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Read: Isaiah 55:6-11

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11

God’s Word Always Works

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

Have you ever planted a seed? Maybe it was a bean seed in a cup at school or a flower seed in a garden. What would happen if that seed never got any water? It would stay dry. It wouldn’t grow. But when it rains or someone waters it, something amazing happens. Little roots begin to grow. A tiny plant pushes up through the dirt. Before long, there are leaves, flowers, or even food to eat.

A science teacher might call this part of the water cycle. Water goes up into the clouds and then comes back down as rain or snow. You don’t have to remember any big science words to know something important: God sends water, and water does what God wants it to do. Rain helps flowers bloom. Water helps crops grow. Animals need water to live. People need water to drink.

God sends water for a reason, and it does its job.

God says his Word works the same way. When God’s Word is shared, read, taught, or preached, it always does something. Sometimes God’s Word helps someone believe in Jesus. Sometimes God’s Word helps a Christian grow stronger in faith.

Sometimes God’s Word shows a person that they are doing something wrong and need God’s forgiveness. Sometimes people don’t want to listen to God’s Word at all. But no matter what happens, God’s Word is never wasted. God promises that his Word will always do exactly what he wants it to do.

That means we can tell people about Jesus without being afraid. We don’t have to wonder, “Will this matter?” We don’t have to think, “Maybe sharing Jesus is a waste of time.” God says it isn’t. His Word is living and active. His Word is powerful. His Word works.

And God’s Word doesn’t leave us empty either. Because of Jesus, we are forgiven. Because of Jesus, heaven is our home. Because of Jesus, we have peace with God. Since God has filled our hearts with joy, peace, and hope, we can gladly share that same good news with others.

Who knows? God can use his powerful Word to fill their hearts too!

Prayer:

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us your powerful Word that always accomplishes your good purpose. May we trust its power to create and strengthen faith in us and those with whom we share it. Bless everyone who hears your Word, and through your Holy Spirit bring many people to trust in their Savior. 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 happens to plants when they get the rain and water they need?
• What does God say his Word always does?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why do you think God compares his Word to rain and snow?
• Have you ever told someone about Jesus or invited someone to church? What was that like?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• If someone doesn’t want to listen when we talk about Jesus, does that mean God’s Word failed? Why not?
• God promises that his Word will always accomplish his purpose. How does that promise help us be brave when we share our faith with others?

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Read: Romans 7:15-25

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25a (ESV)

Jesus Does What I Can’t

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

At seven years old, on the way home from church, Matt sat in the back seat of the car and proudly announced to his parents that he wasn’t going to sin anymore. Both of his parents chuckled, and his dad told him that he hoped he was right.

Matt’s promise was short-lived. After arriving home, he didn’t like what his mom made for lunch and complained about it. Shortly after lunch, he and his brother had to go to timeout for fighting over Legos. Then before bed, he got in trouble again for sneaking cookies after he brushed his teeth.

Matt really did mean it when he told his parents he wasn’t going to sin anymore. But by the end of the day, he had already broken his promise several times!

Have you ever told yourself that you weren’t going to sin anymore only to find yourself still doing wrong things? Maybe you promised not to argue with your brother or sister. Maybe you said you would stop complaining or always obey your parents right away. But sometimes we still do the wrong thing, even when we don’t want to.

That happened to the apostle Paul too. He loved God and wanted to do what was right. But he still struggled with sin. That is why he cried out, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24).

Notice what Paul does not ask. He doesn’t ask, “How can I try harder?” or “What rules can I follow to fix myself?” He asks, “Who will rescue me?” Paul knew he needed more than self-control. He needed a Savior. A deliverer.

And then Paul gives the answer: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25).

Your peace with God does not depend on you finally getting it right. It depends entirely on Jesus who already got it right for you. The harder you try to save yourself, the more tired you become. The more you trust Jesus, the more rest you find.

Jesus does what we can’t. True rest begins when you reach the end of yourself and find Christ waiting there. So, rest in Jesus!

