the secret power of joy
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ZONDERKIDZ
The Secret Power of Joy
Copyright 2012 by Susie Shellenberger
Illustrations 2012 by Zonderkidz
This title is also available as a Zondervan ebook.
Visit www.zondervan.com/ebooks
Requests for information should be addressed to:
Zonderkidz,5300 Patterson Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530
ISBN 9780310728429
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible,
New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Any Internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book
are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an
endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these
sites and numbers for the life of this book.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical,
photocopy, recording, or any other except for brief quotations in printed reviews,
without the prior permission of the publisher.
Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communica-
tions, Inc., 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.www.alivecommunications.com
Zonderkidz is a trademark of Zondervan.
Editor: Kim Childress
Cover design: Kris Nelson
Interior design: Sarah Molegraaf
Printed in the United States of America
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time to watch her cat stretch by the foot of her bed. I
wonder whats wrong? I go to church, Im involved in our
Bible study, and I enjoy Sunday school. What gives?
Her cat purred his satisfaction when Carrie reached
down and brought him to her side. She stroked his neck
and scratched behind his ears.
I love God,she thought.And I really want to be a strong
Christian. I guess I just dont know how. Frustrated, she
turned over again and finally fell asleep with the cat
curled up at her feet.
Carrie was missing an important ingredient in the
recipe for a spiritually victorious life: She was allowing
other thingstexting, video games, and friendshipsto
get in the way of studying the Bible!
Majorly Important
Check out what the apostle Paul has to say about the
importance of the Bible in our lives: All Scripture is
inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and
to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us
when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God
uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good
work. (2 Timothy 3:1617, TheNew Living Translation)
Wow! Since the Bible is so important, doesnt it make
sense that we should take it seriously? But how can we
take it seriously if we dont read it? If were not reading
it, we cant study it. And if were not studying it, were
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Good question! It all begins through a relationship with
God. And its an extremely exciting relationship, one in
which God knows you completely and invites you to get
to know him as well. Once you havethat relationship, you
grow closer and closer to himkind of like you would
with a best friendonly your relationship with Christ
goes much deeper. He becomes your Savior (the only one
who can save you from the sin you were born with), your
Guide (hell show you what to do in the tough day-to-
day situations you encounter), your Lord (he created you
and wants to be in charge of younot to treat you like
a puppet, but to show you how to get the very most out
of life), and yes, your very best friend forever and ever.
And as you grow closer to him, and as you continue to
surrender every area of your life to him, you learn to live
in his power instead of your own. And thats when life
REALLY gets exciting! Thats what being a Secret Power
Girl is all about. This book is for girls who want to get the
most out of their Secret Power living. Its a Bible study.
You mean I gotta read the whole Bible with this book?
No. (Though I hope youll eventually read the whole
Bible. Its truly fascinating!) In this book, were justfocusing on one small part of the Bible. Just one book.
Its the book of Philippians.
Im not even sure anyone in my family has a Bible!
Does that mean I cant read this book?
Tell you what. Ill include the book of Philippians inside
this book in case you dont have a Bible of your own. But
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I want you to seriously consider getting your own Bible
one you can carry around with you, underline stuff while
youre reading, and be proud to own. A special youth
Bible would be a great thing to add to your birthday or
Christmas list.
And for those of you who already have your own Bible,
youll need it for this book. Ill include specific questions
that youll only be able to answer with your own Bible.
By the way, this Bible study is designed so you can do
it alone or with a friend.
So I call my best friend and we can do it together?
Sure! In fact, sometimes a friend can hold you
accountable.
Accounta-what-a-ble?
Accountable. It means she can encourage you to read
and complete each section, and you can do the same for
her. It also means you can discuss what youre reading
together and pray for one another.
Cool!
Ready?
Can I grab something to drink before we get started?
Sure! And while youre at it, how about pouring me aglass of lemonade? Go grab your Bible (if you have one)
and a pen, and meet me on the next page in five minutes!
(Note: Each chapter of this Bible study is divided into
bite-size chunks that you can either swallow all at once
or spread out and complete over a period of time. Try to
complete one entire bite at each sitting, okay?)
