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Read: Isaiah 11:1-10

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD—and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. Isaiah 11:1-4

The Best Judge Ever

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

What choices did you make today? Did you choose what to wear, what to eat, and what to do first this morning? Did you decide to brush your teeth or make your bed? We make tons of choices every single day! Some choices are easy, like brushing your teeth (please do!). Others, like picking out clothes, can feel like a big deal.

Just like you make choices, there are people whose whole job is to make really important choices. They’re called judges. In a courtroom, a judge listens to both sides of a story and chooses if someone is guilty or innocent.

During Advent, we remember something important: one day, Jesus will come back, and it will be judgment day. Everyone—every person who ever lived—will stand before him. Jesus will decide where we spend forever.

That can sound a little scary, right? Jesus knows everything. He knows every thought, every word, every action, even the ones we hope no one ever finds out about. If Jesus were a mean or unfair judge, that would be terrifying.

But guess what? He isn’t mean. He isn’t unfair. He is the BEST judge. In the Bible, Isaiah tells us something amazing about Jesus: “He will not judge by what he sees or hears . . . but with righteousness he will judge” (Isaiah 11:3-4). That word righteousness sounds big, but it simply means: Jesus always does what is right. Every. Single. Time.

And here’s the best news: On judgment day, you don’t have to be scared—because the judge is also your defender! Jesus took your punishment on the cross. He gave you his perfect life as a gift.

So, when Jesus looks at you, he says: “Not guilty! Forgiven! Mine forever!” That’s why judgment day isn’t scary at all. For believers, it’s the day Jesus welcomes us home.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for being a judge who always does what is right. When I start to feel nervous about judgment day, remind me that you already took my punishment and forgave all my sins. Help me trust you and look forward to the day you bring me home to heaven. 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’s one choice you make every single day without even thinking about it?
• How do you know that Jesus chose to save you?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Does thinking about Jesus judging everything you do make you nervous or comfort you? Why?
• Why can you be sure—100% sure—that Jesus forgives you?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why is Jesus considered a “righteous” judge? What do you think “righteous” means?
• Why is it awesome to know that Jesus is a righteous (perfect and fair) judge?

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Read: Philippians 4:4-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

Peace in the Midst of Stress

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

He was so nervous! Daniel and his family had just moved to a new town. He didn’t know what his new classmates or teacher would be like. As he walked from the car where his mom dropped him off, he felt like everyone was staring at him. His heart was beating fast as he walked up to his new teacher.

But when she turned around and saw him, she smiled and gave him a high five. Daniel’s nervousness started to disappear. His classmates were nice too! By the end of the school day, he even made a few new friends. He couldn’t wait to go back the next day!

Change can be hard. Maybe you’ve had a big change like Daniel. How did it make you feel? Were you scared or nervous? That’s normal! During this season before Christmas, called Advent, God wants to give us a really good change. He wants to turn our stress and fear into joy and happiness!

How does he do that? The apostle Paul wrote to his Christian friends in a town called Philippi: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God.”

That means when we feel scared, worried, or stressed—about school, friends, tests, or anything else—we can pray! And God is always listening. Paul also says, “the Lord is near.” He is watching over us and caring for us.

We know this is true because about 2,000 years ago, Jesus was born. He became human to be near us. He came to save us! Whenever we mess up, make mistakes, or hurt others with our words or actions, Jesus died and rose again to bring us close to God. That’s how Jesus gives us peace.

So, the next time you feel scared or nervous, remember Jesus. Talk to him in prayer, and rejoice that he loves you, listens to you, and will help you.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, sometimes we feel scared or nervous about what’s happening in our lives. Thank you for being with us every day. Help us remember that you love us and listen to our prayers. Turn our worry into confidence and give us your peace. 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 things that make you feel scared?
• How does Jesus help you feel better when you are scared or nervous?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Make a list of a few things that make you nervous or worried.
• How can taking those things to Jesus in prayer help you?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What is stressing you out right now?
• In what ways does Jesus give you peace? (Hint: praying, trusting him, feeling loved, remembering he’s always near.)

