Transcription
The Word According toA 3 0 - DAY D E VO C H A L L E N G E
Published by LifeWay Press Sunday CoolNo part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any informationstorage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing by thepublisher. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to LifeWay Press , OneLifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234.ISBN 978-1-0877-2925-1Item 005829283Dewey Decimal Classification Number: 242.2Subject Heading: DEVOTIONAL LITERATURE /BIBLE STUDY AND TEACHING / GODPrinted in the United States of AmericaStudent Ministry PublishingLifeWay ResourcesOne LifeWay PlazaNashville, Tennessee 37234We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, withoutany mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. Toreview LifeWay’s doctrinal guideline, please visit www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline.Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ),copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used bypermission. All rights reserved.2THE WORD ACCORDING TO GEN Z
Table of ContentsThe Authors 4Introduction 5How to Use 6SECTION 1: THEREVERENCE OFGOD’S 20242832364044SECTION 2: THEMINISTRY OFTHE WORDDay 11 48Day 12 72768084SECTION 3:APPLYINGGOD’S WORDDay 21 88Day 22 92Day 23 96Day 24 100Day 25 104Day 26 108Day 27 112Day 28 116Day 29 120Day 30 124WHAT’S NEXT 128A 3 0 - D AY D E V O C H A L L E N G E3
The AuthorsCarll Hooper is an enthusiastic, chicken-nuggetloving follower of Jesus who is the unofficialofficial spokesperson for Sunday Cool Tees. Hisvideos have had millions of views, and are allcreated to benefit youth ministries across theglobe. He is simply the best.Brock Hooper is not only Carll’s “too cool forschool” cousin, but he’s also the face of the Gen Zcommunity. He’s known for his supreme ability totranslate modern day English into the Gen Z lingoand is surprisingly well versed in theology.Andy DeNoon is a content coordinator forSunday Cool Tees from Whitefish, MT. Hecurrently lives in Mount Dora, Florida with hiswife, Kelsey, and two children, Demi and Zola.He considers himself an expert on chicken wings,The Office, and has a passion for pursuing Jesus.Josh Hooper is the content manager forSunday Cool Tees and twin brother to Carll. Helives with his wife, Lily, in central Florida where hewas born and raised. His passion is to share thegospel through any means necessary, using theplatform God has given him.4THE WORD ACCORDING TO GEN Z
IntroductionWe’re excited for you to be holding this devotional.Why? For one reason: it’s all about God’s Word. If youwant to dive deeper, challenge yourself, and strengthenyour relationship with the Scriptures while finding a littlehumor along the way, then this is the devotional for you.The book began with a video series we created thatwent viral in early 2019. The idea was simple: take thewords in everyday life and Bible verses we have all heardbefore and translate them into funny and sometimes madeup Gen Z lingo. Now, we are here taking the translationsto another level and diving into the Word with a hugeemphasis on just that: the Word. Over the next 30 days,you’ll find three separate sections focusing on threepivotal parts of God’s Word. The first is the reverenceof God’s Word. Why should it be respected and heldin high regard? The second is the ministry of the Word.How does Scripture meet us where we are and make uswhole? The final section will focus on application. Howdo we take what we read and put it into action? We areexcited that you picked up this book because we know it’sa great next step to discovering God through the devotionto and pursuit of His words.A 3 0 - D AY D E V O C H A L L E N G E5
How to UseWe encourage you to approach each day the same way.Before you begin each devo, ask God to show yousomething you haven’t seen before. Ask Him to teachyou a lesson you desperately need. Don’t go into it withan agenda, low expectations, or preconceived notions.Approach the text with one purpose: to know God better.Each day, you’ll have one verse that goes with the section’stheme translated into the GZT (Gen Z Translation—our madeup translation). If it doesn’t make sense to you, don’t worry.That’s kind of the point.We will follow that up with the ESV translation, whichis one of the best translations when it comes to beingtheologically precise and easy to read. The GZT is the bestfor entertainment purposes.We would encourage everyone to have a physical Bibleopen when you go through the daily devo. None of thedevos are super long, so make sure to read over each onewell, taking in every word. Intentionally focus on whatyou’re reading.At the end of each devo, you’ll find a list of biblicalreferences we used to help write the devo or that wethink will help you in your study. Feel free to read these toenhance your experience in the Word.6THE WORD ACCORDING TO GEN Z
