Read: Jonah 3:10-4:11

God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry?
Jonah 4:9

Is it right for you to be angry?

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“And now you know… the rest of the story.” That’s how a famous radio show from long ago ended its broadcast. Paul Harvey would share fascinating facts or forgotten bits of history but keep out key names and parts in order to create a “surprise.” After a brief pause, Mr. Harvey would conclude, “Now you know… the rest of the story.”

Jonah was called by God to preach against the evil people in a city called Nineveh. But Jonah ran away on a boat. The boat began to sink in a big storm. Jonah was swallowed by a large fish, learned of God’s grace, and went to Nineveh. The evil people repented, and asked God not to destroy them.

The end? Not quite. Here’s the rest of the story.

God changed his mind and did not destroy them. And what is Jonah’s reaction? Joy and thanks? Amazement how God used him as part of his saving plan? Nope. Jonah became angry. What? Jonah is angry that God saved people and didn’t destroy them? Yes, that is correct.

Jonah was angry because he knew God was gracious and forgiving, and that he loved saving people who talked and acted terribly. In fact, Jonah set up a little viewing area to see if the people or God would change their minds and destruction would still come.

While Jonah is waiting in the red-hot heat, God provided a plant that grew so tall it provided shade over his head. But the next day, a worm attacked the plant and it died. Boy, was Jonah mad about that! God scolded him. “You cared about this plant, but not about the hundreds of thousands of people in Nineveh?”

And now you know the rest of the story. So what do we learn? While Jonah knew God and experienced for himself God’s grace and mercy, Jonah didn’t think the people in Nineveh deserved God’s grace and mercy. Jonah’s story shows us what a lack of love for others can do. But the rest of the story also shows how much God loves the world, even people we don’t like because they have been terrible. That’s why Jesus died for them like he did for us. He wants all of us to be saved. That’s the story of the gospel.

Now you can share the rest of the story!

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we often struggle to love people in this world. Yet you sent Jesus to be the Savior of the whole world. Let us see every person you created as someone you love and want to give your grace, mercy, and forgiveness, just like me. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Why was Jonah angry at the end of the story?
• What did God tell Jonah about Nineveh?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Agree or disagree. When someone is not Christian or is mean to me, it is okay to not show them love.
• Who does God want me to share forgiveness with? Why?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Think of a time when someone has hurt you or been mean to you. What do you want to happen to them and why?
• It isn’t easy to love and forgive someone you don’t get along with. Yet God does and wants us to. What does this show other people about our God and his mercy?

Read: Ephesians 4:29-5:2

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Ephesians 4:29

You Can Make a Difference

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Have you heard that before? It’s been around a long time. In fact, this rhyme was first written in 1872. Since then, for over 150 years, kids have said it to let others know that their mean words don’t really bother them.

There’s another phrase that’s kind of like it: “I’m rubber, you’re glue, whatever you say bounces off of me and sticks to you.”

What do both of those phrases have in common? Each one is a big fat lie. Words do hurt. The mean things people say don’t actually bounce right off, but too often stick like glue in our brains.

God knows that your heart will hurt because of what other people say and do. Because it hurts to hear “Nobody likes a know-it-all” or “We don’t want you to play with us at recess” or “Why are you so stupid?” or “You aren’t funny.”

For people who believe in Jesus, God wants you to be different and make a difference in other people’s lives. That’s why he tells you to only say things that are helpful. You can build people up by saying things like, “Thanks for being a great friend.” Or, “Do you need my help?” Or, “Hey, are you okay? Want to talk?” Or, “That was really nice. Thank you!”

God doesn’t want us to only encourage with our words, we get to let our actions speak as well. We choose to be kind, helping our friends when they need it. We have compassion, seeing when someone is hurting and helping them by listening and showing them we care. We forgive people who sin against us. We choose to love people the same way that Jesus loved us.

Words can hurt, but words can heal too. Choose your words wisely.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Holy Spirit, you live inside of me, so work in me so that my words are helpful. Get rid of my anger and fighting. Help me be kind, compassionate, and forgiving. Give me the strength to walk in the way of love, just like Jesus loves me. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What are some nice things people have said to you?
• What’s a nice thing you can say to one of your friends?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Identify a friend who needs cheering up. What ways can you do that?
• Why does God want you to speak and act kindly to others? Read Ephesians 5:1-2.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Think of your friend group. Which of them really listens to you and makes you feel good? Tomorrow, make it a point to thank them for being such a good friend.
• Being kind and cheerful is important around your home. Discuss with your family how you can better support each other with a cheerful attitude and kind words.

