The Secret Power of Goodness

ZONDERKIDZ
The Secret Power of Goodness

Copyright 2012 by Susie Shellenberger
Illustrations 2012 by Zonderkidz
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Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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Printed in the United States of America
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Introduction
READ THIS FIRST!
What do you have? Kylie shouted over the noise in the
school cafeteria.
Shayla dug into her sack lunch and pulled out her
prize. Leftover pepperoni pizza, she said with a smile.
Any chance I can talk you into trading?
Depends, Shayla said. Whatcha got?
Bologna.
Uh, I dont think so.
Wait, thats not all, Kylie said. I made my famous
dessert last night, and Ill give that to you too, all for just
one little slice of pizza.
What famous dessert?
Ahhh. I havent told anyone, because Ive never made
it before. But I know its great!
Im a bit skeptical, Shayla said. What is it?
Sugar cookies. My own special concoction. The best
Susie Shellenberger
12
youll ever eat.
My interest is rising, Shayla said. You made them
last night?
Yep.
And how many have you eaten so far?
None, Kylie said. I had to clean the kitchen and do
homework, and I fell asleep before I tasted them.
So we dont really know theyre any good, do we?
Shayla teased. Im sticking with the pizza.
Kylie laughed. Actually, you can keep the pizza, but
Ill still share. I brought fve cookies.
Thanks, Kylie. Ill give it a try. So where were you last
night? I missed you at Bible study this month. Do you
want me to give you a ride next time?
Nah. Im rethinking my belief system.
Whats that mean? Shayla asked.
Well, I saw a show on TV about Buddhism, Kylie
said. And I liked parts of it.
Parts of the show or parts of Buddhism?
I agree with parts of the Buddhist religion. And theres
a new girl in my social studies class whos Islamic. Shes
been sharing her beliefs with me, and Im discovering
that I really like parts of Islam too.
But youre a Christian, Kylie! Shayla said, as she bit
into one of the cookies.
Yeah, Im a Christian. But I think theres room to ft
in a few other things that sound good, Kylie said. Uh,
whats with the face?
The Secret Power of goodness
13
Girlfriend, Shayla laughed, these cookies are to die
forlike if I take another bite, Ill die!
No way! Kylie grabbed a cookie and took a bite.
Whats with the face? Shayla asked.
These are horrible!
What in the world did you put in these cookies?
Well, I didnt really follow a recipe, Kylie admitted.
What?
I fgured Id eaten enough sugar cookies in my life to
know what would work best, and didnt need to follow
the instructions. I just kind of made up my own recipe.
Didnt work, did it, Kylie?
This batch is defnitely dead. But Ill get it right next
time.
Just follow the recipe! Its so much easier than
guessing and experimenting.
I wasnt really that far off, Kylie said. I just threw
in a few extra items and deleted some of the old routine
stuff.
Yeah? Like what?
Well instead of using four, I used baking soda
What? Good grief, Kylie! Flour is the necessary
ingredient in almost every cookie in the world.
But baking soda looks like four. And instead of using
sugar, I used maple syrup.
Gross.
And instead of regular salt, I used seasoned salt.
That explains it, Shayla said. Kylie, you cant just
Susie Shellenberger
14
take a little of this and a little of thateven though it
may look like the ingredient youre supposed to useand
expect your cookies to turn out well.
Okay, okay. I just wanted to experiment.
Kinda sounds like youre experimenting in your
relationship with Christ too.
What are you talking about? Kylie asked.
Listen to yourself. Youre saying you want a little of
this and a little of that. A little Buddhism and a little
Islam.
I was thinking that I could add the stuff I like about
those beliefs to my own faith.
Well, Buddhism promotes goodness, but Buddhists
dont believe in Jesus Christ as Gods Son. And yeah,
Islam promotes peace, but it also promotes having to
earn your salvation. The Bible says Jesus Christ is the
only way to heaven, not good deeds. So really, you cant
add bits and pieces to Christianity. It just doesnt ft.
Hmm, Kylie said. I never thought of it that way.
My mom said its good to explore and search for
answers, and its normal to have doubts, but as a Christian,
our relationship with Jesus is the most important thing
in the world.
I just didnt think there would be any harm in adding
a few more things to Christianity, Kylie said.
When you start adding and subtracting, its not
Christianity anymore, said Shayla.
I see. So what are you doing 6:00 this Wednesday?
15
Kylie asked.
Why?
Im hoping you can pick me up for Bible study. I need
to get back on track.
You got it, girlfriend! And, Kylie?
Yeah?
Lets go grab an ice-cream bar before class. My treat.
