Read - John 3:11, Isaiah 43:10

Examine - Have you ever watched a show or a movie where a crime is under investigation? The detectives don’t base evidence on hearsay or speculation, but instead they seek to find eyewitnesses who were there to see and experience what happened. Those witnesses bring validity and substance to the case. When it comes to our personal walk with the Lord, it is in those moments where we see and experience firsthand His love, kindness and mercy that often strengthens our trust in Him. We can hear of His goodness from others, but there is something so much deeper that happens when we experience it for ourselves. Those moments serve as a remembrance for us when we inevitably experience more trials in our lives. We can look back and see how the Lord was faithful in those tough moments and have confidence knowing what He has done, He will do again. These experiences also serve as a tool to help draw others closer to the Lord. We can boldly share and celebrate the ways the Lord has been faithful in our stories in the hope of inspiring faith in others. "I’ve Witnessed It" is a powerful song about seeing God at work, telling the story of how He’s shown up for us, and declaring our trust and faith in His unchanging love, mercy and presence.

Apply - Share with your student about the times where you’ve seen God show up in your personal life and then ask them to share their experience too. Write down a list of the ways the Lord has provided or been faithful and put it in a place where you can look at often and be reminded of His goodness.

Pray - Ask God to show you and your student people in your life who could be encouraged by hearing your witness about His faithfulness and kindness in your life.

Read - Genesis 22:14; Matthew 6:25-34

Examine - Ever feel like you don’t have what you need? Maybe you’ve wanted to buy something, but your finances just don’t line up to get it. Or maybe you’ve had to make a big decision, but you don’t have the right information to make it. Or maybe you’ve had the dream where you’re on stage, but don’t know any of your lines. We can often feel like we don’t have the right things or enough of the right things. Feeling like we don’t have enough can be debilitating, causing us to worry every day. Jehovah Jireh means “The Lord Will Provide” and shows a key characteristic of God. This song encourages us to trust that God will provide where we feel powerless.

Apply - Ask your student about moments where they feel powerless. How do they think God provides for them in those moments?

Pray - Based on their answer to the previous question, pray that God will give your student what they need for the specific times when they feel powerless.

Read - Numbers 6:22-27; Deuteronomy 28:6; Exodus 33:14

Examine - In football, one of the most important positions is the center. Not only does the center touch the football every possession and is responsible for getting it to the QB cleanly, he also sets the protection on the offensive line to keep the QB safe. If the center doesn’t do his job, the QB will often end up either sacked or hit hard. One of the many ways God operates is as our center. He gives us what is most important and then guards us from whatever wants to harm us. The song “The Blessing” is a great reminder that the blessing of God is that He gives to and guards us in the greatest way. His blessing is truly better than anything else we can receive.

Apply - How has God been the Center in your life, has He blessed you with gifts, or guarded and protected you in times of need?

Pray - Pray that God continues to guard and protect you and your student throughout times of struggle and need, and thank Him for the blessings in your life.

Read - 1 Chronicles 17; Ephesians 2:8-9

Examine - In his early life, John Newton was heavily involved in the slave trade. Eventually, Newton would have an encounter with God and trust in Jesus as his Savior. This radical change would cause him to stop his involvement in the slave trade and work to put an end to it. In 1772, Newton wrote the song “Amazing Grace” about how great God’s grace was for a wretch like him. One of the most difficult things for some people to accept is that their sin, however great, can be forgiven. The enemy is good at making it seem like God cannot love us that much. But God’s amazing grace shows that there is no amount of sin that God’s grace cannot cover.

Apply - Just like John Newton received grace we too are covered by the grace of God, so next time someone upsets you, think of God’s grace and understand you can show it too.

Pray - Ask God for new grace each and every day and pray that He would give your student the strength to give God-like grace to others when they upset or annoy them.

Read - Daniel 3; Exodus 14:21-22

Examine - When you taste or smell something awful, there is a tendency to invite others to experience it too. Not because you wish pain upon that person, but because you want someone to understand your pain. The desire to have someone understand what we are going through is a natural feeling. So often we can feel isolated, as if we are walking through difficulties alone. The song “Another In the Fire” is a reminder that God does not ever abandon His children. When we are experiencing pain, we can know we have a faithful friend in the fire.

Apply - Think of a rough time in your life that you tried to stick it out by yourself. Now think about what that experience would have been like had you known God was right there beside you.

Pray - Pray that the next time your student goes through a trial or hard time that they would know God is right there with them.

Read - Psalm 125:2; Proverbs 3:5-6

Examine - Trust is not just given, it is earned. This statement is true for any relationship. In order to truly trust someone, they have to have first proven themselves as trustworthy. In fact, it can be dangerous to trust someone who hasn’t proven that. For example, you wouldn’t trust a pilot who has multiple crash landings to fly you safely somewhere. We want pilots who have a history of safety and skill in flying. Past actions matter to determine future trust. God has given us plenty of assurance throughout Scripture of His trustworthiness. Therefore, what God has done allows us to trust what God will do.

Apply - Think of people in your life whom you trust and why you trust them. Now using those reasons compared to things that God has done. See how you can trust Him more than anyone else.

Pray - Ask that God would help your student to trust in Him more, and continue to give reasons in your life as to why they should trust in Him.