Read: Matthew 18:15-20

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
Matthew 18:15-17

How to Talk to People About Their Sin

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Every single one of us at some point, when we were fighting with someone, went to get an adult.

Kids often go yelling for Mom or Dad when their brother hit them or their sister wouldn’t share her stuff. At school, if kids get called a name or someone tries to change the rules of the game at recess, they go get the teacher. They want an adult on their side.

The Bible is saying kind of the same thing here when it comes to us and people who are members of our church family. If someone sins against you, that means if someone hurts you or is sinning in a way that is really harmful, you should let them know that it hurt or how their actions could affect their faith. Don’t text them. Do it in person. Because if they listen and are sorry, you can happily hug them right away! But what if they don’t listen and refuse to ask for forgiveness? You need to get someone else to go with you. And if that doesn’t work, then you go to the leaders of the church.

Sometimes it works, which is awesome! We get to tell people that Jesus forgave all of their sins and God sees them as his perfect children. Sometimes, though, it doesn’t work. And that’s the hardest thing in the world. Some people are blind to how badly their sins are impacting themselves, the people around them, and their church family. They refuse to listen. They refuse to turn to Jesus. When that happens, the church family will still pray for them and be friendly when they see them, but then they set boundaries that send a clear message, “You are not close with Jesus and living apart from him could mean living apart from him in heaven.”

This isn’t about tattling on someone so that you look good or that the other church members feel like they are better than other people. We don’t enjoy it when other people are in trouble. Instead, Christians talk to each other this way about sin because sin is serious. It separates people from God, and we want to make sure that other people know that their sins are a way that Satan is using to tempt them away from following Jesus.

But here’s the good news: [Jesus said,] “Where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Even when we have hard conversations and deal with sad things, God is still with us, guiding our discussions and helping us say and do hard things out of love for other people.

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, please help us to handle things calmly when people sin against us. Help our church to love people enough to tell them hard things. Help people show us our sins too, so we don’t get arrogant. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Why is it so easy to tattle on other people?
• When you tattle on them, what are you hoping will happen?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What has happened when you’ve tattled on somebody?
• Why does it often feel good to tattle on someone? How can we love them instead?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Whose job is it to confront someone who is sinning against God?
• When we talk to people about their sin, is it easier to want them to get in trouble or to love them? Why is that?

Read: Ezekiel 33:7-11

“Son of man, say to the Israelites, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?”
Ezekiel 33:10a,11

You’re accountable

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Over the next few weeks, some churches will be talking about what kind of church God wants. Because “the church” sounds more like a building or the pastor or adults, it can be easy to think this doesn’t matter for you. No matter how old you are, you are part of the church, which means that the church God wants is all about the kind of people God wants and the way he wants believers to act.

Have you ever drawn a “Do Not Enter!” sign for your door? Or maybe, in a moment of frustration with a sibling, you drew a “No Girls (or Boys) Allowed!” notice? We all know those signs mean to keep out. This isn’t just in a house either. A “No Trespassing” sign on a fence tells you strangers aren’t welcome at that business. The yellow tape around a crime scene lets you know you aren’t allowed in. Bad things can happen when you ignore the signs.

God’s laws, the commandments he gives you, are like warning signs. When he says, “Do not murder, do not covet, do not steal,” he’s saying, “Don’t go there.” It could be dangerous if you don’t listen. People get hurt when you and the people in your life don’t pay attention to God’s signs.

Ezekiel was a prophet, someone who spoke God’s words to God’s people. God told Ezekiel to give the Israelites warning signs. They were headed for the disaster of not loving God, of not following his ways, of following complete evil—and it was Ezekiel’s job to warn them. And God said he would hold Ezekiel accountable if he didn’t do his job.

Whose job is it to give words of warning today? God tells us, our family, and friends to step up and say hard things like, “don’t” or “stop” when it comes to sin. The Bible tells us that a real friend tells the truth, even when it’s hard to hear. A friend cares too much to let friends act like idiots. Even though it can be scary and we can get sick to our stomach as we think about having to say hard things, we remember that it’s for our good.

