HOW JESUS MAKES ALL THINGS NEW TODAY

Happy New Year!  

I love the new year. I love the idea of all things being made new. I see so much potential. I confess I am tired of the brokenness of this world and the broken hearts that inevitably follow. Bring on the new.  

During a particularly painful time in my life, I learned something “new” about myself. I was sharing with a friend my plan to tear out the tile floor in my house and install a new one. Without missing a beat, she said, “You don’t want a new floor; you want your life fixed. A new floor won’t fix your feelings of brokenness.” 

It was a cold, hard truth, but she was right. I was looking for something new as a substitute for the brokenness in my life.  

Since then, I have considered my friend’s comment at various times throughout my life. It seems I tend to seek out things to fix when my world feels especially broken. Over the years, however, God has continued teaching me not to be distracted by the “new and now” but to pursue the new and lasting. 

I think my love of all things new makes the promises of Scripture so appealing. God’s Word promises His compassions “are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). God “has given us new birth into a living hope” (1 Peter 1:3). And, of course, who could forget the great promise of Revelation 21:5? “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’” 

Say no more; I am in! How long, O Lord, before you make all things new?  

As we wait for God’s sure and certain promises to be fulfilled, how do we properly navigate the very real tension we feel of living in a broken world while simultaneously longing for a new and lasting reality? 

As you start this new year, consider three opportunities you have to bring lasting, eternal newness to each new day.  

Today is a great day to forgive those who have hurt you, to encourage someone who is hurting, to confess your bitterness, to turn the other cheek, or to hold your tongue in that conversation (yes, you know which one!). Each day is an opportunity to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.   

Today is a great day to ascribe to the Lord the glory He is due. This is more than just playing worship music when you get ready in the morning. To ascribe to the Lord the glory He is due is to change your entire vocabulary and perspective on life. Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. Words filled with hope and praise flow forth from hearts of praise. Grumbling, complaining, and even pessimism in our speech do not ascribe to the Lord the glory He is due. These simply reveal the condition of our hearts. Today is a great day to sing to the Lord a new song!  

Today is a great day to proclaim—in word and deed—the good news of the kingdom of God. Bring words of hope and peace into hard situations. Bring love to the broken and hurting. Like the apostles, dedicate yourself to teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. Write Scripture on your heart. Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have.  

Today is a great day to begin practicing each of these attitudes and actions.  

And this is where BSF comes in. Through BSF’s daily study rhythm, weekly discussion, and in-depth teaching, we are inspired by God’s Word to seek the new and lasting every day. In a culture utterly inundated with more information than we could possibly ingest, we must intentionally seek out, reflect on, and readily share with others the only information that has true, lasting, and eternal impact. This is why BSF exists.  

Each day, you face steady competition for your precious and limited time. How you spend your days throughout this year will ultimately shape who you become by the end of this year! 

Will you join me in making the most of each day this year, even as Jesus makes all things new? 

3 STEPS TO BRIDGING THE GENERATIONAL GAP

Will young people be the future of the church—or the end of it? That probably depends on who you ask.   

In some countries, statistics show that young people are either leaving the church at alarming rates or refusing to enter its doors in the first place. But in other parts of the world, young Christians are growing in numbers, and their message is one of hope, not defeat. 

The urgency of Jesus’s words in Revelation 22:7, “Look, I am coming soon!” compels us to share God’s truth and reach the next generation. 

But where should we begin? 

Janie Stephens, BSF Executive Office Coordinator and former Young Adult Teaching Leader, sees a promising future for the Church and Bible Study Fellowship worldwide. Her own life was transformed through BSF, and she believes each of us can help shepherd and support younger generations to champion the cause of Christ.

If you feel discouraged about the next generation, Janie has a message for you: Do not despair.  

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) 

Each new generation faces challenges that can feel different from the challenges of those who came before them. What does the Bible have to say about topics like artificial intelligence, biohacking, or modern warfare? Younger generations are asking these difficult questions.  