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we confess that the good we want to do, we so often fail to do. Forgive us for trying to rely on our own strength. Thank you, that getting to heaven doesn’t depend on what we do for you, but on what you have already done for us. Give us true peace, knowing that we are safe in your loving hands. 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

• In the Bible verse, Paul asks who will rescue him from his mistakes, and then he says, “Thanks be to God through . . .” Who is the Savior Paul is thanking?
• Have you ever tried really hard to be good (like sharing your toys or listening right away) but still made a mistake? How does it feel to know that Jesus always forgives you and loves you anyway?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why couldn’t Paul save himself from his sin?
• Paul didn’t ask for a checklist of rules to fix himself but instead asked who would rescue him. Why is looking to a person (Jesus) better than just trying to follow a checklist of rules when we mess up?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• True or False: We are both a sinner and a saint at the same time.
• Sometimes Christians keep struggling with the same sins. How does knowing that Jesus has already forgiven you help you avoid giving up or feeling hopeless?

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Read: Matthew 10:34-42

[Jesus said] “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Matthew 10:37-40,42

Who Is Number One?

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

It is an uncomfortable situation. You are with your friends. All of a sudden your time together has turned from harmless fun to harmful wrong. Here are some examples:

• Everyone else seems fine with messing with a neighbor’s lawn decorations and stealing them, but what are you going to do?
• Or maybe you are home with your older siblings, and they want to watch a certain movie or play a video game that the folks have said no to. What do you do?
• Or maybe everyone in class is laughing at someone, and you know it isn’t kind. What do you do?

Sometimes, following Jesus means making difficult, uncomfortable and unpopular choices. In today’s reading, Jesus says something that sounds truly frightening: He says he didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword.

These are shocking words from the Prince of Peace. Jesus isn’t talking about hurting people with a real sword. He means that following him can sometimes cause disagreements because not everyone believes the same things about God.

But we know this is sometimes part of our lives as Christians.

Jesus is talking about how following him can sometimes cause “sharp” disagreements, even with people we love, like our family or best friends. He wants us to know that being his disciple means he is “Number One” in our lives—even ahead of our close relationships, favorite hobbies, our sports teams, or our own plans.

Jesus is to be “Number One” in our lives. All the time. In everything. This sounds like a big job, doesn’t it? The truth is, we aren’t very good at putting Jesus first. Certainly not all the time. Sometimes peer pressure gets the better of us. Too often, we just want peace, so we go along with what we know is wrong. But here is the good news: Jesus put you first. Every time. Without fail. Jesus left the perfect peace in heaven and went to the pain and suffering on the cross for you to take away every sin and every time you choose peace over him. Because Jesus loves you perfectly, he gives you the Holy Spirit to help you stand up for what is right.

Now, in faith, we see this in a new light. Jesus tells us, when you put others first—when you help a friend, share your lunch, or tell someone about Jesus—he says it’s like you are doing those things for him! Even something as small as giving a cup of cold water to someone who is thirsty is a big deal to God. Sometimes we think only big things matter. Jesus reminds us that small acts of love matter too.

Live in faith and in the love of the one who put you first; and because Jesus put you first, you can put him first too.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you put me first and died for my sins. Help me to put you first in my life, even when it’s hard or when my friends don’t understand. Give me a heart that is ready to serve others with kindness. 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

• Jesus says even a simple cup of cold water can make a difference. Why do small acts of kindness matter so much to God?
• Can you think of a small act of kindness someone showed you? How did it make you feel?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why is it sometimes hard to put Jesus first when everyone around us is doing something different?
• Jesus says that whoever welcomes you, welcomes him. How does it make you feel to know that you represent Jesus to the world?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Jesus says, “Whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” How do we “lose our life” for Jesus in normal, everyday ways?
• If Jesus really is “Number One,” what is one thing our family could do this week to show that together?