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SECTION ONE
Having A Bad Day,But Still Happy!
BITE #1
Philippians
Where is it? In the New Testament (after Ephesians and
before Colossians).
Who wrote it? Paul.
Who was he? Paul was an apostle of the Lord Jesus
Christ, but he sure took an interesting route to get there!
He used to hate Christians. In fact, he even persecuted
them. But God temporarily blinded him and helped
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him see that what he was doing was wrong. When that
happened, Paul gave his life to God. You can read the
whole story in Acts 9. After Paul began serving God, he
wrote several letters (books of the New Testament) to
fellow Christians. The book of Philippians is a letter he
wrote to the church in the city of Philippi.
(From) Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all
Gods holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, togetherwith the overseers and deacons.
(Philippians 1:1)
What does it mean to be a servant?
Identify a specific time in your life when you served
someone. (Maybe your mom was sick and you brought
her breakfast in bed. Or you put someone elses needs
ahead of your own.)
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Identify a specific time in your life when someone
served you. (Perhaps a friend brought you your
homework assignments when you had to miss school.)
Paul identifies himself as Jesus Christs servant. This
means:
_____ a. He has to copy the Bible by hand for every
new Christian he talks to.
_____ b. He gets a weekly allowance from heaven.
_____ c. He has totally surrendered his life to Jesus and
is committed to serving him.
_____ d. He must be pretty good at running the vacuum
and emptying the dishwasher.
Guess what! If you chose the third answer, youre
on the right track. Paul is reminding all of his readers
(thats you!) that Jesus Christ is the master. Hes the
one in chargenot us. He is Lord; we are his servants.
And we dont serve him out of a grudging have-to
attitude, but we serve our heavenly Father out of joy
and gratitude for all hes done for us!
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This makes me feel:
_____ a. Like throwing a party and inviting all my
friends! I want them to know that Jesus gave
his life for me! Ill tell them that Im going to
serve him with my life.
_____ b. Angry. I dont want to serve anyone.
_____ c. Sleepy. All this talk about servanthood makesme want a nap.
_____ d. Confused. I dont know how to serve God.
The way you can serve God is by giving him your
whole life. Your entire life. Everything in your life. This
is called complete surrender. And when you do that, youserve Christ by your very lifestyle. And guess whatthat
brings true joy! (More about that later. Lets get back to
the Scripture.)
In the first verse of this letter, Paul addresses all the
believers as saints. If youre a believer (a Christian
someone who has asked Christ to forgive her sins and is
living in obedience to him), Paul identifies you as a saint!
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BITE #2
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ.
(Philippians 1:2)
Have you ever stopped to think about what grace really
is? Read the following scenario and try to identify when
grace is given.
Kaley was walking through the front door of her
house when she heard the phone ringing. She tossed her
books on the dining room table and rushed to pick up
the receiver.
Kaley? Its Monica. My older sister and I were going
to see the early showing of A Princess Foreverat 4:45.
But shes not feeling well, and she said you could have
her ticket. How bout it? Wanna go?
Im dying to see that movie! Kaley said. But I have
a book report due tomorrow, and I still have five more
chapters to read!
Free ticket, Kaley! Come on. My mom and I can pick
you up in ten minutes.
Okay, Ill go.
Monica and Kaley munched on popcorn and drinks
during the movie and giggled at the lead character.
When Kaley got home, she picked up her book and
began reading. She had four chapters left when she
remembered that her friend Amber had promised to
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email her a funny video that day.
I really shouldnt check my email now, she thought. I
need to keep reading. But I could do it quickly and then
get back to the book.
So she went downstairs to the family office and
absorbed herself on the Internet. An hour later Kaley
headed toward her room to finish the book but noticed
her parents watching her favorite nighttime drama ontelevision.
Oh, I forgot that was on tonight! she said.
Shouldnt you be reading your book? her mom
asked.
Im almost done, Kaley replied. Ill just watch the
rest of this with you guys and finish the book in a few
minutes.By the time the show ended, Kaley could barely keep
her eyes open. She struggled to read another chapter in
her book and finally fell asleep.
The next morning when Mrs. McCormack asked Kaley
for her book report, Kaley approached her teachers desk.