The following page will ask you to actually write out thedaily verse in your own handwriting. We are more inclinedto memorize what we write. And there is power in God’swords. You can worship and honor God by writing outHis Words.Then we ask a few questions. Answer honestly and writewhatever you feel you need to. Don’t hold back. Be real.Be honest.The final page includes what we want you to focus on forthat day. We hope you can accept the challenge fromeach day, and take intentional steps toward applying themessage to your everyday life.On that page is an area for you to be creative. Use it forjournaling, doodling, prayers, lists, or whatever you need.At the bottom of each focus page, you’ll find a QR code.Once you scan it with your phone, it will take you to a videomade specifically for that day’s devo.This devotional is meant to strengthen the relationship youhave with Jesus and His Word. So let’s get started.A 3 0 - D AY D E V O C H A L L E N G E7
S E C T I O N 1: T H E R E V E R E N C E O F G O D ’ S W O R DDayONEG E N Z TR A NS L ATI O NSince Day Uno therewas Cap G. Big Jwas chillin with CapG. And Big J wasCap G.John 1:18THE WORD ACCORDING TO GEN Z
ES V TR A NS L ATI O NIn the beginning was the word. The word waswith God and the word was God.HERE’S THE TEA.It’s tough to think about what happened beforewe were born. There was a time when peopledidn’t have cars, electricity, TV, or YouTube. Butit’s even more difficult to think about what willhappen when we die. We ask: What will theworld look like? Will people miss me? Whatabout my family? It can be tough to admit howsmall the part we play in this whole world reallyis. John shares that Jesus (the Word) was therebefore us. He had no beginning. He was therebefore the world was formed, and yet we feelHim missing in our lives at some of our lowestmoments. We sense a hole in ourselves that wesee as loneliness and seclusion. It can surroundus and make us question, “Is God here? Does Heeven care?” The answer is yes. Sometimes we feelthat hole because we aren’t running after God.Sometimes it’s because of trauma or hardships.But maybe God sometimes allows us to see thathole so we will realize how much we much weneed Him and His words.Focus on the enormous world God has created.Remember He values you and has sincethe beginning.I F YO U WA N T T O K N O W M O R EGen. 1; Ps. 90:12; Prov. 16:9; Eccl. 3:11A 3 0 - D AY D E V O C H A L L E N G E9
1. Write out John 1:1.2. What crosses your mind when you think of your time on earth?3. W rite down three words that come to mind when you start to realize howbig God really is.10THE WORD ACCORDING TO GEN Z
T O D AY ’ S F O C U S :TimeThere’s nothing wrong with catching up on your favorite show,but it is worth thinking about where we invest our time mostconsistently. If Jesus were alive today, how much Netflix do youthink He would watch? How much time do you think He wouldspend on social media? How do you think Jesus would spendHis time?Challenge yourself today to focus on how you’re spending yourtime. Keep track of it and evaluate it. How could you changeyour normal routine so you might make God’s Word a constantfocus throughout your day?WATCHTODAY’SVIDEOA 3 0 - D AY D E V O C H A L L E N G E11
SECTION 1DayTWOG E N Z TR A NS L ATI O NCap G’s wordz areone hundo, straight upslicing and dicin’ andknowin’ it all.Hebrews 4:1212THE WORD ACCORDING TO GEN Z
ES V TR A NS L ATI O NFor the word of God is living and active,sharper than any two-edged sword, piercingto the division of soul and of spirit, of joints andof marrow, and discerning the thoughts andintentions of the heart.HERE’S THE TEA.When you were a little kid, you were boundto fall and hurt yourself. And with that comesscratches and scars. Scars are reminders ofa time when something pushed hard enoughagainst you to physically tear you open and leavea mark. When a surgeon cuts into his patient,we know it will ultimately leave a scar. It willhurt, but we know the process is necessary forhealing. God’s Word is everywhere we lookand is actively transforming even the hardest ofhearts, leaving a lasting impact on those whohave given themselves up to Him. Is God’s Wordtruly active in your life? Is there evidence? God’swords are so powerful that, if you let them, theycan cut through to the deepest and most guardedparts of your character. We run to Jesus because,much like that surgeon, Jesus has the ability tosave lives. But only Jesus can transform and savesomeone through His words alone.Focus on how God’s Word can pierce your heartand spirit.I F YO U WA N T T O K N O W M O R EPs. 19:1-14; 2 Tim. 3:16-17A 3 0 - D AY D E V O C H A L L E N G E13