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[Jesus said] “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the middle of the night or toward daybreak. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.”Luke 12:35-40

Getting Ready for God

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

What do you have to do to get ready for school in the morning? When your alarm goes off, maybe you eat breakfast, get dressed, brush your teeth, pack your homework, and grab your lunch. There are usually quite a few things you need to do to be ready for a day at school!

Just like we get ready for school, Jesus wants us to be ready for the day he returns. In our reading today, Jesus says, “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning.” But what does that even mean? Do we need special clothes? Do we need real lamps with fire in them? No! Jesus is using picture language to help us understand something important: He is coming back someday, and we don’t know when—so we should be ready.

Here’s the problem: we can’t get ready by ourselves because we mess up and sin. But God already knew that. That’s why he “clothes” us in Jesus’ perfection—Jesus covers us with his perfect life so we’re ready to meet God.

So instead of wearing special clothes for the Last Day, we can “wear” Jesus’ goodness every day. When we show kindness, forgiveness, and love, people can actually see Jesus’ love shining through us! And when we tell others the great things God has done, that’s like keeping the light of our faith burning bright.

We get ready for lots of important things—school, visitors coming over, church, birthdays. Let’s also make sure we’re ready for the most amazing thing of all—the day Jesus takes all believers to heaven.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, we want to be ready for the day when you come. Help us to remember that we can’t get ready on our own. We need your help! Be with us as we prepare for the day that you will return. 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 something you do to get ready for the day? (Wake up routine, morning habits, chores, etc.)
• What did God do for us to help us be ready for Jesus’ return? (Hint: Jesus’ perfect life, forgiveness, faith!)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What is one thing you could do today to get ready for Jesus to come again? (Be kind, pray, help someone, say sorry, tell someone about Jesus.)
• Why might some people be scared about Jesus coming back? Do we need to be scared? (Hint: believers don’t need to be afraid—Jesus loves us!)

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Do you ever talk about heaven during your week? Why might it be good to start? (To remind ourselves of God’s promises, to encourage others, to give hope.)
• Read Revelation 4:2-6. What words or pictures are used to describe heaven? (Examples: throne, rainbow, shining like jewels, peace, beauty, power.)

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Read: Habakkuk 1:1-3; 2:1-4

The prophecy that Habakkuk the prophet received. How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds. Then the LORD replied: the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness. Habakkuk 1:1-3; 2:1-4 (selected verses)

Worth the Wait

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

Christmas is such a fun time of year! Christmas Day is especially exciting—opening presents, celebrating Jesus’ birth, and being together with family. For many kids, the day after Christmas starts the countdown: “Only 364 days until Christmas again!” A year feels like forever, but we wait because Christmas is just that awesome.

In our Bible reading today, the Lord says, “Wait for it . . . it will certainly come and not delay.” But he’s not talking about Christmas. He’s talking about something even better! God is telling us to wait for Jesus’ final coming—the day when Jesus comes back to take everyone who believes in him to heaven. That day will come. Jesus promises it “will not delay”—he won’t forget! But when will it happen? When do we get to be in heaven with Jesus forever, with no sin, no sadness, no sickness?

Living in our sinful world can be really hard sometimes. We get sick. We feel sad, mad, or lonely. We mess up and feel guilty. Friends can be unkind. Sometimes people even make fun of us because we believe in God.

But what we’re waiting for is totally worth it!

Heaven will be better than anything we’ve ever waited for—better than birthdays, vacations, or even Christmas morning. Because Jesus died and rose for us, we know for sure we’re going there. Every day—at school, at home, everywhere—we can remember God has something coming for us. And he keeps his promises. It will come. It will not delay.

So whenever life feels tough or unfair, believers can take a deep breath and remember: Heaven is real. Jesus is coming back. And it will be worth the wait.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, living in a sinful world can be hard for us. Whenever we feel sad or tired, remind us that what you have for us in heaven is worth the wait. Help us to live for you until you come. Do not delay! 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 something you want to ask God for help with this week? (Feelings, school, friendships, habits—anything!)
• What do you think will be the BEST part of being in heaven with God one day? (No wrong answers—imagination welcome!)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What are some ways we can stay faithful and close to Jesus until the Last Day? (Examples: praying, reading the Bible, worship, kindness, saying sorry, trusting God.)
• We don’t know exactly when Jesus is coming back. Why isn’t that scary for us? (Hint: Because Jesus loves us, stays with us, and keeps his promises.)