You might not be a prophet exactly like Ezekiel, but God wants you to speak up too, even if you’re scared, because he loves the people he has put around you. It might be your friends. It might be your family. They are all people that God wants us to take care of, protect, and warn—because we love them and so does he.

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, there are people in our lives who might need us give them warning signs. Help us see them and work in our hearts to make us courageous to say hard things. Give us the right words so we lovingly warn them about the cost of not following you. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Remember what happened the last time you didn’t listen to your parents’ or teachers’ warning signs? Share it out loud.
• Name two dangerous things or choices that we might need to warn someone about.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Ask your parents how it feels when someone in the family doesn’t listen to their warnings. What emotion drives them to say something?
• How does God feel if we don’t follow his signs? What emotion drives him to say something?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Recall a time you tried to warn a friend not to do something.
• Recall a time someone warned you not to do something. How did you react?

Read: Romans 8:18-25

Creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God . . . as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:21,23b

We are “Eager Expecters”

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Did you know that when your mom and dad found out they were going to have a baby they began telling others, “Good news everyone! We are expecting!” They shared the date when you were to be born, and everyone waited eagerly for the day of your birth. They were “eager expecters”! But would you call a woman in labor an “eager expecter”? Even as she’s experiencing the pain of giving birth, she’s eagerly expecting a child.

In today’s reading, our natural world is also pictured as waiting for the “sons of God to be revealed in us.” No one on earth really knows who the true believers are. That will be revealed on judgment day, and that’s what the entire world is waiting for. The world God created is described as a person filled with hope—hope “that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.” Someday, the creation will be set free from pain—no more floods, no more forest fires, no more droughts, no more pollution. On judgment day, nature will be freed. Finally, it will be able to glorify God the way it was supposed to before the fall into sin.

In a way, nature is an “eager expecter” of judgment day, and so are we! Just like the world, we also are groaning, because of all the problems we face. But it’s also a groan of hope, “as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” It means you as a Christian—have a lot to look forward to on judgment day. On that day, everyone will know that you are a child of God, a true believer. Your body will be redeemed—in other words, your body will be raised from the dead—all the problems you experience will be gone, and you will be restored to perfect condition. Then you will be able to perfectly glorify God without any sin, without any problems getting in the way. Guess what—it means we are “eager expecters” of judgment day!

Here’s what an “eager expecter” sounds like: “I know that I am a sinner, and that I deserve to be judged for it on judgment day. But I eagerly expect that God will forgive me. I know he will, because Jesus has taken my sins away at the cross, and he rose from the dead to prove it.” That is real hope!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for completing our salvation so we can eagerly expect your return on judgment day when we will live with you in glory forever. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What is your favorite part about celebrating your birthday?
• What celebration are we looking forward to when Jesus comes on the Last Day?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Discuss whether judgment day sounds: 1) Scary. 2) Happy. 3) Or both.
• How does Jesus take away our fears on judgment day?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Discuss if you think Jesus’ final coming will happen during your lifetime or many years later.
• In light of the above discussion, why is it so important for us to live every day as an “eager expecter”?

Read: Matthew 16:13-20

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
Matthew 16:13-17

What Is Your Answer?

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Did the summer seem to go by quickly? Are you back in school already? Or getting ready to? Are you ready for more quizzes and tests? Do you ever get tired of answering so many questions?

There is one question that is the most important question of all. It’s a question every human being will need to answer. It’s the question Jesus asked his disciples. Are you ready for it? Here it is: “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” (Matthew 16:13).

Who is Jesus? “That’s easy!” you may think. Many people in Jesus’ day thought Jesus was someone special. “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” Those were famous men whom God powerfully used to preach his Word. But their answer was wrong. Jesus was much greater than any of them.

When Jesus asked Peter, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” That was the best answer ever! Peter would have gotten an A+ if that question was on a quiz. Peter believed that Jesus was who he said he was—the promised Messiah who is God the Son. Peter knew who Jesus was because God gave him the faith to believe and trust in him. Jesus said, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”

So the answer to the most important question of all time is not something we could figure out on our own. The answer is given to us by God in his Word as a gift! Jesus tells us who he is when we read and listen to his Word in family devotions and in church and Sunday School. Jesus showed you who he was when you were baptized into his name. That’s when he washed away your sins and made you his own dear child. He even promises to be with you always so you can live a new life with him.

