We’ve all seen it—someone walking while glued to their phone, totally unaware of their surroundings… until bam! they walk into a pole. Maybe it’s even happened to you (no judgment).

The truth is, focus matters. If you’re walking, your focus should be on where you’re going—not your Ticktock feed. And if you’re following Jesus, your focus should be on Him, not on everything else fighting for your attention.

Hebrews 12:2 tells us to “fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” That means making a choice to tune out the noise, stop staring at the storm, and lock eyes with Jesus.

Peter Walks on Water (and Then… Doesn’t)

After Jesus fed over 5,000 people, He sent His disciples ahead on a boat. Later, during a crazy storm, they saw Him walking on the water. Peter, being Peter, says, “If it’s you, tell me to come!” Jesus says, “Come.”

So Peter steps out of the boat… and he’s actually walking on water! But then—he notices the wind, sees the waves, gets scared, and starts to sink.

When his focus was on Jesus, Peter did the impossible. When his focus shifted to the storm, he sank like a rock.

Good Things Can Still Distract You

Martha in Luke 10 was doing something good—making food for Jesus. But Mary chose to sit at His feet and listen. Jesus told Martha that Mary had “chosen what is better.”

Sometimes our “storm” isn’t something bad—it’s busyness. Even good things (sports, school, serving at church, hobbies) can pull our attention away from just being with Jesus.

Serving God is awesome, but sitting with God is better.

Misplaced Focus

The Pharisees in Matthew 23 had serious focus issues. They were religious leaders, but they obsessed over tiny rules while ignoring “justice, mercy, and faithfulness.” They cared more about looking holy than actually knowing God.

It’s a reminder: You can be busy for God and still miss God entirely.

How to Keep Your Focus on Jesus

• Start your day with Him – Even 5 minutes of prayer or reading can set your mindset.
• Limit distractions – Turn off unnecessary notifications.
• Hang with the right people – Friends who encourage your faith make it easier to stay focused.
• Practice being still – Just sit quietly with God. (Yes, no phone. You’ll survive.)

The Challenge

For the next week, take 10 minutes a day to “sit at Jesus’ feet.” No phone, no music, no distractions—just read, pray, or be still.

Five minutes in the morning and five at night. That’s it. You’ll be surprised how much your focus shifts when you give Him your attention.

When you keep your eyes on Jesus, the storms won’t stop—but you’ll start walking right over them.

🎭 Why Do We Wear Masks?

On Halloween, masks are fun. They let us become someone or something else for a night. But in real life, masks can be more complicated. Many of us wear invisible ones daily—to fit in, to be accepted, or to meet the expectations of others.

Sometimes, we hide our true selves because we’re afraid we won’t measure up. At other times, we may even start believing the false identity we’re projecting. Over time, this disconnect can lead to confusion, low self-worth, and even despair.

😞 What’s Behind the Mask?

For some teens, those masks hide real pain—feelings of hopelessness, depression, or thoughts of suicide. In fact, suicide is the third leading cause of death among teenagers in the U.S., with more than two dozen teen suicides reported in just one local area in 15 months.

Often, these young people feel unseen and unloved. But the truth is—they are not alone.

💡 Who You Really Are

God’s Word reminds us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Each one of us is a masterpiece, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27-28), filled with His Spirit and His purpose. When we base our identity on Him—not on the false fronts we sometimes show the world—we discover a strength and joy that no mask can match.

As believers, we are called to live out our faith boldly and authentically. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14). If we hide behind a mask, we also hide the light of Christ within us—the light that can help others out of darkness.

❤️ A Call to Action

If you see someone who might be struggling behind a smile or hiding sadness behind humor, take a moment to reach out. Let your light shine by showing them the love of Christ. A kind word, a listening ear, or a simple prayer can make a life-changing difference.

And if you’re the one wearing a mask today, hear this:

👉 You are loved. You are seen. You have a purpose.

God’s promises are always yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20), and He never fails. Whatever you’re facing, you don’t have to face it alone.

🌟 Take Off the Mask

So this week, challenge yourself to live mask-free. Be who God created you to be. Step into your identity as a Child of God—with power, purpose, and love. Let the world see the real you, and let your light shine brightly for all to see.

For many teens growing up in a Christian household, being a “Christian” can feel like more of an inherited identity than a personal decision. Maybe your parents take you to church, your friends believe in God, and you’ve always kind of assumed you’re Christian too. But at some point, we all face a turning point where belief must become personal. So… why choose to be a Christian?

The Big Question

At 1 Youth Ministry, we’ve been exploring this question over the past few weeks. The lessons took a deep dive into what being a Christian actually means—and why it’s more than just attending church or saying a prayer.

We started by asking, “What is a Christian?” While the term appears only three times in the Bible (Acts 11:26, Acts 26:28, and 1 Peter 4:16), what it really reflects is someone who chooses to follow Jesus, believes in His death and resurrection, and accepts Him as their Lord and Savior.

Eternal Salvation: The First Big Reason

The first core reason to be a Christian is eternal salvation. Christians believe that through Jesus, we are saved from eternal separation from God. It’s not about being “good enough”—because honestly, we can’t be. Even though God gave laws to live by, they mainly proved how impossible it is to earn salvation on our own.

But here’s the amazing part: God’s plan doesn’t depend on our perfection. Through Jesus, we are offered forgiveness, grace, and a way back into relationship with God—forever. As John 3:16 says:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Eternal life isn’t just some far-off concept for when we die—it begins the moment we believe. It’s a quality of life that brings hope, purpose, and peace even here and now.

A New Way of Living: The Second Big Reason

So if heaven is the goal, what about today? That’s where Part 2 comes in.

Choosing to follow Christ changes everything—not just our destination, but our direction. Being a Christian means living with the Holy Spirit guiding us, giving us strength, and helping us make wise decisions.

Even in a broken world, we don’t have to walk alone. We don’t have to live in fear, stress, or guilt. Instead, we live in God’s grace, and we can walk through life with His peace, strength, and favor.

Galatians 5:22-23 outlines what this transformed life looks like through the “Fruit of the Spirit”: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

In other words, once we become Christians, we’re called to live like it. Like someone who just won the lottery wouldn’t keep living like they’re broke, a Christian who understands the value of salvation shouldn’t want to go back to their old life.

Why It Matters

When we start living differently—when people see peace in us during chaos, or joy in us during hardship—it makes them wonder why. That opens the door to share our faith.

1 Peter 3:15 says:

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

When you truly understand why you choose to follow Jesus, it changes how you live—and that can impact the lives of those around you.

Your Turn

If you’re still figuring this out, that’s okay. Ask questions. Get curious. Explore the differences between Christianity and other belief systems. Most importantly, don’t just go through the motions—make faith your own.

And remember: you’re not alone on the journey. Whether you’re wrestling with doubt or ready to dive in, God is ready to meet you right where you are—with grace, truth, and a plan full of hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11).

Want to keep the conversation going? Join us Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the Youth Room for our Coffee Q&A—an open, judgment-free space to ask questions about God, life, and everything in between.

Visit 1youthministry.org or text “I need prayer” to 844-533-3553 anytime. We’re here for you.

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