It Lives to Make Us Alive – October 16, 2024

Read: Hebrews 4:12,13

For the word of God is alive and active.
Hebrews 4:12

It Lives to Make Us Alive

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.‘
Some say that Latin is a dead language. What they mean by calling it a dead language is that it isn’t spoken as the official language of any country anymore. So, while a small number of people still learn the language and can read and write it, no one really speaks to each other in it. That’s why it is considered “dead.”

Some would say the same thing about the Bible. They argue that it is an old, outdated book filled with “fairy tales” that only a few believe. “It is “dead,” they say.

Not so fast! In Hebrews 4:12, we are told, “The word of God is alive and active.” The Bible is not dead! It’s very much alive and actively at work!

The Bible continues to do important work. First, it shows us that we are much worse off than we could ever have imagined. We are sinners who don’t come close to living the perfect life that God requires of us to get into heaven. That means we deserve the worst fate imaginable: being dismissed by God forever in hell!

That’s why the second thing the Bible shows us is even more important—it shows us how much God cares about us by making sure that we would never have to experience hell. God made the promise to send a Savior to die and even suffer hell for us in our place so that we would never have to!

Latin may be a dead language, but the Bible will never be a dead book. It highlights our Savior, Jesus, who lived, died, and rose for us so that we would never die!

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for your living and active Word! May I hear, read, and study it, so that it can be active in my life and heart. Use it to grow my faith. 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 does it mean when someone calls Latin a “dead” language?
• Someone says, “The Bible is just a bunch of fairy tales.” What do you say?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• We don’t need to know Latin to be saved, but we do need to know the Bible. Why?
• What does it mean that the Bible is alive?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• What proof could you point someone to that the Bible is “living and active”?
• List at least two reasons the Bible is unlike any other book.