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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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Read: Amos 6:1-7

Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria . . . your feasting and lounging will end. Amos 6:1a,7b

Tuned in or Tuned Out?

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

Have you ever put on headphones or earbuds, cranked up your favorite song or video, and didn’t even notice someone talking to you? Maybe Mom was calling you for dinner, but you didn’t hear her at all. You were in your own world—tuned out.

That’s kind of what happened in today’s Bible reading. God’s people were having parties, eating fancy food, enjoying life, totally tuned out. But they weren’t listening to God. They were so distracted by having fun that they didn’t care what God said. So God sent the prophet Amos to call them to repent—to wake them up.

God wants us to enjoy good things too—family, games, food, even fun hobbies. But he doesn’t want us so tuned in to those things that we tune out his voice. If we don’t hear Jesus’ voice, how can we follow him? His voice is the one that leads us to heaven.

Think about times when your family has gotten really busy—school, sports, vacations, or just being tired—and you’ve tuned Jesus out. Or maybe during devotions you’ve thought about what’s for lunch instead of listening. But here’s the good news: Jesus never stops calling. Even right now, through his Word and Holy Spirit, he’s calling you back. That’s grace.

In the Bible, this happened again and again:

• God’s people got distracted.
• God sent someone (a prophet, pastor, or parent) to wake them up.
• When they listened, God forgave them and promised to fix things.

That’s what happened in Amos’ time, too. God promised: “I will restore and repair” (Amos 9:11). That promise pointed ahead to Jesus, who fixes what sin breaks and makes us God’s children forever.

God still speaks today—through the Bible, through parents and pastors, and through Christian friends. He wants you tuned in because his voice is full of love, truth, and eternal life.

Let’s pray that even when life gets noisy, we always hear Jesus first.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me so many good blessings—food, friends, family, and fun. Forgive me when I get too busy or distracted to listen to you. Help me to stay tuned in to your Word every 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

• What’s something that makes it hard for you to hear your parents calling you? (video games, TV, music, etc.)
• How do you think Jesus “calls your name”? (through the Bible, church, parents, teachers, etc.)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• When do you feel tempted to tune out God’s Word?
• What’s one idea to help your family stay tuned in to Jesus? (like family prayer before bed, reading a short verse at dinner, listening to Christian songs, etc.)

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What are some “loud noises” in your life that try to drown out Jesus’ voice?
• What’s one habit you could start this week to stay tuned in to Jesus?

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

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

The Secret to Being Rich

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

Here’s a wild thought: God wants you to be rich.

Not in cash. Not in gift cards. But in contentment.

Paul writes, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6). In other words? Being rich isn’t about what’s in your wallet. It’s about what’s in your heart.

Most people think if they just had a little more, then they’d be happy. More money. More stuff. More success. But Paul warns that chasing wealth doesn’t bring freedom, it brings chains.

“Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1Timothy 6:10).

Think about that. They thought they were gaining. Instead, they lost. Money made them restless. Greedy. Trapped.

But then Paul offers a different way: “Put your hope in God, who richly provides everything for our enjoyment. Be rich in good deeds, generous, willing to share” (1 Timothy 6:17-18).

This is the secret to real wealth: Not hoarding but giving. Not chasing more but resting in enough. The richest person in the room? The one who trusts God and lives with open hands who can only give because God’s grace has already given us everything.

So, what are you chasing? Take a look at your Savior—you already have more than enough!

Prayer:

Father, help us treasure what truly matters. Make us rich in faith, love, and generosity. 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’re really thankful to God for today? (big or small)
• How can you share what you have with someone else out of love for Jesus?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why does contentment (being thankful for what you have) make us richer than money ever could?
• How can you use what you have—time, talents, or things—to bless others?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• How does Jesus’ grace-given generosity change our hearts?
• Think of a way that helps you keep your focus on eternal treasure this week.