When someone asks you the most important question your life, “Who is Jesus?” you have the privilege of giving the right answer—“Jesus is God the Son, my Savior!

Closing Prayer:

Holy Spirit, thank you for giving me the faith to believe that Jesus is my Savior. Help me to share this good news as boldly as your disciples shared it with others. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Who is Jesus?
• How did you learn about him?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why is it important to know who Jesus is?
• How does your baptism play an important part in knowing who Jesus is?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Explain the difference between believing that Jesus is a good example versus Jesus is our Savior.
• Why is it so comforting that your faith in Jesus is a gift?

Read: Exodus 34:5-9

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.”
Exodus 34:6,7a

Way Better Than You Imagined!

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Sarah Kate was excited but also scared. She was finally picked for the select volleyball team. Her excitement turned to nervousness after her teammate Ella called and said, “My dad heard we may be getting that new coach.” The girls were not sure they wanted to play anymore. Coach Wilson was very tall and had a scary voice. He was not the kind of coach they were hoping for.

The team was invited to the park for a cookout and a team meeting so everyone could get to know each other and meet their new coach. As they arrived, Coach Wilson was even taller than they expected. He greeted every player by name, handing them a gift bag as he welcomed the whole team. This was going way better than they imagined. After the meeting, the girls were no longer afraid. Coach Wilson was going to be a great coach. They would all work hard together, not because they were afraid of the coach, but because they respected him.

Moses was called by the LORD to lead his people to the promised land where the Savior was to be born. Moses was very nervous because he knew he couldn’t accomplish this huge task by himself. The LORD promised to go with him. Moses then asked the LORD to show him his glory so Moses could know him better.

So God described himself. There was some scary bad news and there was some exciting good news. The bad news is that God scares us because he threatens to punish children when they misuse his name, disrespect their parents, and disobey him. He promises there is hell to pay. Yikes! That’s scarier than Coach Wilson!

Now listen to the good news: “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” This is the best news anyone could ever hear! The LORD is awesomely powerful and holy, but who could imagine that he is also equally loving and compassionate! God decided to forgive us of all our sins because he is amazingly compassionate and gracious!

All those times you misused God’s name without even thinking about what you were saying, Jesus paid for all those sins with his blood. Now, he asks you to keep God’s name holy and to love, honor, and respect him more than anything.

It’s true! The LORD’s love for you is way better than you could have ever expected!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for loving us unconditionally and giving us the faith to trust in your loving care. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Have you ever felt afraid of God? Tell us why.
• What did Jesus do so you wouldn’t have to be afraid of God?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What does God mean when he describes himself as compassionate and gracious?
• How can you be certain that God is compassionate and gracious to you?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• How can God at the same time punish all sin yet promise to forgive us?
• Describe how different you might be if your parents never shared the good news of Jesus with you.

Read: Ephesians 2:13-22

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:13-22

Who Are Members of God’s Family?

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Let’s start with a warning: Today’s reading is hard to understand. Like this part which says, “You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” What is the apostle Paul talking about?

To answer that, we need to do a real quick history lesson. From the Bible’s view of things, the whole world is divided into two types of people, Jews and Gentiles. Have you heard that before? It especially is a feature when you read the Old Testament of the Bible.

The Jews were God’s special people. They were descendants of a man named Abraham. His grandson was Jacob. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel, and he had 12 sons that we often call—you guessed it—the children of Israel. One of Israel’s sons was Judah, and after a while his was the only group left intact and in the Promised Land. After a time away from their land, they returned. The people of Judah became known as the Jews. God told these people that the Messiah (the name for God’s “special chosen one”) would come from their family! He gave the Jews his Word, his commands, and his promises. These promises were always meant for them. But not just for them. Remember the two types of people in the Bible? Jews and those who were not Jews. They were called Gentiles. God’s promises were meant for both types of people.

