [Paul] wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another. 1 Corinthians 7:7 (NLT) 

READ: ISAIAH 55:8-9; PHILIPPIANS 2:12; HEBREWS 11

In middle school, I was open in sharing my faith with friends, and they openly shared their beliefs with me too. It was fun having conversations about what we believed in and why. That is, until my friends started asking me more difficult questions, like, Was the Garden of Eden story true? Did the flood actually happen? Why would this man named “Jesus” die on the cross for us? I didn’t always have an answer. This sometimes made me feel embarrassed, like I didn’t really know what I believed in.

Thankfully, I was involved in an awesome youth group where I could bring up these big questions I had about my faith. I was never ashamed to have questions; rather, I was encouraged to ask. My youth pastor and mentors would pray with me and open God’s Word to seek answers. And when I discovered an answer, I often had another question! But I realized that asking questions, seeking answers in God’s Word, and even asking a trusted adult for help massively grew my faith.

You might have questions about your faith and not know where to look for answers. First, take a deep breath. It’s okay to feel this way. God is so huge and beyond our understanding that we get to spend our whole lives learning about Him! Second, don’t be afraid to take your questions to a trusted adult—like a parent, mentor, or youth pastor—asking them to pray and study God’s Word together with you. Over time, you may notice that the more you ask questions and seek answers and ask more questions, the more your faith will continue to grow. • Rachel Wierenga

• Have you ever felt embarrassed to have questions about what you believe? Why do you think that is? God isn’t embarrassed by your questions. In fact, He invites them! He doesn’t expect us to know everything about Him and the Bible. Rather, He loves it when we’re curious about Him and His Word. And He loves to provide wisdom as we seek out answers. Once we’ve put our trust in Jesus, believing in His death and resurrection, He is with us through the Holy Spirit, guiding us as we seek to know Him more. And even when we don’t find clearanswers, God walks with us through the process of discovery, usingall of it to draw us closer to Himself.

• What are your three biggest questions about what you believe? Who is a trusted Christian adult you can share these questions with? Consider seeking them out this week and see if you can set up a time to talk, pray, and study God’s Word together.

“You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (CSB) 

READ: 1 KINGS 3:4-14; 1 JOHN 1:9–2:2

“What are you afraid of?” Ask ten different people, and you will likely get ten different answers! Our fears are very personal to us, depending on our past experiences. Still, one of the most common is the fear of failure.

In the Bible, Solomon also feared failure. He was called to follow in the footsteps of Israel’s greatest king, his father David. It was a daunting task, and Solomon felt inadequate and unprepared. When God appeared to Solomon in a dream, this is what the young king prayed: “Give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?” (1 Kings 3:9).

Solomon feared failure! He knew he needed God’s help, so he asked for a wise and discerning heart. Solomon’s prayer pleased God so much He not only gave Solomon wisdom, but riches and honor as well.

Like Solomon, when we fear failure, we are invited to call out to God. As James 1:5 says, “Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.”

Knowing that God will give us wisdom for whatever He asks us to do is a great way to combat a fear of failure! We’re all going to fail sometimes—even Solomon failed (1 Kings 11:1-13). But, if we know Jesus, we are secure in Him. Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross, and rose from the grave—and in doing so He covered all our failures. So we can always lean on Him. He is faithful, not only to give us wisdom, but also to pick us up when we fall. • Laura N. Sweet

• Can you think of a time you were afraid of failure? How could remembering that we are secure in Christ help quiet those fears?

• In your own life, what are some situations where you need wisdom? Have you talked to Jesus about these situations? Consider taking some time to talk to Him now.

• One of the ways God gives wisdom to His people is through wise counsel from mature Christians (Proverbs 11:14; Galatians 6:1-2; Colossians 3:16; James 3:13-18). Who is a trustworthy Christian you can talk with about any questions or fears you have? (If no one comes to mind, you can ask God to help you identify someone in the future.)

[Solomon said,] “So give your servant a receptive heart to judge your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?” 1 Kings 3:9 (CSB) 

READ: PSALMS 19:1-6; 96:5-6, 11-12

Dominic stepped out of his car into the crisp, cold air. It had been in the teens during the night, and the weather felt as cold as the relationships in his home. Things had gotten tense between his parents, and he needed time to think.

Dominic pulled on his gloves and zipped up his coat as he headed for the muddy hiking trail. Ever since his dad had taken him out here when he was young, Dominic had always processed hard things by hiking.

Drifts of snow mixed with melting runoff made his pace slow. But Dominic wasn’t in a hurry. He embraced the challenge and pushed through the remnants of winter to climb the hill.

Working his way toward the top, Dominic’s muscles relaxed. The familiar climb brought rest to his mind. With every step, he was reminded that Jesus was with him through this. The quiet helped him remember.

