Remember What Your Shepherds Have Taught You – Family Devotion – April 28, 2021

Read: Acts 20:28-32

So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears. Now I commit you to God, and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Acts 20:31-32

Remember What Your Shepherds Have Taught You

 

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

It was the last day of school, and it was time for Miss Schroeder to say goodbye to her students. She knew all of her students very well. She had taught some of them for several years. Others she had known since they were born. The last day of school was always happy. Even if she didn’t have her students in class again, she knew she’d still see them at school or in the community.

This year was different though. It was Miss Schroeder’s last day at the school. She would be moving far away in just a couple of weeks and didn’t know if she’d ever see any of her students again. In the last couple of minutes before school let out, she reminded her students of the lessons she’d taught them and encouraged them to not forget those things.

In today’s Word of God, the apostle Paul was saying goodbye to a church where he had spent three years teaching and preaching. He knew and loved these people like they were his own family. He was sad because he knew he would never see them again.

Paul also knew that life would be hard for them. They would have to deal with false teachers and would be tempted to turn away from the truth that they had learned. So Paul committed them to God’s care. He trusted that God would take care of them. He prayed that they would remember what he had taught them. Even though Paul wouldn’t see them in person, his teaching would live on. They would be able to stand up against the false teachers—as long as they remembered what they had been taught.

All of us also have pastors and teachers in our lives who have taught us about God. They love and care for us, pray for us, and commit us to God’s care. And because they’ve been so faithful in teaching us the truths of God’s Word, we naturally want to remember what they’ve taught us and live according to these truths.

So the next time you’re tempted to stop listening because it seems like your pastor or teacher is telling you something you’ve heard a thousand times before, don’t! Remember that they are living out their calling of preaching and teaching God’s Word. Then, live out what you’ve learned from them! Act in a way that reflects what they’ve taught you. That’s the best thank you that you could ever give them!

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for all the faithful pastors and teachers you have placed in our lives. Help us to always remember what they have taught us and live according to these teachings. 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 was Paul so sad to say goodbye?
• Discuss a way you can show appreciation to your pastor(s) and teacher this week.

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Think of three things you’ve learned about God from your pastor(s) and teachers.
• Discuss one way you can better remember what you’ve learned.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Paul warned about “savage wolves” that hurt our faith. What wolf are you facing in your life today?
• How does remembering what you’ve learned and have been taught help you to fight off these savage wolves?

Hymn: CW 375:1,4 – The King of Love My Shepherd Is

The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness fails me never;
I nothing lack if I am his,
And he is mine forever.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill
With you, dear Lord, beside me;
Your rod and staff my comfort still,
Your cross before to guide me.