Anythings better than those maple syrup, baking
soda, seasoned salt death wishes, Kylie laughed.
No doubt! I wouldnt wish those on my worst enemy!
____________________________________________
Why do we sometimes insist on messing with a good
thing? Maybe its just our human nature to tinker with
something to make it our own, but one thing is crystal
clear: We cant mess with Christianity. The recipe is
already perfect. When we subtract that Jesus Christ is
the Messiah or add some rule or false teachings, were
doing things that lead to spiritual death.
And guess what? Thats exactly what some of the
Christians in the church at Colossae were doing. They,
like Kylie, were confused. They were trying to add and
subtract false doctrine and rigid rules. They had gotten
completely away from the fact that only Jesus is the true
Messiahand the only way to heaven.
Have you ever been to a big food buffet? You grab a
tray and a couple of plates and choose exactly what you
wantdessert, meat, or a little bit of everything. The
Christians in the Colossian church were looking at their
Susie Shellenberger
16
relationship with Christ as though it were a buffet. Sure,
they wanted some Jesus, but they also wanted other
things that dont belong in a Christians life. They were
trying to mix everything up and create their own recipe.
It didnt work then, and it wont work now.
Even though the apostle Paul was imprisoned in Rome,
hed heard about what was going on with the Colossians,
and he wanted to help them. So he wrote this specifc
letter to remind them of the truths from which they had
wandered.
If he was in jail, how did he fnd out what was going on
in the church at Colossae?
Great question! His friend Epaphras, a native of
Colossae, came to visit him in prison. Epaphras had
founded the church in Colossae and was concerned about
what was happening with many of the Christians there.
But I hear a lot of different ideas about who Jesus is.
Unless they echo what the Bible says (that Jesus is
the Son of God, the true Messiah, and our only way of
salvation), everything else you hear is not only false, but
also dangerous!
Heres an idea: Instead of falling for all the lies about
Jesus, why not discover him for yourself? You see, thats
what the book of Colossians is all about. The apostle
Paul wants to help you sift through the false messages
youre bombarded with and personally introduce you to
Jesus Christ.
I can get all that from the book of Colossians?
17
All that and more! Just as you cant combine a little
of this and a little of that and leave out the essential
ingredients of a proven recipe, neither can you combine
false ideas and good-sounding philosophies to form your
own brand of Christianity.
The Secret Power Bible Studies are a great way to help
keep you on track.
The Secret Power Girls are female Christians who
are plugged into an incredible power source. In fact, you
could say its a supernatural power source. The power of
the Holy Spirit. And its available to all Christians.
When you become a Secret Power Girl and understand
more about the Holy Spirit, then you can start growing
stronger in your faith and deepening your relationship
with Jesus. The Secret Power of Goodness talks about a lot
of the stuff Kylie was going through. Like Shaylas mom
said, its defnitely okay and normal to have questions
and doubts, and its defnitely good to seek out the truth.
The best place for Christians to fnd answers is straight
from the sourceGods word, the Holy Bible, and from
other Christians who have gone before us and asked the
same questions, like the questions Paul addressed in his
letter to Colosse.
The Secret Power Bible Studies take you into Gods
Word and encourages you to ask questions, and explore
and deepen your faith. The information is broken up into
bite-size chunks. Try to fnish one BITE at every sitting,
and once youve fnished an entire section, you might
Susie Shellenberger
18
want to get together with friends or a small Bible study
group to discuss what you learned.
You can either do this study alone, with a friend, or,
like Kylie and Shayla, you can ask an adult female to lead
a small group of four or fve girls that will meet weekly
to complete the study. Youre bound to beneft from the
study no matter how you approach it, but being part
of a small group adds an extra bonusaccountability.
Accountability means that you allow another person or
small group of people to help keep you on the right track
spiritually, to pray with you, and to ask you questions
about the tough stuff in your life.
What girl doesnt need something life that?
____________________________________________
Dont Wait!
So back to the conficting ideas about Jesus Why
accept substitutes when you can have the real thing?
Jesus Christ is defnitely the real thing! He always has
been and always will be!
So pull on your hiking boots. Were about to take an
exciting journey through the book of Colossians.
Your Secret Power Sister,
Susie Shellenberger
19
SECTION ONE
Colossians 1
Christ: The Energizer!
Colossians
Where is it? In the New Testament, immediately after
Philippians and just before 1 Thessalonians.
Who wrote it? Paul.
Who was he? Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ, but
he sure took an interesting route in getting there! He used
to hate Christians. In fact, he even persecuted them. But
God temporarily blinded him and helped him see that
what he was doing was wrong. When that happened,
Paul gave his life to God. You can read the whole story
Susie Shellenberger
20
in Acts 9. After Paul began serving God, he wrote several
letters (books of the New Testament) to fellow Christians.
