By Ariel
“What if we could travel back in time to meet the people who actually walked with Jesus?”
That’s the question I scribbled in my Bible journal right before bedtime. And somehow… it turned into the most amazing dream ever.
One minute, we were sitting around our kitchen table, munching on peanut butter toast and flipping through our devotional pages. The next? ZING! Our living room turned swirly and sparkly like someone stirred up a smoothie made of stars and scrolls. Mr. Fluffernutter did a cartwheel (how??), Alice giggled something about “time-traveling sandals,” and suddenly—we landed on a sandy hill with warm wind, olive trees, and scrolls fluttering like sleepy butterflies.
And there, leaning against a sun-washed stone wall, sat a man with kind eyes and a weather-wrinkled scroll.
“Welcome,” he said, smiling like he already knew us. “I’m John. I used to be called the beloved disciple.”
Wait—that John? The Apostle John?
My heart did this fluttery thing like it does when I discover a new science fact that connects to one of God’s promises. I wanted to ask a million questions all at once. But John just handed me his scroll—open to something called 2 John—and said, “Here, child. These are words about truth. About abiding.”
I blinked. Abiding?
That’s when our field trip turned into a faith quest.
🌿 Today’s Adventure: Holding Fast to the Truth
This week, I learned that abiding isn’t just about staying somewhere. It’s about holding on—like roots holding tight to good soil, or like how we hold hands when the wind gets wild at the park.
2 John 1:8–9 says we should be super careful to stay anchored in Jesus’ teachings—to stay close to the truth, even when it’s hard or confusing or doesn’t match what the world says.
John called it “the doctrine of Christ,” and wow… it’s like a treasure map made of love and light. 💡
So come explore this verse with me! We’ll dig into what it means to “abide,” why truth matters, and how we can hold on to Jesus like He’s holding on to us—forever and always.
Are you ready to time travel with your heart wide open?
Let’s go.
🧭💖
🌱 Why Holding to the Truth Really Matters
During one of our cozy family Bible studies (the kind with popcorn bowls and open Bibles), Daddy flipped to 2 John 1:8–9 and said something that stuck in my head like a sticky note:
“If we drift from Christ’s truth, we lose more than facts—we risk losing fellowship with God.”
That made me sit up straighter.
“Wait,” I asked, grabbing my journal, “what does it really mean to ‘abide in the doctrine of Christ’?”
Daddy smiled. “Great question, Ariel. To abide means to stay rooted—like a strong tree in good soil. Abiding in Christ’s doctrine means holding tight to everything the Bible teaches about Jesus—His birth, His cross, His resurrection, and His role as our Savior. Not just parts of it, but all of it. When we let that truth shape our hearts, it changes the way we think, speak, and love.”
📝 “Whoever abides in the doctrine of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.” —2 John 1:9
Alice, cradling Mr. Fluffernutter like a theologian in pajamas, asked,
“So… if someone says Jesus was just a really good teacher, is that missing the truth?”
Daddy nodded. “Exactly. Jesus wasn’t only a wise man—He was God in human form. And if we leave that truth behind, we’re not just off-track—we’re disconnected from the very heart of God. Believing in both His divinity and His humanity is essential to the Christian faith.”
Then Yaya, who always makes big truths feel like bedtime stories, leaned forward.
“Knowing the truth about Jesus anchors us. It gives us direction in confusing times, and joy in the good ones. When we abide in Him, we don’t just follow rules—we build a real relationship with God. One filled with grace, purpose, and love we can’t keep to ourselves.”
I wrote that down in big letters:
✨ Truth is not just what we know—it’s who we hold. ✨
💬 Let’s Talk About It!
How can holding on to the truth about Jesus help you love others better?
What do you think it means to “abide” in something?
Have you ever heard someone talk about Jesus in a way that didn’t sound quite right?
🚨 What Happens When We Walk Away from the Truth?
Here’s a verse that stopped me mid-scribble during our Bible study:
✨ “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.” — 2 John 1:9 (KJV)
Whoa. That’s heavy. I blinked twice and underlined it in purple.
“Daddy,” I asked, “does this mean that just believing in God isn’t enough?”
Daddy nodded slowly. “Exactly, Ariel. John makes it clear—if we don’t hold fast to the truth about Jesus, our connection to God is broken. It’s like saying you love a song but refusing to listen to the melody. You’re missing the heart of it.”
🧭 “Belief in God without the truth about Jesus is like having a compass with no North.”