As he rounded the second bend, he glanced out and saw the bluish-white valley stretching out to the amber horizon. The majesty of the landscape motivated him to continue. The same God who sustains all this is the one who sustains me, he thought.

Within thirty minutes, Dominic was standing at the top of the hill. Shorter hills encircled this slope, and Dominic gazed out as the sun climbed higher, reflecting off the snowy mounds.

Suddenly, the hills were studded with brightly shining diamonds. Golden light jumped and danced off the crystalline snow. The brilliance was stunning.

Dominic breathed deeply and basked in God’s morning masterpiece. • Eric Downs

• Can you think of a time when being outside helped you relax, and maybe even reminded you of God’s goodness and power? What was that like?

• What is one part of God’s creation you’re thankful for today? Consider taking a moment to tell God what you like about it.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Psalm 19:1 (NLT) 

READ: EPHESIANS 4:2; 1 THESSALONIANS 5:14; JAMES 5:7-8

I’m going to be honest—I am terrible at being patient. I get frustrated with long lines, slow computers, and people who walk at a snail’s pace but take up the whole sidewalk so there’s no way to pass them.

I also get impatient when I feel like God isn’t listening to my prayers. Doesn’t He know how much I need the thing I’m asking for? Doesn’t He care about my hurts and all that is wrong in the world? The answer to both of these questions, turns out, is a resounding yes. God knows all our needs even before we ask, and He cares so deeply for us—and for all His creation—that He came in flesh to set us free from sin and death and bring us into relationship with Himself. He invites us to come to Him with all our struggles—to trust Him, patiently.

Although practicing patience is sometimes unpleasant, it’s possible because God is patient with us. Jesus, who is God the Son, was patient with people when He lived among us on earth. Throughout His ministry, even though He told people who He was and what He came here to do, many of them—even His closest friends—still got confused about His purposes. They wanted someone who was going to come in and overthrow Rome, but that wasn’t the kind of king Jesus set out to be. Instead, He endured the cross, knowing that on the third day, He would rise again.

In the same way, God the Father is patient with us as He waits for our repentance, those moments when we come to our senses and turn away from sin, back toward Him (2 Peter 3:9). God continues to love us and wait for us, even if we’re ignoring Him (Luke 15:11-24).

Since God is so patient with us, that means whenever we’re struggling to wait, we can go to Him. As we rest in His love and remember His goodness, we often find it becomes easier to wait on the Lord. • Naomi Zylstra

• What’s something you do that requires patience?

• If we know Jesus, we have His Holy Spirit in us, and one of the fruits the Spirit produces in our lives is patience (Galatians 5:22-23). On top of that, we have the sure hope that all our waiting will be worth it, because when Jesus returns, He will make everything new and we will live with Him forever in restored creation, finally free from sin and brokenness (Revelation 21:1-5). How could these truths give us comfort and strength in times of waiting—whether we’re waiting for something in our own lives, or waiting for God to right the wrongs we see in the world?

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 103:4; ROMANS 8:38-39; COLOSSIANS 2:13-15; 2 PETER 3:8-13

Life digs a pit and throws me, kicking and flailing, inside. I hit the bottom hard. There’s no escape, so I call out, “Lord, save me! I’m not meant to exist in this pit. I know Your plan is good!” I sit down and wait for my Savior, expectant for His face to appear over the edge.

Time passes, and I fidget, wondering why it’s taking Jesus so long to intervene. I know He heard me. I stand up. I hear noises! My eyes flit back and forth, expecting a rope or a hand. Instead, I see dirt from a shovel come flying into the pit. I duck my head just in time to protect my eyes. More scoops come until my head and shoulders are dusty and my nostrils twitch with oncoming sneezes. “Who’s up there?” I shout.

Satan pokes his head over the edge and grins. “It’s me. Adding misery to what Life does. Fun, isn’t it?” Another scoop follows his words down to the bottom of the pit. I back myself against the dirt wall. I press my lips together, trying to keep my heart steadfast. I know my Savior loves me.

But the shovelfuls don’t stop, and eventually, I snap. “Lord, if you’re not gonna get me out of here, could You at least bring me a shovel so I can throw some dirt back at him?” I shout. “Don’t You care that Satan’s winning?!” Jesus comes. All the way to the bottom. He has a board, and He begins using it to tamp the loose dirt. He sings the Song of Grace as He works. I frown. “Why are you down here? Can’t You get me out? Don’t You wanna thwart Satan’s dirt?”