This book of Colossians is a letter he wrote to the church
in the city of Colossae.
BITE #1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and
Timothy our brother, to Gods holy people in Colossae,
the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ: Grace and
peace to you from God our Father.
Colossians 1:12
Whats an apostle?
_____ a. A new doll for little girls.
_____ b. One of the original 12 disciples, plus Matthias
and Paul.
_____ c. A Bible professor at Bethlehem Community
College.
_____ d. One who pours concrete for swimming
pools.
The apostles were the original 12 disciples chosen by
Jesus. After Judas Iscariot betrayed Christ and died, the
disciples met together and prayed for someone to take his
21
place. Matthias was chosen. Later, after Saul dedicated
his life to Christ and his name was changed to Paul, he
also joined the rank of apostles.
But everyone who follows Jesus Christ is considered a
disciple. How does that make you feel? (Check all that
apply.)
_____ a. Pretty special
_____ b. Frightened
_____ c. Honored
_____ d. Reluctant
We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard
of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for
all Gods peoplethe faith and love that spring from the
hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you
have already heard in the true message of the gospel.
Colossians 1:35
Paul reminded the people in the church of Colossae that
he was praying for them. Take a moment to list all the
people who pray for you. (If you dont know anyone who
prays for you, start asking other Christians to pray for you.)
Susie Shellenberger
22
Are you aware that Jesus Christ prays for you? In fact,
before he was crucifed, he prayed an incredibly special
prayer for you. Grab your Bible and fip to John 17.
What are some specifc things Jesus talks to God about
on your behalf?
Are there people for whom you pray regularly? If so,
list their names in the space provided. If not, write
a prayer asking God to bring specifc people to your
mind for whom God wants you to pray.
Paul also mentions the hope [that is] stored up for
you in heaven. Sometimes we need to be reminded
that heaven is our real home. Heaven is where well live
23
eternally. Well never get sick in heaven; we wont suffer;
and well never experience any problems. Wow! Think
about it: youll never be lonely, jealous, picked on, made
fun of, or have to worry about how you look (because
youll get a brand-new spiritual body)! Well also get to
live forever with God, who created us. That is our hope.
If you truly looked at life through this perspective, how
would that change the daily problems you face? (Check
all that apply.)
_____ a. It would make my trials seem smaller.
_____ b. It would give me more confdence, because
Id realize I have something much greater to
look forward to.
_____ c. It would give me true joy.
_____ d. Id probably worry less about how I look.
_____ e. Other _______________________________
Susie Shellenberger
24
Ponder
Stop for a moment and ask God to help you remember
that this earth is only your temporary dwelling place.
Ask him to help you focus on the fact that your real
home is in heaven.
25
BITE #2
In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing
throughout the whole worldjust as it has been
doing among you since the day you heard it and truly
understood Gods grace.
Colossians 1:6
Paul wasnt afraid to preach the gospel. In fact, he shared
the good news everywhere he went. He talked about God
when he was in jail, while he was being persecuted,
and on an island after being shipwrecked. Because
his relationship with Jesus consumed him, it was
always the topic of his conversation with others.
What about you? Is your relationship with Christ so
important to you that you cant help but talk about
it? Take this quick quiz and rate your talkability
regarding God.
Is Christ Showing?
1. My friends know Im a Christian because I talk
about Christ on Facebook a lot.
______ True ______ False
2. Most of my classmates know Im a Christian
because of my conversation and my actions.
______ True ______ False
Susie Shellenberger
26
3. I discuss what God is teaching me with my family.
______ True ______ False
4. I share prayer requests with my friends.
______ True ______ False
5. I talk about church and youth group activities
with those around me.
______ True ______ False
6. Even people who dont know me personally would
suspect Im a Christian because of the way I act.
______ True ______ False
7. If a stranger eavesdropped on most of my
conversations, she would guess Im a Christian
because of what I talk about.
______ True ______ False
8. I cant wait to share answers to prayer with my
friends or family members.
______ True ______ False
9. Im not ashamed to carry my Bible to school.
______ True ______ False
10. One of my favorite things to talk about with
others is my relationship with God.
______ True ______ False
27
How did you do? Is Christ showing through your life?
Is it obvious to others that youre in love with Jesus?
If you need help in this area, take a moment to write
out a prayer in the space provided asking God to help
you refect your relationship with God more to those
around you.
Susie Shellenberger
28
If youre a shining refection of Christs love right now,
write him a prayer asking for specifc opportunities to
share him with those who arent Christians.
