Read: Luke 17:11-19

One of lepers, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.
Luke 17:15

Thinking Leads to Thanking

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

Abby was sitting next to her mom when her grandparents came up and placed a present on her lap. Her eyes lit up as she checked the wrapping for the best attack point. Then she ripped into it—paper, tape, and ribbons flying this way and that! Finally, she found the toy they bought for her. Quickly, she scooted off to play with it. Her mom called her back, “Hold it! Didn’t you forget something?” Abby froze in her tracks with a blank expression. Abby’s mom tried to nudge her memory, “What do you say?” Suddenly, Abby remembered and replied, “Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma!” She gave them a quick hug and ran off.

We all have something in common with Abby. Gratitude is not something we are naturally born with. Never has a parent said, “Oh, I’ll just give my child another year or two… they’ll learn how to say thank you on their own!” We have to be taught how and when to say, “Thank you.” Like Abby, we sometimes just plain forget. We take for granted all the good things God has given us and forget to say, “Thanks!”

In Luke chapter 17, Jesus hears ten men crying out for his help. They were so sick, no one wanted to get near them. Because he is God, Jesus was able to make all ten of them better. One of them returned, fell facedown at Jesus’ feet, and thanked him. Jesus asked, “Where are the other nine?” All ten cried out to Jesus for his help. But only one remembered to say thank you.

Every day we live is a reminder of how Jesus healed us, cleaned us of sin’s sickness. He took away our disease of sin, he took away our lonely separation from God. His cross cleansed us so that we run to God and he declares us healthy in his sight again! You’ve been given a clean bill of health today!

Jesus doesn’t need our thanks. He deserves our thanks. For what? Take a moment and think of all the reasons you have to thank him. Then take another moment tomorrow. And the day after. That makes every day a day to run back to Jesus and fall at his feet and say, “Thank you!”

Closing Prayer:

Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices,
who wonderous things has done, in whom the world rejoices;
who from our mother’s arms, has blessed us on our way,
with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
(Christian Worship 597:1)

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

• How many sick men did Jesus make better in Luke chapter 17? How many came back and thanked him?
• The ten men weren’t the only ones who were sick. From what did Jesus heal us on the cross?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Who’s the most thankful person in your family? Ask him/her why that is. What can you learn?
• Take a moment to think of someone you may have forgotten to say “Thank you” to. What might you want to do right after this devotion is over?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Discuss. Thanksgiving is one day a year. But giving thanks to God ought to be every day of the year.
• A lot of parents tell their children, “Count your blessings.” So do it! Make a top ten list of things you are thankful for using your ten fingers.

Read: Genesis 8:15-22

Then God said to Noah, “Come out of the ark, you and your wife and your sons and their wives. So Noah came out, together with his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives. Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and he sacrificed burnt offerings on it.
Genesis 8:15,16,18,20

Faith that Overflows in Gratitude

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

Noah could hardly contain his excitement. It had been 1 year and 10 days since the last time he had done it. For over a year, he and his family lived on a huge wooden boat with every kind of animal imaginable. It kept them safe from the waters of a monster flood. Finally, the day came. God said, “You can come out of the ark now, Noah.” He’d been waiting such a long time for this moment. With one final step, Noah’s feet left the boat and touched soft, dry ground. It made him so happy, the first thing he did was build an altar. In as visible a way as possible, he wanted to say, “Thank you.”

Two little words. One big meaningful phrase. Have your parents taught you it? Do they remind you of it when you forget? But “thank you” is more than words. It’s the heart behind it. We say thank you to the person who serves our food or the stranger who holds a door open. Little selfless acts make us thankful. But to be thankful when faith is challenged? When something horrible happens in life? Do we think we deserve something better from God? Does God sometimes seem more generous to others than he does to me?

At that moment when you are feeling sorry for yourself or ungrateful, think of Noah floating on top a world of water, cooped up in an ark for an entire year, leaning on the mercy of God. Until one day he stepped off the ark… alive. God kept him and his family alive. He was so grateful—not just to get off on dry ground—but thankful for a generous God. He knew he didn’t deserve God. So he brought an offering to express his thanks and appreciation to the God who kept him and his family alive.

