Leaders,

one of the goals of WinterCon is to give our students opportunities to get in the

Word and learn how to be with Jesus. This is why we’ve built into our schedule to have “quiet time.” Your job will be to facilitate this time by helping your students remove distractions, keeping them on track, and modeling what your “quiet time” looks like.

While we only have one “quiet time” in the schedule for WinterCon, we’ve put together this five-day devotional. The first day, we’ll all do together. The following four days are optional for you and your students. They serve as a built-in next step for those students who want to “go deeper,” those who meet Jesus for the first time at WinterCon and don’t know where to start, and any other student who wants to continue studying what the Bible has to say about being together.

Below, you’ll find the same devotional your students have in their booklets (they also have digital access!) along with leader notes to use as needed to guide discussion. We strongly encourage initiating discussion around the content of this devotional. Invite your students to keep going through this devo with you. Do it every day after WinterCon, or split the days up over the next four weeks - it exists as a resource for you to use in the way that’s best for your group.

This is a popular idea, but we actually don’t see this type of logic in the bible. In fact, biblical theology teaches us that we were created to be in community. In Genesis 2:18, God looked at the human he created and said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Make no mistake: There is only one God. There is only one name that is holy and worthy to be praised: Jesus. Our salvation comes through Jesus and Jesus only. Our identity comes from God and God only. Our very life comes from God and God alone. But our community was never meant to include only God and no one else. God, who has community within himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, created us to be in community with him and other believers.

The bible has a lot to say about believers being together. Throughout scripture, we see followers of Yahweh living and working in the same neighborhoods. We see the church gathered in homes and in church buildings. We often see followers of Jesus gathered around a dinner table together even though they come from completely different backgrounds and lives. And although believers might have had disagreements over issues here and there, we see them united around the reality of Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross for us.

While we only have one “quiet time” together this weekend, we wanted to put together a devotional centered around our theme of unity and togetherness as the body of Christ. You’ll do day one individually, with your small group as a part of “quiet time.” The other four days are here for you to complete as you continue to process what the Lord has been doing in your mind and heart at WinterCon. Use this devo in your own “quiet time,” invite your small group to do it with you over the next four weeks, or do it over a few days with a sibling, a parent, or another loved one.  

We can’t think of a better place to begin this devo than looking at Jesus’s heart for his people to be together.  

“I don’t need anyone but God” is a myth.

Day 1 | Saturday, February 14th

1. Heart Check

Start by slowing down and positioning your heart, mind, and even your body in a posture that is most helpful to be curious, critically think, and hear from God. Get your bible, a journal, and a pen out. Put your phone on ‘do not disturb.’ Put some chill music on if you’re in a loud place. Sit, stand, or lay down in a comfortable position, and take a deep breath.  

Try to focus your mind. Not empty it of all your excitement, stress, joy, pain, disappointments, and wants, but fill it by bringing God into all of that with you. Pray a simple prayer inviting him in, asking him to help you focus on his words, and asking him to show you who he is. 

2. Get in the Word

Read John 17:14-23 all the way through. 

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. 

John 17:14-23 ESV

Read John 17:14-23 again and circle every time Jesus talks about people being united as “one.” 

Now underline every time Jesus talks about Him and the Father being united as “one.” 

Draw a box around the words “so that” every time you see them in this passage. Why does Jesus want believers to be “one”? “So that” what? 

Now, let’s explore scripture to add to our understanding of this passage. If you don’t have a physical bible, use bible.com.

Look back at John 17:1. Who is Jesus talking to when he says these things? Who is he talking about?  

Look back through previous chapters leading up to this, starting with John chapter 13. Where is Jesus at when he begins this prayer? 

Look ahead to chapter 18. Where does Jesus go right after he finishes his prayer? 

Now read John 17:14-23 again. How does knowing the context of Jesus’s prayer change the way you read it? Did anything stand out you didn’t notice before? 

Why do you think God cares so much about believers being united? What does it say about his character (who he is) that he desires for his people to be together? 

What are some of the dangers of being divided as a family of believers? Have you ever experienced division in the family of God? 

Think about other believers you are close to. How does knowing that Jesus desires for you to be united “as one” change the way you think about them? What is one way you can commit to fighting for unity in your community even when it’s hard? 

Spend some time in prayer, reflecting on God’s heart for his people to be united. Ask God to help you work together with him to fight against division and for unity in your relationships with other believers. 

3. Pray

Leader Facilitation Notes

Read the passages of scripture together.

  1. What sticks out to you about Jesus’s prayer?

  2. How did today’s devo change the way you think about the idea of unity?

  3. Did any part of this devo challenge you? Tell us about it.

Day 2

1. Heart Check

Start by slowing down and positioning your heart, mind, and even your body in a posture that is most helpful to be curious, critically think, and hear from God. Get your bible, a journal, and a pen out. Put your phone on ‘do not disturb.’ Put some chill music on if you’re in a loud place. Sit, stand, or lay down in a comfortable position, and take a deep breath.  