At Jesus’ time, the Jewish people had forgotten their purpose—to be a light and hope for the Gentiles. At Paul’s time, the thought was that if you were a Jew you were God’s child, but if you were a Gentile you were outside the family. But then… Jesus arrived! He came from the family of Judah, but he came for both types of people. In Jesus, there is no more Jew or Gentile. God has reconciled (made peace with) the whole world. He has won forgiveness and, life, and peace for all. In Jesus, Paul says, you are no longer strangers or foreigners, you are actual members of his household! You are no longer outsiders or even second-class citizens. You are members of God’s own family, his forgiven, dearly loved children! With all the benefits. Inheritance. Eternal life. A Father who promises to give you whatever you ask for as you ask in line with his will. Wow.

Are you a Jew or a Gentile? It doesn’t matter. Jesus announces peace to both. No one is excluded. You can be at peace in him. That makes a huge difference in the way we live our lives. It makes a huge difference in the way we deal with people who are way different than we are. Let’s invite them into God’s house too, that we all might live at peace with God and at peace with each other too.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for coming into our world to bring peace. Help us to live in peace, with God and with one another. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Who were the two different types of people in today’s devotion? Which one are you?
• Which people did God bring into his family?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What’s the difference between a Jew and a Gentile?
• How did God bring Jews and Gentiles together into one family?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Discuss the different types of people in your church family and why that’s actually a good thing.
• What does it mean that God has reconciled the world to himself in Jesus? How will that show itself in our lives?

Read: Matthew 14:22-33

Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 14:22-33

Keep Your Eyes On Jesus, the Son of God

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It’s funny what people are afraid of. What scares you? Are you afraid of flying? Or talking in front of a lot of people? Does the dark scare you? Or spiders?

Do you know what Jesus’ disciples were afraid of? Ghosts! Jesus had just fed five thousand people by multiplying a lunch meant for only a few. The disciples saw this and even helped serve and clean up after the meal. Jesus sent them out in the boat while he said goodbye to the crowd and prayed to his Father. But the winds and waves pounded the boat all night long. That’s when Jesus came to his disciples, walking toward them on top of the water. Were they happy to see Jesus? No, they were scared. They thought they were seeing a ghost! Then Peter, just to make sure it really was Jesus, said, “Let me walk on the water too, Lord.” And he did! Peter walked on the water! Then he saw something that scared him. All he could see was the pounding wind and waves. “Uh-oh,” he must have thought, “what am I doing out here?!?”

He took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink.

There are so many things in life that are scary. Remember the last time you said, “Uh-oh”? It’s a sign that we’ve taken our eyes off of Jesus. In scary moments we forget about him and his presence. We know that he loves us and strengthens us to do things we may think are impossible for us—like believing and speaking his truth. But when take our eyes off him and focus on our weaknesses and fears and the threats around us, we sink and say, “Uh-oh.”

So, what’s the solution? It’s simply this: Keep your eyes on Jesus. See him on the cross dying for your every sin. See him rising from the dead in order to defeat your worst fear, death itself. See him ascending into heaven with the promise that he is with you always in this life. See his power over the pounding wind and waves. See his mercy to catch us when we are sinking. Be strong in him when things get scary.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, ruler of wind and wave, help me to always keep my eyes on you, especially when things get scary and I feel weak. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Name two things that really scare you.
• What did Jesus do or say that can help you not be so scared?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• When the disciples saw Jesus, what did they think they were seeing? Why might that seem a bit strange to us? (Remember what he had just done.)
• How do we sometimes do the same thing?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• True or false: Ghosts are real.
• Identify the “wind and waves” in your life that causes your faith to falter like Peter. Then apply a lesson you learned from this devotion that will help calm your fear.

Read: 1 Kings 19:9-18

There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, (author’s note: read the following words with an angry, self-righteous tone) “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (author’s note: read the following words with a humbly relieved, but tired and wondering tone) He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
1 Kings 19:9-18

Listen for the LORD’s Gentle Whisper

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Do you ever feel down in the dumps? Has it ever happened that you’ve tried your hardest and done your best, but your plan—and seemingly everything else!—doesn’t work out the way you hoped? This can happen to God’s children. It can happen to his little children and his big kids too.

It once happened to a man named Elijah. He was God’s prophet, a person who tells God’s Word to God’s people. He was so down about how things were going that he even prayed that he would die. Wow! What was going on with Elijah?

During his life there were many people who weren’t listening to God’s Word. They weren’t believing what God said, and they weren’t living like God’s children. The king and queen, who were supposed to be encouraging God’s people and supporting his prophets, were getting rid of them and replacing them with false prophets and false gods. Elijah thought he was the only believer left. And now, the royal couple was after him too. Elijah had been so faithful to the LORD and to his job of speaking the LORD’s Word, but it just didn’t seem to be working.

