Baker Publishing Group - Jesus Speaks to Teens

Jesus said, Beware! Dont be greedy for what you dont have. Real life is not measured by how much we own.

L UKE 12:15 NLT

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools suffers harm.

P ROVERBS 13:20 NRSV

Jesus Speaks to Teens
Copyright 2004 by GRQ Ink, Inc.
Franklin, Tennessee 37067

Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.bethanyhouse.com

Bethany House Publishers is a division of Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com

Scripture quotations noted CEV are taken from THE CONTEMPORARY ENGLISH VERSION. 1991 by the American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations noted GNT are taken from GOOD NEWS TRANSLATION, SECOND EDITION, Copyright 1992 by the American Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations noted NIRV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL READERS VERSION, Copyright 1995, 1996, 1998 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations noted TLB are taken from The Living Bible copyright 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations noted THE MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE: The New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs . Copyright 1993, 1994, 1995 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations noted NASB are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE Copyright 1960, 1962, 19631968, 1971, 19731975, 1977, 1995 by the Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations noted NCV are taken from The Holy Bible, New Century Version, copyright 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, Dallas, Texas.

Scripture quotations noted NIV are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version (North American Edition). Copyright 19731978, 1984, by the International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations noted NKJV are taken from THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers.

Scripture quotation noted NLT are taken from the Holy Bible , New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations noted NRSV are taken from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Ebook edition created 2012

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or any otherwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

eISBN 978-1-4412-3315-8

Library of Congress Control Number 2003018463.
Jesus Speaks to Teens , ISBN 0-7642-2866-8

Compiler and Editor: Lila Empson
Manuscript written by Vicki J. Kuyper
Design: Garborg Design Works

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Its in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for.

E PHESIANS 1:11a THE MESSAGE

Contents

Introduction

Put yourself in the disciples sandals for just a moment. Picture Jesus speaking directly to you.

The truth is, Jesus words have as much power to change your life today as they did the lives of those listening two thousand years ago. The words Jesus spoke, as recorded in the Gospels, are still fresh today. They speak about peer pressure, teamwork, and living life to the extreme. Jesus words speak to you.

Jesus Speaks to Teens will give you insight into the story behind those words. Youll step back into Jesus day to experience the culture, audience, and emotions that played a big part in the lessons and parables Jesus shared. Then youll be challenged to take what youve learned and apply it to your everyday life at home, at school, or hanging out with your friends. Additional Bible verses and quotations will help move you one step further, drawing you up close and personal to the Savior who calls you by name.

Let Jesus words speak to you.

Its an Inside Job

Jesus said, If you walk around with your nose in the air, youre going to end up flat on your face, but if youre content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.

L UKE 18:14b THE MESSAGE

THE STORY BEHIND WHAT JESUS SAID

Jesus was with a group of people who put others down while building themselves up. Jesus taught them a lesson through a story about a Pharisee and a tax collector. In Jesus day, the Pharisees were the in crowd of Jewish society. Tax collectors, on the other hand, were the local losers. Society looked down on them and ridiculed them.

The prayers of the two men revealed what they were really like. While the Pharisee played to the crowds, making sure everyone saw him pray, the tax collector hid his face, begging Gods forgiveness. In Jesus eyes, the attitude of the tax collector was greater than that of the Pharisee, for God could work in his humble heart to make him a man worthy of honor.

REFLECTIONS ON THE WORDS OF JESUS

Appearances can be deceiving. Suppose someone tries to sell you a hot-looking car that youd love to buy. If the mechanic who checks out the engine says the car probably wont make it across town without breaking down, what good is a great paint job?

The same holds true for people. Its whats on the inside that really counts. If youre doing all the right things for all the wrong reasonsso others will think youre someone worth looking up towhat youre doing isnt really worthy of honor. Its just a great-looking paint job.

Everyone has the potential to be someone great. How you relate to Godnot your talent, income, or even your good deedsis what makes your life count. A proud heart craves the applause of others. A humble heart longs to do whatever brings honor to God, regardless of whether anyone is watching.

ONE FINAL THOUGHT

The bigger you are in your own eyes, the less room there is for God to work in your heart.

TIMELESS WISDOM FOR EVERYDAY LIVING

Its an Inside Job

Christ, the master of humility, reveals his truth only to the humble, and hides himself from the proud.

Vincent Terrer

Whichever one of you is the most humble is the greatest.

Luke 9:48b CEV

For those who would learn Gods ways, humility is the first thing, humility is the second, humility is the third.

Saint Augustine of Hippo

God sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves.

Dwight L. Moody

Reverence for the L ORD is an education in itself. You must be humble before you can ever receive honors.

Proverbs 15:33 GNT

Do not think of yourselves more highly than you should. Instead, be modest in your thinking, and judge yourself according to the amount of faith that God has given you .

Romans 12:3 GNT

Be humble in the presence of Gods mighty power, and he will honor you when the time comes.

1 Peter 5:6 CEV

The reason why God is so great a Lover of humility is because He is the great Lover of truth. Now humility is nothing but truth, while pride is nothing but lying.

Saint Vincent de Paul

If you are looking for an example of humility, look at the cross.

Saint Thomas Aquinas

Finding Your Focus

Jesus said, I am leaving you with a giftpeace of mind and heart. And the peace I give isnt like the peace the world gives. So dont be troubled or afraid.