Try to focus your mind. Not empty it of all your excitement, stress, joy, pain, disappointments, and wants, but fill it by bringing God into all of that with you. Pray a simple prayer inviting him in, asking him to help you focus on his words, and asking him to show you who he is. 

2. Get in the Word

Read Acts 2:41-47 all the way through. 

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Acts 2:41-47

Read Acts 2:41-47 again and circle every time you see the word “together.” 

Underline the parts that describe what the believers were doing.  

Now draw a box around the things the believers “devoted themselves” to, then list them out: 

What do you notice about the way the bible describes the gathering of believers? Do you think the way they did life together had anything to do with the numbers of people that were added to them?  

Verse 43 says people witnessing the apostles’ ministry were “in awe.” The word “awe” means, “wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred.” (Your bible might say fear, but it carries the same meaning.) What do you think people saw that filled them with awe? (Read the second part of the verse for help.) 

Look up the following passages and describe who is in awe and what they are in awe of: 

Joshua 4:14 

Luke 5:23-26 

Psalm 33:8 

Hebrews 12:28 

What patterns do you see in these passages about God’s power and awe?  

Think about your community. In what ways it similar to the church in Acts 2, and in what ways is it different? In your journal, recreate the chart below to compare the two: 

 

What is one area of your community you’d like to see grow to look more like biblical community we see in Acts 2? What is one thing you can do to contribute to biblical unity in your community?  

Characteristics of the church in Acts 2 

Characteristics of my community 

Pray a simple prayer asking God to give you a sense of awe when you consider his power and love for you. Then pray for your community. Pray over the specific areas you think your friend group can grow to look more like the ideal community in Acts 2. Pray for conviction in your own heart about the ways you haven’t promoted biblical unity in your community and ask the Lord to help you grow in these ways.  

3. Pray

Leader Facilitation Notes

Read the passages of scripture together.

  1. What sticks out to you about the community of the early church?

  2. How is your community like it? How is it different?

  3. Did any part of this devo challenge you? Tell us about it.

Day 3

1. Heart Check

Start by slowing down and positioning your heart, mind, and even your body in a posture that is most helpful to be curious, critically think, and hear from God. Get your bible, a journal, and a pen out. Put your phone on ‘do not disturb.’ Put some chill music on if you’re in a loud place. Sit, stand, or lay down in a comfortable position, and take a deep breath.  

Try to focus your mind. Not empty it of all your excitement, stress, joy, pain, disappointments, and wants, but fill it by bringing God into all of that with you. Pray a simple prayer inviting him in, asking him to help you focus on his words, and asking him to show you who he is. 

2. Get in the Word

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 all the way through.  

For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

Read the passage again and circle the word “one” every time you see it. Count how many times you find it. _______

Now draw a box around the word “body” every time you see it.  

Underline the parts of this passage that sick out to you. 

Why do you think Paul uses the analogy of the church being one body with many parts?  

Look back to 1 Corinthians 1:10-11. What is the culture of the church at Corinth?  

Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 again. What sticks out to you now that you know this church is struggling with drama and division among their people? 

Look at verse 18. How does Paul say God decides to place different parts in the same body? 

Comparison can be a tricky thing in our world in general, and it can show up in the church. Based on this passage, what do you think Paul would say about comparing yourself to others in the church in an unhealthy way? 

Think about your unique personality, gifts, talents, and strengths. What role do you play in the body of Christ? Why is it important that your role might be different from someone else’s? 

Thank God for creating you uniquely and placing you amongst a body of believers with unique gifts and talents. Ask him to keep you from unhealthy comparison and to show you ways you can contribute to the mission of the body of Christ in only the ways you can. 

3. Pray

Leader Facilitation Notes

Read the passages of scripture together.

  1. Why do you think Paul uses the analogy of the church being one body with many parts? 

  2. How does the context of this passage make you think differently about what the Bible emphasizes about unity in the body?

  3. Did any part of this devo challenge you? Tell us about it.

Day 4

1. Heart Check

Start by slowing down and positioning your heart, mind, and even your body in a posture that is most helpful to be curious, critically think, and hear from God. Get your bible, a journal, and a pen out. Put your phone on ‘do not disturb.’ Put some chill music on if you’re in a loud place. Sit, stand, or lay down in a comfortable position, and take a deep breath.  

Try to focus your mind. Not empty it of all your excitement, stress, joy, pain, disappointments, and wants, but fill it by bringing God into all of that with you. Pray a simple prayer inviting him in, asking him to help you focus on his words, and asking him to show you who he is. 

