Beneath The Surface 56ers Devo

What?

Have you ever seen a deep sea fish? Those things can get to be pretty wild and scary looking. When you start to look closer, you can see that even though those things are pretty wild looking, they are actually pretty harmless. Sometimes, when we look below the ocean's surface, it is similar to when we look below the surface of our lives. We may encounter some things we don't recognize. Some of it may confuse or frighten us. It might take some effort to name what is happening within us. Like the ocean's depths, it can be scary to find out what is below. When this happens, what if we started thinking about it, like when the first time we saw the deep sea creatures? What if we stayed curious and held what we are learning about gently with curiosity instead of fear?

So What?

Luke 2:40–52 NIV

And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

These verses give us a rare glimpse of Jesus before he was an adult. Jesus was fully God and fully man — so his childhood was distinct. In his humanity, Jesus totally gets what we are going through and can help guide us. Jesus grew in strength and wisdom, diving deep into who God is and starting on his mission. Jesus shows us that as we get closer to God, who we are and what God desires for our life become more evident. As Jesus did this, he grew in wisdom and stature. This is true for us too. As we grow closer to God, we gain insight and wisdom for what God has planned for us.

Just like Jesus grew in wisdom, we are invited to lean into God's wisdom too: In Proverbs 2:1–6

Proverbs 2:1–6 NIV

My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

We can grow in wisdom by learning to read Scripture. When we learn to read Scripture in a way that is more than just checking a box, we can experience God calling us to be all that he created us to be! None of this happens by accident — becoming who God has made you to be happens beneath the surface . . . within your heart. Jesus invites you to take a courageous step and experience God's presence by reading the Bible, getting involved in church, and helping people in need. It may be challenging and new to us, but we don't have to do it alone.

God helps us discover who we’re becoming.

NOW WHAT?

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself this week to help you talk to God about who you're becoming.

WHEN CAN I TALK WITH GOD?

Take some time this week to ask God in prayer about how time with the Holy Spirit makes you more like Jesus.

WHO CAN I ASK FOR HELP?

Ask God how you can reach out to the people around you for help. Maybe you need some accountability or direction or you just have questions about the Bible and being a Christian. If your parents are Christians, start with asking them. And you can also talk to Miss Ashley, myself, or any of these awesome leaders- we’re here to help you!

HOW CAN I BE HONEST?

Everything we invite God into, God already knows about. This doesn't change the reality that we need to learn to be honest about our weaknesses and need God's help. We are all in need of God's grace, so be honest about where you are with God this week.

As we ask God about who we are becoming and invite others to see what God is doing in us, we begin to trust that

God helps us discover who we are becoming.

“Mad libs” Handouts

RESPONSE | The Poetry Slam

I am sure that you all wrote some fantastic poems, and we would love to give you a few minutes to share a little bit about what is happening beneath the surface of your life.

INSTRUCTIONS: For this activity, have those who feel comfortable share. Take turns affirming those who are willing to share.

Remaining curious about what is deep down in the depths of our souls opens us to allowing God shows us who we are. We are just starting this journey of understanding what God is doing beneath the surface of who we are. As we ask God about who we are becoming and invite others to see what God is doing in us, we begin to trust that

God helps us discover who we're becoming.

*Prayer*