Every time a winter is followed by a spring and a summer by a fall, it’s a reminder that God still promises to give us undeserved blessings—even when we are not grateful. We live under that promise. And that makes us so grateful and thankful! God is generous. His blessings are undeserved. Look at all the things we have to be grateful for: Health. Home. Family. Friends. Especially Jesus.

So say it out loud with all your heart, “Thank you!”

Closing Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for simply being a generous God. Help me find as many ways as possible to live and express my thanks for 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

• What are the two words you are reminded to say after someone gives you something nice?
• What was the first thing Noah built after he stepped on dry ground? Why did he build it?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Noah’s ark floated safely on top of the flood waters. What water saved you from sin’s destruction?
• Recount at least two blessings of waking up every day as a baptized child of God. Be sure to say “thank you” to God!

Questions for Middle School and Above

• When horrible things happen, some people think God is a monster. Even after the horror of the flood, Noah found reasons to thank a generous God. Name a few.
• The next time something horrible happens or you think you deserved better, what could you remember from today’s devotion to pivot your thinking from complaining to thanking?

Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5,11,12

We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.
2 Thessalonians 1:3,4

Is following Jesus hard?

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

Going to school can be hard work. There is homework, quizzes, and tests.

Being a parent can be hard work. There are meals to be made, clothes to be washed, and seemingly endless events to go to.

Having a job can be hard work. There are shifts to work, things to do, and projects to complete.

What about being a Christian? Is being a follower of Jesus hard work? It can be.

The work of following Jesus isn’t about what we have to do to get to heaven. Jesus has already done that hard work for us. He worked hard when he was here on earth to obey all of God’s commands—and he did it perfectly! It was hard when he took all our sin and failures and said they were his sin, and as a result of our sin, Jesus died. It was not an easy thing to live in our place, die for our sin, and then rise in victory over death and the devil. Being our Savior was hard work!

Following Jesus can be hard work too! Sometimes, we might not want to spend time with Jesus at church or in reading his Word. Sometimes we won’t want to love others when they can be mean or unkind. Sometimes people may even be mean or want to hurt us because we follow Jesus. It is not always an easy thing to follow Jesus.

But Jesus promises that as we listen to what he has done for us, as we grow in our faith and trust in him, he will strengthen our faith so that we can do the hard work of following him! He will be with us and help us so that we can do the things he tells us to do in his Word.

It won’t always be easy, but Jesus has already done the hardest work of forgiving our sin. Now, we can follow him here on earth until he takes us to heaven!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you so much for all that you did to save me. That was hard work. Help me to follow you, even when it is hard. In your name I pray. 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 the hardest thing you have ever done in your entire life?
• What do you think was the hardest thing Jesus did in his life? Why?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What is your hardest subject at school?
• What do you think is the hardest part of following Jesus? Why?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What makes it hard for you to follow Jesus at times?
• List two or three things you can do when following Jesus is hard that Jesus promises to bless.

Read: Luke 16:19-31

The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side.
Luke 19:22

Are You a Beggar?

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

Do you know what a beggar is? You might beg your mom or grandma for one more delicious cookie. But Jesus’ story today is about a homeless man named Lazarus. Does Jesus want us to be like him—to leave our homes and live on the streets as beggars? Thankfully, no! Jesus’ story is not really about being rich or poor, having lots of amazing food or just crumbs, owning a big home or being homeless. It’s about realizing that all people, the rich and the poor, are… beggars. And the biggest thing you have to ask yourself is this: Am I a beggar?

The Bible shows us how we are all beggars. A homeless person with a cardboard sign on the street has a need for food or shelter. But if we are beggars too, then what do we need? Well, we are all going to one day die, and we need someone to save us from that. Our world is decaying and there is violence everywhere. We can’t fix it! We need someone to make a “new heavens and a new earth.” But there’s a lot of wrong feelings like anger and thoughts inside us—we need someone to save us from ourselves.

So, who do we beg from? We beg from the one who gave our bodies and the world to us in the first place—God! We have a God who doesn’t simply give us a crumb from his table. He feeds our faith. He sacrificed his Son Jesus to forgive us. He invites us to a feast that will last forever in heaven. With great care and love, he prepares a room for us in his mansion.

Better to be a beggar asking God to save us than the rich man in Jesus’ story who ignored Lazarus—even worse, he ignored his own need for God. God never promised an easy life. But, dear beggar of God, our feast is coming! Like Lazarus, we will be at Abraham’s side, living with GOD!

