READ: ACTS 9:1-22; 2 TIMOTHY 1:5; 3:15

Of all the conversion stories in the Bible, none are more dramatic than the Apostle Paul’s. Before knowing Jesus, Paul—also called Saul—was one of the most vicious, violent persecutors of the early church. Brilliant in intellect, he used his mind to orchestrate beatings and deaths against the converts of this new religion called Christianity, fearing it threatened his Jewish faith.

His conversion story has been told and retold countless times. He was traveling the road to Damascus when he was blinded by a great light and the voice of Jesus asked, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” (Acts 9:4).

Saul’s conversion was so dramatic that the leaders of the fledgling church didn’t believe him at first. It took a good amount of time before they finally accepted the truth: Saul the persecutor was now a disciple of Christ.

My conversion was nothing like that. My brother shared the gospel with me when I was twelve, and I prayed a simple prayer while sitting on the side of my bed. There were no fireworks, no lights, certainly no voice from heaven. Later, my story of conversion was mostly met with shrugging shoulders and blank stares. I wasn’t a rebel or criminal before my conversion, so afterward, few people noticed any differences.

But, like the Apostle Paul, I was different, even if nobody really saw it. I was a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). The death and resurrection of Christ that was sufficient to convert Paul in ancient Israel also covered a twelve-year-old in California. Maybe you don’t have a Paul conversion story either. Whatever your story, your sins are forgiven and you’re a new creation in Christ, all based on His sacrificial death and victorious resurrection. • Mike Hurley

• If you’re a Christian, how would you describe your salvation story?

• If you know Jesus as your Savior, you are a new creation. Jesus has freed you from the power of sin and death. And one day, when you see Jesus face to face, you won’t struggle with sin and its effects anymore, because sin and death will be gone forever (1 Corinthians 13:12; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Revelation 21:1-5). How might remembering that we are forgiven and that we are new creations help us rely on Jesus through the ups and downs of life?

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB)

READ: JOHN 4:1-30, 39-42

There was something about His eyes, the way He looked at her. It was unsettling. She thought she knew all about men, understood how they thought. But this was different. “Go and call your husband,” He said.

She hesitated, eyes lowered. “I have no husband.”

He nodded. “True. You’ve had five—and the man you live with now isn’t one of them.”

Her fists tensed defiantly. “Since you know so much, prophet, tell me this. Is God’s chosen place of worship here, among my people, or in Jerusalem, where the Jews worship?” Her eyes flashed up to meet His, ready for the judgment and rejection surely waiting. What she saw startled her. An intense compassion in His eyes matched by words washing over her in love. He said, “The Father is seeking worshipers in spirit and truth.” She heard, “The Father is seeking you.”

Her battered heart leapt for joy. It didn’t matter—it never had! What she’d done, where she’d been—her fruitless search for God’s hiding place. He’d been there all along, pursuing her, waiting for her to see Him. Her water jar forgotten, she ran into the city. The words burst out, a testimony that wouldn’t be held back. “Come and see a man who told me all I ever did! Could this be the Messiah?” He knew her past, and He still wanted to give her a future.

Jesus gave Himself to save us. There is no greater love, no greater offering to be made. God in flesh went to the cross so we could have life with Him. This love, freely given, cannot be earned. Only received. Jesus knows all you’ve ever done. Everything. And He loves you and wants you anyway. He loves you just as you are. • Remi Oyedele

•Today’s story is how one author imagines John 4:1-30. Consider taking some time to read this passage for yourself. What do you notice? What questions do you have?

• Can you think of a time you felt like the woman at the well? Sometimes it can be hard to believe that Jesus loves us just as we are. Thankfully, God knows we need reminders of His love, and He invites us to come and see Jesus, the one who knows everything we’ve ever done, the one who went to the cross to die for us and be raised from the dead so we could be forgiven and brought near (Romans 5:6-11). Consider taking a moment to tell Jesus whatever is on your mind.

• To learn more about Jesus’s love for you, and what it means to receive it, check out page 104.

[The Samaritan woman said,] “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” John 4:29 (CSB)

READ: 1 KINGS 11:4-6; 1 CORINTHIANS 7:39; 2 CORINTHIANS 6:14-18

He’s cute, he’s sweet, and he’s oh-so-nice. But he’s not a Christian.

She goes to church, and she’s so much fun, but Christ is not particularly important to her.

Is it okay to date them?

Being attracted to someone who doesn’t love Christ can be a really tough situation. Trust me, I’ve been there. What can you do?

First off, dating them is a bad idea. I’m really sorry. If Christ is the center of your life and identity, you can’t have a partner for whom Christ isn’t important. Even if they’re happy to live your Christian life right now, they don’t share your ultimate goal to love God and serve in His kingdom. It doesn’t matter how nice or “good” they might be. Entering a romantic relationship with someone who doesn’t know Jesus is often a path to heartache, sin, and regret.

So, you say no. Sound hard? It is. It’s the most heartbreaking thing I’ve ever done. But if I survived it, so can you. Because Christ is sufficient for us (2 Corinthians 12:9).

“But wait!” you may ask, “what if they become a Christian? Then can I date them?” If they really are sincere about following Christ—and wouldn’t give up on Him even if you weren’t in their life—then, yes. They’re God’s child, and you’re on equal footing. Good news: there are lots of real-life examples of this happening!

Bad news: there are also a lot of real-life examples of someone “converting,” but really only doing it for the other person, and never truly loving Christ. That’s an even worse situation, so be careful. If someone says they know Jesus, take your time before starting to date them. Find out why they believe and get lots of counsel from godly Christian adults in your life.

When in doubt? Wait and pray. And remember that, if Christ has a future spouse for you, it’ll be someone who really loves Him. You can trust God for your future. • Christiana Albrecht

• Have you ever been attracted to someone who doesn’t love Christ? What did you do?

• Do you know any Christians who are currently married to non-Christians? What could you learn from their experiences? How could you pray for them?

• If you’re attracted to someone who doesn’t share your faith, talk to Jesus about it. He has so much compassion on you. He knows your hurts, and He’s with you through it all (Hebrews 4:14-16).

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14 (NIV)