Inspirational Devotions with

Free Printable Bible Study Lessons

Do you remember any inspirational devotions you recently heard or read? What made them memorable? If you are like me, you recall a powerful illustration or true life story.

Jesus used stories to illustrate his teachings. As He taught God's truths He talked about farming, politics, religion and families. Likewise, the apostle Paul used examples from athletics and nature. Not much has changed. Today we still like to talk about our jobs, family, and politics! Inspirational devotions with real life stories and powerful application motivate people to Christ-likeness.

Great Bible Study Lesson Plans

relate a felt need; identify what's at stake

accurately explain the Bible passage

tell engaging real life stories

call to action; present clear "next steps"

Regardless of the type of devotion, lesson, or sermon I'm preparing, it takes hours to develop these four elements. These inspirational devotions will save you time. For a small group or Sunday School lesson, I've included discussion questions. You can add more illustrations from your own life. Remember the goal: To be like Jesus and help others do the same.

Here is a list of our inspirational devotions. (If you don't find what you need, check out our site map. It gives a complete list of all our Bible study lesson plans.) Following the title I've listed the Scripture passage and topic. A preview of the real life story follows.

The Gospel News - Various scriptures - Grace

Popular author Malcolm Gladwell says that it takes roughly 10,000 hours of practice to achieve mastery in a field.

What is the Holy Spirit - Various scriptures - What is the Holy Spirit?

Dwight L. Moody once said, "True, we have heard of the Holy Spirit, and we have read of Him, but we have little personal knowledge. . ."

Encouraging Bible Verses - Various scriptures - Jesus eats breakfast with His apostles

I shared an office with an individual who habitually greeted me with, "Paul, I don't know what's wrong, but I'm in a really bad mood today."

How Great is Our God- Various scriptures - Accept the Love of God

Peter Scazzero makes the observation that people are like icebergs. . .

Your Christian Identity- Various scriptures - Your Identity as a Disciple, Family Member, and Representative

I heard a true story about a college football coach whose starting quarterback happened to be his own son...

Easter Facts- Various scriptures

Are there credible Easter facts or is this annual spring holiday a conspiracy theory?

Thanksgiving Verses- Various scriptures - My Favorite Thanksgiving Verses

You can personalize thanksgiving verses.

Christmas Verses- Various scriptures - Some of My Favorite Christmas Verses

Most of us feel more loved...

Inspirational Devotions from the Old Testament

Christian Forgiveness - Genesis 37-50 - Joseph forgives his brothers

You never know how forgiving a person you really are until someone wrongs you. Can you relate?

Becoming Emotionally Mature - Genesis 45 - Joseph and His Brothers

In his classic book Dare to Discipline, Dr. James Dobson tells the story of a 13th century experiment that involved fifty infants. . .

Are You Devoted to Following God? - Numbers 13-14 - Twelve spies

I heard a business consultant tell about the training he was doing for a company’s employees. . .

Achieving the Impossible - Numbers 13-14 - Twelve Spies

I once read an article entitled, “The 41 Worst Predictions of all Time”

Bible Promises - Deuteronomy 31:8 - God goes before Joshua

A few years ago Peggy and I made our first trip to China. . .

Facing the Impossible with God's Power - Joshua 5-6 - Battle of Jericho

Every few years a motivational seminar comes to Omaha. . .

My Brother's Keeper - Joshua 6 - Achan's sin

In sports, the infraction of one player penalizes the entire team. . .

Bible Study - Make Time for It - Psalms - David and God's Word

Gordon MacDonald tells a story from African colonial history. . .

Guard Your Heart - Proverbs - Watch your mouth, eyes, and feet

The mouth is to the heart what a printer is to a computer. . .

Quotes about Friendship - Proverbs - Characteristics of a Friend

On August 5, 1936, at the Berlin Olympic Stadium it was a little past nine in the evening. The pole vault event . . .

Christmas Themes - Isaiah 9:6 - Peace

I once knew a woman who had $50,000 of debt on her credit cards. . .

New Year Wishes - Isaiah 42:16 - Renewed Hope

A.W.Tozer said,"With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, and the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it...

Your Self Identity - Jeremiah 31:3 - You are God's Beloved

Brennan Manning tells about a young woman's personal breakthrough during a five-day retreat...

Inspirational Devotions from the New Testament

Eric Liddell - Matthew 6:4 - Loving Unnoticed

The movie Chariots of Fire depicts Eric Liddell winning the gold medal at the 1924 Olympics. However, in China he is most revered because he suffered . . .

Training for a Marathon and Christian Disciplines - Matthew 7:24 - Jesus and the Apostles

In 1981 Rosie Ruiz was the first woman to cross the finish line at the Boston Marathon. . .

Being Like Jesus is Enough - Matthew 10:24 - Jesus' Priority in Training

Do you need to be "gifted" in order to make a difference?