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why do you think God doesn’t tell us the exact day he will come again? (To help us trust him, stay ready, and live every day for him.)
• The Bible says Jesus’ coming “will not delay,” but it has been almost 2,000 years! How can that still be true? (Because God’s timing is perfect. He doesn’t forget. And he always does what he says—right on time.)

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All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

Don’t Follow Your Heart!

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

Have you ever heard someone say, “Just follow your heart”? It sounds nice, right? Like your heart always knows what’s best. But guess what? The Bible says that’s not such good advice!

Sometimes the Bible tells us things that are hard to hear. We like it when everything feels happy—lots of smiles and no problems. But pretending that everything is fine when it isn’t? That’s not really loving. Real love tells the truth—even when it’s hard.

Our world loves to say things like, “You do you,” or “Everyone can find their own way to heaven.” But God says something very different. He tells us there’s only one way to heaven—through Jesus!

The Bible says in 2 Thessalonians 1:8–9, “He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord.”

Whoa—that sounds scary! But here’s the thing: every single one of us deserves that because we all sin. Our hearts are selfish and want to do things our own way. That’s why “following your heart” isn’t safe—it can lead you in the wrong direction every time.

But God loves us too much to leave us lost. So he sent Jesus to take our punishment for us. Because of what Jesus did—his perfect life, his death on the cross, and his resurrection—God forgives you and gives you faith to believe.

The Bible also says in 2 Thessalonians 1:5, “You will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God.”

That means you belong in God’s family and will live with him forever—not because you followed your heart, but because you follow Jesus.

And God doesn’t just want you there. He wants everyone there! That’s why he asks you to share his love and truth with others, even when it’s hard. You don’t have to “follow your heart”—you get to follow Jesus!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you did the hard thing and died for me. Help me to love others the same way and tell them about you so they too can believe and be counted worthy in your kingdom. 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 should you follow: your heart or Jesus? Why?
• What is the only way to heaven? (Hint: John 14:6—“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What can happen if you just follow your own heart?
• Why do you think some people get upset when they hear that Jesus is the only way to heaven?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What does it mean when God says you are “counted worthy” (2 Thessalonians 1:5)?
• What’s one way you can live as someone who is “counted worthy”?

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Read: Luke 20:27-38

Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. Jesus replied, “Those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come . . . will neither marry nor be given in marriage, and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection. Luke 20:27-38 (selected verses)

God’s Awesomeness Hurts My Brain

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

Have you ever really thought about space . . . like, really thought about it?

• The light from the closest star to us (besides the sun!) takes over four years to reach Earth.
• Other stars are so far away that their light takes thousands, or even millions, of years to get here!
• If you could fly in a spaceship past those stars, you’d see even more tiny stars, and past those, even more stars, and it keeps going forever.

Doesn’t that hurt your brain? It’s almost impossible to imagine how big space is!

Back in Jesus’ day, a group of people (called the Sadducees) had a hard time imagining heaven. They didn’t even believe it existed! They thought, “If we can’t understand it, it can’t be real!” So, they tried to trap Jesus with a tricky question, hoping he’d admit that heaven doesn’t make sense.

But God doesn’t work by human rules. Jesus told them that heaven is so different from Earth that we won’t fully understand it. Yet, in heaven:

• There is no sin—nothing bad ever happens.
• The only thing that matters is that we are God’s children (Luke 20:36) forever.

And if you ever doubt that God can raise his children to live with him for eternity, just remember: He made all of space! If God can make something so mind-blowing and enormous, he can certainly do anything—including keeping all his believers with him forever in heaven.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me the awesome gift of heaven. Even though I struggle to fully understand it, I know it’s going to be great! 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 old were you four years ago? That’s how long the light from the closest star has been traveling to reach Earth!
• List some amazing things God created. (Stars, oceans, mountains, animals—anything that makes you say “Wow!”)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• God calls us his children. How does that make you feel? (Safe, loved, important?)
• What do parents do for their children? Now think—that’s what God does for you, too!

