Transitioning from one year to the next gives us a great opportunity to step back and evaluate where we’ve been and where we may be going. In the first of two year-end youth group devos, our Bible guru helps you and your group look back.
The Backdrop
The changing from one year to the next gives us a nice opportunity to recalibrate, to take a step back and evaluate where we’ve been and where we’re going.
For this devo, we’re going to look at where you’ve been. As you think about leaving 2012, what bad do you want to leave behind? Is there a habit you’ve been wanting to break? A grudge you’ve let fester?
The What
The Bible talks a lot about “throwing off” and “getting rid.” Below are a few of these passages. As you read the verses, focus on the words throw off or get rid. You may want to print the verses and underline that phrase when you see it, and circle anything that’s to be thrown off or gotten rid of.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (
“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you” (
The So What
Make a list in the space below of everything that’s to be thrown off or gotten rid of in these passages.
There was one other extra word, or type of word, that accompanied every instruction to throw off or get rid of. Did you happen to notice it?
That extra word was all or everything. There’s not much wiggle room there. So, take a minute to write down everything in your life that hinders your walk with God. Maybe you have some things in your life that are similar to the list you just made.
Did you also notice each passage told you to not only throw off or get rid, but it also told you to do something positive? It’s like something positive to do to replace the negative thing you have thrown off. Read the passages again and look for the positive thing you are to do. Write those things down.
Seal the Deal
Challenge yourself to make some historic changes. Look at each thing you listed and come up with a specific plan to throw off or get rid of everything.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
1. Schedule a personal throw off. Whether it’s an extended confession time with God, a trip to a dumpster or a forgive-me conversation with a friend, schedule a time to do this and then do it.
2. Share your throw off (or throw offs) with a friend or youth worker. Ask him or her to keep you accountable to what you’ve thrown off.
3. Following the pattern of these verses, replace what you’ve gotten rid of with something good. Replace a bad habit with a good habit. Replace a grudge with acts of kindness. Replace a boring, sporadic prayer life with a vibrant, persistent prayer life.
Barry has written numerous small-group Bible studies and teen devos and is author of Unleashing God’s Word in Youth Ministry (Youth Specialties/Zondervan). He is a regular contributor to YouthWorker Journal, writing the column “10 Minutes in God’s Word.” Barry lives in Middletown, Ohio, with his wife, Jessica.