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Read: Exodus 32:15-29

He said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?” “Do not be angry, my lord,” Aaron answered. “You know how prone these people are to evil. They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.’ So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him. Exodus 32:21-26

The World’s Worst Excuse

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

Have you ever been caught doing something wrong and tried to come up with an excuse really fast? Maybe a broken lamp. A missing cookie. A messy bedroom. Sometimes when we know we did something wrong, we try to think of a reason why it wasn’t really our fault.

Back when schoolwork was done in notebooks and worksheets, the excuse frequently made fun of was the silly, sad lie claiming, “My dog ate my homework.” Most people knew that excuse wasn’t true. But excuses aren’t just for homework. We all make excuses when we don’t want to admit we did something wrong.

When we are young, we may not realize just how wrong our excuses sound. As we age, maybe we get a little wiser in the ways of this sinful world, but still our excuses all fall flat. Because we have a sinful nature, we face a lifetime of struggle with our natural tendency to excuse or minimize our sins. “It wasn’t me. She started it.” “Everybody else was doing it.” “I didn’t mean to.”

How easily these excuses still come to us.

Consider what took place in Exodus 32. Moses came down the mountain with two stone tablets engraved by God himself. On them were written the Ten Commandments. God told Moses what the children of Israel had done while he was meeting with God. The children of Israel had made a golden calf and worshipped it as if the idol had led them out of Egypt.

That sin, like all our sin, is obvious to our all-knowing God. God had done so much for his people, so they would know he loved them and would protect them: the plagues, the Passover, the parting of the sea, a visible presence in cloud by day and fire by night. But still they built an idol and worshiped it. When caught in this sin, how does Aaron, the brother of Moses respond? He blamed others. He minimized the sin and came up with the sad, silly lie: “I threw it in the fire and out came this calf!”

Can you imagine that? Aaron wanted Moses to believe that he tossed some gold into a fire and—poof!—a golden calf just appeared all by itself. It was a pretty ridiculous excuse.

Moses knew from his own life how dangerous it is to make excuses and minimize sin. When the people sinned—and when we sin—God didn’t stop being their God. Instead of answering our excuses, God, in love, gave us the only answer for our sin. God used Moses to call them back. God had promised the people the perfect substitute who would shed his blood so God’s people would go free. Jesus came to be the only answer for our sin. He is our sinless sacrifice. We don’t need excuses, but honesty. Confess our sins and hear God’s forgiveness for us in Jesus. Share it and speak it to one another.

No excuses, just honesty from our holy and loving God.

Prayer:

We thank you, dear God, for the gift of forgiveness we need today and every day. Give us the honesty to confess our sins to you who know them and the confidence to trust our forgiveness by your mercy and grace. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

• When is the last time you heard the words, “I forgive you”?
• When is the last time you said the words, “I forgive you”?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why can it sometimes be hard to say, “I was wrong” or “I’m sorry”? What are some of the ways we are reminded of God’s forgiveness in our worship service?
• Is the fact that God knows all things about us sometimes scary, sometimes comforting, or both? Why?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Can you recall and talk about with the whole family when being honest and admitting fault right away would have been far better than making excuses?
• God had shown his love in vivid ways to the children of Israel. What are some of the ways you know God has shown his love to you that you can be sure of God’s forgiveness?

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Read: 2 Timothy 4:1-8

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:2-4,7-8

Don’t Scratch the Itch!

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

A man went to the doctor because his ear hurt badly. But the pain wasn’t even the worst part—the itching was! As the doctor examined him, he discovered something awful: there were bugs inside the man’s ear. While the man was sleeping, a fly had laid eggs there. That sounds disgusting, doesn’t it? But what made the problem even worse was this: every time the man scratched his itchy ear, he pushed the bugs farther inside. Scratching the itch only made the problem worse.