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What things about heaven don’t make sense to your brain? (No sin, no sickness, living forever . . . how can it all be real?)
• What will you do if someone tries to stump you with a question about heaven? (Remember: God can do anything, and we don’t need to fully understand it to trust Him!)

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Read: Isaiah 65:17-25

“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. Isaiah 65:17-19

You Are God’s Joy!

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

Imagine this: your team is losing badly. Nothing’s going right. You feel like giving up.

That’s kind of what was happening to God’s people, the Israelites. They were having a really tough time. Here’s what was going on:

• Many Israelites stopped trusting the real God and started following fake (false) gods.
• The biggest, scariest army—called the Assyrians—was on its way to attack.
• God sent his prophet Isaiah to tell them bad news: because they turned away from him, they would be captured and taken to a faraway land called Babylon.

Things were not looking good for the Israelites. It must have felt like everything was going wrong.

But here’s where everything changes. God didn’t stop loving them—even when they messed up. He gave Isaiah another message. This time it was good news—a message of hope! He told them about a beautiful future when he would bring his people to a new land. Not an earthly land, but a heavenly one. He told them that in heaven, “the former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind” (Isaiah 65:17).

And then God said something amazing, “I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy” (Isaiah 65:18). Wait—what?! The same people who had disobeyed him would become his joy? That’s the power of God’s love.

The truth is that there was nothing that the Old Testament people could have done to recover from their sin. Even if they said sorry a thousand times or tried super hard to be good, they never could have been good enough to deserve the promised heavenly land. They could never have made themselves into God’s joy.

So God said, “I’ll do it for you.” He promised that he himself will “create” his people (Jerusalem) to be new—to change their hearts and make them his delight.

It is the same with us. We were sinners, and we deserved punishment even worse than being taken to Babylon. We deserved to be separated from God forever. But God decided that he wanted to save us, so he did. He sent Jesus to die in our place, and now we get to look forward to that same heavenly land that God told his people about through Isaiah. We will live in a land where “the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more” (Isaiah 65:19).

No more tears. No more fear. Just joy. Because you are God’s joy.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, there are so many problems we face in this world. Thank you for giving us a new, perfect home to look forward to. 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 big scary things in your life?
• What will happen to those big scary things when you get to heaven?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What punishment do we deserve because of our sin? Why don’t we get that punishment? (Hint: Jesus!)
• If heaven is a place with no crying, no pain, and no fear, what’s the first thing you’d want to do there?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why is it so important that God says he will make you a delight—not you earning it?
• Can you think of someone who’s having a tough time right now? What’s one way you could remind them that God loves them and can give them joy?

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And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground. These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. Hebrews 11:32-40

Faith Sees What Others Can’t

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

Have you ever tried to see stars in the daytime? You know they’re still there, but the sun is too bright to notice. Faith is kind of like that. You can’t always see what God promises, but you know it’s real because he says so.

In Hebrews 11, the Bible lists heroes of faith—people like Gideon, David, and the prophets. You might think their lives were easy because they trusted God. But no! Some were laughed at. Some were hurt. Some even died because they held onto God’s promises. They didn’t see triumph right away.

The Bible says: “They were put to death . . . they went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—the world was not worthy of them” (Hebrews 11:37-38). Yet they clung to God’s Word and looked forward to his salvation. “God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect” (Hebrews 11:40).

But here’s what’s amazing: they knew God had “something better.” Faith means being sure of what we can’t see yet, based on what we can see: God’s promises in his Word. Abraham couldn’t see the future, but he trusted God’s promises. Noah couldn’t see the flood yet, but he built the ark anyway. These saints believed because God never lies (Titus 1:2).

Planting a seed doesn’t show a flower right away. You water it and wait, and one day green sprouts appear. Faith trusts God’s promises even when it looks empty. Like getting a letter from someone you love—like a grandparent—you trust the words even before seeing them. God’s Word is the same: every verse is a letter from him to you.

