Category: Teen Devotions

“Too Sad to Ask”

📖 “But now I go away to Him who sent Me, and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’”
—John 16:5 (NKJV)

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Have you ever been so overwhelmed by emotion that you stopped thinking clearly?
Maybe something hit hard—grief, disappointment, betrayal—and instead of reaching out to God, you shut down.

That’s what happened with Jesus’ disciples.

He told them He was leaving, and instead of asking, “Where are You going?” they just got sad.
So sad, they missed the bigger picture—what Jesus was really trying to show them.

They were focused on loss.
Jesus was focused on victory.

He wasn’t just leaving—He was going back to the Father to prepare something greater.
The cross wasn’t the end of the story—it was the bridge to everything that mattered.

Don’t let your emotions block your faith.
Ask the hard questions.
Draw near to Jesus—even when your heart hurts.

He’s going somewhere holy.
And He’s taking you with Him.

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Think About It:

• When you’re hurt, do you shut down or run to Jesus?
  
• What question have you avoided asking God because it felt too painful?
  

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Prayer:
Jesus, sometimes I get so overwhelmed that I forget to ask what You’re doing. Help me not to shut down or turn away, but to seek You even when I’m hurting. I know You are good, and I want to follow wherever You lead. Amen.

“He Told You Ahead of Time”

📖 “But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them…”
—John 16:4a (NKJV)

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Have you ever been caught off guard by someone turning on you—
just because you believe what Jesus says?

Maybe it was a harsh comment, a cold shoulder, or a friendship that shifted when you chose truth over trend.
That sting of rejection can make you wonder: Did I do something wrong?

But Jesus says, “No. I told you this would happen.”

He didn’t say following Him would always feel comfortable—He said it would be worth it.
And when you feel the pressure, remember:
He warned you—not to frighten you, but to fortify you.

He didn’t want you shaken when the world pushed back.
He wanted you ready.

So don’t let the pushback undo your faith.
Let it remind you that your Savior keeps His Word—and He’s walking with you through every storm.

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Think About It:

• What’s one time when Jesus’ words gave you strength in a hard moment?
  
• How can you make it a habit to recall what Jesus said when things get tough?
  

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Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for not hiding the hard stuff. When life feels heavy, help me remember that You prepared me for this and that You are with me. Strengthen my heart to keep following You with courage and conviction. Amen.

“Canceled for Christ?”

📖 “They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.”
—John 16:2 (NKJV)

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Jesus didn’t sugarcoat it.

He said that following Him might cost you—
Popularity.
Friendships.
Even your place in familiar spaces.

People might think you’re wrong, weird, or even dangerous for believing what the Bible says.
Some might even think they’re doing something good by rejecting you.

Sound familiar?

This verse hits home in today’s culture.
Standing for truth—about sin, salvation, and Jesus being the only way—can lead to being canceled, mocked, or shut out.

But Jesus wasn’t caught off guard by this. He prepared us.
And He promises that we never walk alone.

So when rejection comes, don’t panic.
Don’t hide.
Stand.

Not in your own strength—but in His Spirit.

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Think About It:

• Have you ever felt rejected or silenced for standing on biblical truth?
  
• How can you keep your heart soft while staying grounded in God’s Word?
  

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Prayer:
Jesus, I want to follow You even when it’s not easy. Give me strength to stand and love to respond well. Help me not to shrink back, but to trust that You are worth it all. Amen.

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“You’re a Witness, Too”

📖 “And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.”
—John 15:27 (NKJV)

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Jesus didn’t just call His disciples to preach on stages.
He called them to be witnesses—to say what they saw, what they heard, what changed them.

And if you belong to Jesus, that’s your role too.

You may not have walked with Him in Galilee, but you’ve walked with Him through your own struggles.
You’ve seen His patience, felt His correction, heard His Word, and known His peace.

That’s your story.
That’s your witness.

It’s not about knowing every answer. It’s about telling the truth:
“I’ve been with Jesus, and here’s what He’s done in me.”

So whether it’s in a DM, at school, at practice, or around your siblings—
Don’t underestimate the power of your testimony.
The Holy Spirit will give you the words when you’re willing to speak.

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Think About It:

• What has Jesus done in your life that you can share?
  
• Are you waiting for the perfect moment, or willing to trust Him with today’s opportunities?
  

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Prayer:
Lord, I want to be a faithful witness. Give me boldness and the words to speak. Let my life reflect You, and let my words be full of truth and grace. Use me wherever You want. Amen.

“The Spirit Knows the Real Jesus”

📖 “But when the Helper comes… He will testify of Me.”
—John 15:26 (NKJV)

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There are a lot of opinions out there about Jesus.

Some say He was just a prophet.
Others call Him a moral teacher or a revolutionary.
Some twist Him into something soft, silent, and powerless.

But the Holy Spirit?
He testifies of the real Jesus.

The Spirit doesn’t work independently—He reveals the true nature of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Word.
Not the version culture wants, but the living, risen Son of God who is full of grace and truth.

When the Holy Spirit is leading you, He won’t point you to popularity, vibes, or trends.
He’ll point you to Jesus.

So if you’re ever unsure—ask:
“Is this the Jesus of Scripture?”
Because the Spirit will always match the truth of God’s Word.