Janie points out, “We need to recognize that the dynamics young adults are dealing with today are, in some ways, different than what was faced before. But while these challenges may feel unfamiliar, we can also recognize that, as the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 1:9, ‘There is nothing new under the sun.’” 

While young people face complex challenges, God is not surprised. His Word is always sufficient. He has planted each one of us here, for this time, to share His truth from generation to generation. As Christians, we can model our hope in Christ for young people who desperately need it.  

In Revelation, we read about coming judgment and a culture in complete decline—but even then, God’s Word is sufficient. In today’s culture, the gospel offers certainty in an uncertain world. Young people continue to struggle with questions about life, purpose, and identity. When we take the time to understand their struggles, we are better equipped to point them to the gospel. 

“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4) 

Younger generations are facing record levels of isolation and loneliness. In an increasingly divided world, the authentic connections of the body of Christ can be a powerful remedy. Christ-centered relationships offer an important example of the gospel’s power to draw God’s people together.     

Janie experienced this for herself as a young adult in BSF when the women in her group began including her, and other young adults, in weekly meals and fellowship.  

“The multigenerational dynamic was so special. Through our casual conversations, I learned so much about what it looks like to walk with Christ daily. Plus, it was also just a lot of fun!”   

In a world of social media connections, we can be confident that building a gospel-centered relationship is powerful.  

“There’s so much value in multigenerational relationships, and I think young adults really do want that. They want someone who’s gone before them, who can pour into them and answer their questions.”  

“Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:11-12)

Perhaps the most powerful way to encourage a new generation of Christians is to empower young believers to become leaders. 

“They are at an age where they have the time, the capacity, the energy, and the dreams and desires to change the world,” Janie says.  

Janie shares that encouraging young people to lead isn’t just a task for those in positions of power or influence. Her own life was transformed when mentors in BSF recognized her personal abilities and helped her to use those gifts for Christ.  

“These were the people in my life who saw things in me, saw how the Lord had gifted me, and called that out. They were able to see the potential in me, and lo and behold, as step-by-step I trusted the Lord, I discovered something that I loved doing. That really changed the entire trajectory of my life, and it all came from serving in a BSF class.”  

Through the encouragement of these mentors, Janie discovered a passion for teaching God’s Word that led her to become a Teaching Leader, attend seminary, and now serve as BSF’s Executive Office Coordinator.  

“Because I was fortunate enough to have faithful Christian women pour into me through BSF, I want to be that catalyst for the next generation. I want to help others recognize how the Lord has specifically gifted them and encourage them to step out in faith, even if and when it’s scary. As I reflect on my own call to lead, I would have never stepped out on my own without the encouragement of others. They saw something in me, encouraged me, and as a result I was able to see the Lord come through in ways I would have never experienced otherwise.”  

As we continue to study the future in Revelation: The Hope, we realize that each of us is called to share His Word today. These simple steps to bridging the generational gap can help us make an impact for eternity. 

3 STEPS TO BRIDGING THE GENERATIONAL GAP

Will young people be the future of the church—or the end of it? That probably depends on who you ask.   

In some countries, statistics show that young people are either leaving the church at alarming rates or refusing to enter its doors in the first place. But in other parts of the world, young Christians are growing in numbers, and their message is one of hope, not defeat. 

The urgency of Jesus’s words in Revelation 22:7, “Look, I am coming soon!” compels us to share God’s truth and reach the next generation. 

But where should we begin? 

Janie Stephens, BSF Executive Office Coordinator and former Young Adult Teaching Leader, sees a promising future for the Church and Bible Study Fellowship worldwide. Her own life was transformed through BSF, and she believes each of us can help shepherd and support younger generations to champion the cause of Christ.

If you feel discouraged about the next generation, Janie has a message for you: Do not despair.  

