Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me

Take Up Your Cross

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Mark 10:21-22

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.

Mark 8:34-35

Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

Matthew 10:38

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?

Luke 9:23-25

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him.

Luke 22:42-43

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Galatians 5:24

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Matthew 16:24-27

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Romans 8:18

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

James 1:12

What happens when you connect with God through His Word?

Bible for Everyone

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…

ROMANS 12:2

Think about a time when you’ve felt your mind being renewed, seen some area of your life transformed. If you regularly allow Scripture to wash over you, reading or listening to it, no doubt you’ve experienced its power to inspire, encourage, and even convict you.

Now, more people than ever can enjoy that experience.

Thanks to the generosity of our Bible publishing and Bible society partners, the YouVersion app now offers nearly 2,500 Bible texts and 1,000 audio Bibles!

But, how different would our lives look if all the Bible versions that bring God’s Word to life for us … simply stopped existing? Almost a billion people still don’t have even one complete Bible version in their language.

And you can help.

Those same Bible partners are also working to empower people all over the world to translate Scripture into their own languages. And almost as soon as a new version is completed, it’s uploaded to a digital library, allowing us to share it with the entire YouVersion Community.

Imagine what’s possible.

With just a smartphone and a wireless signal, people who never had the Bible in their language before could access it instantly, from anywhere on earth. When you give to Bible for Everyone, you’re helping make this a reality.

Our Vision for 2033

95% of the global population
will have access to a full Bible

99.96% of the global population
will have access to a New Testament

100% of the global population will have
access to at least some portion of Scripture

We won’t stop until this work is finished.

God gave us His Son, and His Word. When we follow His example of giving generously, we draw closer to Him. And when more of us take part in this vision, the sooner we can get God’s Word to everyone.

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I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb… And they were shouting with a great roar, “Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”

REVELATION 7:9-10

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All contributions received through the Bible for Everyone campaign will be used exclusively for the purpose of Bible translation, and spread across different, high-impact translation projects. As each project is completed, any remaining funds are then applied toward the next translation project, as selected by YouVersion and its partners.

Start the Mid-Year Challenge!

Mid-Year Challenge

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

ISAIAH 40:31

Take a moment to reflect on the past few months. What have you learned? What have you overcome? How have you grown closer to Christ?

Right now, no matter what these past few months have looked like, we have an opportunity to allow God to renew our minds and souls.

And one of the best ways to partner with God as He moves in our lives is to take on new challenges. So this month, let’s intentionally pursue Christ together by taking part in the Mid-Year Challenge.

How to start the Mid-Year Challenge:

Get the 2021 Mid-Year Challenge Badge by completing at least one Plan day for 7 days in a row during the month of July.

Mid-Year Challenge Badge

To get the most out of your Challenge, invite a few trusted friends to join you. And, make sure you don’t miss any days by setting up daily reminders in your Plan settings.

Ready to get started? Pick your Plan now:

View More Plans

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Resources for Your Older Kids

Mother and daughter

Think of the older kids in your life. They’ve been using Bible App for Kids, but you may be noticing that they’re ready for more mature Bible-based tools. This puts them—and you—in a unique transition period. As they start to ask harder questions and figure out how to seek God in a way that’s uniquely their own, here are 3 ways you can come alongside them and continue to help them grow spiritually:

  1. Read Bible App for Kids Plans together

  2. Help your kids transition to engaging with Scripture in the Bible App by reading Bible App for Kids Plans together. Each Plan teaches life lessons based on a Bible App for Kids story, and they’re a great way to help older kids explore the YouVersion Bible App.

    Simply open your YouVersion App and search for Bible App for Kids Plans.

    Discover Plans

  3. Watch Kids Bible Experience

  4. Much like Verse of the Day Stories, Kids Bible Experience offers a daily video teaching and reflection questions that help preteens connect with God in a way that’s uniquely theirs.

    Consider going through the experience with your kids and use the reflection questions as a launching point for deeper discussions.

    Watch Now

  5. Complete Plans as a family

  6. If your kids are starting to age out of Bible App for Kids, there is plenty of other content within YouVersion made with them in mind. Here are some of them:

At your next family time, consider going through one of these steps together, and talk about the biblical themes that stand out to you.

And no matter what next steps you take, we’re here to partner with you. You play an important role in how your children seek God and respond to Scripture, and we’re grateful that you choose to intentionally lead your children spiritually.

Where are your thoughts taking you?

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

ROMANS 12:2

A Prayer to Renew Your Mind

God, sometimes when I look at the world around me, I feel overwhelmed by anxiety, and my thoughts start to spiral. Oh God, please help me. I need You to change the way I think.

Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts, and Your ways are better than mine. You give hope to the hopeless, and strength to the weak. You alone can renew my mind and remind me of my purpose.

So today, help me to take every thought captive as I give You my concerns. Remind me that You are with me, and that You will continue to instruct and guide me.

Counsel me as I reflect on Your Word, and help me to apply Your truths to my life. Give me the strength I need to do what is right, and help me to pursue You above all else—always.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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