What Is Your Purpose as a Christ Follower?- Matthew 28:18-20

If someone asked us how we ended up living in our city...

Bible Curriculum Must be Accompanied by Relationships - Mark 3:13-14 - Jesus trains the 12

I stumbled onto a book entitled, Why Jesus Never Wrote a Book. . .

Passing On Bible Truth - Mark 4:1-20 - Parable of the Sower

Most men love to read the sports page but not the Bible. . .

How to Motivate Yourself - Mark 12:28-31 - How to Motivate Yourself

William Booth said, "The tendency of fire is to go out, so guard the fire on the altar of your heart."

Advent Reflections - Luke 1 - Birth of John the Baptist

Anything you are not praying about, you are doing on your own.

Christmas Characters - Luke 1-2 - Embracing the Unexpected

One morning I went to my office, turned on my computer, and stared at the black screen...

Jesus and His Father - Luke 2:49

Bob George tells the true story of a three-year-old boy who lived at the White House. . .

Peer to Peer Network Evangelism - Luke 5:27-29 - Call of Matthew

Veteran small group expert Neil Cole notes that the average person has fifteen hundred acquaintances in life.

The Inner Self - Luke 9:23-25 - Cost of Discipleship

Ron Bennett tells about his son who experienced brain damage at birth. . .

How to Pray to God - Luke 11:1-4 - The Model Prayer

"The disciples never asked Jesus to teach them how to preach, only how to pray." Andrew Murray

How to Change Your Life - Luke 14:26-27 - Cost of Discipleship

Start with your relationship with Jesus. When you picture this relationship, what image comes to mind?

Finishing the Race - Luke 14:28-32

In the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, a marathon runner from Tanzania entered the stadium more than one hour after the winner had crossed the finish line...

Do You Believe in Miracles? - Luke 19 - Zaccheus

David Platt tells the story of an old preaching professor who took his students to a cemetery every semester...

The Christmas Miracle - John 1:1 - The Incarnation

Jack Hayford tells the story about a serviceman named Adam who was deployed to Iraq...

How to Hear from God - Acts 17:11 - The Bereans

What if I purchased a gym membership and asked you to come and watch me work out?. . .

When God Made You - Acts 17:26 - When God Made You

The true story of Suen Douh Camp, Hong Kong.

Our Influence - Romans 12:1-2 - Life Transformation

A revival preacher from Oklahoma preached a famous sermon titled, "Something Worse than going to Hell"...

The Importance of Training - I Corinthians 9:24-25 - Moses and David

Charles Spurgeon once said, If I had twenty-five years left to live...

The Gospel Connection to Easter - I Corinthians 15:3-8

Ray Stedman told the story about a man who had been an alcoholic for many years before he became a follower of Jesus...

Christian Giving - II Corinthians 8-9 - Plan, Principle, and Purpose of Giving

The true story of Hetty Green. She died in 1916, the richest and most detested female in America. . .

Christian Priorities - Colossians 3:3 - Focusing on Things Above

The Parker Brothers trading game, Monopoly, was invented during the Great Depression in 1935. . .

Reflecting Christ's Likeness - Colossians 3:5-16 - Our Disposition

Hockey Death No Surprise to Sports Observers. . .

Your Vocation is Your Sacred Calling - Colossians 3:17 - Sacred Callings

When the insurance company I work with began in 1873, its original name was "the Widows and Orphans Friendly Society."...

Success Requires Succession - II Timothy 2:2 - Paul's Charge to Timothy

Would you rather have $100,000 today or one penny, doubled everyday for a month?...

God Is Great - Hebrews 13:8 - Enlarge your Vision of God

What comes to our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us. A.W. Tozer

Jesus, Lover of My Soul - I John 4:10 - Four aspects of Jesus' love

Whenever I think of Valentine's Day, the images of cards, flowers and dinner out all come to mind.

If you enjoy our inspirational devotions, you'll love

What's Missing Inside You?

This is one book you must have on your shelf for people who need grounding in basic Christian beliefs. Amazon reader

Look no further to penetrate hearts. Business Owner

Excellent book for those seeking answers to the most important questions in life:

Is there a God?
What does Jesus have to do with me?
Does God have a plan for my life?

Assumes no Bible knowledge

All Bible verses written out

Powerful real-life stories engage the heart

Challenging application personalizes the teaching

Easy to lead - discussion questions and leader's guide included

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Your need: Curriculum to introduce seekers to the basic beliefs of Christianity.

Our resource: Bible Basics

This is the first study I've seen that actually begins at the right place and doesn't overwhelm the seeker. Pastor

Introduces the basic truths of Christianity

No Bible knowledge assumed in these six full color lessons

Easy to read for speakers

Easy to lead - discussion questions included