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) 

Each new generation faces challenges that can feel different from the challenges of those who came before them. What does the Bible have to say about topics like artificial intelligence, biohacking, or modern warfare? Younger generations are asking these difficult questions.  

Janie points out, “We need to recognize that the dynamics young adults are dealing with today are, in some ways, different than what was faced before. But while these challenges may feel unfamiliar, we can also recognize that, as the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 1:9, ‘There is nothing new under the sun.’” 

While young people face complex challenges, God is not surprised. His Word is always sufficient. He has planted each one of us here, for this time, to share His truth from generation to generation. As Christians, we can model our hope in Christ for young people who desperately need it.  

In Revelation, we read about coming judgment and a culture in complete decline—but even then, God’s Word is sufficient. In today’s culture, the gospel offers certainty in an uncertain world. Young people continue to struggle with questions about life, purpose, and identity. When we take the time to understand their struggles, we are better equipped to point them to the gospel. 

“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:4) 

Younger generations are facing record levels of isolation and loneliness. In an increasingly divided world, the authentic connections of the body of Christ can be a powerful remedy. Christ-centered relationships offer an important example of the gospel’s power to draw God’s people together.     

Janie experienced this for herself as a young adult in BSF when the women in her group began including her, and other young adults, in weekly meals and fellowship.  

“The multigenerational dynamic was so special. Through our casual conversations, I learned so much about what it looks like to walk with Christ daily. Plus, it was also just a lot of fun!”   

In a world of social media connections, we can be confident that building a gospel-centered relationship is powerful.  

“There’s so much value in multigenerational relationships, and I think young adults really do want that. They want someone who’s gone before them, who can pour into them and answer their questions.”  

“Command and teach these things. Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:11-12)

Perhaps the most powerful way to encourage a new generation of Christians is to empower young believers to become leaders. 

“They are at an age where they have the time, the capacity, the energy, and the dreams and desires to change the world,” Janie says.  

Janie shares that encouraging young people to lead isn’t just a task for those in positions of power or influence. Her own life was transformed when mentors in BSF recognized her personal abilities and helped her to use those gifts for Christ.  

“These were the people in my life who saw things in me, saw how the Lord had gifted me, and called that out. They were able to see the potential in me, and lo and behold, as step-by-step I trusted the Lord, I discovered something that I loved doing. That really changed the entire trajectory of my life, and it all came from serving in a BSF class.”  

Through the encouragement of these mentors, Janie discovered a passion for teaching God’s Word that led her to become a Teaching Leader, attend seminary, and now serve as BSF’s Executive Office Coordinator.  

“Because I was fortunate enough to have faithful Christian women pour into me through BSF, I want to be that catalyst for the next generation. I want to help others recognize how the Lord has specifically gifted them and encourage them to step out in faith, even if and when it’s scary. As I reflect on my own call to lead, I would have never stepped out on my own without the encouragement of others. They saw something in me, encouraged me, and as a result I was able to see the Lord come through in ways I would have never experienced otherwise.”  

As we continue to study the future in Revelation: The Hope, we realize that each of us is called to share His Word today. These simple steps to bridging the generational gap can help us make an impact for eternity. 

3 SURPRISING TRUTHS ABOUT LEADERS

Rosemary Jensen felt lost. After serving as a missionary in Africa for nine years, Rosemary returned to the United States and immediately felt a lack of purpose.  

Then a friend told her about BSF. 

“I joined a church in San Antonio and decided to lead a Bible study. One friend mentioned having interesting Bible study materials, and after some initial hesitation, I agreed to take a look. She showed me the BSF lessons for Genesis. I was immediately captivated by the depth and insight of the material. It felt like the author of the study truly understood me.” 

From there, Rosemary’s involvement with BSF grew. She served, she led, and she taught. Eventually, Rosemary would become BSF’s second Executive Director after Audrey Wetherell Johnson. Under Rosemary’s leadership, Bible Study Fellowship entered an era of scalability: establishing the San Antonio Headquarters campus, guiding an unprecedented expansion in classes around the globe—including Africa, South America, and India—and launching the School Program (now known as BSF Students).   

