Follow Jesus by Honoring Jesus – Family Devotion – January 22, 2021

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Follow Jesus by Honoring Jesus

 

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

Keith and Natasha stood in the doorway in complete shock. Their eyes were so wide they looked like dinner plates. Their jaws dropped so far open they nearly hit the floor. What happened here? Did they walk into the wrong house? Was this some sort of Christmas miracle? As they looked around their sparkling-clean living room and kitchen, they finally caught sight of the answer. There were their three children—12, 9, and 7-years-old—standing in the hallway with beaming smiles.

The children explained, “We know how hard you have been working and how much you do for us. We know that money has been tight, yet you still gave us so many amazing gifts for Christmas. We wanted to do something to surprise you after your date night to show you how thankful we are and how much we love you.”

Keith and Natasha were so happy. They loved their children so much. They were glad to sacrifice for them and to give them gifts in endless love, no matter how they acted. But for their children to show such love, respect, and honor for them as parents, it brought them the greatest joy!

Our God loves us as a dear Father loves his dear children. He gladly sent his Son Jesus to sacrifice himself for us, and he is happy to give us endless love and forgiveness. As the apostle Paul reminds us today, not only did God pay the price for us to be his own, but he also loves us so much that he lives with us and even in us. Our bodies are temples of the Lord! What grace from God, that he would love us and live with us every day!

Knowing God’s incredible love for us, Paul gives us one more important reminder, “Therefore honor God with your bodies.” Much like Keith and Natasha’s three children, it is our privilege to look for ways that we can show thanks and love back to God for all that he has done. Maybe you can show love to God by loving your parents and cleaning your room and the house—without even being asked. Or you can show love by honoring God in the way you control yourself, your words, and your behavior at school. You can honor God by going to church and singing his praise, by using your hands to help your neighbor, or simply by giving someone a hug and showing love.

Oh, how pleased God will be! When we show God love, respect, and honor for his love to us, it will bring him the greatest joy!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, you gave yourself in love to pay the price for my sins so that I can be a child of God. Now you live in me! Help me show you love and honor with the way that I live for you. Amen.

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

Questions for Younger Children

• What are some ways that you can show love to your parent(s) for what they do for you?
• What are some ways you can show love to God for what he has done for you?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What does it meant to take someone, like God or your parents, for granted?
• Give examples of ways that we sometimes do this with God, our parents, or others.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Explain this statement: Sometimes the best way to say, “thank you” is without using any words at all.
• Discuss real, practical ways that you can do something to show your thanks to God this week.

Hymn: CWS 735:1,3 – Speak, O Lord

Speak, O Lord, as we come to you
To receive the food of your Holy Word.
Take your truth, plant it deep in us;
Shape and fashion us in your likeness
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith.
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All your purposes for your glory.

Speak, O Lord, and renew our minds;
Help us grasp the heights of your plans for us.
Truths unchanged from the dawn of time,
That will echo down through eternity.
And by grace we’ll stand on your promises,
And by faith we’ll walk as you walk with us.
Speak, O Lord, as your Church is built
And you fill the earth with your glory.