WAKE-UP INITIATIVE

You no doubt agree that the Bible is essential to our lives as Christ-followers. After all, it’s God’s primary plan to make Himself known to us, His children. But the problem is that study after study shows us that most Christians live their lives largely separated from the Bible. And so they live each day with the intent of being godly but are detached from the main way God gave us to pursue godliness. Does this resonate with you and/or anyone else in your home?

But what if the problem isn’t necessarily that some people lack the desire but that instead, they lack the know-how? What if Christians WANT to engage with God in the Bible, but no one has ever shown them the way? I would have to agree that many students (and possibly parents) would find themselves in this predicament, wouldn’t you? I know that I would appreciate an opportunity to increase my desire to be more intimately connected to Scripture and to make my time with God more meaningful. I’d say, “Yes, please!”

This is exactly why I’m introducing a plan to our NextGen families in which entire families can participate. Wake Up: Rediscovering A Passion for God and the Bible is a 31-day devotional experience designed to unlock the Bible for Christ-followers. Every day in Wake Up teaches you a different way of meeting with God in the Bible. Some feed your head. Some feed your heart. Some lead you to reflect. Some lead you to act. But every moment is designed to help you rediscover your joy for God and for meeting Him in His Word.

When will this journey begin? Well, I am inviting all NextGen parents and teens (and any other age group that’s interested) to meet with me in Cottage B on Wednesday, April 29 at 6:30 PM. Don’t worry about getting dinner before you arrive. I’ll have plenty of pizza, chips, and drinks on hand to feed your appetite as you can sit back, relax, and hear about how this will all play out, both at home and at church.

If you would like to learn more, please read the following page. The actual reading journey begins at home on Friday, May 1 and will end on Sun, May 31. In between, we will have small group lessons for students that focus on one daily reading each Wednesday in May at EntryPoint in the Student Center from 6:30-8:30 PM. It is my desire that every teen make a commitment to spend these upcoming 31 days on this journey with me and that by the end of the journey, more and more of our students (and families) will be well on their way to a lifetime journey as we, the disciples of Jesus, continue to make God’s Word the centerpiece of our lives for the glory of God. Amen!

Parents and students, I hope to see you in Cottage B on Wednesday, April 29 at 6:30 PM as I kick-off this special journey of rediscovering a passion for God and the Bible. Come hungry!