He explained, “Jesus isn’t just part of the story—He is the story. Without Him, our map to God doesn’t work. He’s the one who brings us to the Father.”
Alice tilted her head (still holding Mr. Fluffernutter upside down like he was contemplating this too) and asked,
“So if someone says Jesus is just a prophet or a wise man, that’s not the real story?”
Yaya smiled gently. “Right, sweetheart. Jesus is so much more—He’s the Son of God. That truth is the cornerstone of our faith. Without it, the whole foundation wobbles. Believing who Jesus truly is helps us know God’s love more clearly, and it shapes how we treat others—with compassion, grace, and boldness.”
💡 Why Knowing the Truth About Jesus Changes Everything
When we truly understand the doctrine of Christ—His life, His divinity, His sacrifice—it doesn’t just sit in our minds like a fact on a flashcard. It sinks deep into our hearts.
Daddy said it best:
“Knowing who Jesus is doesn’t just inform our faith—it transforms our lives.”
That truth becomes the guide for our decisions, the reason for our kindness, the anchor in our hard moments, and the joy in our celebrations.
💬 Let’s Think This Through:
- Have you ever heard someone talk about Jesus in a way that didn’t match what the Bible says?
- Why do you think it’s tempting for people to believe only parts of the truth about Jesus?
- What would you say if someone asked you, “Who is Jesus, really?”
That night, I tucked a note into my Bible:
📝 “I want to know the real Jesus. Not just a version of Him—but the full, amazing truth.”
And honestly? That’s the kind of map I want to follow.
Want to explore this more with me? Let’s keep digging!
💞 Fellowship with God: A Relationship Rooted in Truth
Here’s something beautiful I found in 2 John 1:9:
✨ “He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.”
When Daddy read that verse, he smiled and said,
“See? When we hold firmly to the truth about Jesus, we’re not just agreeing with an idea—we’re stepping into a real relationship with God.”
That gave me a warm feeling inside. Like, actual goosebumps.
He explained that our connection to Jesus opens the door to fellowship with God the Father too. It’s not about following rules or reciting verses like a robot. It’s about knowing Jesus deeply, and through Him, experiencing God’s love in every part of our lives—from school days to bedtime prayers to big, tricky choices.
🧭 “Abiding in Christ isn’t just belief—it’s belonging.”
Alice (with glitter on her cheeks from a sticker sheet she forgot to put away) asked,
“So… holding to the truth about Jesus is how we stay close to God?”
“Yes,” Daddy said. “Our relationship with God depends on our relationship with Jesus. He’s the bridge, the anchor, and the light that keeps us steady.”
Then Yaya leaned in, voice soft but strong. “Fellowship with God is a precious gift. But it flows through the truth about Jesus. And it doesn’t stop with us—it grows into something bigger. A community. A family. A body of believers, each person holding to Christ’s truth and encouraging one another along the way.”
🤝 We’re Stronger Together in Christ
Daddy called it a “tapestry of faith.”
Like each believer is a bright thread, and when we all hold fast to truth, we create something beautiful—a living, breathing body of Christ that reflects His love to the world.
Alice beamed (and so did Mr. Fluffernutter).
“So if I hold tight to Jesus, I’m not only growing closer to God—I’m helping the whole church family shine brighter?”
“Absolutely,” Yaya said. “Truth doesn’t isolate us. It unites us.”
When we live anchored in the doctrine of Christ, we don’t just believe better—we love better. We become encouragers, peace-makers, light-bearers. And that kind of faith? It lights up even the darkest corners of the world.
💬 Let’s Reflect Together:
- How does holding to the truth about Jesus help us stay connected to God?
- Can you think of a time when being part of a Christian community helped you grow in faith?
- What are some ways we can encourage others to stay rooted in truth and shine with God’s love?
Next to that verse in my Bible, I doodled a tiny heart connected to a cross, with words all around it:
📝 “Truth leads to fellowship. Fellowship leads to light.”
What would your truth-doodle look like?
Want to make one with me?
Let’s keep learning and growing—together! 🌿💖✨
🛠️ Living the Truth: How We Hold Fast to Christ Every Day
After we studied 2 John 1:9 together, Daddy closed the Bible and said, “Okay, Team Discovery—how do we live this out?”
That’s when we started brainstorming ways to hold fast to the truth of Christ—not just on Sundays or during devotions, but every single day.
📖 Know the Truth of Who Jesus Really Is
I raised my hand first (okay, maybe I blurted it),
“I could read the Bible every day—not just the verses I like, but all of it—to learn who Jesus really is. Not just His miracles, but His heart.”