Mrs. McCormack, Im almost finished with the book.
I have two chapters left. Is there any way I can turn itin tomorrow?
Kaley, youve known about this assignment for three
weeks!
I know. Im sorry.
Is there a reason you need more time? Were you sick?
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Was there a family emergency?
No, Kaley said quietly as she dropped her head.
I really dont have an excuse. Im just being honest
with you. I went to a movie yesterday afternoon when
I should have been reading. And when I got home, I
stayed up too late watching TV. I dont deserve another
chance; Im just asking for one.
Youre right, Kaley, Mrs. McCormack said. You
really dont deserve another chance. Other students
managed to get their reports in on time. But Kaley, I
care about you. I believe in you. I think with a little
extra time, youll do a great job on your report. So Im
giving you another chance. You may turn in your report
first thing tomorrow morning.
Oh, thank you, Mrs. McCormack! Kaley said. Ill
give it my best. Youll love it!
Mrs. McCormack gave Kaley:
_____ Detention!
_____ Extra homework.
_____ A note to take home to her parents.
_____ Grace.
Kaley experienced grace. She deserved to fail the
assignment. But she didnt get what she deserved; she
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got grace. Guess what! Thats the definition of grace:Not
getting what you deserve.
Because were allsinners, and we have all disobeyed
God, we deserve the punishment for sindeath. But
when we ask God to forgive us, he gives us grace. In
other words, he chooses not to give us what we actually
deserve (punishment and death), but he forgives us and
gives us a brand-new startinstead.
Describe a time in your life when someone granted you
grace.
Have you granted someone else grace? If so, describethe situation in the space provided.
If you havent granted grace to others, pray about doing
so. (Because Christ gives usgrace, he wants us to extend
grace to those around us.)
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BITE #3
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my
prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of
your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until
now, being confident of this, that he who began a good
work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of
Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 1:36)
Being a partner means:
_____ Being a good friend.
_____ Always having a friend to do things with.
_____ To join with someone.
_____ Never being alone.
Lets say you decide to start a company that sells really
cool flip-flops. Youre great at thinking up awesome
designs and colors, but your friend Michaela is really good
at math. So you invite her to join you in this venture. She
figures out how much it will cost to have a pair of flip-
flops made and all the packaging details while you create
the most awesome flip-flops in the world.
Because you and Michaela have joined together in
this venture, youve become partners. Youre stronger as
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young imagination.Ellie, now 17, has raised more than $275,000 for
children living a world away in some of the poorest
slums in Africa.
Ready. Set. GO!
Ellie spreads her message in Nashville every spring
through an annual 5K race and mile fun run called,
Ellies Run for Africa.
As a 10-year-old, I thought anything was possible,
she says. But looking back, Im amazed that so
many people have become involved in this and have
made it so huge. It amazes me that so many people
volunteer their time to help these kidskids they
dont even know and will never see on a continent
most people will never visit.
The event celebrated its seventh year last spring,
and the money raised is used to give poverty-stricken
children the opportunity to receive education and
healthcare through African Leadership, a Christian
education and development organization that trains
pastors and church leaders in Africa. It also fundsrelief and development projects in their communities.
Why Running?
The idea of a race took form with the help of her
mother, after Ellie consistently voiced her desire to
do something.
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I had just been to another race and had lots offun, Ellie says. So I naturally thought it would be
a great way to raise money. For several months, my
mom kind of blew me off and expected me to forget
about it.
But Ellie was persistent, and she continued to
approach her mom. It wasnt that she didnt want
to do anything. She just thought it was an idea on a
whim, Ellie says.
She finally said, Okay, Ellie, if you still want to
do this after Christmas this year, well talk about it.
She told me later that she thought Id get so excited
with presents I would forget the whole thing. But I
approached her again after Christmas, and she knew
then that I was really serious.
The Idea Becomes Reality
Ellies mom called some friends and started
networking. A lady from their church volunteered
to serve as the event organizer and helped Ellie find
other volunteers to assist.
Ellie didnt have any specific goals in mind
other than helping the kids she had seen from
the missionarys video. One such school that has
benefited from Ellies dream was the construction of
the New Dawn Education Center.