So, remember. Remember every day that you have a wonderful thing coming to you! God promises this to you. The more you remember, the more joyful and steadfast we will be as we live on this earth.

Closing Prayer:

God, thank you for not merely giving us a crumb from your table, but preparing a huge feast for us in heaven one day! Give us strength to remember you and to patiently wait for life with you. In the name of Jesus. 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 does it mean to beg?
• What do we beg from Jesus? What does Jesus give us?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• If this parable isn’t about being poor like Lazarus, then what is it about?
• How is the reward of heaven greater than any reward we could have on earth?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• How can we be tempted to be like the “rich man?”
• What is the purpose of regularly remembering God’s promise of heaven?

Read: Amos 6:1-7

You put off the day of disaster
and bring near a reign of terror.
Amos 6:3

Don’t Forget About God

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

When you put things off, they almost always get worse. Maybe at your house, you have a place where all the toys get used, and you talk about “picking up the toys” or “keeping things tidy.” But maybe you say, “I’ll do it later.” That’s called “putting it off.” And when that happens, the whole room slowly becomes a disaster! That’s because if you don’t take care of things, they almost always get worse.

In the Bible, the same thing happened to God’s people, except it wasn’t that they didn’t keep their rooms clean… they forgot about… GOD! God had told his children that he would bless them as long as they would remember that he was the most important thing in their life, but they kept “putting off” God. You heard about them in the reading from the Bible. They had beds with ivory (that’s really expensive!). They had choice lambs and fattened calves (that’s really good food!). And they had all sorts of other really good things! Now, it’s not bad to have nice things, but it is bad when those nice things make you “put off” God.

Maybe you have really nice things in your life like a nice house, nice clothes, good food, or great toys. Those are good things… but if they make you “put off” God, then they are actually bad things!

Someday Jesus is going to come back to this earth, and when he does, all the nice things we have will go away. All that will be left will be us and Jesus. So, the Bible tells us to always be ready for that day by never “putting off” God. We need to remember that spending time with God is more important than spending time doing anything else!

But that’s hard to do, isn’t it? We might spend days without prayer, skip a week of worshiping God, or forget the devotions. We get so busy do everything else, we forget God! When that happens, say you’re sorry to God! And know that God forgives you and wants you to come to him because he always loves you. Your life is good because you have God.

And God is awesome. He loves you more than anyone else does. He never forgets about you. He always wants to hear your prayers. He will always be with you, even when you’re not very lovable. You won’t always have all the nice things you have, but you have God, and he will always be better.

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for your awesome love, even when we are not very lovable. Help us to remember you and the many good things you will give us in heaven one day. 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

• Give two ways to help you remember God.
• Give two reasons why remembering God is awesome.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What happens when we put off God?
• When we say we are sorry for “putting off God,” how does God respond?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• How could characters in a TV show or influencers on social media tempt you to “put off God?”
• Think how remembering God can be a great joy in your life rather than a burden.

Read: 1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19

Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on that which is truly life.
1 Timothy 6:18,19

Ready to Give

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

Today, we are looking at the blessing money can be. Our verse tells us to be “ready to give” and “willing to share.” God’s Word for today isn’t about how you “must give” and “have to share” in order to make the world better or to get to heaven. Instead, it talks about being ready and willing to give or share.

Do you feel ready to give? How willing are you to give away your things and share your money? A lot of us want to keep all of our toys and our nice house and any vacations or sport camps we want to do. We do not feel very willing to share much of the time.

Here is the good news: you have no pressure to give or share in order to fix all of the sad things. It’s not on you to make the world a better place. We could choose to never give a penny or help anyone with our money. Why? Because we don’t have to fix the world, Jesus already did! Jesus was the most “ready to give.” He gave all of his money, his time, and even his life—for you, your family, your friends, and the world. Money was not important to Jesus because YOU were important to Jesus!

So, if we don’t have to give our money to make the world better or to get to heaven, then why would we be ready to give? It’s in the last words of our verse: That you “may hold on that which is truly life.” It means this: Your life is more than stuff and experiences! TRUE life is with Jesus and joining him in his work on earth by loving others until we are with him forever. Until then:

• We can be “ready to give” our toys to those who have no toys.
• We could be “ready to give” meals to families with no daddy to help them.
• We can be “willing to share” dinner with an unchurched kid from our class.