Today, Rosemary continues to pray for and support BSF. She has used her BSF experience to start another ministry, Rafiki Foundation, which has Training Villages in ten African countries to cultivate a multitude of godly men and women through Bible study and classical Christian education. 

All along her journey, God prepared Rosemary to do His work, teaching her valuable lessons about leadership. 

One of the most surprising things about Rosemary is she never considered herself to be a leader. Her willingness to serve, however, paved the way for more and more opportunities to build God’s kingdom. 

“I never volunteered for anything. I was just told that this is what I should be doing. People would say, ‘You should be teaching this’ or ‘You should be doing this.’ 

“I was only a Teaching Leader for two years, and Miss Johnson asked me to be an area advisor.  I said, ‘I don’t know how to do it or what to do.’ And she told me, ‘It’s just like being a teaching leader, only just a little bit harder.’ It took a lot of trust in the Lord to say yes. But I did what she thought I could do and therefore I could do it.” 

During her years of volunteering in various roles in BSF, Rosemary learned to rely on God’s promises and His character through Scripture. Her willingness to step into uncomfortable roles to serve the Lord prepared her to lead a growing ministry.   

“Later, Miss Johnson said, ‘You know, I think you could be the director.‘ And I looked at her and I thought, ‘My goodness, that was the last thing I ever in this world would have thought of.’” 
 
Rosemary Jenson became BSF’s longest-serving Executive Director, holding the position for 20 years. Her experience reminds each of us that God provides what we need to lead when we willingly answer His call. Even when we feel inadequate, He is more than enough. 

For many of us, leadership brings an added pressure to have all the answers. We struggle to stand as an expert in every situation. But Rosemary realized she would grow in her leadership skills by watching and learning from those around her, no matter their position. 

As a new Teaching Leader, Rosemary especially relied on a member in her class. Though Rosemary was appointed to lead, she was always ready to learn. 

“Fortunately, there was a woman there who had been a Class Administrator. She really helped me a lot. I had to ask her questions, everything to do, and she helped me to do it.”  

By watching her predecessor, Rosemary was influenced by Audrey Wetherell Johnson’s unwavering commitment to God’s Word. 

“She didn’t have to say she loved the Bible—it was just evident in everything she did. She just exuded a love for what she was doing. Her love for teaching the Bible. If you love something, you don’t have to tell anybody. It’ll come out in the way you do it.” 

From those experiences of asking for help and observing others, Rosemary developed her own leadership style—inspired by fellow believers and rooted in God’s Word.

While reflecting on her tenure as BSF Executive Director, Rosemary was honest about the difficulties she faced: the hard decisions, long hours, and time away from her family. But none of the hardships ever diminished the joy she experienced while serving her precious Lord. 

“I loved what I learned more than anything else. You know, the teacher learns more than the student. And I think that was probably what I loved most. 

“I think studying the Bible is the most important thing that you can do in your life, because it’s only in the Bible that you learn to know who God is. It’s only in the Bible that you learn to know who you are, and it’s only in the Bible that you really understand the world that you live in. So how do you know how to live if you don’t study the Bible?” 

Many years have passed since Rosemary retired, and we still hold fast to her wisdom.

As the culture shifts around us, the world desperately needs Christian leaders like Rosemary. Our Revelation study reminds us that we live in a spiritual battlefield where God calls His people to persevere and respond in faith. We are called to stand for truth and share His grace. 

We can cling to Revelation 14:12, which “calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.” 

Rosemary Jensen’s story inspires us to remember that God calls us to lead at unexpected times and in unexpected ways. When we don’t feel prepared, God uses a willing heart for His glory. When we struggle for direction, we can learn from those who have gone before us. And when we face hardships, we can look amidst the struggle for the glimpses of joy God has planted.