Jesus looks at me with love. “Trust Me,” He says. “It might look like Satan is winning, but here’s the secret. I am using his evil, feeble work to fill in the pit. He thinks he is destroying forever. But I am restoring things—even this very pit— using his evil intentions for good. When I am done tamping, we will walk out of the pit together on solid, level ground.” • H. K. Rausch

• Today’s story is an allegory. Though we live in a world that has been broken by sin, Jesus came to save us through His death and resurrection. He has defeated all the powers of sin and Satan, and one day Jesus will return and make all things new and whole! Until then, we will experience suffering and hardship, but we can know that Jesus is right here with us in the midst of it. What kinds of struggles have you had lately? Consider taking some time to tell Jesus about them.

• In addition to talking to Jesus, who are trusted Christians you can talk to about your struggles?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV) 

READ: PSALM 103:4; ROMANS 8:38-39; COLOSSIANS 2:13-15; 2 PETER 3:8-13

Life digs a pit and throws me, kicking and flailing, inside. I hit the bottom hard. There’s no escape, so I call out, “Lord, save me! I’m not meant to exist in this pit. I know Your plan is good!” I sit down and wait for my Savior, expectant for His face to appear over the edge.

Time passes, and I fidget, wondering why it’s taking Jesus so long to intervene. I know He heard me. I stand up. I hear noises! My eyes flit back and forth, expecting a rope or a hand. Instead, I see dirt from a shovel come flying into the pit. I duck my head just in time to protect my eyes. More scoops come until my head and shoulders are dusty and my nostrils twitch with oncoming sneezes. “Who’s up there?” I shout.

Satan pokes his head over the edge and grins. “It’s me. Adding misery to what Life does. Fun, isn’t it?” Another scoop follows his words down to the bottom of the pit. I back myself against the dirt wall. I press my lips together, trying to keep my heart steadfast. I know my Savior loves me.

But the shovelfuls don’t stop, and eventually, I snap. “Lord, if you’re not gonna get me out of here, could You at least bring me a shovel so I can throw some dirt back at him?” I shout. “Don’t You care that Satan’s winning?!” Jesus comes. All the way to the bottom. He has a board, and He begins using it to tamp the loose dirt. He sings the Song of Grace as He works. I frown. “Why are you down here? Can’t You get me out? Don’t You wanna thwart Satan’s dirt?”

Jesus looks at me with love. “Trust Me,” He says. “It might look like Satan is winning, but here’s the secret. I am using his evil, feeble work to fill in the pit. He thinks he is destroying forever. But I am restoring things—even this very pit— using his evil intentions for good. When I am done tamping, we will walk out of the pit together on solid, level ground.” • H. K. Rausch

• Today’s story is an allegory. Though we live in a world that has been broken by sin, Jesus came to save us through His death and resurrection. He has defeated all the powers of sin and Satan, and one day Jesus will return and make all things new and whole! Until then, we will experience suffering and hardship, but we can know that Jesus is right here with us in the midst of it. What kinds of struggles have you had lately? Consider taking some time to tell Jesus about them.

• In addition to talking to Jesus, who are trusted Christians you can talk to about your struggles?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV) 

READ: PROVERBS 27:9; ECCLESIASTES 4:9-12; 1 JOHN 4:19

Sometimes it’s hard to share the thoughts and feelings weighing most heavily on our hearts. Maybe we’re struggling with depression, bullying, a parent’s divorce, the death or illness of a loved one, or the sins we are most often tempted by. We might feel embarrassed or ashamed that we feel the way we do. We might worry how others might react. We might even feel like we’re a burden to them when we tell them how we’re feeling.

But God doesn’t want us to suffer alone! He gave us friends, family, teachers, and our church families to help us—in good times and in bad. Aaron supported his brother Moses’s arm when he was too tired to hold up his staff (Exodus 17:10-13). Jonathan protected his friend David from King Saul, who wanted to kill David (1 Samuel 18:1-5; 20:1-42). As Christians, we are meant to support, challenge, and encourage each other no matter what we’re going through—loving each other as Jesus has loved us (Matthew 28:20; John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:19).

Maybe at church, you feel like you don’t belong. “Nobody knows or understands what I’m going through. I’d better just stay quiet.” But Christians aren’t a bunch of perfect people: they’re a bunch of people who are all in different places on their journeys to become more like Christ. Some might be at a high point in their lives, others at a low point, but everyone will face their own unique struggles sooner or later. You don’t have to be ashamed to have them. In fact, being open about them may encourage someone else to share their burdens too!

We bless others when we let them help us. Purpose and special blessing are found in demonstrating the love of Christ as we “share each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2). Please don’t deny that privilege to those who care about you and want to help you!

When we are refreshed and encouraged by the body of Christ, we find new strength to give the same gift of encouragement to others. • Jessica Kleeberger

• What kinds of struggles or burdens have you been dealing with lately? Who is a trusted Christian in your life you could share them with—such as a parent or other family member, pastor, friend, or youth leader?

• What are some ways we can help friends who are going through hard times, even if they might be reluctant to ask for help? How can this show Jesus’s love?

Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)