These are not small things! These are “truly living” a life in Jesus. We can join Jesus in being “willing to share” anything and everything!

Closing Prayer:

Father, thank you for your readiness to give everything for us. Forgive us for our selfish ways. Renew our hearts so that we may bless others with our money and live a TRUE life with 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

• What was Jesus “ready to give” for you?
• How do you hope to use your money for others someday?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why don’t you need to fix the world with your money?
• How can you use your money in a way that is “ready to give?”

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Agree or Disagree: You can fix the world.
• How does Jesus’ salvation of the world change the way you think about money?

Read: Luke 15:1-10

Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?
Luke 15:4

Love Looks for the Lost

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

It was one of the most horrible, terrifying experiences of Sam’s young life. He was with his parents in a huge store with elevators between the three levels. His parents were deep in conversation with each other about buying something. Sam quickly got bored. So he looked around and started to wander in his own little world of adventure. When he looked up, his mom and dad weren’t there. He walked down the aisle a little quicker and glanced around each furniture display. But he still couldn’t see them. His heart began to beat a bit faster. Did they get on the elevator to go to a different level? He didn’t know what to do. And then… there they were walking toward him! Oh! Phew!

There was a time when you were completely and utterly lost. You were buried under a pile of sinfulness and totally separated from God. You didn’t know or understand it at the time. But God did. Maybe you had just been born, but that was plenty of time for your parents to hand down to you what is in every family—imperfection, separation, and lostness.

So God sent out the search and rescue team to find you. God uses Christian parents who love and care for you and wanted you to be a part of God’s family. They didn’t want you to be lost. Maybe they brought you to a church where God used a pastor who poured water on your head and dripped God’s promises on you in Baptism. You once were lost, but now were found. And every time someone who is lost is found, the angels in heaven cheer!

Each of us has a similar story. We have imperfect, sinful parents, so we are born as imperfect, sinful people. Along the way we fall and fail. Sometimes we stray so far away, it’s like we are on a different planet. Sin separates us from God. We were all at one point lost. But like the shepherd who left the 99 to find the one lost sheep in today’s story—Jesus sent out the search and rescue team for us.

We all were lost, but now we are found. That love of Jesus that found us spills over and does the same thing Jesus did for us. Love looks for the lost. It leads us to talk to other people about Jesus. It does anything and everything. It never gives up. So what if they don’t listen to you? So what if they don’t believe in Jesus right away? They are lost and need to know they can be found in Jesus.

Love looks for the lost. Why? Because we were lost but now are found. Now we get to be a part of Christ’s love finding others!

Closing Prayer:

Perverse and foolish oft I strayed, but yet in love he sought me and on his shoulder gently laid and home, rejoicing, brought me! (Christian Worship 552:3) Dear Lord, may our greatest joy be in the finding of the lost. 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 been lost? Describe how you felt.
• When the shepherd lost a sheep, he searched until he found it. What does God promise to do when we get lost?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Today’s devotion is about being getting lost. What exactly were we “lost” in?
• Today’s devotion talks about being found. How exactly did God “find” us?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• True or False: I can blame my parents for my lost spiritual condition when I was born.
• Love looks for the lost is the title of today’s devotion. But whose love? Name at least three different sources of love who are able to look for the lost.

Read: Hosea 3:1-5

The Lord said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again… Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods….”
Hosea 3:1

The Love of a Brokenhearted God

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

If you were asked to picture your relationship with God, how would you picture it? Maybe the Bible can help. It gives the picture of a father and a child. After all, don’t we pray, “Our Father in heaven?” A devotion later this week will picture a shepherd with sheep. Both picture a God who really, really cares about you.

And then there’s today’s devotion that pictures your relationship with God like a bride and a groom who get married. When God says he wants you to see your relationship with him as a marriage, he’s hoping that you will want to know everything about him just as he knows everything about you. He is hoping that you will express how close you are with him in ways that make it clear to the entire world how much he means to you.

You can tell when a marriage is good. Couples kiss and hold hands. There’s a feeling that you’re safe and loved—like someone has your back. But if someone cheats, a marriage goes bad. Even if everything else in life is pretty good, it’s hard to be really happy or feel strong.