Elijah was down in the dumps.

Then the LORD appeared to him. Elijah saw and heard powerful forces of nature. But was the LORD in those show of forces? Were the displays of mighty power meant to get Elijah back to work? Did the holy LORD use a scary threat to set him straight? Nope. God revealed himself in a gentle whisper. By this gentle whisper Elijah was reminded who the LORD is, the God of free and faithful grace. By this still, small voice the LORD reminded Elijah that he gets his kingdom work done through simple promises of forgiveness and salvation in a meek Messiah. By this quiet word he reminded Elijah that he changes hearts and wins them to himself through the Spirit’s power, not through mighty signs. Elijah had a change of heart, and then he went back to work.

What does God use to get us out of the dumps? What does he do to give us renewed courage and strength? The same thing. In a gentle whisper he tells us that Jesus is our Savior. In a still, small voice he reminds us that we are still his children and he is still with us. In his own quiet Word he says, “I love you, and I always will. And that’s what matters most.”

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, continue to speak to our hearts and to renew our faith by your gentle whisper in the gospel. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Who was God’s prophet in this story?
• What was wrong with him?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What is a prophet?
• Why was Elijah down in the dumps?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Describe a time you were down in the dumps. Why does that happen to you?
• What part of God’s Word does he want you to use to help yourself and others when you get down about life in this world?

Read: 1 Kings 17:1-6

You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.
1 Kings 17:4

Is it worth the risk?

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

It was a risky move.

Elijah the prophet burst onto the scene of the Old Testament, not preaching in the streets, but speaking God’s truth in the palace halls of powerful King Ahab who did not believe in God. Ahab made Baal worship the new national religion of God’s people. Baal was a false god worshiped as the lord of rain and dew. Because of that, Elijah promised there would “be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” Water is a precious commodity. In Elijah’s day and in Elijah’s land, water was both precious and scarce. Without it, crops would wither, brooks would dry up, and people would die. Calling King Ahab to repent would impact every person in Israel, including the prophet Elijah. It was a risky move.

Yet the LORD would not let his prophet starve. The LORD provided food and water for Elijah through means that seem to contradict themselves—a small secret stream that would still flow with water, even during a drought. And God ordered large birds to bring Elijah bread and meat. It was a miraculous move.

“But that was then,” you might interject, “and this is now.” It seems a bit easier to trust in God’s promise to provide when everything is sweetness and light in your life. Or, when everything makes sense in your head. But what about when it doesn’t? When you are feeling the stinging pain of an unfulfilled need and do the math in your head, and with dread in your heart realize the real risk, “I don’t know how this will work out!” Meanwhile, God’s miraculous promise to provide goes unheard and untrusted.

Elijah learned through a stream and ravens that God is in the business of meeting needs through means that look backwards—not because you’ve earned it, but because that’s the kind of God he is. Look at his most backwards-looking yet miraculous move of all times: The LORD God met your greatest need and pulled you out of the worst situation by his sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Your sin is paid for; your needs are met in Christ!

There is no need too great and no circumstance too risky. God’s promise to provide for you is worth hearing and trusting.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, help me remember you care and all the ways you provide for me. Whether I’m having a good day or a bad one, I will give you thanks. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• What did Elijah tell King Ahab?
• How did Elijah have enough to eat and drink during a drought?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• How does the Lord provide for you?
• How do you think Elijah felt when he saw the ravens coming with bread and meat twice each day?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Think of a time in your life when it’s easy to doubt God’s power to provide for you.
• Make a “thankfulness list”—kind of like a Christmas list, but instead of listing things you want to receive, list the things/people/circumstances you’re thankful for.

Read: 1 Timothy 6:17-21

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.
1 Timothy 6:17

God gives you more than money

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Matt and Rachel were so excited. They finally were buying the house of their dreams for their young family. But it wasn’t easy! They were anxious that someone else would swoop in and buy the house before they could. They went to the bank to get help to fund it. Through it all, they scrounged and scraped to put together a downpayment—even emptying the big bottle of coins on the floor by their dresser! If you asked Matt and Rachel, “If you had more money, would it have made it all easier?” They would have answered, “Absolutely!” But Matt and Rachel also knew what a temptation that would be—to be arrogant and put their hope in wealth.

