Category Archives: Teen Bible Study

Daily Bible Study with Purpose

Bible Study, Teen Bible Study, , , , , ,

🔴 Heed the Warnings!

Bible Reading: James 5:1-20, Romans 9:29, Isaiah 1:9, Jeremiah 12:3

James 5:5 You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.

As followers of Christ, we must be careful how we live. In this chapter, James speaks to the church about the outsiders(unbelievers), those who follow the worldly standard of success. He does not refer to these people as brothers, nor does he ask them to repent. Pay attention to these two key elements. I believe the Word of God has multiple avenues to gain wisdom and apply it to grow spiritually. If we consider reflection and review a priority, comparing ourselves to others will be low on our to-do list. The Word of God is good for the correction of His people! 

Regi Campbell wrote, “What we have in abundance, we’re less careful with.”

Placing this statement with James 5:5, You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. 

The audience (church) James spoke to was to compare the actions of unbelievers to those who followed Christ. I know I am a sinner and ask God to forgive my errors. My faith is increased each time I surrender to His will and am honest with myself. Through prayer, the process is easy, the burden is lighter, and I don’t feel weighed down. 

How do you address the possible idol worship in your life? What do you have in abundance? The comfort of having everything at our disposal is putting ourselves before God. We desire comfort over the sacrificial living Christ exemplified to us. He came down from heaven to show us how to live a life wholly unto Him. I encourage you to read James chapter 5 and ask yourself if any of those ideals prick your heart to examine yourself. Ask God to help you through His Holy Spirit.  

🟢The idolized treasures we place a high value will rot away. Don’t forfeit the riches of eternity by excusing rebellious behavior. Heed the warnings, the Word of God guides us to explore. Isaiah 1:9 and Romans 9:29 remind us that our Lord is a just judge, and His wrath is real. The seeds we plant from meditating and using His Word as our framework will shine light in the darkness in this world.  

~Torrie Slaughter, CEO & Founder Our Given Purpose®

 

This devotional was written, researched, produced, and edited by Torrie Slaughter in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

© Torrie Slaughter, LLC, Torrie Slaughter Photography, and Our Given Purpose ®, 2020.

 

Daily Bible Study with Purpose

Bible Study, Teen Bible Study, , , ,

🔴Why on earth are you here’?

“Do important things others aren’t willing to do.” ~Jon Acuff

Why? One adverb modifies the verb, and then we wait for the outcome. I hope that wasn’t confusing. ‘Why’ wants to know the purpose of something which I believe is fascinatingly awesome. 

The action supports the result we desire, or at least it should. 

Our learned behavior is a product of influence. We continue to pass down ideas and beliefs because we understand it to be an accurate way of living. But, what if we challenged those who control the ecosystem of which we are part? Suppose the godly direction we desire isn’t visible in our relationships with others? 

Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

🟢 The Apostle Paul gives clear instructions in his writings. One passage in Colossians 3:23 educates believers to do everything unto the Lord. Those in the body of Christ should place their sights on things beyond the present moment and fix their minds on eternity. (Colossians 3:1-4) 

If we consider God’s creation (Genesis 1:2-2:3) and how every item we see is brought into existence by His Word (Psalm 33:6-9) and divine power, we would quickly humble ourselves and do whatever it takes to serve one another as Christ served us. We have access to the transformative (Romans 12:1-2) Word of God to train and become trainers      (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Our influential behavior is the seeds we are planting now. As leaders, we are also followers of Christ; imitating Him should be a priority, not an afterthought because of the people who are watching. 

~Torrie Slaughter, CEO & Founder Our Given Purpose®

 

This devotional was written, researched, produced, and edited by Torrie Slaughter in the Commonwealth of Virginia. 

© Torrie Slaughter, LLC, Torrie Slaughter Photography, and Our Given Purpose ®, 2020.

 

 

Daily Bible Study with Purpose

Bible Study, Teen Bible Study, , , ,

🔴Who’s In Charge?

That was the question I heard shouted in the Zoom chat.

I watched a small hand lift into the air, and the announcement was loud and clear. God is in charge of everything in this place! That was how the virtual meeting began—acknowledging the Lord’s presence and provisions for all accomplishments. 

I haven’t witnessed anything like it. Eighteen people came together to discuss how to move forward—a meeting of the minds to plan strategically. A well-orchestrated single-mindedness fell over the group. In less than 90 minutes, an agreement was reached, a plan was in place, and the execution began in a few hours. The following correspondence was handled via email. 

