Day 1
Faith Fact
I will let Jesus write my story.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
What should we do when Jesus wants to do something unexpected in our life?
John 4:5–14
Have you ever seen a friend at the store or the playground that you didn’t expect to see there? When you see someone like that, you have two choices: ignore them or talk to them. If you ignore them, you could hurt your friendship if they saw you and know that you ignored them. If you choose to stop and talk with them, you could leave that conversation feeling really encouraged, maybe even with plans to get together for some fun!
Jesus caught this woman off guard. She hadn’t expected Him to be at the well, or to speak to her and ask her for a drink of water. Jewish people in Jesus’ day typically didn’t want anything to do with Samaritan people. She had no idea when she started out for the well that day that her life was about to be changed. She could have ignored Jesus, or she could have run away. But because she was open to talking with Jesus, she gave Him space to change her life. There are times that Jesus wants to do something new and different in our life. We can choose to ignore or run from Him, or we can allow Him the space to write our story, which will be better than we could ever dream possible!
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I want to be open to whatever You want to do in my life, even if those things are unexpected. Help me to trust You and give You room to work in my life and write my story. Amen.
I will let Jesus write my story.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
What should we do when Jesus wants to do something unexpected in our life?
John 4:5–14
Have you ever seen a friend at the store or the playground that you didn’t expect to see there? When you see someone like that, you have two choices: ignore them or talk to them. If you ignore them, you could hurt your friendship if they saw you and know that you ignored them. If you choose to stop and talk with them, you could leave that conversation feeling really encouraged, maybe even with plans to get together for some fun!
Jesus caught this woman off guard. She hadn’t expected Him to be at the well, or to speak to her and ask her for a drink of water. Jewish people in Jesus’ day typically didn’t want anything to do with Samaritan people. She had no idea when she started out for the well that day that her life was about to be changed. She could have ignored Jesus, or she could have run away. But because she was open to talking with Jesus, she gave Him space to change her life. There are times that Jesus wants to do something new and different in our life. We can choose to ignore or run from Him, or we can allow Him the space to write our story, which will be better than we could ever dream possible!
Talk About It:
- Question 1. Where did Jesus meet the Samaritan woman?
Answer 1. At a well outside her village (John 4:6–7) - Question 2. How did the woman respond to Jesus when He started talking to her?
Answer 2. She was surprised and responded with questions. (John 4:9–12) - Question 3. Do you think Jesus went to that well on purpose because He knew the Samaritan woman would be there? Why or why not?
Answer 3. Answer may vary. - Question 4. How has Jesus surprised you with something unexpected in your life?
Answer 4. Answers may vary. - Question 5. What should we do when Jesus wants to do something unexpected in our life?
Answer 5. We should trust Him and let Him write our story.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I want to be open to whatever You want to do in my life, even if those things are unexpected. Help me to trust You and give You room to work in my life and write my story. Amen.
Day 2
Faith Fact
I will let Jesus write my story.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
How does trusting Jesus with your life change the way you live?
John 4:15–30
Have you ever been to a party or somewhere and someone talks to you and seems to know everything about you? Maybe you haven’t met them before, or maybe they’re a friend of your parents. They might begin to talk about how cute you were as a baby, or they might know other things that you haven’t told them. It may feel a little weird, but this is kind of like what happened to the woman at the well.
Jesus began to tell this woman things about herself that a stranger shouldn’t have known. When she realized who Jesus was, she left her jar at the well and ran to her village. The reason she had come out in the heat of the day was to draw water from the well. But after she talked with Jesus, she changed directions and went the other way, leaving the water jar behind her. She couldn’t wait to tell everyone about Jesus. This is what Jesus wants to do in our life too! We need to be open to allowing Him to change our direction and our plans anytime He wants to.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for knowing everything about my life. I choose to trust You and the direction You want me to go. Amen.
I will let Jesus write my story.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
How does trusting Jesus with your life change the way you live?
John 4:15–30
Have you ever been to a party or somewhere and someone talks to you and seems to know everything about you? Maybe you haven’t met them before, or maybe they’re a friend of your parents. They might begin to talk about how cute you were as a baby, or they might know other things that you haven’t told them. It may feel a little weird, but this is kind of like what happened to the woman at the well.
Jesus began to tell this woman things about herself that a stranger shouldn’t have known. When she realized who Jesus was, she left her jar at the well and ran to her village. The reason she had come out in the heat of the day was to draw water from the well. But after she talked with Jesus, she changed directions and went the other way, leaving the water jar behind her. She couldn’t wait to tell everyone about Jesus. This is what Jesus wants to do in our life too! We need to be open to allowing Him to change our direction and our plans anytime He wants to.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. What did the woman do after she finished talking to Jesus?
Answer 1. She left her water jar and ran back to the village, telling everyone about Jesus. (John 4:28–29) - Question 2. What did the people of the village do after hearing the woman talk about Jesus?
Answer 2. The people hurried from the village to see Him. (John 4:30) - Question 3. How do you think it made the woman feel when Jesus told her everything about her life?
Answer 3. Answers may vary. - Question 4. How does it make you feel knowing that Jesus knows everything about your life?
Answer 4. Answers may vary. - Question 5. How should trusting Jesus with your life change the way you live?
Answer 5. Answers may vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for knowing everything about my life. I choose to trust You and the direction You want me to go. Amen.