Where does that temptation come from? We’re born with it. The sinful nature knows only how to be arrogant and to put its hope in all the wrong gods. In our verse for today, Paul warns Timothy about the special temptation that wealthy people face when they count on their money or how many good things they own. That’s when wealth stops being a good thing and starts being a god. But it’s not just rich people who think about money. People with little money also think a lot about money!

How does God want us to think about money? God says that money makes you no promises, forgives zero of your sins, and guarantees nothing in your eternity. So why pursue it as our highest good? It will only make you arrogant when you have some and angry when you don’t. No wonder Paul said that wealth is so uncertain.

When Matt and Rachel were facing the uncertainty of buying their home, they decided to put their hope in God instead of pinning it on the not-so-almighty dollar. They realized God is the one who owns everything and yet made himself nothing, so that in Christ he could take their place.

God gives you more than money. He gives you Jesus. For all our self-serving attitudes about money, Jesus had a single thought his entire life: saving you. So he gave up everything to make you his own. In Christ, we are set free from sin and freed to see money in a whole new way. Money doesn’t give meaning to your life; but your new life with Christ does! May you and your family reflect his love, support the work of sharing his love, and remember that Jesus is your hope!

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, you are our sure and certain hope. You never fail us, leave us, or forsake us. Help us to trust in your perfect power to provide all that we need. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Who owns everything in the whole world?
• What has God given to you?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why is trusting in money to solve all our problems a bad idea?
• Who “was rich, yet for your sakes became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich”?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Agree/Disagree: Money is the root of all evil.
• How does Jesus’ free forgiveness change the way I think about money and stuff?

Read: Matthew 13:44-52

When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
Matthew 13:46

Giving up everything for one thing

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

An enterprising young man started with one red paper clip. His goal was to see what he could exchange for it. Eventually, through a series of fourteen trades, he ended up with a two-story house. Wow! He had learned the fine art of giving up something to get something even better and more valuable.

Here’s a question for you: What would you give up so that you could have the thing you really want?

When we read Jesus’ stories in Matthew chapter 13, we come upon the stories of the treasure hidden in the field and the pearl of great price. In a way, Jesus ended both with the same truth: When someone finds the thing they really want, they’re willing to give up not just one thing, but everything.

So, what do you really want? What are you willing to give up so you can have it? Maybe it’s money or safety; a better relationship with someone in your family. As nice as all those things are, think deeper: what do you really want?

This week’s devotions will highlight wealth and how we, as children of God, get along with it. We live in a world that is driven by the want for more. Meanwhile, we remember that we are members of God’s kingdom, which offers something completely different.

That’s where it’s easy to get all mixed up. We want all our needs and wants to be met. We’re happiest when every one of our requests are met with a “Yes”! What we want is all that is important! What are you willing to sacrifice to get that kind of treasure?

Does this get us to the point of Jesus’ stories? Be willing to give up everything you have so you can obtain treasure that really matters—but it’s not what you may think you want. Real treasure is Jesus. Can you give up everything if it means getting him? Rather than telling you to give up something, let Jesus’ stories show us “Someone”:

• Someone who knew what he wanted more than anything else in the world.
• Someone who was willing to go all the way to make it his own.
• Someone whose name is Jesus.

He didn’t win you through a series of trades and swaps, but he became like you and gave up everything so that he could have one thing: you.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you gave up everything so that you could make us your own. Fill us with your love that, we, too, will always find our eternal treasure in you. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Read Matthew 13:44-52. What did the two men find in the fields?
• What did Jesus do to make you his own?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Read Matthew 13:44-52. What did the two men in Jesus’ stories have to do to get what they wanted?
• Why is it so important to remember that Jesus and his Word are more valuable than anything?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Agree/Disagree: It’s a sin to be wealthy.
• How do these parables of Jesus show me my sin? How do they show me my Savior and what he’s done for me?

Read: Romans 1:18-25

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.
Romans 1:18-23

God will right all wrongs

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Does God really care about justice and the oppressed? Maybe you have cried out to God to stop bullies from hurting you, but he didn’t seem to listen. Or perhaps you have seen innocent people get hurt, and they prayed to God, but in that moment it appeared that God didn’t come to their rescue. And so you wonder, “Why isn’t God doing anything? Doesn’t he care about what is right?”