Today’s reading pictures people who loved something more than God. They cheated on him. They left him. It broke God’s heart because he wants his relationship with his people to be as loving and close as a marriage. Sadly, it’s a picture of our relationship with God. When our eyes wander to look at things as more important than Jesus—like your reputation at school, what you’re good at, how you look—our wandering breaks the heart of our God.

What was God willing to do to rescue your marriage to him? He was willing to pay any price to get you back. So Jesus entered into our world. And when it came time for him to die for our sin on the cross, he let it all happen, so that by his death and resurrection, whenever you ask, “Lord, after what I’ve done, how could you ever love me again?” Jesus looks at you like a man in love with his bride. His nailed hands hold yours and he says, “However many times it takes, I will love you. Again… and again… that is how many times I will forgive you.”

Isn’t that the most beautiful picture of your relationship with God?

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, whenever I’m tempted to think you’re sick of me and ready to move on to someone else who is more faithful, come back and whisper into my ear however many times it takes that you love 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 two ways that you know your mom or dad love you?
• What is one way that you know how much Jesus loves you?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What’s the picture God uses to describe the relationship he wants with you?
• When was the moment in your life when God said, “I do” to you? (Hint: your baptism)

Questions for Middle School and Above

• A lot of married people are unhappy and want to quit. Name two things from today’s devotion that encourage them to stay together.
• Someday you may get married. What do you want to remember from today’s devotion that will help you live out your relationship with your future husband or wife?

Read: Philemon 1,7-21

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever—no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me.
Philemon 7-17

Hard Choices

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

Maggie had tears in her eyes. She was mad. Evelyn had hurt her and then left without apologizing. Maggie was so mad that she didn’t even want to see Evelyn again.

Have you ever been that mad? So mad that you didn’t want to see someone or talk to them again?

Now, let’s say that Maggie’s friend, Bethany, came over and asked Maggie to forgive Evelyn. That might be hard for Maggie—after all, Evelyn hurt Maggie. Maggie was still mad. It didn’t seem fair for her to just forgive Evelyn for what she had done.

What would you do if a friend came to you and asked you to forgive the person who hurt you? It would be hard wouldn’t it? Maybe you would still be mad. Maybe you would still have a feeling of wanting to get back at the other person. Maybe you wouldn’t want to forgive them.

Let’s change the names now. Let’s pretend it is God who has tears in his eyes. He was upset because __________ (fill in your name) had hurt him—you disobeyed him, you were unloving, and you didn’t even apologize. How would you want God to respond?

We know how God responds because he tells us! He forgives us! He sent his Son Jesus to die for us. That wasn’t easy. Now, because of what Jesus did, God chooses not to remember all the different times and all the different ways we disobey him. He chooses to show love to us and forgive us, even when we don’t deserve it!

And as his children, God calls on us to do the same. It isn’t easy, in fact, it can be really hard. But sometimes, as a believer, God calls us to do the hard thing. He asks us to treat people the same way he treats us—with love and patience. He urges us to forgive others when they hurt us.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, sometimes you ask me to do hard things. Thank you for forgiving me and making me your child. Help me to forgive those who hurt me. In Jesus’ name. 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

• When someone hurts you or is mean to you, do you want to forgive them? Why or why not?
• Think of one thing you have done today that was wrong. Say this prayer: Dear Jesus, please forgive me for __________. Thank you for your love and forgiveness. Amen.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Do you find it easy or hard to forgive someone? Why?
• Why do we forgive someone when they sin against us?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why do you think it is so hard to forgive someone who has hurt us?
• What are some things we can do when we find it hard to forgive?

Read: Luke 14:1,7-17

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat,’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.
Luke 14:7-11

A Seat at the Table

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

One day Jesus was invited to join a group of Pharisees for dinner. He watched them choose the best seats at the table for themselves. So he told them a story about a wedding feast. When Jesus told stories, he did it to teach a spiritual truth or lesson. At first glance it might appear he was just teaching them proper manners for a meal, but his true purpose was much deeper.

Jesus was able to look into the heart of these Pharisees, and he could tell they were spiritually sick. They felt they deserved a place of honor at dinner and even eternal life in heaven because they were so great and did lots of good works. Jesus confronted their sin of pride because he knew if they continued in this way of thinking, they would miss their invitation into heaven.

Jesus’ story is a good reminder for us, who often struggle with the sin of putting ourselves first. Instead, Jesus encourages us to be humble as we live together with people each day. To not seek to always be number one, but to look for ways we can serve and lift others up.