Day 3
Faith Fact
I will let Jesus write my story.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
How do we know we can trust Jesus to write our story?
Isaiah 46:9–10
Have you ever written a story for school or maybe just for fun? As a writer, you have to think about how the events in the story will happen from the beginning to the end. You have to think through every detail of every character and know exactly what’s going to happen. No one wants to read a boring story either, so you should be sure to include lots of adventure. Sometimes it’s fun and exciting, and other times, you get to see a character work through challenges and come out stronger in the end.
Jesus wants to be the Author of our story by directing our life. He knows the whole story of the world from the beginning to the end. He knows every choice we will make and every detail of our life. Sometimes Jesus wants us to act in faith and do something new and exciting that we hadn’t planned on. Other times, He allows unexpected things to happen that are challenging. But, we can trust Jesus as the Author of our life knowing that He wants what’s best for us. He’s the best one to be writing our story.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I want You to be the Author of my life and write my story. Help me to trust Your plans and that You know best! Amen.
I will let Jesus write my story.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
How do we know we can trust Jesus to write our story?
Isaiah 46:9–10
Have you ever written a story for school or maybe just for fun? As a writer, you have to think about how the events in the story will happen from the beginning to the end. You have to think through every detail of every character and know exactly what’s going to happen. No one wants to read a boring story either, so you should be sure to include lots of adventure. Sometimes it’s fun and exciting, and other times, you get to see a character work through challenges and come out stronger in the end.
Jesus wants to be the Author of our story by directing our life. He knows the whole story of the world from the beginning to the end. He knows every choice we will make and every detail of our life. Sometimes Jesus wants us to act in faith and do something new and exciting that we hadn’t planned on. Other times, He allows unexpected things to happen that are challenging. But, we can trust Jesus as the Author of our life knowing that He wants what’s best for us. He’s the best one to be writing our story.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. Who is the only one who knows what will happen in the future?
Answer 1. God (Isaiah 46:10) - Question 2. What are some things an author must think about when writing a story?
Answer 2. Answers may vary. - Question 3. How is Jesus like the author of a book?
Answer 3. Answers may vary. - Question 4. How can you allow Jesus to write your story?
Answer 4. Answers may vary. - Question 5. How do we know we can trust Jesus to write our story?
Answer 5. Answers may vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I want You to be the Author of my life and write my story. Help me to trust Your plans and that You know best! Amen.
Day 4
Faith Fact
I will let Jesus write my story.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
Why is it sometimes hard for us to trust God when our life goes a different direction?
Romans 8:27–30
Have you ever seen a little kid with a jack-in-the-box toy? A jack-in-the-box is a square toy with a small handle that turns. As you turn the handle, the box plays a song. At different times, the box will pop open and a toy will jump out. One kid may turn the handle with excitement, enjoying the fun and waiting to be surprised. But another kid may turn the handle nervously, not sure what will happen when the toy jumps out. It’s the same toy for both kids. The only difference is the attitude of the kid when they turn the handle and have something unexpected happen. Will they jump with excitement and laugh, or will they be scared and cry?
Sometimes there are unexpected twists and turns in our life. It’s easy to not want those things simply because we don’t know how it will turn out. It can be like waiting for the jack-in-the-box to pop out. But, if we know that God is good and that He wants what is best for us, then we can trust Him in every situation: good or bad, expected or unexpected. Even when we don’t know every path God will choose, we know He’s leading us to the good goal of becoming more like Jesus.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear God, whatever path You have for my life, I want it. I know that You are working for my good because I love You and have been called by You. I trust Jesus to write the story of my life. Amen.
I will let Jesus write my story.
Faith Verse
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5-6
Read:
Why is it sometimes hard for us to trust God when our life goes a different direction?
Romans 8:27–30
Have you ever seen a little kid with a jack-in-the-box toy? A jack-in-the-box is a square toy with a small handle that turns. As you turn the handle, the box plays a song. At different times, the box will pop open and a toy will jump out. One kid may turn the handle with excitement, enjoying the fun and waiting to be surprised. But another kid may turn the handle nervously, not sure what will happen when the toy jumps out. It’s the same toy for both kids. The only difference is the attitude of the kid when they turn the handle and have something unexpected happen. Will they jump with excitement and laugh, or will they be scared and cry?
Sometimes there are unexpected twists and turns in our life. It’s easy to not want those things simply because we don’t know how it will turn out. It can be like waiting for the jack-in-the-box to pop out. But, if we know that God is good and that He wants what is best for us, then we can trust Him in every situation: good or bad, expected or unexpected. Even when we don’t know every path God will choose, we know He’s leading us to the good goal of becoming more like Jesus.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. Who is the One who causes everything to work together for our good?
Answer 1. God (Romans 8:28) - Question 2. How can life feel like a jack-in-the-box sometimes?
Answer 2. Answers may vary. - Question 3. How do you feel when unexpected things happen?
Answer 3. Answers may vary. - Question 4. Who has God chosen for us to become like?
Answer 4. The Son, Jesus (Romans 8:29) - Question 5. Why is it sometimes hard for us to trust God when our life takes a different direction?
Answer 5. Answers may vary.
Prayer:
Dear God, whatever path You have for my life, I want it. I know that You are working for my good because I love You and have been called by You. I trust Jesus to write the story of my life. Amen.