When something itches, we really want to scratch it. But Paul says the same thing can happen with God’s Word. Paul wrote a letter to a young pastor named Timothy, warning him that people would someday have “itching ears.” Paul didn’t mean people’s ears would actually itch. He meant people would look for teachers and pastors who would tell them exactly what they wanted to hear. Maybe someone wants to hear that their sins are “not a big deal.” Maybe they want to hear that it doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you believe something. Maybe they want someone to tell them they never need to forgive others or help hurting people. Paul says people sometimes look for “itch-scratchers”—teachers who make them feel good instead of telling them God’s truth. But scratching an itch doesn’t heal the problem. It only makes it worse.

We all have “itches.” There are parts of God’s Word that are hard for us to hear. Sometimes God tells us to confess sins we don’t want to admit. Sometimes he tells us to forgive someone when we don’t want to. Sometimes he tells us to love people who are difficult to love.

But God doesn’t want teachers who simply scratch our itchy ears. He gives us pastors, teachers, parents, and Christian friends who tell us the truth—even when it’s hard to hear. Why? Because God loves us too much to leave us trapped in sin.

May God give us preachers, not “itch-scratchers!” May they rebuke us when we need it, so our sins don’t destroy our faith, and may they always point us to the great gift of salvation we have in Jesus. That truth may not scratch our itch—but it heals our hearts, opens our ears to truth, and someday, will place a crown of eternal life on our heads!

Prayer:

When my ears itch, O Lord, I want someone to scratch them. Instead, bless me with people who will tell me your true Word. Instead of scratching my itch, heal my heart. 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

• In today’s devotion, a man’s ear was hurting horribly. Why did scratching make the problem worse?
• Paul talked about “itching ears.” What do you think that means?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• God says people won’t “put up with sound doctrine.” That means they don’t want to hear what God really says. Why do people sometimes want teachers to tell them only what they want to hear?
• Paul said a “crown of righteousness” was waiting for him. What wonderful gift was Paul talking about?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What are some things God says in the Bible that can be hard for us to hear?
• When we look for a church, what is the MOST important thing we should look for?

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Read: Matthew 9:35–10:8

[Jesus] said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Matthew 9:35–10:8 (selected verses)

You Matter More Than You Think

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

Quick: How many of the twelve apostles can you name?

Maybe you remembered Peter, John, or Matthew. But what about Thaddaeus? Or Simon the Zealot? Did you know there were actually two disciples named James and two named Simon? Don’t worry if you can’t remember all their names. Most people can’t! That might seem surprising because the disciples were Jesus’ closest followers. The Bible doesn’t actually tell us much about them. There’s a reason for that. The Bible isn’t about them; it’s about Jesus and the salvation that he was bringing into the world.

But that does NOT mean those disciples were unimportant. Jesus taught them, traveled with them, and gave them two incredible jobs to do.

First, Jesus told them to PRAY for more workers to share God’s Word. Jesus said there were many people ready to hear about him—like a huge field ready for harvest. So, Jesus told his disciples to “beg” God to send more workers into the field.

Then right after Jesus told them to pray for workers, Jesus sent THEM out to be the workers! Those disciples traveled all over the world telling people about Jesus. Some went to faraway countries (Italy, Africa, India). Some faced danger. Some were laughed at or hurt because they believed in Jesus. But they kept sharing the good news anyway.

And even though most people today don’t know much about those disciples, billions of people know about Jesus because of them. That teaches us something important: You do not have to be famous to matter.

Maybe someday people won’t remember your name hundreds of years from now. That’s okay. God can still use you in wonderful ways right now. Here are your two incredible jobs:

• First, you can pray for missionaries, pastors, teachers, and Christians who share Jesus with others. And you can also be part of the answer to your own prayer when you tell someone about Jesus yourself.
• Second, every time you show kindness, invite someone to church, tell a friend about Jesus, or remind someone that God loves them, God is using YOU too.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I believe that you love the world and want all people to believe in Jesus. Please send more people out to share that message. And Father, give me a chance to be the answer to that prayer as you give me opportunities to share my faith, too. 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

• Which disciples of Jesus can you remember?
• What important job did Jesus give his disciples?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful.” What do you think he meant by that?
• Who is someone God has used to teach you about Jesus?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why is it encouraging to know that you don’t have to be famous to matter to God?
• Jesus told the disciples to pray for workers and then sent them out to work. What lesson does that teach us?

