God Gives Us Strength to Suffer for Him – Family Devotion – July 9, 2021

Read: 2 Timothy 1:8-14

Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.
2 Timothy 1:14

God Gives Us Strength to Suffer for Him

 

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

Think about a time when someone trusted you with an important job. Maybe someone asked you to keep an eye on something to be sure nothing happens to it. “Can you watch my bike while I run in the house for a minute?” “Can you hold my phone for me?” “I’m going on vacation. Can you watch my dog for me and be sure he has water, food, and company while I’m gone?”

You’re being asked to take responsibility for things that are very important to your friend.

In our Bible reading today God told Paul to guard his Word and to tell it! Paul then encouraged Timothy to do the same. The work of sharing Jesus was not easy. Paul was beaten and thrown into prison. How much easier it would be to just give up when something becomes hard or it means you might hurt.

Listen to what Paul says to Timothy, “Do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord.” “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you.” Even though the message they were sharing was the absolute best news ever shared (that Jesus is the Savior), not everyone was eager to hear it. Paul is telling Timothy to hang in there, even when it’s hard or if you’re hurting. God will help you guard and share his message “with the help of the Holy Spirit.” Talk about help! Paul knew that if it was up to him or Timothy, they could not do it alone. But the Holy Spirit would help them every step of the way.

Now, God gives you the task of guarding and sharing the gospel, the good news that Jesus is the Savior. There’s two parts to that work. One is to make sure that what we say is what God says in his Word. Don’t add to it or take away from it! The second part of the task is a reminder to be brave. This news we have to share about Jesus is incredible! But it’s not always easy to share. Sometimes when you want to talk about Jesus, others might make you feel embarrassed, or they might disagree with you. That can be hard. That’s why God tells us to tell and tell and tell and then promises the help of the Holy Spirit. He will be right there with you. He will give you strength!

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, all you have done for me is the greatest blessing. It’s the best news ever. Help me to be eager and bold to share that with others. Bless my telling through the help of the Holy Spirit. 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

• Recall a time when someone asked you to do something really important. Describe how you felt: Excited? Nervous? Something else?
• In today’s devotion, God asked you to do something important for him. What was it?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What do you think it means when Paul tells Timothy to “guard the good deposit”? What’s the “good deposit” and how would Timothy “guard it”?
• God tells us to guard the Word and also to tell it. How can you guard it and tell it?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Give at least one reason why it can be hard to talk about your faith with friends and others. How does the promise of the Holy Spirit.
• Give one happy outcome that could happen if you tell someone about Jesus? Now give one unfortunate outcome that could happen if you don’t?

Hymn: CW 446:1,2,4,5 – I Am Trusting You, Lord Jesus

I am trusting you, Lord Jesus,
Trusting only you,
Trusting you for full salvation,
Free and true.

I am trusting you for pardon;
At your feet I bow,
For your grace and tender mercy
Trusting now.

I am trusting you to guide me;
You alone shall lead,
Every day and hour supplying
All my need.

I am trusting you for power;
Never let me fall.
I am trusting you forever
And for all.