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Read: Luke 15:1-10

Jesus told them this parable: “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? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Luke 15:1-10 (selected verses)

Heaven Throws a Party

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

Ever lost something super important? A favorite stuffed animal? A video game, even your phone? You didn’t just shrug and walk away. You searched under the couch. You tore apart your room. You turned the house upside down!

That’s the kind of searching Jesus describes in these parables. A shepherd risks everything for one lost sheep. A woman turns her whole house upside down for a single coin. Why? Because to them, that one thing matters.

And Jesus’ point? That’s how much you matter to God.

When you wander, he chases. When you fall, he lifts you up. And when you come home, all of heaven throws a party.

Let’s pause on that. Heaven celebrates every single time someone turns back to God. No eye rolls. No half-hearted claps. We’re talking a full-blown, angel-cheering, trumpet-blasting, joyful celebration!

Some people think God is distant. Uninterested. Like he’s waiting with a clipboard, checking off rules because he’s hard to please. But these parables tell a different story. God isn’t waiting for you to clean yourself up before he cares. He’s searching for you right now because you are worth finding.

What about the people around you? Maybe there’s someone you know who feels lost. Maybe they think they’ve messed up too badly to be loved.

Tell them the truth: God hasn’t given up on them. Heaven is ready to celebrate them.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for searching for us when we wander. Help us celebrate your grace every 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

• Have you ever found something you lost? What was it? How did that feel when you found it?
• Does God always hear your prayers? Why does that matter?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why are Jesus’ parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin awesome ways to show his love for us?
• How can you help someone know they are important to God? (What could you say or do?)

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What do these parables teach us about how God sees people?
• How can we reflect God’s joy when someone turns back to him? (What would a “heaven party” look like if we acted it out?)

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The LORD said to me, “Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another man and is an adulteress. Love her as the LORD loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods and love the sacred raisin cakes.” So I bought her for fifteen shekels of silver and about a homer and a lethek of barley. Then I told her, “You are to live with me many days; you must not be a prostitute or be intimate with any man, and I will behave the same way toward you.” For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days. Hosea 3:1-5

Love That Won’t Let Go

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

Ever tried calling a pet that doesn’t want to be caught? Like a dog darting through the neighborhood, ears back, tail high, zigzagging just out of reach? You call. You chase. You promise treats. Still, they don’t come.

Now imagine that pet is a person—someone you love. And they’re running from you. Worse, they’re running from God.

That’s the heartbreak of Hosea. God tells him to chase after his wife, Gomer, who keeps walking away from him, choosing anything but to be faithful. She’s broken her promises. Hurt their relationship. But still, God says: “Go. Love her. Bring her home.”

Why? Because this is how God loves us.

We wander. We mess up. We pick everything (video games, friends, sports, or other stuff) before him. And yet—he chases. He calls us back. He refuses to stop loving. He refuses to stop forgiving.

Sound reckless? Undeserved? It is. And that’s grace.

Hosea’s story is our story. A love so stubborn, so relentless, so committed that it doesn’t quit when we do. In Jesus, God took his pursuit to the ultimate level—paying for our rescue, not just with silver and gold, but with his own life.

If you’ve ever felt unworthy, ever wondered if God could still love you after everything you’ve done—you don’t have to wonder. He’s chasing after you. You are wanted. You are his.

And if there’s someone in your life who’s running from him? Don’t give up on them. Keep loving. Keep praying. Keep chasing. Because that’s what God does for us.

Prayer:

Father, thank you for chasing after us even when we run the wrong way. Help us trust in your love and reflect it to others. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

• Have you ever played hide-and-seek? What’s the best part—hiding, or being found? Why?
• Who in your life loves you no matter what? (Parents, grandparents, friends, even pets?)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why do you think people sometimes run away from God? (Don’t want rules, think other stuff is more fun, feel guilty, etc.)
• How does it make you feel that God never gives up on you?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Hosea’s love for Gomer was shocking. What does that show us about how big God’s love really is?
• Who in your life might need to hear that God hasn’t given up on them? How could you show them God’s love this week?

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