1. Write out Hebrews 4:12.2. When you’re reading the Bible, how open and vulnerable are you toallowing God to pierce your heart? Answer on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being“not at all” and 10 being “completely.” Explain why you chose that number.3. A re there areas of your life that you wouldn’t want God to change rightnow? Why or why not?14THE WORD ACCORDING TO GEN Z
T O D AY ’ S F O C U S :Living andActiveIf we could X-ray your heart, what do you think we would see?Would you be okay to see everything it contained?God’s Word cuts deep and has the ability to look into yourheart, giving you the gift of discernment, faith, and so muchmore. So how will you open yourself up today to His Word?Focus on allowing His Word to transform you today.WATCHTODAY’SVIDEOA 3 0 - D AY D E V O C H A L L E N G E15
SECTION 1DayTHREEG E N Z TR A NS L ATI O NI got your holyscrips padlocked inmy chest thumper.Psalm 119:1116THE WORD ACCORDING TO GEN Z
ES V TR A NS L ATI O NI have stored up your word in my heart, that Imight not sin against you. HERE’S THE TEA.Have you ever seen the safe at a bank? Theyare large and seem indestructible. If there isanywhere to keep valuable items, that wouldbe the place. But think about how ridiculous itwould be if you found out that, inside one ofthose massively secure safes, was somethingworthless. What if the safe held old clothes, bagsof ramen noodles, or nothing but cheap furniture?Why would someone keep such useless items ina place so precious and secure? Well, this versesays David stored up God’s Word in His heart.I’m no doctor, but I would say the heart is oneof the most, if not the most, important parts of aperson’s body. So, if you were to store somethinginside, shouldn’t it be valuable? Worthwhile?This is how we should see the words of God.His words are so holy that they deserve to beguarded in the most important place. If we fill ourhearts with things of God, then our actions andthoughts will follow. We will leave less room forlies, bad habits, and selfish thoughts.Be intentional about what you store up in yourheart. Pay close attention to what you areprioritizing in your life right now.I F YO U WA N T T O K N O W M O R EProv. 30:5-6; Matt. 6:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:16A 3 0 - D AY D E V O C H A L L E N G E17
1. Write out Psalm 119:11.2. Take a look at your life. Where would you say the majority of yourattention and interest lies?3. L ist the top five most important things in your life right now, the first beingthe most important. Be honest. Where does God’s Word fall?18THE WORD ACCORDING TO GEN Z
T O D AY ’ S F O C U S :Store UpWhether we realize it or not, we are all filling our hearts witheither things of value or items that are worthless. Considerpeople you look up to and admire. What do you think theyare focusing on in order to flourish and grow closer to Christ?Choose one practical way to keep your focus on filling yourheart with God’s Word today.WATCHTODAY’SVIDEOA 3 0 - D AY D E V O C H A L L E N G E19
Since Day Uno there was Cap G. Big J waschillin with Cap G. And Big J was Cap G.John 1:1Translation:In the beginning was the word. The word waswith God and the word was God.HERE’S THE TEA: Life started with God’s Word.But the Bible isn’t boring or outdated—life still starts with God’sWord. It actively transforms us. It pierces our hearts with truth.His Word empowers us with confidence to live for Him.Over the next 30 days, the guys at Sunday Cool will guide youthrough unique daily devos with verses translated into Gen Zlingo. You’ll learn about the reverence, ministry, and applicationof God’s Word. You’ll also see how Scripture isn’t just aboutreading, but deep study and enjoymentof the very God who created you.RELIGION / Christian Ministry / Youth9 781087 729251
to another level and diving into the Word with a huge emphasis on just that: the Word. Over the next 30 days, you’ll find three separate sections focusing on three pivotal parts of God’s Word. The first is the reverence of God’s Word. Why should it be respected and held in high regard?
