WinterCon Student Page — MVMT Students Volunteers & Student Leaders

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, do it over a few days with a sibling, a parent, or another loved one.

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 the cross, around Jesus’s sacrifice for us.

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

This devo is worth your time.

Day 1 | Saturday, February 14th

1. Posture Check

Start by slowing down and positioning your mind, heart, and even your body in a posture that is most helpful to be curious, critically think, and hear from God. Get your bible, a pen, and this booklet out. Put your phone on ‘DND.’ 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

Day 2

1. Posture Check

Start by slowing down and positioning your mind, heart, and even your body in a posture that is most helpful to be curious, critically think, and hear from God. Get your bible, a pen, and this booklet out. Put your phone on ‘DND.’ 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:

1.

2.

3.

4.

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, draw a chart similar to the one below to compare the two.

Characteristics of the church in Acts 2

Characteristics of my community

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?

3. Pray

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.

Day 3

1. Posture Check

Start by slowing down and positioning your mind, heart, and even your body in a posture that is most helpful to be curious, critically think, and hear from God. Get your bible, a pen, and this booklet out. Put your phone on ‘DND.’ 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.

Read the passage again and circle the word “one” every time you see it. Count how many times you find it. _______ (small line here like this)

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?

Lines

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

Lines

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?

Lines

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

Lines

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?

Lines

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?

First Orlando Student Ministry, 3000 South John Young Parkway, Orlando, FL, 32805, United States

Powered by Squarespace