2. Get in the Word

Read Ephesians 4:1-6 all the way through.  

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 1:1-6

Read the passage again and circle the word “one” every time you see it. How many times do you count the word “one?” ______

Now underline every verb you find in reference to what believers are called to do. 

Draw a box around every adjective describing how believers are to walk in verses 1-4.  

Describe the way Paul says believers should walk (your bible might say “live.”)  

Look at Galatians 5:22-23. What similarities do you see in the list of fruits of the Spirit there and the list of traits Paul says we are to embody in Ephesians 4:1-6?  

Think back to Day 3, where we discussed diversity in the body of Christ. Are believers’ personalities or unique talents acceptable excuses for not bearing fruit of the Spirit? Why or why not? 

How is it true that all believers can bear the same fruits and still contribute unique things to the body of Christ? 

What are all the things Paul says believers are one in?  

  1. One _____

  2. One _____ 

  3. One _____ 

  4. One _____ 

  5. One _____ 

  6. One _____ 

  7. One _____ 

Why do you think Paul mentions these specific things? Look at the following passages: 

One body: Ephesians 2:15-22 

One Spirit: Acts 2:17-18 

One hope: Romans 15:13 

One Lord: 1 Corinthians 8:6 

One faith: Romans 10:11-13   

One baptism: Galatians 3:27-28 

One God: John 17:22-23 

Why does it matter to God that his people are united around these things? 

Praise the Lord for being one God and one Father over all and through all and in all (v. 6). Praise Him for coming to us, making a way that we might be one in Him. Ask God to give you a heart for unity.  

3. Pray

Leader Facilitation Notes

Read the passages of scripture together.

  1. How is it possible that the church can be so diverse and so different, yet still be one body?

  2. What unique ways can we serve the world be being a diverse people united by one Savior?

  3. Did any part of this devo challenge you? Tell us about it.

Day 5

1. Heart Check

Start by slowing down and positioning your heart, mind, and even your body in a posture that is most helpful to be curious, critically think, and hear from God. Get your bible, a journal, and a pen out. Put your phone on ‘do not disturb.’ Put some chill music on if you’re in a loud place. Sit, stand, or lay down in a comfortable position, and take a deep breath.  

Try to focus your mind. Not empty it of all your excitement, stress, joy, pain, disappointments, and wants, but fill it by bringing God into all of that with you. Pray a simple prayer inviting him in, asking him to help you focus on his words, and asking him to show you who he is. 

2. Get in the Word

Read Psalm 133 all the way through.  

Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.

Psalm 133

Read Psalm 133 again and circle the words David uses to describe brothers living in unity. 

Read it again and underline the phrase “it is like” every time you see it. 

Now draw a box around what David says brother living in unity is like. 

What two metaphors does David use for unity? What sticks out to you about these two?  

To better understand what David is saying here, let’s do a little bible exploring. 

Look back at Exodus 3:14. Who is Aaron?  

Look at Exodus 28:1. What is Aaron’s job?  

Look at Exodus 31:22-30. What does God instruct Moses to make? What does he instruct Moses to do with it?  

Read Leviticus 8:10-12. Describe what Moses did to Aaron. 

Look up the word “consecrate.” Write down which of these is the best definition of it:

Why was it important that Aaron, as a priest, was consecrated?  

Read Psalm 133 again. What sticks out to you considering the context of Aaron being set apart as a priest?  

Now, let’s apply this to us living in unity. 

Read Revelation 5:9-10. Who was redeemed by the blood of Jesus on the cross? According to this passage, then, who are priests to God?  

Read the following passages. Who in these passages are consecrated and who consecrated them? 

Psalm 4:3 

2 Timothy 2:21 

Romans 1:1 

Why is it important that as believers, we are set apart as holy to God?  

Read John 13:34-35. What does this passage say sets us apart from the world? How will people know we are set apart as servants of God?  

Read Psalm 133 one last time. In light of everything you’ve just studied, why is being united and living in unity with the family of God so important?  

Knowing your love for your brothers and sisters in Christ is one of the things that sets you apart as holy, what is one way you can show love to your community even today? 

Set apart as holy or sacred

Religious ritual

To look like everyone else 

3. Pray

Thank God for redeeming you by the blood of Jesus. Thank Him for making you right with Him and setting you apart as holy. Thank Him for bringing a family of other redeemed, set-apart people around you to live this life with. Confess sins of unforgiveness or bitterness towards other people of God and ask Him to help you deeply love the community of believers around you.   

Leader Facilitation Notes

Read the passages of scripture together.

  1. Why does God care if his people are set apart?

  2. What does it mean to live a consecrated life? What does it specifically mean for you? What areas of your life do you need to set aside in order to be set apart?

  3. Did any part of this devo challenge you? Tell us about it.