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Read: Numbers 27:15-23

Moses said to the LORD, “May the LORD, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD instructed through Moses. Numbers 27:15-23 (selected verses)

Who Takes Care of God’s People?

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

When a family has a new baby, mom and dad start thinking about a really important question: “Who would take care of our child if something happened to us?” That can be a hard thing to think about. Parents might talk about grandparents, aunts, uncles, or close friends. They think carefully about who loves their children, who will protect them, who will help them, and who will keep teaching them about Jesus. Parents spend lots of time praying about it because they love their children so much.

Moses thought about something like that too. For 40 years, Moses had helped take care of God’s people, the Israelites. He led them through the hot wilderness, helped settle arguments, prayed for them, warned them when they sinned, and reminded them again and again about God’s promises. In many ways, Moses cared for the people like a shepherd cares for sheep.

But now Moses knew he would not be going into the Promised Land with them. Because of a sin from earlier in his life, God told Moses that Joshua would become the new leader instead. Moses would soon go home to heaven. So Moses prayed to God. He didn’t want God’s people to be left all alone without someone to guide them. He asked God to give the Israelites a faithful leader.

God chose Joshua. Joshua would lead the people into the Promised Land. But Joshua wasn’t perfect either. Moses wasn’t perfect. None of God’s leaders are perfect. And that’s important for us to remember. God still gives us leaders today—parents, teachers, pastors, principals, coaches, and others. Sometimes those leaders make mistakes because they are sinners too. But God still works through them to care for us, teach us his Word, and point us to Jesus.

The best leaders are not the ones who are perfect. The best leaders are the ones who keep leading people back to Jesus. And the greatest leader of all is Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who never sins, never fails us, and promises to lead us safely all the way to our heavenly home.

Prayer:

Almighty God, you lead us through this life to our true Promised Land—our home in heaven. Our parents, our pastors and teachers, and all of our other leaders aren’t perfect. But as they lead us, help them guide us by your Word and your perfect love. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

• Why do parents carefully think about who would take care of their children?
• Why did Moses ask God to give the people a new leader?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Moses said the people needed a “shepherd.” What does a shepherd do for sheep? How are leaders like shepherds?
• Who is the only perfect leader we have? What makes Jesus different from every other leader?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Sometimes we don’t like having leaders over us. But why is the thought of being without a leader a little scary?
• Moses sinned, but God still used him for many years. What does that teach us about the kinds of people God works through?

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Read: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 1 Timothy 1:15

Worst and Best

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

Have you ever done something wrong and wished you could go back and change it? Maybe you hurt someone’s feelings, disobeyed your parents, lied about something, or got angry at a friend. Sometimes those memories can make you cringe inside when you remember them, right?

The apostle Paul knew that feeling too. Before he became a Christian, he did terrible things. He hurt Christians. He even went from house to house to capture believers. He threw some into prison. He tried to stop people from believing in Jesus. Paul felt awful about the sins he had committed. That’s why in today’s Bible verse he says, “I am the worst of sinners.”

Here’s what is surprising: Paul wasn’t the only sinner. All people sin—even you and me. We are all the “worst of sinners.” Any sin, no matter how big or small it feels, separates us from God. Any sin, no matter how many or how few people it affects, condemns us to hell. Any sin is the worst of sins, and that makes all of us the worst of sinners.

That’s the bad news—but here comes the good news! Paul says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). That means Jesus came for people who mess up. Jesus came for people who sin. Jesus came for Paul. Jesus came for you too! On the cross, Jesus became the “worst of sinners” for every mean word. Every selfish choice. Every lie. Every bad attitude. Everything that makes you cringe. He became the worst in order to give you his best—the righteousness of God.