And you? You’re part of that same story. You may not see how God is working when school feels hard, or when someone teases you for your faith. But God’s promises are certain. He is with you. He forgives you. He is preparing heaven for you (John 14:2-3). Jesus promises, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

So, when the world tries to make you doubt, remember faith is like stargazing. Even if you can’t see it right now, God’s promises are shining—real, true, and forever. Hold onto them with joy, because “the one who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23).

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for keeping every promise. Help me trust you even when I can’t see what you’re doing. Make my faith strong like the heroes in the Bible. 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 are some of the Bible heroes we learned about that trusted God even when things were hard?
• How is faith like seeing stars in the daytime?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Can you think of a time when you had to trust God even though you couldn’t see how things would work out?
• Why do you think the heroes in Hebrews 11 kept trusting God even when they were hurt or made fun of?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• If someone told you, “Faith is just believing in something you can’t prove,” how would you answer using Hebrews 11:32-40?
• What’s one way you can live out strong faith this week—like Abraham, Noah, or the prophets—even if others don’t understand?

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Read: John 8:31-36

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:31-36 (selected verses)

Freed to Fly

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

Once upon a time, high up in the mountains, a shepherd named Miguel watched over his sheep. He was kind and gentle, spending his days keeping his sheep safe and collecting their wool to sell in town.

One morning, Miguel packed up his wool and started down the twisty path toward the market. He was excited to trade it for some garden seeds—or maybe a warm blanket for his daughter.

As he passed a small farm, he noticed something strange—an eagle walking around with a bunch of chickens! It wasn’t flying, just pecking at the dirt like the other birds. Miguel asked, “Why is that powerful eagle acting like a chicken?”

The farmer said, “I found its egg long ago and put it in the chicken coop. It hatched with the chicks and grew up thinking it’s one of them.”

Miguel felt sad for the eagle. So, he traded all his wool for it and carried the bird up the mountain. When they reached the top, he set the eagle down. The bird looked nervous at first. Then it saw other eagles flying high above. It stretched out its wings and soared into the sky—free at last!

That eagle’s story is a lot like us. Sometimes we forget who we really are. We start to think like the world around us—trying to fit in, worrying, or thinking we’re not good enough. Sin traps us, like invisible ropes around our heart.

But Jesus, our Good Shepherd, came to rescue us. He didn’t trade wool—he gave his own life for us! Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:31-32).

When Jesus forgives us, he cuts the ropes of sin and reminds us who we are—God’s children, made to soar!

Even when you feel stuck—worried, sad, or guilty—Jesus lifts you up with his truth and love. Every time you pray, read his Word, or say something kind, it’s like stretching your wings and flying higher in faith.

And the best part? You can help others fly too! When you show love, forgive, or tell a friend about Jesus, you’re helping them discover that life with him isn’t about “pecking at the ground”—it’s flying high with him, free and happy, forever!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for coming down from the mountain to rescue us from sin, bringing us up to you, and setting us free. Help us spread our wings of faith and soar in your love. Teach us to follow you and to help others fly in your truth. In 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

• What would it feel like to fly high like an eagle—free and strong?
• Why do you think the eagle in the story acted like a chicken?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What does Jesus mean when he says his truth sets us free? Free from what?
• How can you “spread your wings” for Jesus—at home, at school, or with friends?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Agree or Disagree: Since Jesus forgives us, we can live however we want. (Why or why not?)
• If a friend feels stuck in guilt or fear, how could you help them remember that Jesus makes them free to fly again?

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Read: Jeremiah 31:31-34

“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. “This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Jeremiah 31:31-34 (selected verses)

God “Rewrites” Your Heart

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

Have you ever played a video game that glitched? Maybe your character got stuck in a wall, or the screen froze right before you beat the boss. Ugh! Sometimes it even says, “Error—file corrupted.” That means something deep inside the game’s code is broken. The system still works, but the code needs to be rewritten the right way.

A long time ago, God’s chosen nation—Israel—was like that broken system. God gave them his “covenant,” his perfect rules written on stone tablets. Uncorrupted. These rules showed the holy way to live. The rules themselves were perfect. Good. The rules weren’t the problem; the people’s hearts were! They kept disobeying and following other gods. It was like their hearts had “bad code” inside. Because of that, they felt far away from God.