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Think About It:

• What are some “versions” of Jesus that you hear in culture or online?
  
• How can you learn to recognize the Spirit’s voice by knowing the Bible better?
  

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Prayer:
Holy Spirit, I want to know the real Jesus—not a fake version. Speak truth to my heart. Lead me to Scripture. Help me follow the Jesus who loved me enough to die for me and who lives forever. Amen.

“He Didn’t Tell You Everything—Yet”

📖 “And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.”
—John 16:4b (NKJV)

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Jesus didn’t drop all the heavy truth on His disciples right away.

Why?
Because at first, He was with them, walking closely, guiding them step by step.
They didn’t need to know everything at once—they just needed to stay close to Him.

It’s the same for you.

There are things about your future, your calling, and even your struggles that God hasn’t shown you yet—not because He’s hiding them, but because you’re not meant to carry them alone.

As you grow, He’ll give you what you need—when you need it.

That’s not a delay.
It’s love.

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Think About It:

• Are you waiting on God to show you something about your life or calling?
  
• How can you trust Him today with the things He hasn’t revealed yet?
  

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Prayer:
God, sometimes I want answers now. But I trust that You know what I’m ready for. Help me stay close to You and trust Your timing. Teach me what I need to know—when I need to know it. Amen.

“When It Feels Like No One Gets It”

📖 “But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.”
—John 16:4a (NKJV)

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It’s easy to feel blindsided when you’re trying to do what’s right—and things still fall apart.

When you lose friends because of your faith…
When people misunderstand your convictions…
When the world feels like it’s upside-down…

You might wonder: “Did I do something wrong?”

Jesus answers that question in advance:
No—you didn’t. He told you it would be like this.

Not to discourage you, but to prepare you.

So when it happens—you remember:
He knew. He warned you. He’s still with you.

That changes everything.
You’re not weak. You’re not crazy. You’re not alone.
You’re walking the same road Jesus walked—and He’s walking it with you.

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Challenge Questions:

• When was the last time following Jesus cost you something?
  
• How does it help knowing He already prepared you for this?
  

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Prayer:
Jesus, help me to remember what You said when things feel hard. When I’m tempted to quit or hide, remind me that You warned me, and that You’re with me. Give me the courage to keep following You. Amen.

“Misunderstood but Not Alone”

📖 “They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.”
—John 16:2 (NKJV)

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Jesus didn’t sugarcoat what it means to follow Him.

He told His disciples straight up:
You’ll be pushed out.
Misjudged.
Hated.
Even attacked by people who think they’re doing the right thing.

That’s heavy—but it’s real.

And maybe you’ve already seen it:
The eye-roll when you mention church.
The isolation when you choose truth over popularity.
The awkward silence when you won’t laugh at something dirty.

But hear this: you are not alone.

Jesus was rejected too—and He gets it.

So when you feel the sting of being misunderstood, don’t retreat.
Stand firm.
Shine brighter.

Because the same Spirit who gave the disciples boldness lives in you.

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Challenge Questions:

• What’s one way you’ve felt misunderstood for following Jesus?
  
• How can you stay faithful without becoming bitter?
  

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Prayer:
Jesus, You never promised an easy road, but You promised to walk it with me. Help me stay strong when I’m misunderstood. Let my life reflect You even when it costs something. Amen.

“Real Ones Speak Up”

📖 “And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.”
—John 15:27 (NKJV)

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If you’ve truly walked with Jesus—if you’ve seen what He’s done in your life—then you’ve got something to say.

You’re a witness.

That doesn’t mean you have to be loud, preachy, or perfect.
But it does mean that staying silent isn’t an option forever.

Jesus said His disciples would bear witness because they’d been with Him.
And if you’re His, you’ve been with Him too.

You’ve seen His mercy when you’ve messed up.
His strength when you’ve been weak.
His truth in a world full of lies.

So yeah—you’ve got a story. And someone out there needs to hear it.

Don’t hide what He’s done for you.
Be real. Be bold. Be faithful.

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Challenge Questions:

• If someone asked why you follow Jesus, what would you say?
  
• What’s stopping you from speaking up about Him?
  

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Prayer:
Jesus, I don’t want to keep quiet about You. You’ve done too much for me. Give me courage to bear witness—to speak up and live like You’re real. Because You are. Amen.

“Testify Boldly”

📖 “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth… He will testify of Me.”
—John 15:26 (NKJV)

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Let’s be real: sharing your faith can feel awkward.
You might worry about sounding weird… losing friends… or getting labeled.

But here’s the truth—you’re not alone.

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit for a reason.

He’s not just a quiet voice inside you.
He’s the Spirit of truth.
And He testifies of Jesus—through you.

That means when you share your story, stand for what’s right, or even just choose kindness in a cruel world, the Holy Spirit is bearing witness.

You’re not just repping Jesus—you’re empowered by Him.

You’re not performing—you’re testifying.

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Challenge:

• What holds you back from speaking up about your faith?
  
• How can you rely more on the Holy Spirit this week?
  

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Prayer:
Holy Spirit, help me be bold and unashamed of Jesus. Speak through me. Remind me of the truth. Teach me how to share Him in a way that’s real and full of love. Amen.