Learn From Your Mistakes – Family Devotion – April 4, 2022
Read: Luke 20:9-19
Jesus looked directly at them and asked, “Then what is the meaning of that which is written: “‘The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’? Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces; anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”
Luke 20:17-18
Learn From Your Mistakes
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Emma rolled her eyes. Her older teenage sister Olivia was crying… again. “What’s all the commotion about?” Grandma asked as she walked in. In between heaves and blowing her nose, pieces of Olivia’s story came out: a boyfriend, a break-up, for the third time. Emma had heard it all before. “Why can’t my sister learn that her Mr. Right is really Mr. Wrong?” she impatiently muttered. “But I love him! I can change him,” Olivia sobbed. Finally, her grandma replied in a calm voice, “Sweetie, I’m going to share something that was once said to me: ‘Don’t tear your pants on the same nail twice.’ Do you know what that means?” Olivia shook her head as Emma listened too. “It’s a way of saying: learn from your mistakes,” Grandma said.
How about you? Do you learn from your mistakes? Before you answer, listen to Jesus tell a story about a man who worked hard to build a winery filled with prize-winning grapes. Then he handed it over to some farmers who knew the grape business and agreed to bring him his fair share of the fruit. But they didn’t. Even after his repeated attempts, they refused to listen. What a huge mistake!
It’s really a story about a God who spared no expense to plant and protect us as his prized people. He didn’t even spare his own Son to save us. He gave his all! He continues to give us ways to express our thanks to him, like loving God and each other more than anything else in the world.
Don’t make the mistake that others have made. They are like builders who reject Jesus as the cornerstone and toss him aside like a worthless brick. Sadly, some people forget their desperate need for Jesus. To do so is to tear your pants on the same nail… again and again.
Jesus, the one we too have treated shamefully… is it too late to learn from our mistakes? No! Jesus tells today’s story one last time for us to see yet again the incredibly patient heart of God and his own undying love. During Lent, Jesus may look like a common stone. He was crushed under the weight of all our mistakes but did not crumble. He proves to be the most important stone for a magnificent building in which you are safe. It’s his Church, and he wants you inside with him!
Closing Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help us to learn a lesson from today’s story. Thank you for not crushing us when we make mistakes. Build our faith on you and keep us safe as part of your Church. 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
Today’s devotion shows how important it is to learn from mistakes.
- Talk with your parent(s) about a mistake they gently pointed out to you. What was it?
- What did they want you to learn from your mistake?
Questions for Elementary Age Children
In today’s Bible story, the man who built the winery and rented it out sent messengers to collect his share of the fruit.
- What is meant by “fruit”? Then describe at least one fruit in your life that shows your thanks.
- Who are some of the messengers God sends today to get our attention and encourage us to give him fruits of thanks?
Questions for Middle School and Above
Emma and Olivia’s grandmother said, “Don’t tear your pants on the same nail twice.”
- Recall what she meant by it. Then identify a “nail” in your life on which you keep getting hung up on.
- Discuss the lesson you want to learn so as not to repeat it.