I don’t know about you, but I grew up going to church my whole life. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know John 3:16. In fact, sometimes I just take it for granted that everyone knows that Bible verse.

A few weeks ago I asked one of our volunteer leaders (Lang) to share during one of our after school group outings. We were mountain biking at a local trail. When we got to the top of the mountain, Lang pulled out a memory verse and challenged each teen to memorize the verse on the spot (either in Spanish or English). The verse was John 3:16. It seemed that no one in the group had memorized, or even heard the verse before. That day each kid memorized John 3:16. In the past few weeks it hasn’t been uncommon to hear, “For God so loved the world...” repeated at least a few times during each of our subsequent outings.

Yesterday we had the opportunity to talk more in depth about what that verse means with those students. It has been so exciting to see these young people begin to grow in their understanding of God. I see them being drawn to Him!