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Daily Devotionals
Week of August 24th 2025
Sunday Devotional
Discussion Guide
Small Group Guide: It's Just A Phase: Students
Opening Question: Who was a coach, teacher, or other influential adult from your childhood?
Key Takeaways:
1. We all need two types of interactions: "I See You" (ICU) and "I See In You" (ICNU)
2. ICU moments acknowledge our present efforts and make us feel seen, known, and loved
3. ICNU conversations highlight our potential but can sometimes feel heavy or pressuring
4. Jesus consistently provided Peter with ICU moments, even in his failures
5. A healthy ratio of ICU to ICNU moments (suggested 100:1) helps build confidence and self-worth
Discussion Questions:
1. What's the difference between an ICU moment and an ICNU conversation? Why are both important?
2. Reflect on the examples of Jesus' interactions with Peter. Which one resonates with you the most and why?
3. How might excessive ICNU conversations without enough ICU moments affect someone's self-perception or mental health?
4. In what areas of your life do you feel you receive more ICNU than ICU? How does this impact you?
5. Think about the young people in your life. How can you provide more ICU moments for them?
6. How do you think regular ICU acknowledgments might change the dynamics in your family, workplace, or church community?
7. What holds us back from giving ICU moments to others? How can we overcome these barriers?
Practical Applications:
1. ICU Challenge: This week, aim to provide at least one ICU moment each day to someone in your life. Keep a journal of these interactions and how they were received.
2. Self-reflection: Identify areas in your life where you need more acknowledgment. How can you communicate this need to others?
3. Youth Focus: If you interact with young people, consciously increase your ICU to ICNU ratio. Notice and verbalize the small efforts they make.
4. Gratitude Practice: Each day, acknowledge someone's effort or presence that often goes unnoticed (e.g., custodial staff, cashiers, quiet coworkers).
5. Group Activity: Create an "I See You" wall or board in your church or community space where people can leave encouraging notes acknowledging others' efforts.
Opening Question: Who was a coach, teacher, or other influential adult from your childhood?
Key Takeaways:
1. We all need two types of interactions: "I See You" (ICU) and "I See In You" (ICNU)
2. ICU moments acknowledge our present efforts and make us feel seen, known, and loved
3. ICNU conversations highlight our potential but can sometimes feel heavy or pressuring
4. Jesus consistently provided Peter with ICU moments, even in his failures
5. A healthy ratio of ICU to ICNU moments (suggested 100:1) helps build confidence and self-worth
Discussion Questions:
1. What's the difference between an ICU moment and an ICNU conversation? Why are both important?
2. Reflect on the examples of Jesus' interactions with Peter. Which one resonates with you the most and why?
3. How might excessive ICNU conversations without enough ICU moments affect someone's self-perception or mental health?
4. In what areas of your life do you feel you receive more ICNU than ICU? How does this impact you?
5. Think about the young people in your life. How can you provide more ICU moments for them?
6. How do you think regular ICU acknowledgments might change the dynamics in your family, workplace, or church community?
7. What holds us back from giving ICU moments to others? How can we overcome these barriers?
Practical Applications:
1. ICU Challenge: This week, aim to provide at least one ICU moment each day to someone in your life. Keep a journal of these interactions and how they were received.
2. Self-reflection: Identify areas in your life where you need more acknowledgment. How can you communicate this need to others?
3. Youth Focus: If you interact with young people, consciously increase your ICU to ICNU ratio. Notice and verbalize the small efforts they make.
4. Gratitude Practice: Each day, acknowledge someone's effort or presence that often goes unnoticed (e.g., custodial staff, cashiers, quiet coworkers).
5. Group Activity: Create an "I See You" wall or board in your church or community space where people can leave encouraging notes acknowledging others' efforts.
Weekday Devotional
Daily Prayer: God thank you for the gifts you give me; not just for potential someday but for use now. Help me to perceive the ways I can affirm the good things in others today. Amen.
Day 1: Seen and Acknowledged
Reading: Matthew 14:22-33
Devotional: Just as Jesus saw Peter's bold step of faith when he walked on water, God sees our every effort to trust Him. Today, reflect on times when you've stepped out in faith, even if you faltered. Remember, Jesus doesn't focus on our failures but acknowledges our attempts to follow Him. How can you step out in faith today, knowing that God sees and values your efforts?
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Day 2: Declaring Truth
Reading: Matthew 16:13-20
Devotional: Peter's declaration of Jesus as the Messiah was a pivotal moment. Sometimes, speaking truth requires courage. Consider the truths about God that you know in your heart. How can you boldly declare these truths in your life today? Remember, just as Jesus blessed Peter for his declaration, our faith pleases God.
Day 2: Declaring Truth
Reading: Matthew 16:13-20
Devotional: Peter's declaration of Jesus as the Messiah was a pivotal moment. Sometimes, speaking truth requires courage. Consider the truths about God that you know in your heart. How can you boldly declare these truths in your life today? Remember, just as Jesus blessed Peter for his declaration, our faith pleases God.
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Day 3: Redirected Zeal
Reading: John 18:1-11
Devotional: Peter's misguided attempt to protect Jesus with violence shows that even our well-intentioned actions can be off-course. Jesus gently redirected Peter's zeal. Reflect on areas in your life where your passion might need divine redirection. How can you align your actions more closely with God's will and methods?
Day 3: Redirected Zeal
Reading: John 18:1-11
Devotional: Peter's misguided attempt to protect Jesus with violence shows that even our well-intentioned actions can be off-course. Jesus gently redirected Peter's zeal. Reflect on areas in your life where your passion might need divine redirection. How can you align your actions more closely with God's will and methods?
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Day 4: Failure and Forgiveness
Reading: Luke 22:54-62
Devotional: Peter's denial of Jesus is a poignant reminder of our human frailty. Yet, Jesus' look wasn't one of condemnation but of love and forgiveness. Have you experienced failure in your faith journey? Remember, God's gaze upon you is one of love, even in your lowest moments. How can you embrace God's forgiveness and move forward today?
Day 4: Failure and Forgiveness
Reading: Luke 22:54-62
Devotional: Peter's denial of Jesus is a poignant reminder of our human frailty. Yet, Jesus' look wasn't one of condemnation but of love and forgiveness. Have you experienced failure in your faith journey? Remember, God's gaze upon you is one of love, even in your lowest moments. How can you embrace God's forgiveness and move forward today?
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Day 5: Restoration and Purpose
Reading: John 21:15-19
Devotional: Jesus' restoration of Peter demonstrates God's unwavering love and His ability to use us despite our past failures. Reflect on how God has restored you or given you purpose. How can you "feed His sheep" in your sphere of influence? Remember, God sees potential in you that you might not see in yourself.
Day 5: Restoration and Purpose
Reading: John 21:15-19
Devotional: Jesus' restoration of Peter demonstrates God's unwavering love and His ability to use us despite our past failures. Reflect on how God has restored you or given you purpose. How can you "feed His sheep" in your sphere of influence? Remember, God sees potential in you that you might not see in yourself.