Description of that Longing: 

Appreciation, Recognition, Recovery and Restoration, Self-Esteem

How Jesus meets that Longing: 

Jesus shows me love, acceptance and forgiveness and accepts me unconditionally, as I am

Challenge I face: 

I want to give my whole life to Jesus, all of myself from head to toe, regardless of what other people say or think about me. 

Biblical Character: 

The «Sinful Woman» in a Pharisee’s House in Luke 7:36-50

Description of that Longing: 

Inner Calm, Serenity, Steadfastness, Confidence.

How Jesus meets that Longing: 

Jesus gives me an inner peace that the world cannot give and fills my heart with a supernatural trust that He will make everything turn out well. 

Challenge I face: 

I will be careful not to confuse peace with freedom from problems or challenges. Instead, I want to stay close to Jesus, who gives me peace amid chaos and leads me through it. 

Biblical Character: 

The Disciples and the Holy Spirit in John 14:25-31

Description of that Longing: 

Fulfilment, Happiness, a «full» soul, Knowing who I am.

How Jesus meets that Longing: 

Jesus knows everything about me, including my deepest longings. He has truly seen me. He shows me the way to lead a fulfilled life.

Challenge I face: 

I willingly open myself to have a fundamentally and radically honest experience with Jesus. I trust that He is the only one who can satisfy my desire for «real» life. 

Biblical Character: 

The Samaritan Woman at the Well in John 4:1-54

Description of that Longing: 

Grace, Mercy, Defending my Life, Having an Advocate

How Jesus meets that Longing: 

Jesus supports me, defends me, and saves me from the risk of death – even if the danger is my own fault. 

Challenge I face: 

I allow God to challenge me to change my ways and stop destructive behaviors that damage myself and others. 

Biblical Character: 

The Woman Caught in Adultery in John 8:2-11

Description of that Longing: 

Reconciliation with God and myself, a new, merciful understanding of God’s righteousness. 

How Jesus meets that Longing: 

Jesus revealed God’s righteousness and justice through His life, death and resurrection. He guarantees that God will judge the world and establish His Kingdom of freedom one day.

Challenge I face: 

I choose to stop trusting in my own righteousness, achievements and merits, and place my trust in the righteousness that God gives my by faith. This righteousness will allow me to live and act out of a sense of grace and mercy. 

Biblical Character: 

Paul in Philippians 3:7-9

Description of that Longing: 

Health, Renewed Life-Energy, Strength, Comfort.

How Jesus meets that Longing: 

Jesus allows me to touch Him, heals me, and gives new strength for life. In Him, I can experience new life wherever I have lost me way.

Challenge I face: 

I have to admit that I have used up all my options and that I no longer know what to do; only Jesus can help me at this point. I open myself to Him and am ready to receive help. 

Biblical Character: 

The Woman with a Flow of Blood in Mark 5:25-34

Description of that Longing: 

Hope that my destiny in life can be changed, longing for a «normal» life, hope for a better future.

How Jesus meets that Longing: 

Jesus sees me, my past and my entire life. He heals me from external and internal paralysis, enabling me to take responsibility for my own life. 

Challenge I face: 

I accept Jesus’ challenge to make a change and decide not to wallow in self-pity and longer. I no longer want to be a victim. I will stand up for myself.

Biblical Character: 

Disabled Man at the Pool of Bethesda in John 5:1-18

Description of that Longing: 

Health, Renewed Life-Energy, Strength, Comfort

How Jesus meets that Longing: 

Jesus is with me, we are «in the same boat». He carries me through the storms of life and preserves my life. 

Challenge I face: 

I need to trust that Jesus is always with me, ready to help, and prepared with a solution to bring me safely to my destination. 

Biblical Character: 

The Disciples in a Storm in Mark 4:35-41

Description of that Longing: 

Recognising God’s truth and the larger context of life

How Jesus meets that Longing: 

Jesus reveals the secrets of life to me. He opens the door to God. He gives my live meaning and significance. 

Challenge I face: 

I humbly admit that there is more to life than what I can understand. I choose to take a step of faith to believe in Jesus, even if it means being ridiculed by so-called intellectuals. 

Biblical Character: 

Nicodemus in John 3:1-21

Description of that Longing: 

Intimacy, Closeness, Relationships, Friendship

How Jesus meets that Longing: 

Jesus sees me, accepts me, is interested in me, challenges me, wants to be with me, helps me develop connections to other people. 

Challenge I face: 

I do not want to hide behind my social status, but I choose to step out in faith, even at the risk of embarrassing myself. I am ready to welcome Jesus in my life and to reorganise my life together with Him.

Biblical Character: 

Zachaeus in Luke 19:1-10

Description of that Longing: 

Forgiveness, Renewed Trust, a New Start.

How Jesus meets that Longing: 

Jesus took all my failures, my guild and my shame on Himself. He forgives me and enables me to start again and experience new life in Him

Challenge I face: 

I own all the failures and mistakes I have made in my life, and I allow Jesus to examine my heart to reveal all the sin and guilt I still carry. I trust that He will forgive me completely and turn even the bad things from my life into good.  

Biblical Character: 

Peter in John 21:1-19

Description of that Longing: 

Restoration, Self-Worth, Identity.

How Jesus meets that Longing: 

Jesus sees me, engages with me as a friend. He redeems my warped and oppressed personality. He restores my dignity, helping to stand tall.

Challenge I face: 

I allow Jesus to heal me so that I can stand tall. I accept and «put on» my dignity and identity in Him.

Biblical Character: 

The Crippled Woman in Luke 13:10-17

Description of that Longing: 

Feeling inwardly touched or moved; being overcome by God’s presence; perceiving God’s holiness; losing my heart to God; longing to find ways to express truth, beauty and goodness. 

How Jesus meets that Longing: 

Jesus resonates with me. I have an overwhelming sense of awe, and I feel deeply known and captivated by His beauty and holiness. Although I can hardly express this feeling, I want to invest my whole life in Him.

Challenge I face: 

I reject utilitarian thinking and human reason and stop allowing these to dominate my life. Instead, I will follow Jesus with everything I am and have, and I will seek to increase His glory.

Biblical Character: 

Mary (Sister of Lazarus & Martha)  in John 12:1-8

Description of that Longing: 

Perceiving the eternal, supernatural dimension; appreciating the transcendent nature of God and being moved to worship; awareness of the eternal dimension beyond our world, ourselves, and our earthly lives.

How Jesus meets that Longing: 

Jesus has overcome death. He is risen, and He is alive. He allows me to experience His presence and fills my life with a living hope for God’s new world. 

Challenge I face: 

I choose to open myself for God’s eternal dimension, which is ready to be revealed in my life today, so that I can view my earthly life as a preparation for something better.

Biblical Character: 

Mary Magdalene, the Disciples, Paul and 500 Witnesses in John 20