More importantly Jesus guides us to understand that he is the one who chooses the seats in heaven. Martin Luther beautifully reminds us how we received that invitation into heaven. Listen: He [Jesus] has redeemed me, a lost and condemned creature, purchased and won me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil, not with gold or silver but with his holy, previous blood and with his innocent suffering and death. What a remarkable truth—a truth that leaves no place for pride and only room for humility.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Savior, we marvel at the humility you showed by leaving your place in heaven to come to earth to save us from our sins. Help us to model your humility as we interact with others each day and to put our trust solely 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

• Name three people you see each day.
• Think of a way you can show each of them love and kindness.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• More than just bad manners, what was the problem the Pharisees had that Jesus needed to point out?
• True or False: You deserve a seat in heaven.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What does Jesus mean when he says those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted?
• Reread Martin Luther’s words in our devotion. Explain what they mean in your own words.

Read: Proverbs 25:6-7a

Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men; it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,” than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.
Proverbs 25:6-7a

It Is Not About “You”Tube

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

A recent study showed that one out of three children between the ages of 6 and 17 want to be a YouTuber when they grow up. When asked why, the top four responses were: creativity, to become famous, self-expression, and finally money. While it isn’t wrong to be a YouTuber, the results of this study touch on a sin that we all struggle with at times: Pride.

People who are prideful think highly of themselves and want others see how great they are. They don’t mind helping others as long as they receive praise for being so “caring.” Their joy isn’t found in being successful but in the fact that others around them see they are successful. Pride is a sin we all struggle with. Pride wants to be more important than others… even more important than God.

Our reading for today was written by King Solomon and is found in the book of the Bible called Proverbs. Proverbs are wise sayings that lead us to know and to trust God’s wisdom for living a good life. In this proverb King Solomon shows what pride looks like and says that it is much better to be humble.

A humble person doesn’t focus inwardly on themselves but outwardly on others. They don’t constantly seek praise for their greatness but look for opportunities to serve and build up others around them. In humility they understand their sinfulness and weaknesses.

When the Holy Spirit works faith in Jesus, he leads us to admit our sins of pride. He helps us to live humbly. Humility takes the attention off us and places it on Jesus, who saved us from our sins. If we try to find our worth in the things of this world, we will be sadly disappointed because they won’t last forever. Instead, we humbly listen to our King, Jesus, who calls us to be his children and his special people. We celebrate the fact that he promises to one day raise us up to a great place with him in heaven. Until then, we humbly dedicate our lives to let our light shine to give glory to God through our thoughts, words, and actions.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for all of your many blessings and for providing me with my gifts and abilities. Help me to use them to your glory and to help and serve others. Most importantly thank you for your gifts of faith and eternal life. 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 the top two things you are good at doing.
• Who should you thank for giving you the gifts and abilities to do those things?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Describe a prideful person. How do they act? Now describe a humble person. How do they act?
• Give examples of how Jesus was a model for humility.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What do you want to be when you grow up? How does today’s devotion help guide your reasons for choosing a career?
• Write your own two-sentence proverb that highlights the importance of humility over pride.

Read: Hebrews 12:18-24

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, who names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Hebrews 12:22-24

The Two Mountains

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

Imagine this: There are two mountains in front of you. On the left is a mountain full of danger and no clear path to the top. To make matters worse, no one has ever made it successfully and survived. On the right is a majestic mountain with an automatic chairlift to bring you safely to the peak of the mountain. There is nothing you need to do but sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery on the way up. Which mountain would you choose to go up?

The writer of Hebrews paints a picture of two mountains in our reading for today. He wants us to imagine what it would be like to climb them. The first is Mount Sinai where God gave Moses and the Israelites the Ten Commandments. That experience was terrifying, and the writer urges us not to go back to that mountain. “Don’t try to get to heaven by keeping the commandments,” he says. He encourages us not to think that we can earn eternal life in heaven by what we do or by being good enough. That will never work because by nature we are sinful, and we sin every day. We can never obtain the perfection God demands. Our effort to gain eternal life in heaven on our own will only lead to eternal death in hell. As the saying goes, Jesus + something (our works) = nothing. Don’t go there!