Paul calls this “a trustworthy saying.” That means it is completely true and something we can always believe. So, when you remember the worst thing you’ve ever done and it makes you feel the worst, don’t forget this: Jesus forgives you. The cross reminds you that God doesn’t remember your worst, but the best of Jesus. Through Jesus, we are forgiven, dearly loved children of God—and there’s nothing better than that!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me even when I’m at my worst. Thank you for forgiving all my wrong choices. Help me remember every day that I am your forgiven child. Help me share this trustworthy saying with someone who needs it as much as I do. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

• What does the apostle Paul call himself in today’s Bible verse?
• Who else is the worst of sinners? (Hint: me)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why do even “small” sins matter to God?
• Why is it hard to admit when we’ve done wrong?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• The apostle Paul also uses the phrase “This is a trustworthy saying” in Titus 3:3-8. How are those verses related to the trustworthy saying in today’s Bible passage?
• How would you answer someone who says, “You haven’t murdered anybody or stolen anything, so you aren’t really the worst of sinners”?

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Read: Matthew 28:16-20

[Jesus said] “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

If Jesus Says “Go!” What Would You Tell People to Know??

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

Ellie ran home from school with a huge smile on her face.

“Mom! Mom! I finally get it!” she shouted.

All week long, Ellie had been confused in math class. The numbers and problems just didn’t make sense. But today her teacher explained it in a new way, and suddenly it clicked! Ellie finished every problem correctly. Her teacher even told her, “Great job, Ellie!”

But Ellie was excited for another reason too. Her friend Josie had been struggling with the same math lesson. Ellie could not wait to help her friend understand it too.

And you’re especially learning how to obey Jesus and behave like he wants his children to behave. When you learn something exciting, what do you usually want to do? You want to share it! That’s exactly what Jesus wants us to do with the good news about him. At church, Sunday school, and family devotions, you are learning amazing things about Jesus: Jesus loves you. Jesus died for your sins. Jesus rose again. Jesus is always with you. Jesus is preparing heaven for you. Those are the best truths anyone could ever learn!

Sometimes learning God’s Word can be hard. Like math. We do not always understand right away, and sometimes we forget to obey Jesus. But the more we hear Bible stories and learn about Jesus, the bigger our faith grows and the better we get (understand) what he wants of us as we live surrounded by other people.

In today’s Bible verses, Jesus tells his followers to teach other people about him too. That might sound scary sometimes, but it can also be exciting! You do not need to know everything about the Bible. You can simply share what YOU know about Jesus.

So, what do you know about Jesus? Think of all the things you’ve learned about Jesus (he loves me, he forgives me, he is always with me). Pick one of those things to share with someone. The best part? Jesus promises you are never alone when you talk about him!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for teaching me lots of things about you in the Bible. Give me the words to teach these things to other people who need to learn about them too. 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 thing you know about Jesus?
• Who could you tell about Jesus this week?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why do you think Ellie wanted to help her friend?
• Why can it sometimes feel scary to talk about Jesus?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why is the message about Jesus more important than learning math or school subjects?
• What Bible story or truth about Jesus would you most want a friend to know? Why?

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Read: Genesis 1:1–2:3

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3

“When Three = One”

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

Have you ever counted to three? One . . . two . . . three! Now here’s a tricky question: Can three ever equal one? That sounds impossible, right? Three and one are different numbers! But with God, something amazing is true. God is three persons in one God. We call this the Trinity or the triune God. “Triune” means “three in one.” The three persons are: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes people try to explain the Trinity with pictures, like an apple with three parts (peel, fruit, seed) or a clover with three leaves. Those examples can help a little bit, but God is still much greater than anything we can compare him to. Even grown-ups cannot fully understand everything about God!

But even if we can’t understand it perfectly, we can still believe it because the Bible teaches it. We can actually see the Trinity in the very first verse of the Bible!

• God the Father created the world.
• God the Holy Spirit was hovering over the waters.
• And when God said, “Let there be light,” Jesus was there too!

How do we know? In the New Testament, the Bible calls Jesus “the Word.” The Bible says that through Jesus, all things were made. That means Jesus was there at creation too!

