What does devotion look like? – May 1, 2023

Read: Acts 2:42-47

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
Acts 2:42

What does devotion look like?

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

Do you know anyone who is a really devoted sports fan? They are so enthusiastic about their favorite team, it affects everything they do. Maybe they own multiple shirts with their team’s logo. They watch every game. They know every player’s name, along with team trivia. One avid fan even bought a casket in his team’s colors and kept it in his living room until he needed it. His devotion carried on even after he died. Now that’s devotion!

In today’s devotion, believers in the early Christian church were devoted too, but not to a sports team. They were devoted to the apostles’ teaching. It means they were enthusiastic to hear everything the personal disciples of Jesus said about him. What had they learned from the apostles? Everything Jesus did and taught. They listened closely to the details about his life, death, and resurrection. They learned about repentance and forgiveness. They found out that Jesus lived a perfect life to fulfill all the Old Testament prophecies and that he died on the cross to forgive the sins of everyone. How exciting to hear that Jesus rose and then ascended into heaven, where he rules all things for our good. They couldn’t get enough of this awesome news. It completely changed their lives!

The devotion of the early church members affected everything they did. They wanted to spend as much time as they could with each other, so they worshiped and studied together. They celebrated the Lord’s Supper together. Love and devotion to Jesus made them devoted to one another as well. They shared what they had with each other, eating meals together. Everyone saw their genuine love and devotion. Many other people saw it. When they heard about Jesus, they believed too.

In the same way, our devotion to Jesus affects what we do. We may have a shirt that proclaims our faith, or we may wear a cross necklace or bracelet. We also enjoy fellowship and the breaking of bread with other believers. You may gather after church for donuts and coffee or sit down to a meal together before an evening service. During worship, we watch as our church family enjoys the Lord’s Supper in church with each other. We make Sunday worship a priority for our family, even if it sometimes means missing something else. Why? Because we’re devoted! We look forward to our home in heaven where we will join all enthusiastic believers in eternal devotion to our Savior.

Now that’s devotion!

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, help our devotion to you be evident in our family. Guide us to show your love to everyone around us. 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 way you want to show you are devoted to Jesus?
• What is your favorite thing to do together with friends at church?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Think of at least one way to help grow your devotion to the “apostles’ teachings.”
• Now, think of at least one thing that you do this week because you are devoted to Jesus.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• You may be in confirmation or already confirmed. Why is the Lord’s Supper so special?
• Discuss how your congregation shows love to each other. Evaluate if it looks anything like the example of the early church.