"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil."
Ephesians 5:14-15
We're looking at 70 days of winter break this year, counting online classes at the end of the semester. This is either an unprecedented opportunity to grow spiritually, or an opportunity for the devil to gain a foothold in your life. How will you spend your time: will you walk in wisdom and grow, or walk in folly and wither? We believe the keys to growth are to plan to know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same in community with others. Here are our challenges to you during this winter and resources to help you.
Know Christ
Read the Bible every day over break
Nothing will help you grow more over break than spending time each day with God, hearing from Him in His Word and responding to Him in prayer. Here are some recommended reading plans for you:
Nothing will help you grow more over break than spending time each day with God, hearing from Him in His Word and responding to Him in prayer. Here are some recommended reading plans for you:
- Use this chart to keep track of your Bible reading: Bible Reading Chart
- Read Luke, Acts, 2 Corinthians, and 1 Thessalonians, reading a chapter a day
- Read the Psalms, reading 2 or 3 Psalms a day (there are 150 in total)
- Start a year-long Bible reading plan
Make Christ Known
Read the Bible with a friend or family member who doesn't believe it
You're not just going home over break: you're being sent by Jesus on mission for Him (John 20:21)! Don't waste this tremendous opportunity to share the hope you have with your friends and family members in need of the life, joy, and peace that can only be found in Jesus (Acts 4:12, John 14:6)! Here are some recommended plans for you:
You're not just going home over break: you're being sent by Jesus on mission for Him (John 20:21)! Don't waste this tremendous opportunity to share the hope you have with your friends and family members in need of the life, joy, and peace that can only be found in Jesus (Acts 4:12, John 14:6)! Here are some recommended plans for you:
- Read a Gospel with them (we recommend Mark or John), using the Discovery Bible Method.
- Invite them to do the 21 Day Challenge. Each day, you each read a chapter of the Gospel of John and discuss in person or over text your thoughts on these questions:
- What is something interesting Jesus did?
- What is something interesting Jesus said?
- How did others respond? How do you respond?
- Use one of these Investigative Bible Discussion plans.
Help Others Do the Same
Help someone else read the Bible every day and read the Bible with a nonbelieving friend or family member.
2 Timothy 2:2 says, "And the things you've heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." Help someone else do what you're doing, just like Paul commanded Timothy to do! Here are some ideas for how to do that:
2 Timothy 2:2 says, "And the things you've heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." Help someone else do what you're doing, just like Paul commanded Timothy to do! Here are some ideas for how to do that:
- Get together regularly to read the Bible together. Give them a plan to get started, and consider doing the same plan together.
- Equip them with the Making Christ Known resources on this page! Bring them with you while you read the Bible with a nonbelieving friend or family member, and then challenge them to do the same. Or get your friends together to read the Bible together.
- Help them get established in their faith using these discipleship resources.
With Others
Connect with others for encouragement and accountability to know Christ, make Him known, and help others do the same over break.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" We weren't made to live the Christian life alone, and just as a hot coal taken from a roaring fire will quickly grow cold, passionate Christians without fellowship quickly grow cold too. Here are some ideas for how to connect with others over break:
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" We weren't made to live the Christian life alone, and just as a hot coal taken from a roaring fire will quickly grow cold, passionate Christians without fellowship quickly grow cold too. Here are some ideas for how to connect with others over break:
- Connect with your Bible study at least once a month to provide encouragement and accountability in knowing Christ, making Him known, and helping others do the same.
- Ask someone to be your "wingman" or "wingwoman" over break, and connect once a week or even once a day to encourage and challenge one another.
- Get really involved with a good local church over break, especially if there are groups, people, or opportunities in your church to be spurred on in fulfilling the Great Commission right where you're at.
