Chapter 1 – Christ Has A Lot To Offer You

“The thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)

In this verse, Jesus contrasts His mission with that of the thief, who stands for false influences and deceptive leaders that distract and damage. The thief aims to rob you of your purpose, joy, and peace, leading you toward destruction. But Jesus offers something far greater—a life that is full, rich, and abundant. He calls you to experience a life that goes beyond material success or external achievement; it’s about growing into a deeper relationship with God, one that fills your soul with true fulfillment and lasting joy.

Have You Thought About What Truly Matters in Your Life?

In this season of life—where you’re striving, working toward goals, and shaping your future—it’s crucial to stop and reflect: “What do I really want from my life?” and “Who or what can guide me to truly thrive?” As you reflect on these questions, consider this: the greatest decision you can make is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Jesus has a lot to offer you at this stage of your life. He invites you to walk with Him, not as a distant leader, but as a friend who guides, mentors, and supports you through life’s challenges and opportunities. By embracing Jesus, you will grow in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding that will help you succeed and find purpose, no matter where life takes you.

Jesus Calls You to Be His Protégé

Throughout the Bible, we see many powerful examples of mentorship. Jesus poured into His disciples—especially Peter, James, and John—just as Eli mentored Samuel, and Paul mentored Timothy. Jesus invites you into that same relationship with Him. As His protégé, you are given the tools to live a life of meaning, joy, and peace, regardless of your circumstances. You are called to be a Spirit-filled example of what it looks like to follow God. This summer of life is your opportunity to lay the foundation for the future, a future filled with purpose and fulfillment that goes beyond worldly success.

Accepting this call to be Jesus’ protégé gives you a massive advantage in life. Jesus offers you His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, helping you navigate relationships, career decisions, and personal challenges. In John 15:13-15, Jesus says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

The Challenges You Face

Jesus desires for you to live a victorious life—excelling in your work, your relationships, and your personal well-being. But there is one obstacle: sin. Sin works like an invisible chain that holds you back from experiencing the fullness of life Jesus offers. Whether it’s the distractions of pursuing success, falling into peer pressure, or making decisions that lead you away from God’s path, these are the tactics the enemy uses to pull you down.

The Impact of Satan and Sin on Your Life

Satan, known as the great deceiver, works to divert you from God’s blessings by manipulating your desires and confusing your values. Here’s how Satan attacks:

1. Influencing the World: Satan uses society’s values to distract you from following Christ and achieving a life of true purpose.
2. Enticing Physical Desires: He tempts you to prioritize material gains, pleasures, or short-term success over spiritual growth and eternal rewards.
3. Confusing Moral Clarity: Satan clouds your ability to see right from wrong, making it harder to align your life with God’s will.
4. Tempting Desires for Power and Pleasure: He promises fleeting satisfaction but leads you away from the abundant life that only Jesus can offer.

Overcoming Spiritual Enemies with God’s Power

The Bible teaches that God gives you everything you need to overcome these challenges. To stay grounded in your faith and resist the pull of the world, consider these truths:

• The World: James 4:4 warns us against becoming too friendly with worldly values, which can lead us away from God. The key to overcoming this is found in Romans 12:2, which reminds us to renew our minds and focus on God’s truth.
• Your Flesh: Galatians 5:17 tells us about the internal struggle between the desires of our sinful nature and the leading of the Holy Spirit. The solution is found in Galatians 5:16: by walking in the Spirit, we overcome the desires of the flesh.
• The Devil: 1 Peter 5:8 calls us to be alert and aware of the devil’s schemes. But James 4:7 gives us hope: by submitting to God, we can resist the devil, and he will flee from us.

Protégés Have Purpose

Jesus has a lot to offer you—more than you can imagine. By investing your life in Him now, you’re setting yourself up for a future full of purpose. As you pursue your goals, Jesus will guide you, giving you clarity and confidence in who you are and where you’re going. Don’t let the opinions or doubts of others hold you back from embracing your gifts and calling. Like David, Samuel, Joseph, and even young Jesus, you too can live out your God-given purpose with boldness.

Jesus: The Ultimate Role Model

In this summer of life, where you’re growing and expanding your potential, look to Jesus as the ultimate role model. At a young age, Jesus knew His purpose and began fulfilling it. Yet, He honored His parents and grew mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially.

• Mentally: Jesus valued learning and used wisdom in all He did. He knew how to think critically and apply His knowledge to His mission.
• Physically: Jesus took care of His body, walking miles and performing labor. He was strong and healthy, demonstrating that physical well-being is important in serving God.
• Spiritually: Jesus maintained a deep connection with God, demonstrated by God’s approval of His work on multiple occasions.
• Socially: Jesus’ love for people was evident in the way He treated everyone with kindness and respect, making Him a beloved figure everywhere He went.

Becoming a Protégé of Jesus

To become a protégé of Jesus, you must first place your trust in Him. This means accepting His invitation to a relationship, recognizing Him as your Savior, and allowing Him to guide your life. Here are key scriptures to reflect on as you make this important decision:

• John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…”
• Romans 10:9: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
• Revelation 3:20: “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock…”

Conclusion:

As you move forward in this vibrant season of life, full of possibilities and excitement, remember that Jesus offers you something no one else can—an abundant, fulfilled life rooted in faith. By becoming His protégé, you’ll gain the tools and wisdom needed to navigate life’s complexities and challenges with confidence and grace.

Take this opportunity to embrace Jesus as your mentor, guide, and friend. Trust Him with your life, and you’ll discover a path that leads to lasting joy, peace, and success.

Share your reflections on Chapter 1

1. “In what ways does the promise of abundant life resonate with where you are right now? How do you see Jesus offering you guidance, peace, or purpose in your current situation?”
2. “How can you embrace the role of being a protégé of Jesus in your daily life? List one or two changes you can make starting this week.”
3. “What distractions or ‘thieves’ are present in your life right now, and how can you overcome them by focusing on the life Jesus offers?”
4. Do you have any questions or thoughts you’d like to share?

Please email your response to Pastor Russell at ngm@ngmec.org