But then God gave his people good news through a prophet named Jeremiah. God said, “The days are coming when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and Judah” (Jeremiah 31:31). This new covenant would not just be rules on stone. God said, “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people” (Jeremiah 31:33).

How could God do that? By sending Jesus! He is God and came into our world fully human. He lived God’s perfect “code” every day of life. Then he died on the cross to pay for our sins, and he rose again to make us perfect again. When we were baptized, God rewrote our hearts with his code of love—just one word: “forgiven.”

Sometimes we mess up—we lie, fight, or say mean things—and we feel guilty, like a broken game that can’t be fixed. But Jesus changed all that. He rewrites our hearts with his love that never crashes or glitches.

Now God’s Spirit lives in us, helping us show love to others. We can “run on God’s love code” every day—by helping someone who’s lonely, saying kind words, or forgiving when it’s hard.

So remember: God is close. God is for you. God has rewritten your life with his love.

Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to rewrite our hearts with your love. Please help us trust your forgiveness and share your kindness with everyone. 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

• Have you ever broken something—like a toy or a game—but someone fixed it for you? How did that feel?
• What does it feel like when someone forgives you for doing something wrong?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• When God says he’ll write his law on our hearts (Jer 31:33), what do you think that means? (Hint: It’s not written with a pen!)
• What’s one way you could show God’s love today—maybe by helping, sharing, or forgiving?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Agree or Disagree: Since Jesus forgives our sins (Jer 31:34), we can forgive others no matter what they’ve done. Why?
• If a friend feels bad about something they did, how could you help them see that Jesus can “rewrite” their heart too?

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I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence that we have before him: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we also know that we receive the things we have asked from him. 1 John 5:13-15 (EHV)

God Doesn’t Play Pranks

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

Does your family ever play pranks or tricks on each other. Maybe it’s something funny like:

• Taping the fridge handle shut.
• Hiding a toy in someone’s pillowcase.
• Taking the spring out of a pen so it doesn’t work right.

They’re harmless little tricks as everyone tries to one-up the others. At first, everyone laughs. But after a while, you start wondering, “Should I open the door? Will someone jump out at me? Is there a hidden trick that’s going to surprise me?”

A game that started with giggles ends with everyone feeling a little nervous, wondering what’s coming next, waiting for the next trick.

Sometimes people feel that way about God—like maybe he’s tricking them or not telling the truth. “Am I really forgiven? Does Jesus really love me? Does God really hear my prayers?”

That’s where John speaks up in the Bible. He writes: “I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life . . . if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us” (1 John 5:13-14).

Did you hear that? John doesn’t say, “I hope you know” or “Maybe you’ll know.” He says: “You may know.” That means you can be sure!

• Sure that you have eternal life.
• Sure that your sins are forgiven.
• Sure that when you pray, God hears you.

God isn’t playing a prank. His promises are solid. His truth is unshakable. And that gives us confidence—a bold trust that Jesus is always with us.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you that you never play tricks with your promises. Help me to be confident in your forgiveness and to trust that you always hear my prayers. 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 one thing you know for sure about God.
• If someone says they are “confident” in Jesus—what does that look like? (How would they act or speak?)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Name two more things you know about God.
• How can a Christian show confidence in their everyday life?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Name three more things you know about God.
• Why is being “confident” in Christian truth such an important part of faith?

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Read: Luke 17:11-19

When [Jesus] entered a certain village, ten men with leprosy met him. Standing at a distance, they called out loudly, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” As they went away they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, thanking him. And he was a Samaritan. Jesus responded, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give glory to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up and go your way. Your faith has saved you.” Luke 17:12-19 (EHV)

When Jesus Said “Go!”

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

Have you ever heard someone say “Go!” in different ways?

• “Go away!” (The door slams . . . someone’s upset.)
• “You should go!” (Like when parents tell you to go to a birthday party you’re nervous about.)
• “Go on, you can do it!” (When you’re at bat in baseball or learning to ride a bike.)
• “Let’s go!” (When the family piles into the car for a fun trip.)