Think about how powerful God is. He made the whole world out of nothing! He made the stars, oceans, animals, trees, and people. And this same powerful God still cares for you today.

• God the Father gives you what you need each day.
• Jesus, God the Son, died and rose to save you from sin.
• God the Holy Spirit works faith in your heart through God’s Word.

The Trinity can seem hard to understand, but here’s a triune truth: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit loves us completely and will care for us always.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for using your power to create the whole world. Use the power in my life to always keep me close to you. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

• What does the word “triune” mean?
• Who are the three persons of the triune God?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Where do we see each of the three persons of the Trinity at creation?
• Why do you think it is hard for people to understand the Trinity?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Even if we cannot fully understand God, why can we still trust him?
• How does each person of the Trinity help and care for us?

  Bonus Question: Can you think of another Bible story where we see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together? (Hint: Think about Jesus’ baptism!)

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Read: 1 Corinthians 12:3-11

There are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of ministries, and yet the same Lord. There are various kinds of activity, but the same God, who produces all of them in everyone. Each person is given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (EHV)

Behind the Scenes

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

Have you ever watched a school play, concert, or sports game? Everyone sees the big performance at the end. But a LOT of work happens before anyone steps on stage or onto the field! People practice lines, build sets, set up lights, make costumes, and help everything run smoothly. Most of that work happens “behind the scenes,” where nobody sees it.

Our Bible reading today reminds us that the Holy Spirit also does “behind-the-scenes” work. Before Jesus went back to heaven, he promised to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came and gave them courage and special gifts so they could tell people about Jesus.

The Holy Spirit has come to us too! The first and greatest thing he did was bring us to faith in Jesus. The Holy Spirit still works in us today by giving each Christian special gifts to help other people and serve God.

Some gifts are easy to notice. A pastor preaching, a teacher teaching, or a musician singing in church are gifts we can often see. But other gifts happen quietly. Maybe someone cheers up a sad friend, helps a neighbor, prays for someone, shares, listens kindly, or writes an encouraging note. Those are gifts from God too! They help grow and strengthen his church.

Sometimes we may wish we had someone else’s gifts. Maybe you wish you could sing better, speak better, or do something another person can do. But God made each person special. The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to different people because he knows exactly what his church needs.

Instead of being jealous, we can thank God for the gifts he gives other people AND thank him for the gifts he has given us. With these gifts from the Holy Spirit, every believer is equipped and empowered to be witnesses of Christ in a world that needs him.

Just like we can’t see what’s going on behind the scenes of a play, we can’t always see the Holy Spirit working. Yet we know he is because Jesus promised it. We have the same God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—who is preserving his church. All by his grace for the common good of God’s people. Even though we cannot see the Holy Spirit with our eyes, we know he is working because Jesus promised he would. The Holy Spirit is still working “behind the scenes”!

Prayer:

Father in heaven, forgive us for the times we are jealous of the gifts of others. Dear Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice on the cross that covers me with your grace. Dear Holy Spirit, help me joyfully use the gifts you give me as you work for the good of God’s people. 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 one gift or talent God has given you?
• How can you use your gifts to help someone this week?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why do you think God gives different gifts to different people?
• What are some gifts people use at church that others may not notice?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why is it wrong to be jealous of someone else’s gifts?
• Go around the room and name one gift or strength you see in each family member.

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Read: John 17:1-11a

After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:1-3

God Is Glorified!

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

Jesus prayed these words to his Father right before he was arrested and put on the cross. Jesus wasn’t only thinking about himself even though he knew he was about to suffer. He was thinking about his friends, his followers, and you! He was thinking about every person in the whole world. Jesus knew that by dying on the cross, he would take away all our sins. Jesus wanted people to see how amazing God’s love really is. Jesus asked his Father to glorify him. “Glorify” means to give honor, praise, and attention. Jesus gave glory to his Father by doing the job God sent him to do—saving sinners. Even a Roman soldier standing near the cross said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”

When you hear the word “glory”, you might think of something bright and amazing—like a sky full of heavenly angels or shining stars, a colorful sunset, or fireworks lighting up the night. God’s glory is even greater! It shows us how powerful, loving, and wonderful God is.

