As texting has become increasingly popular these days, youth pastors are trying to utilize this new communication tool in their student ministries. One example of a way to use this tool is to text brief devotions daily to students. The Department of Christian Formation is partnering with North Park University to pilot a daily devotion texting service. This company writes brief 1-2 sentence devotions for you to text your students each day. Below are 31 daily devotions based on the theme of "risk" for you to text to your students. 

We would love to hear your feedback about this resource if you choose to use it. Did you find it helpful? Would you like to use something like this in the future? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment on this blog post.  

Josh. 1:1-9    
God sometimes asks us to do seemingly impossible and scary things. What keeps you from being faithful? Where does your courage come from?

Matt. 14:28-33
Peter risked walking on water—but sank when he focused on his “stormy” circumstances. Where is your focus: Jesus or circumstances?

Rom. 12:2
What are the risks of no longer conforming to the world? What area do you personally struggle with? How do you renew your mind?

1 Sam. 17:32-37
David’s defeat of Goliath was not motivated by public recognition. Why did he risk his life?  Check your motives for doing God work.

Mark 5:25-34     
The woman reached out for Jesus’ healing—no one else offered hope.  Her courage came through suffering. What’s the risk in turning to Jesus?

Luke 14:33
Is God really asking you to give up your possessions to follow God’s will? What do you fear that you will lose?

Jud. 7:2-8
Would you have been one of the 300 who did not flee but was used by God to do great things? What makes the remaining 300 remarkable?

Mark 2:1-5
Who was taking a greater risk—the friends or the paralytic man? What risks did they face? What extreme measures would you take to help a friend?

Rom. 8:35-39
How do we know God has not abandoned us when trouble hits? Is it risky for you to believe in a God who allows hardship but still loves? Why?

Dan. 3:16-17     
The men don’t crumble in fear. Were they confident God would save them? Is there risk in doing God’s will? Will you always be protected? How?

Matt 16:25
What does it mean to you to “lose your life”?  What are your feelings when you think about “losing your life”? What do you think you’ll find?

Acts 4:13
People recognized that Peter and John’s courage came from being with Jesus. How can you gain courage to share your faith through being with Jesus?

Dan. 6:10-23
Praying was risky for Daniel. What would have happened if he took the comfortable route and followed the king’s edict? How would you have responded?

Acts 20:22-24
What keeps Paul going, despite foretold hardship? How risky is it to “consider [your] life worth nothing, if only [you] may finish the race”?

Gen. 12:1-9
Abraham was yanked out of his comfort zone—dumped in a new land. What is your comfort zone? Is God asking you to leave it for something better?

2 Cor. 12:9-10
Why is weakness not valued in our culture? What happens when we can boast about our weakness? What weakness needs God’s strength?

Ruth 1:16-19
Is being a companion like Ruth easy? Has a friend travelled down a difficult path with you? Is God calling you to stand by a friend who’s hurting?

Matt. 19:21-26
It’s scary and difficult to give up things that bring us earthly satisfaction. What can’t you imagine giving up? Can you do it on your own?

Gen. 22:1-14
How far are you willing to go in your faith? What is the most difficult thing for you to risk giving up to God? Why trust God?

John 15:13
Being a friend often demands sacrifice. What ways have you sacrificed your life for a friend? How has your faith grown through this experience?

Acts 23:11
Is there a difficult situation for which you need courage? How did you hear God’s voice? Is it easier to face hardship knowing God has ordained it?

Esther 4:12-16
Consider your gifts and experiences. Pray for God to uniquely use you, like Esther, in difficult situations and for courage to persevere.

Luke 21:14
What do you think prompted the widow to give all she had to live on? What does it mean for you to give out of poverty?

Heb. 11:1-39
What person of faith in this passage do you identify with or most admire? Why? What are you not able to see right now for which you need faith?

Exodus 3:10-15
Like Moses, we make excuses for why we can’t do difficult things. What situation are you making excuses for? What are you missing out on?

2 Tim. 1:7
How does a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline combat fear?  When we are fearful are we being faithful?
Matt. 26:6-13
Why do these people scoff at this woman’s extravagant gift? Do you have a laughable idea of something you could do to honor God?

Eph. 6:12-18    
When our faith is challenged, how do we stand firm? What part of the armor do you most rely on? What does it mean to be protected?

Exodus 14:13-15
When you’re fearful, how difficult is to be still? Why? How does God fight our battles? When are you prone to intervene and do things your way?

Matt. 25:14-30
What talents has God entrusted to you? Why does it feel risky to invest your talents? What would happen if you didn’t hold back?

Luke 21:12-19
Have you been hated because of your faith? What kept you standing firm? How does God provide when our faith is challenged?