One time, Jesus said “Go!” but it wasn’t “Go away.” It was to ten men with a terrible skin disease called leprosy. They cried, “Jesus, have pity on us!” and Jesus said: “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” Why the priests? Back then, if your skin disease was gone, the priest was the one who could say, “Yes, you’re healed. You can be around people again.”

Here’s the amazing part: As they were going, Jesus healed them! All ten were healed, but only one man came back to say thank you to Jesus. He knelt at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. That man understood Jesus’ “Go” wasn’t “Go away”—it was “Go, I will heal you.”

And guess what? Jesus still says “Go” to us:

• Go to church—he promises to forgive your sins and heal your soul.
• Go to him in prayer—he promises to hear you.

Jesus’ “Go” is never to push you away. It’s always an invitation with a promise: “Go . . . and I will be with you.”

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord, for telling me to “GO”—not to push me away, but to invite me close to you. Help me trust your promises and always come back with 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

• Can you think of a time someone told you to “Go!” (Sports, games, family trip, or something else?)
• What kind of healing do we need from Jesus? (sickness, sadness, forgiveness)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Where does Jesus bring healing to us today? (church, his Word, baptism)
• Who are some people Jesus uses to bring healing into our lives? (parents, doctors, pastors, teachers, friends)

Questions for Middle School and Above

• How does Jesus bring physical healing? (sometimes through medicine, doctors, or even miracles like in today’s devotion)
• How does Jesus bring spiritual healing? (through forgiveness, God’s Word, the cross)

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God spoke to Noah. He said, “Go out of the ark—you, your wife, your sons, and your sons’ wives with you. Bring out with you every living thing of every sort that is with you, all flesh, including birds, livestock, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, so that they may swarm over the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” Noah went out with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives along with him. Every animal, every creeping thing, every bird, and whatever swarms on the earth went out of the ship, species by species. Noah built an altar to the LORD and took from every clean animal and every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. The LORD smelled the pleasant aroma. The LORD said in his heart, “I will never again curse the soil anymore because of man, for the thoughts he forms in his heart are evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike every living thing, as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:15-22 (EHV)

A World Turned Upside-Down

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

Have you ever ridden a roller coaster or a really crazy ride at the fair?

The cars climb the first, big hill: Clack, clack, clack . . . creak . . . your stomach is already nervous.

You’re buckled in, the harness is holding you . . . but are you sure? You wiggle it, just in case. What if it pops open?!

Then, suddenly—WHEEE!! The car zooms down the hill, through loops, upside-down twists, and corkscrew spins. You feel sick, queasy, terrified! What’s going to happen next?

And then—it stops. The roller coaster glides back into the starting area, safe and sound. You’re back on solid ground.

That’s kind of what the flood may have felt like for Noah and his family. The sky opened up, rain poured for 40 days, water exploded up from under the earth, giant waves crashed everywhere. The ark rocked, tipped, and spun. But through it all—God kept Noah’s family safe.

And just like a roller coaster coming to the end, the ark came to rest on a tall mountain called Ararat. When Noah and his family stepped out, the whole world was fresh and new. Imagine: just eight people and a whole bunch of animals to start the world over again!

The first thing Noah did wasn’t to unpack or build a house—he built an altar to worship God. He thanked God for protecting him through the biggest storm the world had ever seen.

When you look back at your life, think about the times God has taken care of you too. If he’s done it before, he’ll do it again. God’s blessings in the past give us courage and joy to worship him today.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, sometimes life feels scary and upside-down. But you never let go of me. Thank you for my home, my family, and all the blessings I don’t always notice. Help me to trust you and thank you every day. In 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

• If you were on the ark, what animal would you want to sit next to? Why?
• Who (or what) kept Noah’s family safe during the flood?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• How do you think Noah and his family felt during the flood? Scared? Excited? Bored? Seasick?
• How did God show his power in the flood?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why was it hard for Noah to give up some of his animals as a sacrifice? Why do you think he did it anyway?
• How did God show his love in the flood story?

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

By his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. 2 Thessalonians 1:11b

The Grocery Store Test

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

Paige wanted to be good. She really did.

As her mom put her little brother in the grocery cart, Paige promised herself: “I won’t beg for candy. I won’t run down the aisles. I’ll try to be helpful.”