Romans 6:21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

🟢Romans 6:21 was read at the beginning of the virtual meeting. All those present cleared their area of distractions and understood the importance of what was taking place. We each played a role in the result. That was one of many leadership meetings I’ve had the pleasure of attending. 

Preparing to meet with a group of people requires self-reflection, research, and prayer. Confessing sins, both known and unknown, is a requirement for all believers. Psalm 32:5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.  Aligning with our Lord and Savior first gives us the freedom to do His will unobstructed by our temporary feelings.

“Action reveals options that analysis will never expose.” -Regi Campbell

We have choices! We can choose to wait and pray or do things in our power. The Bible warns against that thinking. Psalm 33:17 Don’t count on your warhorse to give you victory- for all its strength, it cannot save you. 

The power of the Lord is mighty! When the focus is on Him, we will not grow weary, and we will not fall.

🔴Who is in charge of your organization, family, and home? Have you confessed your sins that it may be possible to work cooperatively with those God entrusts to you? We cannot skip steps and expect our efforts to fall in place. Destruction and division will follow every attempt to move ahead. The children of Isreal traveled for forty years, a journey that could have taken eleven days. Are you circling in your wilderness unnecessarily because of unconfessed sin and disobedience? 

~Torrie Slaughter, CEO & Founder Our Given Purpose®



Daily Bible Study with Purpose

Bible Study, Teen Bible Study, , , , , ,

🟢 What framework are you raising?

 

 Psalm 62:5-6 Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. 

“Our attitudes must move us upwards and forwards only. The Lord is good, and His mercies endure forever. He knows the beginning from the end, and we are right in the middle of Christ!” -Christa Jones

🟡 Have you ever redecorated a room?

Over the years, my home has undergone several updates and redos. My process is always the same. Empty the room if possible and start with a cleared space. I take inventory of what is needed and evaluate how the area will be used. 

As my family has aged, our needs have evolved. For example, toy boxes became bookshelves; and areas that once housed play-doh tables have become study nooks. My family’s home has grown with our needs making it easy to use every area comfortably. 

🟢 Decluttering and embracing a minimalist mindset became essential over the years. It’s easy to remove material pieces and give to those who would benefit from their daily use.

🟡 But what if I want to clench my fist and hold on simply because I need to see it or “someone” someday will need to enjoy it in my home? 

I was building a foundation of pride. Wanting to be the source for everyone’s want and becoming a prisoner in my house. It took several years to let go of trying to please everyone who walked through our front door and focus on my family who occupied our home. 

During my physical and mental renovation, God showed me how to have a relationship that was between He and I an intimately personal space that only we occupied. That was the beginning of clearing the clutter!.

Psalm 62:8b, “Pour out your heart to Him, for God is our refuge.”

Psalm 62:10 Don’t make your living by extortion or put your hope in stealing. And if your wealth increases, don’t make it the center of your life.” 

We can pour our hearts out to God and seek Him to help us overcome areas of worldly success. I discovered that was the root of my pride. I wanted others to validate me based on the material items I possessed. The clutter I continuously shifted, dusted, cleaned, and maintained took precious time away from the people God entrusted to me. I put my hope in stealing with the belief that no one would notice. 

Psalm 37:23, “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”

We can trust the Word of God and use it for practical application. By being mindful of every way, we impact others and ourselves, by yielding to the Lord for direction because He delights in our lives. We can start anew with Christ and let Him be the framework we build on and stand firm in His truth. It begins by clearing the attitude of this world’s confusion, and disarray it wants us to live.  

~Torrie Slaughter Founder of Our Given Purpose®

 

 



Daily Bible Study with Purpose

Bible Study, Teen Bible Study, , , , ,

Bible Reading Galatians 6:1-18

“Expectation without investment is just a wish. Be willing to do whatever it takes to see a breakthrough” – Billy Honaker. 

Galatians 6:4 NLT “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.”

Daily I Seek Thee:

There is a balance we thrive in when we walk with God! The Expectation of reaching our goal and experiencing breakthroughs is the promise God gives us when we serve Him. We harvest what we sow. If we practice dishonesty, manipulation, laziness, or overindulgence, we can expect to see the consequences of our behavior. 

However, suppose we sow intentional devotion to our Lord’s command to love through self-evaluation, action, and daily strides to rid ourselves of worldly attitudes? In that case, we will reap the blessings in eternity.

 As a Christ-follower, I do not expect my life to be comfortable or untroubled. I know there are consequences for past sins. But with God, my life has a purpose. You can expect a great harvest when you sow the goodness of God’s plan.

 ~ Torrie Slaughter Founder of Our Given Purpose®