What Now? New Believer Plan For TeenagersSample

God in Us, that’s what makes us NEW

Starting this journey of faith in Jesus makes you a new creation. Maybe you don’t feel different but it's true, you are a new creation. The Bible actually says, “The new has come, the old has passed away!” That is exciting news! But what does it really mean?

When Jesus died on the cross, it was about even MORE than forgiving sins. He died so our old life could die with him and our new life could begin! This means Jesus’ forgiveness was not a one-time thing. It happens over and over again as He keeps making us new. It is a new life every day. Do you remember being young and wishing you were older? You knew it was impossible but wanted automatic fast change. Life is not like that and neither is following Jesus. “New creation” means you are in process, growing as you get to know Jesus better and better.

We don’t follow Jesus on our own. With new life, we get God in us all the time. Jesus promised that he would send the Spirit of God to live with us and in us. This is the Holy Spirit. Now that you are a Believer you have the Holy Spirit in you. The Holy Spirit is your helper. The Holy Spirit is your comforter. The Holy Spirit is a wise counselor, who helps you understand God.

Read

John 14:15-17

Think about this.

The Holy Spirit is God. The Holy Spirit is the part of God that lives inside you. Sometimes the Holy Spirit can be a voice of peace, joy, or comfort. Sometimes the Holy Spirit reminds you that you are going in the wrong direction and leaving God behind. The Holy Spirit helps us live the way that Jesus lived.

Being made new happens because the Holy Spirit moves inside us to live when we say YES to God. We can celebrate that every day because we are becoming new over and over again! It’s a process that doesn’t go away and the Holy Spirit doesn’t go away either.

Try This

Read this with a Christian friend or leader and then talk about your answers to these questions 2 Corinthians 5:17 What does being “made new” mean to you? Are there parts of your “old self” that you want to depart from?

Galatians 2:20

How are you different if Christ is “in you”? In your own words, what does it mean to have “Christ in you”?

John 14:15-17 What does the Holy Spirit lead you to? When you think about the Holy Spirit do you feel comfort, joy, fear or just confusion?

What’s the best way to know if the Holy Spirit is leading me of if I am just telling myself what I want to hear?

Challenge

Spend some time journaling this week. Write down all the ways you are made new. Write down the emotions that go with that (joy, gratefulness, uncertainty, etc.).