But by aisle four, she was already pouting. Her brother was getting noisy, and Paige’s feet wanted to zoom. She almost grabbed a bag of gummy worms—so tempting!—until she remembered her promise.

Paige stopped, took a deep breath, and whispered, “Jesus, help me be good.”

Somehow, she made it through the store. She even helped load groceries and smiled at the checkout lady.

That night, Paige’s mom tucked her in and said, “You were such a helper today. I saw you trying really hard, and I’m proud of you. Tonight, I’m going to thank Jesus for helping you.”

Paige smiled. She wanted to be good—and she knew God had helped her.

But what about the days that don’t go so well? The times we fight with siblings, talk back to parents, or just forget to do the right thing? That’s when it feels frustrating, because no matter how hard we try, we don’t always get it right. Sin makes us want to hide from God.

But here’s the truth: God doesn’t ask us to do it alone. He invites us to come to him, like Paige did, and ask for help. That’s why the apostle Paul prayed for God’s power to help people carry out the good things they wanted to do.

The desire to do good comes from faith in Jesus. And faith grows when we spend time with him—listening to the Bible, praying, singing, or worshiping. God’s Word teaches us how to be kind, helpful, and generous. And right now, as we’re hearing his Word, God is growing our faith too!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for the gift of faith. Help us to love one another even when it is hard, just like you did. Teach us to go to you whenever we need help with our thoughts, words, and behavior. 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 tried really hard to be good, but just couldn’t do it? What happened?
• What does Jesus say when you fail? (Hint: “I forgive you.”)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Have you ever stopped in the middle of something and prayed for help, like Paige did? What happened?
• Where do you get the “power” to make the right choices? (Bible, prayer, Jesus, Holy Spirit, etc.)

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What situations make it especially hard for you to do the right thing? (homework, siblings, friends, sports, etc.)
• Can you think of a Bible story or verse that helps you when you’re tempted? (like Jesus saying, “I am with you always,” or Jesus resisting temptation in the desert)

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Read: Luke 16:19-31

“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.’” Luke 16:25

Can I Get a Do-Over?

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

Imagine getting your math test back and it’s covered in red marks. You didn’t study, and now you’re stuck with a bad grade. You ask the teacher, “Can I get a do-over?” But she says, “Nope. I told you what to study.”

In today’s Bible reading, Jesus tells a story about a rich man who wanted a do-over—not on a test, but on his whole life. He had everything he wanted—money, food, comfort—but he didn’t listen to God and didn’t care about the poor man outside his gate. After he died, he finally realized he was wrong. But it was too late. There are no do-overs after death.

Jesus told this story to warn us. If we love money more than God, we risk being separated from him forever. That’s what happened to the rich man. But the poor man, Lazarus, who had nothing in this life, was taken to heaven. Everything flipped—the rich man was in pain, and Lazarus was filled with joy.

Jesus had said before: “Blessed are you who are hungry now . . . Woe to you who are well fed now” (Luke 6:21, 25). He didn’t mean it’s wrong to enjoy nice things. He meant don’t ignore God. Don’t cling so tightly to stuff that you forget about him.

Here’s the good news: while we’re alive, God gives us mercy. We can repent. We can hear his Word. When we say, “Jesus, I’m sorry,” he gives us forgiveness and a fresh start. That’s grace. That’s God’s real “do-over.”

But don’t wait. Don’t put it off. Be “rich toward God” now—listen to his Word, grow in faith, and trust Jesus every day. Then, you’ll never have to wish for a second chance in eternity.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for your mercy and forgiveness. Help me treasure your Word and trust in Jesus each day. Keep me close to you until I reach the joy of heaven. 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 asked for a do-over? (like in a game, a test, or with a friend?)
• What does Jesus say when you ask him for forgiveness?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why was Lazarus rich, even though he had no money or food?
• What does it mean to be “rich toward God”? (hint: it’s about faith, not money)

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What things in your life make it easy to forget about God? (video games, sports, money, wanting to fit in, etc.)
• Why is it dangerous to think, “I’ll just keep sinning—it’s okay, God will forgive me later”?

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