But here’s something surprising: The writer of the book of Hebrews in the Bible tells us about Jesus, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus showed God’s glory while suffering on the cross. That doesn’t seem glorious at first. Usually, people want glory by being famous, winning awards, or getting lots of attention. We like people to notice us and tell us how great we are. But Jesus showed true glory by loving others and saving them. His greatest honor was to save us.

Sometimes we want all the “glory” for ourselves. Maybe we want to be the best player, get the highest grade, or hear everyone clap for us. Our sinful nature loves to be the center of attention! When that happens, we can ask God to forgive us and help us remember that every good thing comes from him. Through our faith in Jesus, we pray that we give glory, honor and respect to God in what we say and do.

But the story didn’t end at the cross! Jesus rose from the dead on Easter morning. Now THAT was glorious! Glory filled the earth in a risen Savior! God is glorified! Jesus lives; we too will live. A crown of glory waits for us in heaven. Now THAT will be glorious!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, we know that at times we do not give you the glory and honor you deserve. Forgive us. Help our lives be a reflection of you until you call us to our eternal home where perfect glory awaits. 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

• Before Jesus died on the cross, who was he thinking about? (Hint: not himself) Why is that amazing?
• What is one thing you can do this week at home or school that shows God’s love?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What does the word “glory” mean? Can you think of something beautiful or amazing that reminds you of God’s glory?
• How did Jesus bring glory to his Father by dying on the cross? How can you give glory to God?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• When are you tempted to make everything “all about me”? What could you do instead?
• Discuss: How can being kind, helpful, or brave, especially during hard times, give glory to God?

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Read: Acts 1:12-26

[Peter said] “Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. Acts 1:21-22,26

See It! Hear It! Believe It!

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

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’ll believe it when I see it!”? Maybe you’ve even said it yourself! That usually means, “I’m not sure that’s true unless I can see it with my own eyes.” And that makes sense! It’s easier to believe something when you see it happen. But what if you didn’t see it yourself? Then it really helps to hear from someone who did see it—someone called an eyewitness. An eyewitness is a person who was really there and saw what happened.

Eyewitnesses help us know what is true. And that is one reason God gave us Jesus’ disciples. They were there. They saw Jesus. They heard Jesus. They walked with Jesus. They watched Jesus teach people. They saw him heal sick people. They saw him do miracles. They saw him die on the cross. And best of all—they saw him alive again! Jesus rose from the dead, and his disciples were eyewitnesses. They could tell everyone, “It’s true! Jesus is alive!”

One of the disciples, Judas, turned against Jesus and was no longer with them. So the disciples chose another man, named Matthias, to take his place. Why did that matter? Because Matthias also needed to be someone who had seen Jesus and could tell the true story. He would be another eyewitness who could say, “I saw Jesus too!” That was important because the disciples had a big job: tell the world about Jesus.

And that is still the big job today. We were not there to see Jesus with our own eyes. But we can still believe in him because God gave us eyewitnesses in the Bible. They saw what Jesus did, and God had them write it down for us.

So now we can hear it . . . and believe it . . . and share it too. Jesus is alive! And because Jesus lives, we will live with him forever too!

Prayer:

O Lord God, thank you for providing eyewitnesses to write the greatest events in all of history so that we can read and hear it. Help me always to believe it by faith and share the hope I have in you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

• What is the best and most amazing true story ever told? Why?
• What is an eyewitness? Why is an eyewitness important?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Have you ever believed someone because they said, “I saw it!”? What happened?
• Why was it important that Matthias had seen Jesus too?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why are eyewitness accounts important?
• How can you be a witness for Jesus? (Hint: You may not have seen Jesus with your eyes, but you can still tell others what you know is true about him!)

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