I wrote in my journal:
📝 “Jesus wasn’t just amazing—He is the truth. His life, His death, His resurrection, and His love for everyone—that’s the truth I want to hold on to.”
When we dig deep into His teachings, we start seeing how His love shaped everything—from how He healed people to how He forgave those who hurt Him. That truth grounds our faith and becomes the lens through which we understand the world.
🔗 Stay Connected to God Through Jesus
Daddy added,
“Staying connected to Jesus means believing the whole truth—not just pieces that sound easy or popular. Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior, and the way to the Father.”
He said our relationship with Jesus grows like a plant when it’s watered daily—with prayer, worship, and time in His Word. Over time, we see the fruit: joy, patience, kindness, courage.
🌿 “The more we know Jesus, the more we become like Him.”
And that’s what changes how we act, how we speak, and how we treat others—even when life feels confusing.
🌎 Share the Truth About Jesus With Others
Yaya, always ready with a warm smile and deep truth, said:
“We don’t just keep the gospel to ourselves. When we share it, especially when we notice someone believing something false about Jesus, we’re helping them discover real hope.”
She told us the truth of Christ isn’t a treasure we hide—it’s a light we carry.
✨ “The gospel is for everyone, everywhere, always.”
Even if someone comes from a totally different place or believes something different, we can still share the love and truth of Jesus gently and joyfully.
💬 Let’s Reflect Together:
- How can we remind ourselves of the truth about Jesus each day?
- What are some practical ways to stay connected to God when life gets busy?
- Have you ever had a chance to gently share the gospel with someone? What happened?
At the bottom of my page, I drew three arrows:
➡️ Know the Truth
➡️ Stay Connected
➡️ Share the Light
That’s my new mission map.
What would yours look like?
Let’s keep walking this truth-treasure hunt—together. 💖🔍📜
🏠 Family Activity: Our “Truth Challenge” Adventure
This week, we launched something new in our house—our very own “Truth Challenge!” 💡
Every day, we focused on one powerful truth about Jesus, learning it, talking about it, and finding ways to live it. It was like a faith-filled scavenger hunt, where each clue led us closer to His heart.
✨ Memorizing Truth Together
One of my favorite moments was when Alice and I teamed up to memorize John 14:6:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” —John 14:6
We paused every few words to imagine what that really meant. Alice said, “So… it’s like Jesus is the flashlight, the map, and the safe place all at once!” I wrote that in my journal, right next to a doodle of Mr. Fluffernutter holding a glowing lantern.
Memorizing verses isn’t just a brain game—it’s like planting seeds of truth that grow into courage and peace.
🤝 Sharing Truth When It Matters Most
One night, Daddy told us a story about his friend who had been feeling lost in their faith. He shared how God helped him gently encourage that friend—not by debating, but by reminding them of who Jesus really is.
Just… truth wrapped in love. ✝️💬
That showed me something huge:
🧭 “Standing firm in truth doesn’t mean being loud—it means being loving and steady when someone else is unsure.”
Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is whisper hope into someone else’s storm.
🌱 Truth That Changes Everything
This whole challenge made me realize: truth isn’t just for me.
When I hold fast to the truth about Jesus, it flows through me into every conversation, every hug, every decision.
We’re not just learning facts—we’re living out the gospel.
And guess what? That changed our whole week. We laughed more, prayed more, and even made a truth board on the fridge with sticky notes like:
- “Jesus never changes.”
- “God’s Word is always true.”
- “Love = action.”
I want to do this again. Like, every month. Maybe next time with some friends, too!
💬 Let’s Chat!
- What’s one truth about Jesus that helps you stay strong when life gets tough?
- How can you share the gospel lovingly with someone who’s struggling?
- What might your own “Truth Challenge” look like this week?
💡 Final Thought: Why We Stand Firm in the Doctrine of Christ
John’s words remind us that abiding in the doctrine of Christ isn’t just a belief—it’s a lifeline. It connects us to God the Father, fills us with Christ’s peace and purpose, and gives us the courage to live differently.
🌟 “When we hold fast to the truth, we don’t just shine for ourselves—we light the way for others.”
So let’s keep standing firm. Let’s speak truth, live love, and stay rooted in the gospel.
Because every time we choose truth, we become beacons of light in a world that desperately needs hope.
What’s your favorite truth about Jesus?
Drop it in the comments—I’d love to read them and maybe add them to our fridge board! 💖
With love and joy,
Ariel ✨
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