One of the Bible’s authors, Paul, knew that his readers had the same questions. There were evil people who were actively hurting Christians. “What does God think about such wickedness?” they wondered.

Paul explained God did care about justice. He was angry (in a very holy way) with those who did evil. They had no excuse. They knew better because God made clear his truth to them in ways they could see in the world he created. Such an incredible world speaks volumes about the goodness and power of our God! But they ignored God and disrespected him. They swapped out God’s truth and replaced it with their wisdom. But what an uneven swap! It’s like exchanging a beautiful, delicious apple for a picture of a withered, rotten apple. How horrible!

God promises that his truth can’t be silenced. He will right all wrongs. Eventually, their worldly wisdom would become foolishness and their selfish plans would fail. In other words, although we might not see God bringing the wicked to justice in this moment, he will eventually right all wrongs.

And if God is the final judge, we don’t have to be. We don’t need to let hatred and evil destroy us. We can overpower evil with good. We can love our enemy by praying for those who bother us because God is in charge. He will right all wrongs.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, you are a good God. You forgive all our sins and show us what is good. Lord, set us free from those who want to harm us and hurt your name. Lead us to trust that you will do what is best. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Has anyone ever made fun of you? How did that make you feel?
• Who can you go to for help when someone says mean things?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Has anyone ever bullied you? What did that feel like?
• God knows what it’s like to be disrespected. What can we learn from him in today’s devotion how to handle it?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Identify at least one way the world we live in today suppresses God’s truth and swaps it out with a fake. (Hint: origin of the world)
• Explain how God’s wrath is more effective in dealing with evils in the world compared to your anger.

Read: Matthew 13:1-9,18-23

That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake. Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Matthew 13:1-9

What’s the soil of my heart?

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

“A farmer went out to sow his seed….”

That’s how Jesus began a story he told. It was on a really busy day. Crowds wanted to listen to him talk. As he looked around at the people, he noticed people coming and going. Imagine if during a worship service, some people arrived halfway into the service, while others got up before the sermon and left. Some people seemed excited to hear Jesus, but later made excuses why his message would never work for them. Why didn’t everyone else realize how wonderful Jesus and his message really were?

Does it ever seem as if God’s Word is not working? Maybe you have a friend or family member who is no longer a Christian, or perhaps they never were. You continue to pray for them. You even get the courage to invite them to church. But no matter what you do, they don’t seem to want to have anything to do with Jesus. You might think, “What’s wrong? Why doesn’t God’s Word work for them?”

If you have ever had this experience, you are not alone. When Jesus preached, his message got mixed responses. His disciples were surprised that so many people seemed to reject God’s Word. So Jesus told them a story. “A farmer went out to sow his seed… .”

He said that God’s Word is like the seed that a farmer throws out onto a field. Some of the seed will fall on the path, the rocks, or among the weeds where it won’t grow like it could. And just like that seed, sometimes God’s Word doesn’t grow well. But there will be a person who hears God’s message of love and forgiveness. It gets planted in their heart and begins to grow and change their lives for eternity.

Jesus told this story to teach us to expect mixed responses to his message. The perfect seed of God’s Word will meet different soils. Don’t be surprised when some people reject Jesus, at least for a time. Instead, understand and trust that Jesus died to take away our sins. Instead, rejoice that God’s Word of forgiveness and love has taken root in your life and produces a harvest in you.

Closing Prayer:

Lord God, make our hearts good soil for your gospel seed. May we grow in faith in Jesus. Give me opportunities to share your message wherever I go today. Lead me to trust that you will use it for good. Amen.

The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire.

Questions for Younger Children

• Fill in the blanks that tell the story from today’s devotion: “A _______ (farmer) went out to ____ (sow) his seed.”
• What was the seed the farmer was sowing in the field? Do you know anyone who needs to hear the message of Jesus?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Go outside and look at the different plants in your yard. (Or find some images on Google.) Discuss how those different plants started in your yard and continue to grow.
• Jesus said sharing our faith is like planting those different crops or flowers. Some of them grow well and some don’t. How might this help us when some people don’t want to hear the message of Jesus?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Describe a time when you tried to share your faith with someone and you were rejected.
• How does today’s devotion help you cope with rejection?