Live in Awe - The Journey from Awkward To Awesome

LIVE IN AWE

THE JOURNEY FROM AWKWARD TO AWESOME

Copyright © 2026 by Brandon Johnson. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without written permission from the author.

Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Used by permission. All rights reserved.

FIRST EDITION

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contents

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Awkward Aware Align Awesome The Journey The Algorithm Adoration Live in Awe

F O R W A R D Awesome describes something or someone that powerfully stirs awe— deep respect, wonder, and even a sense of reverent fear—because of its greatness, beauty, power, or significance. It goes beyond “good” or “impressive” and captures the feeling of being moved, overwhelmed, or humbled by what you are experiencing.

Our God is not average — He is AWESOME and His church must reflect His nature. This year, lets makes people say, “WOW!” — not through showmanship, but through spiritual excellence that reveals the power, presence, and people of God working in harmony.

come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.

PSALM 66:5

1

awkward is the discomfort that arises

when actions, words, or timing do not unfold the way

they are supposed to.

2

AWESOME

SOMETHING that feels exciting, impressive, or genuinely cool in a way that instantly

Sparks energy, confidence, or admiration.

3

prodigal son LUKE 15:11-24

4

5

awk•ward 6

the discomfort that arises when

actions, words, or timing do not unfold the way they are supposed to.

7

Not many days later, the younger son gathered

all he had and took a journey into a far

country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

And when he had spent everything, a severe famine

arose in that country, and he began to

be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens

of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed

pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

LUKE 15:13-16

8

wanting

EVERYTHING can lead to

awkward

CHOICES

9

plans without

guidance lead to

AWKWARD OUTCOMES

10

when expectations

awkward. don’t match reality, life gets

11

HOW TO

HAVE AN

AWESOME

2026

awkward moments

can lead to an

12

AWESOME YEAR 13

a•ware 14

having realization, perception,

or knowledge and taking

ownership of decisions & actions.

15

But when he came to himself, he said ‘How

many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish

here with hunger!’

LUKE 15:17

16

I’m aware that my choices

brought me here 17

AWKWARD started with a

demand

18

AWARENESS BEGINS WHEN YOU TRACE THE

AWKWARD

back to the

DECISION 19

I’m aware that I chased

the wrong awesome.

20

What I thought would satisfy me didn’t sustain me.

21

I’m aware that I can’t

STAY HERE 22

aware 23

the most awkward decision would be doing

24

NOTHING 25

a•lign 26

to bring into agreement

or proper position.

27

I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him,

‘Father, I have sinned against heaven

and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

And he arose and came to his father.

LUKE 15:18-20a

28

AWARENESS shows me where I am

29

Alignment Decides where I’m Going 30

Alignment Requires a decision 31

Alignment

changes direction 32

alignment 33

ALIGNMENT

isn’t trying harder...

34

it’s turning around.

35

Alignment requires

Ownership 36

alignment sounds like

HONESTY not excuses

37

ALIGNMENT ISN’T WHAT I PROMISE ONCE...

IT’S WHAT I PRACTICE DAILY 38

awesome 39

awe•some 40

something exciting, impressive,

or powerful enough

to spark awe and admiration.

41

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw

him and felt compassion, and ran and

embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father,

I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer

worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe and put it on him.’

Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

LUKE 15:20b-22

42

AWE returns

43

awesome is what happens when awe returns 44

many people won’t have an awesome year, because they lost their awe for God i can’t accomplish anything on my own. I need God. 45

awesome begins with action.

46

awesome is found In

acceptance.

47

awesome restores authority.

48

awesome brings what was dead back to life.

(ALIVE) 49

the journey

50

AWKWARD

ACTION

AWARE

ACCEPTANCE

ALIGN

AUTHORITY

AWESOME

ALIVE

apply this in every

area of your life to see the awesomeness of god 51

AWKWARD

52

AWARE

ALIGN

AWESOME 53

HOW TO

HAVE AN

AWESOME

2026

AWKWARD AWARE ALIGN AWESOME

54

THE ALGORITHM ACTION ACCEPTANCE AUTHORITY

THE ENEMY HATES THIS (BACKWARDS)

ALIVE 55

AWESOME PRODUCES

ACTION 56

Awesomeness reminds me I’m accepted.

57

ALIGNMENT restores authority

58

AWESOME MEANS

ALIVE 59

AWESOME is a life that takes action,

walks accepted, 60

lives authorized,

and stays alive 61

ad•o•ra•tion 62

the act of offering profound, reverent

honor, deep love,

and worship to a divine being (God) or

high esteem for a person.

63

Bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat

and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost and is

found. And they began to celebrate.

LUKE 15:23-24

64

ADORATION

begins when admiration

becomes surrender 65

ADORATION

REQUIRES

HUMILITY 66

ADORATION reorders the heart

67

adoration

Deepens our relationship with God. 68

live in

AWE 69

Notes

Notes

Notes

Notes

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This book was inspired by a teaching series shared in Teen Church at Agape Family Worship Center, developed in connection with the church’s 2026 theme, ‘AWESOME.’ I am grateful for the opportunity to teach and invest in the next generation and to watch young people grow in awareness, alignment, and awe of God.

B. Johnson

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Brandon Johnson serves as Youth Pastor at Agape Family

Worship Center and is passionate about helping the next generation discover their identity and purpose in Christ.

Through teaching, mentoring, and discipleship, he encourages young people to move from confusion to clarity by becoming aware, aligning their lives with God, and living in awe of Him. Brandon is completing a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) with a concentration in Marketing at Regent University.

Live in Awe was developed from a teaching series created for Teen Church at Agape Family Worship Center, inspired by the church’s 2026 theme AWESOME.

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T H E M E

Y O U T H

S E R I E S