But there’s another and better mountain—Mount Zion. It’s located in Jerusalem where Jesus went to the temple as little baby, a 12-year-old boy, and to suffer and die. That’s the place today’s Bible reading is talking about. But now the writer is referring to Mount Zion in the future as heaven. As God’s children we can successfully ascend this mountain, not because of anything we have done, but because of all that Jesus has done for us. He came down from heaven to earth as a little baby and lived a perfect life. He suffered and died on the cross to win for us the forgiveness of sins through the shedding of his own blood. Three days later he rose from the dead to win for us victory over sin, death, and the devil. He ascended into heaven 40 days later where he now acts on our behalf so that we can one day join him and all believers of all time in heaven forever.

As Christians we can be confident our names are written in heaven because our confidence lies completely in Jesus and not in ourselves. As the saying continues, Jesus + nothing = everything.

“You have come to Mount Zion.” Go there. And stay there!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Savior, forgive us for the times we think we play even a small part in our salvation. We thank you for doing everything necessary for us to receive eternal life in heaven and help us hold confidently to that truth. 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 were the names of the two mountains?
• Which mountain is better?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why could we never save ourselves or earn eternal life in heaven on our own?
• What does Mount Sinai represent in our reading for today? What does Mount Zion represent?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What does it mean that Jesus + something = nothing? What does it mean that Jesus + nothing = everything?
• How do those truths bring us comfort when we mess up and fail to obey God’s commandments as we should?

Read: Luke 12:49-53

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.
Luke 12:51-52

A Hard Truth

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

It was a very busy night in this very small town long ago, as many families gathered for an important event. We know this event not only as the counting of people, a census, but as the night of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. We who believe in Jesus would think the reason many people would gather is because the Savior of the world was to be born. But they didn’t know. In fact, Jesus’ first visitors didn’t even know he was born until angels announced his birth to them. “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests,” the angels proclaimed to the shepherds.

Jesus was born, and now we have peace with God. Jesus came to save us. He lived the perfect life we could not live and died in our place. He was our perfect substitute. Jesus made us right with God. Then why does Jesus say he didn’t come to bring peace?

When Christians stay true to God’s Word and stand up against those who reject God, there is no peace. In its place are arguments, hard feelings, and sadness. Jesus gives an example of how personally dividing faith in him can be. It can split a family right down the middle—a husband from a wife. A parent from a child. It happens when someone lives life for Jesus but others don’t. It creates differences in how you live your life, how you view things, and what you believe is your purpose here on earth. Jesus says living God’s truth can be extremely hard. How tempting to just blend in! Or, in order to keep the peace, say nothing! Issues that need to be talked about get buried under smiles. Family members may not be arguing, but they aren’t discussing their faith either.

How blest we are to have a Savior who calls us to repentance and faith in his peace established on the cross and given to us through our baptism.

A Christmas song says, “Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.” Yet, as we learn from this portion of Scripture, complete peace will not be found on earth. Peace will, however, be found when believers reach perfect unity in heaven. That peace is meant to be!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, you teach an important lesson today. We want there to be peace, especially in our family, but when others oppose and reject you it splits and divides. Thank you for forgiving our sins and bringing peace between us and our heavenly Father. Give us courage to speak your name. 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

• How does arguing make you feel?
• Describe what it looks like when everyone is at peace in your home.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Jesus said faith in him brings division. Explain what that means.
• What did Jesus do as our perfect substitute to restore peace on earth and peace with God?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Discuss how you will respond to anyone, even a family member, who causes division because they don’t believe in Jesus.
• God wants us to live at peace. How can you contribute to peaceful living in your home?

Read: Jeremiah 23:23-29

Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully.
Jeremiah 23:28a

Speak It Faithfully!

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

Exactly nine years ago this week, a mother took her son to a zoo in China. She wanted her son to hear the different sounds the animals made. As they approached the cage marked “African Lion,” the mother hoped she and her son would hear the ferocious roar of the lion. Instead, when they neared the cage and saw the animal, it barked. The lion was actually a Tibetan mastiff, a dog that has a furry brown coat that makes it look like a really small lion. The mother and other customers felt cheated. So the zoo officials tried to explain the situation. They put the dog in the cage when the real African lion was sent to a breeding center. Regardless of any “good reason” the lion wasn’t in its cage, the zoo officials lied. This made people very upset. They expected to see and hear the African lion, but the zoo officials didn’t hold up their end of the agreement. They didn’t tell the truth.