This school provides a high-school education for
150 students in the Huruma and Githogoro slums
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of Nairobi, Kenya. It opened in March 2009 andis literally constructed out of modified shipping
containers stacked side by side and one on top of
the other.
Proceeds from the race have also provided finances
for construction and operational funds for Emmanuel
Vocational School, an eight-classroom training center
that teaches adolescents trades such as welding andsewing, which later become marketable skills and
primary sources of income.
In addition to paying for building construction
income, money from the races also helps 400 children
a year attend school by providing uniforms, books,
and shoes. And thats not all! The financial outcome
of the races gives money to support medical clinicsand orphanages in Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa.
Quite an accomplishment for a girl with a dream!
Ellie on African Soil
Ellie has gone to Africa four times and has seen for
herself how the lives of children are being radically
changed for the better. She says it gives her the
continual desire not to give up.
I loved meeting the kids and actually getting to
talk with them, she says. A golden moment for me
was eating lunch with one of the kids who had been
through the school that our run had funded.
He said, Thank you so much, Ellie. Please go
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back to Nashville and thank everyone who has been
a part of this. If it hadnt been for the run, I would
be dead. How do you top that? Ellie says. That
says it all.
Be a Hero
You may not live near Nashville, and you may not be
able to participate in the annual Ellies Run for Africa.
But you can be a hero where you live by committing
to help ten, twenty, or forty kids attend school. Every
twenty-five dollars donated helps Ellies organization
buy the supplies they need to send kids to school for
one year.You can also organize a local Ellies Run for
Africa with Ellies help.
What to Do
1. Complete the Be a Hero registration online at
www.elliesrun.org/get-involved.
2. Commit to raising enough money to put ten,
twenty, or forty kids in school.Thats $250, $500
or $1,000.
3. Put your first child in school by kicking off your
efforts with a personal donation of twenty-five
dollars.
4. Ellies Run for Africa organization will send you
a packet of information and emails that will help
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you on your fundraising race. Youll also get
your own online log-in page to keep track of your
progress.
5. Pray. This is the most important ingredient in
making a difference in other peoples lives.
More About Ellie Ambrose
Age:17
Residence: Nashville
Year in school:Ellie is currently a senior in high
school.
Hobbies: Playing soccer and hanging out with
friends.
Career goals:Become a nurse.
Bethany Bashioum lives and works in Kansas City,
Mo. This story about Ellie first appeared in SUSIE
MagazineOctober 2011. For more information, go to:
www.susiemag.com.
Paul reminds us that God willfinish the good work
he started in us. The good work he started in you is: (1)
forgiving your sins, (2) giving you a desire to follow him,
and (3) helping you become more like him.
When you first accepted Christ as your personal
Savior, you were a baby Christian. But God wont leave
you hanging. Hell stay with you! Hell continue to
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walk with you and teach you how to grow stronger
in him. Hes committedto finishing all that he started
within you! And hell keep right on working inside you
until you reach heaven.
This makes me feel
_____ a. Like shouting, WOW! What an incredible
promise!
_____ b. Like I willmake it!
_____ c. Like giving God a big hug.
_____ d. Like grinning from ear to ear.
It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, sinceI have you in my heart, and whether I am in chains or
defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in
Gods grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of
you with the affection of Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 1:78)
According to the above verse, how should you feel
toward other Christians who are involved in spreading
the gospel?
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And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more
and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you
may be able to discern what is best and may be pure
and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of
righteousness that comes through Jesus Christto the
glory and praise of God.
(Philippians 1:911)
When it comes to loving those around me,
_____ a. I need help.
_____ b. I do really well.
_____ c. I get easily annoyed with people who dont
agree with me.
_____ d. I ask God to help me, and he does.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you
didnt know what to do? (Maybe a friend asked to copy
your homework, or you were tempted to lie to your
parents about household chores.) Paul tells us that we
can discern what is best. That means we can know
whats right. According to the above verses, how canyou discern whats best?
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According to Philippians 1:11, how can we bring glory
and praise to God?
_____ a. By singing about God.
_____ b. Through our honesty.
_____ c. By cheering for God.
_____ d. By living a life of righteousness.