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29
You learned it from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant,
who is a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf, and who
also told us of your love in the Spirit.
Colossians 1:78
Many Bible scholars think Epaphras founded
the church in Colossae while Paul was living in
Ephesus (see Acts 19:10). Epaphras visited Paul in
prison and told him about the problems happening
in the Colossian church. Their conversation is what
motivated Paul to write this letter to the Colossians.
Describe a specifc time a conversation motivated you
to do something. What was the situation? Who was the
conversation with? What did it motivate you to do?
Read Colossians 1:78 again. What kind of reputation
did Epaphras have?
Susie Shellenberger
30
What kind of reputation do you have? (Circle all that
apply.)
As a Christian, youlike Epaphrasare considered
a minister of Christ. In other words, God wants you
to share the good news with those around you, take
your relationship with Jesus seriously, and be faithful
to him. What would it take for others to view you as
a faithful minister of Christ, as Paul saw Epaphras?
_____ a. Id need to establish an actual relationship
with Christ.
_____ b. Id need to get more serious about my
relationship with Christ.
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31
_____ c. Id need to be more vocal about my
relationship with Christ.
_____ d. Id need to deepen my relationship with
Christ.
_____ e. Other ____________________________________
Susie Shellenberger
32
BITE #3
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we
have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask
God to ll you with the knowledge of his will through all
the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.
Colossians 1:9
According to the above Scripture, what specifcally did
Paul pray for concerning his friends in Colossae?
What specifcally do you most often pray for when you
pray for your friends?
33
What specifcally do you most often pray for when you
pray for your family members?
What do you think your family and friends pray about
for you when they lift you in prayer?
Read Colossians 1:9 again. According to this verse
_____ a. we can know a fraction of Gods will for our
lives.
_____ b. we can have a little portion of Gods wisdom.
_____ c. if we work really hard at being good and give
more money to our church, we can know
what God wants us to do.
_____ d. we can actually know Gods will for our
lives.
Susie Shellenberger
34
Lets chat about wisdom for a few minutes. Grab your
Bible and fip to Proverbs 10:14. Read the Scripture and
jot down what a wise person will do.
Now fip back to Proverbs 4:5. What things does this
Scripture encourage you to get or learn to develop?
On a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being low and 5 being
high), how are you doing in developing the above?
1 2 3 4 5
And according to Proverbs 4:6, what are the benefts of
clinging to wisdom?
35
Check out what Proverbs 4:11 says in The Living Bible:
A life of doing right is the wisest life there is.
If the Great Physician (Jesus) were to give you a
spiritual examination right now, how would your
checkup go, according to this verse?
_____ Id need to be hospitalized.
_____ Hed probably prescribe some spiritual medicine
for me.
_____ Id be taken to the emergency room for help
from some Christian nurses and then released.
_____ Id be given a clean bill of health.
Susie Shellenberger
36
BITE #4
so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please
him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing
in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all
power according to his glorious might so that you may
have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful
thanks to the Father, who has qualied you to share in
the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Colossians 1:1012
Paul had never met the Colossians, but oh, how he
prayed for them! And according to the above verses, he
prayed a mighty prayer! You too can pray for people
youve never met. Make a list of people you dont know
personally but for whom you should pray. Ill get you
started; you complete the list.
1. The president of our country
2. ___________________________________________
3. Missionaries
4. ___________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________
6. Celebrities
7. ___________________________________________
8. Those in need you hear about on the news or read
about in the paper
37
According to what Paul prayed for the Colossians, how
can you obtain great endurance and patience?
In what areas of your life do you need endurance and
patience?
Paul prayed that the Colossians would grow in the
knowledge of God. What will it take for you to grow
spiritually in this manner? (Check all that apply.)
_____ a. Reading my Bible more.
_____ b. Going shopping more.
_____ c. Praying more often.
_____ d. Not playing so many video games.
Susie Shellenberger
38
_____ e. Getting more involved in church and Bible
study.
_____ f. Watching more TV.
_____ g. Talking about my faith with others.
_____ h. Texting and Facebooking more about God.
_____ i. Other _____________________________________
and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualied
you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the
kingdom of light.
Colossians 1:12
How long has it been since youve thanked God for
the blessings youve received? Have you ever thanked
God for what Paul suggeststhe fact that you get to
share in the inheritance of [Gods] holy people in the
kingdom of light?
39
Take a few minutes to design some creative bumper-
sticker slogans expressing your thankfulness to God for
a variety of things.
THANKS, GOD! I OWE YOU MY LIFE!

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