Why the Middle School Mystery Series is for You
Young people, and those who are young at heart, now is your time. Not later, after you’re all grown up, out of school, and ready to do something with your life—but now. Don’t wait to make your life matter. It already matters. You have a purpose that began before you were born.
According to the Barna Research Group, 85% of Americans who placed their faith in Jesus did so between the ages of four and fourteen. If you are a young person, now is the time to accept Jesus as your Savior and join in the mission of expanding God’s kingdom. Young as you are, you are called as a spiritual warrior. Now is the time to reach your peers. It can be the most effective period of your life.
Most grown-ups get numb from the cares of this life. Their hearts grow dull. They forget that real life includes so much more than the things of this world. So it’s up to you to take on the spiritual battle and claim eternal victories. God calls you.
Don’t let others tell you that you are too young or too inexperienced. You already know how messed up this world is. Wars, starving children, broken families, sickness—you can take a stand against all these evils. And your best weapon is prayer.
God loves and listens to children above all others. Use your special relationship with him to pray for our world. Pray alone, and pray in groups. Others are called like you. Find them and band together.
Use whatever unique gifts God has given you—music, dance, math, etc.—and find ways to use these skills in Jesus’s power and for God’s glory.
Your precious young life can influence the spiritual curmudgeons around you. You may be the best chance for other people to see who Jesus is.
So, how about it? Do you accept this challenge? Are you ready to be knighted into Kingdom service?
If you are not already a follower of Jesus, find a pastor or a friend who can guide you in accepting Jesus. Ask someone who stands on sincerity, not on rote formulas.
Next, dedicate yourself to bringing love and truth into this dark world. Let God’s Spirit guide you on exactly how you can join the fight. Remember to hate sin, but love sinners. It’s essential always to be humble. That’s one of the things God loves most about children. So don’t look down on others. All of us are lost without Christ.
Go now and share your commitment with someone else. Let the joy of your life in Jesus bubble over to others.
That is your mission.
What Jonathan Tells Us
I don’t know if God talks to babies and then they forget. Maybe so, maybe not. I do know he loves them deeply and guards them. Jesus said, “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a huge millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the open sea.” He is dangerously protective of children.
I also believe the Bible teaches that God cares about infants from before birth, while still inside their mothers. Here are a few examples: Psalm 139:13, 16; Jeremiah 1:4, 5; Luke 1:41, 44. If you look over these verses, you will see that Jonathan’s story isn’t so far-fetched.
Read Chapter 1 here. Or buy on Amazon
Jonathan and his friends are fictional; however, they teach us some real lessons. Here are in-depth questions to help us think about these truths.
Discussion Questions
1) What did Jonathan believe was going on in his sister Hannah’s mind?
2) Why did Frank Jr. go ballistic when Jonathan prayed, Remember?
3) Why did Luke 1:41 convince Pastor Wilson that Jonathan was telling the truth?
4) What finally made Mason stop hurting Jonathan?
5) Why do you think Jonathan and Su-Hui refused to report their bullies?
6) What can middle schoolers do to become effective prayer warriors?
7) How do the Bible passages below apply to you?
“I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven. Again, I tell you the truth, if two of you on earth agree about whatever you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three are assembled in my name, I am there among them.” Matthew 18:18-20
You are from God, little children, and have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
He called a child, had him stand among them, and said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn around and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven! Whoever then humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:2-4
Working through some or all of these questions with a Bible-believing parent or leader will help us regain the childlike courage that Jesus desires for us. May God bless you richly as you go back to the mindset of a bold child.
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