People throughout history have been telling lies. It began with our first parents, Adam and Eve. They lied to God about their sin. People tell lies about their own actions or the actions of others. Sometimes they might lie because they think it will help a situation, but usually one lie turns into another lie to cover up the first one. What’s even worse is when the lie is about God’s Word. When people don’t tell the truth about God’s Word, it is very dangerous because it can pull people away from God’s truth and God himself.

God gives us such a treasure in his Word, yet many people miss its many promises. They twist its truths and spew lies. This is called false teaching. False teachings can lead people further away from God.

God calls us to speak his Word truthfully, just as it is written. When we speak only what God says, others will know what’s true. God gives you the strength to do this through his Holy Spirit when you regularly hear and learn his Word. Sitting with your family and reading or listening to these devotions is just one of the many ways you are carrying out God’s will for your life. Then, armed with these truths, you will be among those who hold this treasure in your heart. You will be able to speak it faithfully to those around you. God promises that his Word will not return to him empty. That means that when people hear God’s Word, the Holy Spirit works in their hearts as God wills it. Then they too can come to believe in Jesus as their Savior and join us in heaven.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us your true Word, in which you give us the news about our Savior and salvation. Send your Holy Spirit to strengthen our faith and cause us to speak this Word faithfully to others. In Jesus’ name. 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 animal did the zoo substitute in place of the lion?
• What’s it called when you don’t tell the truth?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What happens when God’s Word is not spoken of truthfully and faithfully?
• Consider how you can share God’s Word faithfully. Name two promises from his Word that you will share with someone.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Think of a truth from God’s Word. Now think of a way people have tried to change it to something they want it to be.
• Share with your family what you would tell someone who challenges the truth of God’s Word.

Read: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country… For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
Hebrews 11:8,9a,10

Believe the Promise Maker

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

Have you ever been on a hike with your family? Some hiking trails are short and easy with few hills and clear paths. Other hiking trails are more treacherous with steep inclines and winding paths obstructed by tree limbs or roots. Regardless of the difficulty of the trail, you probably want an adult or parent to guide you, especially if you don’t know where you’re going. When you have a guide, you can move forward because you trust the one leading you.

Abraham went on a long journey. God promised him and his descendants a land that they would call their own, a land so bountiful that all their needs would be met. But can you walk in Abraham’s sandals for a minute?

Abraham didn’t know much about this land. He had never been there. There were no maps for him to follow and no pictures for him to look at. He didn’t get to decide if it looked like a land that would be best for his family, like you and your family do before planning a vacation or moving. He wasn’t able to talk to anyone who had been there to get advice. He knew he would feel like a stranger in this land. Why would he go with little to no knowledge of this place?

Count how many times the phrase “by faith” is used in Heb. 11:1-3, 8-16. Clearly, God is making a point with this repeated phrase. Faith in God enabled Abraham to move forward, to take one step after another. He knew that God was his guide. He trusted God to lead and provide for him and his family. Abraham believed that God knew what was best and had many good things waiting for Abraham and his family.

Abraham’s journey also taught him that this earth was not his forever home. When Abraham and his family arrived in this land, they made their home as strangers in a strange land. They knew that this was only a temporary home. Our text tells us that Abraham was looking forward to “the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” God promised him a forever home—heaven! Abraham saw beyond this world and pressed on, trusting that his eternal home was waiting in heaven.

Like Abraham, we believe that the town or building in which we live on this earth is only a temporary home. Christians sometimes feel like strangers as we live in this world. Though our lives in this sinful world might be filled with the ups and downs, the end of our journey is just the beginning of our life in heaven. That is a home worth waiting for, and it’s all yours through faith in Jesus! Let’s journey together with God as our guide!

Closing Prayer:

O Lord, give us faith like Abraham’s that follows where you lead and holds to your promise of heaven. We praise you for your goodness to us. 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

• How would you feel if God told you leave your home and live somewhere else like he told Abraham?
• Why did Abram confidently go where God told him?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Discuss why Abraham might have felt like a stranger in a foreign country?
• According to the devotion, how should we view our life on earth?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• “By faith” many Bible heroes followed God. Discuss what you are doing right now in your life “by faith.”
• Discuss with your family how talking about our final and forever home in heaven actually makes our daily lives better.