You Are God’s Bulletin Board! – May 23, 2025

When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once. “My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:31-35

You Are God’s Bulletin Board!

Family Devotion – May 23, 2025

Devotion based on John 13:31-35

See series: Devotions

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

Have you ever walked down your school hallway and seen a super cool bulletin board?

Mrs. Hill made some of the best ones! When school started, her board showed a giant crayon box that said, “It’s going to be a COLORFUL year!” Then, inside her classroom, every kid had a name tag shaped like a crayon in a different color! Every few weeks, the board changed to match the season, like snowflakes in winter or pumpkins in fall. But here’s the neat part: the hallway bulletin board gave a sneak peek into what was happening inside her classroom.

Guess what? You are like that bulletin board, too! What people see in your words and actions shows what’s in your heart. When Jesus lives in your heart, his love shows up on the outside!

Before Jesus went to the cross, he told his disciples something super important: “Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should love one another. When you love each other, everyone will know that you follow me” (John 13:34,35).

Jesus wants us to love others the same way he loves us—with kindness, patience, and forgiveness. That’s how people know we’re his followers!

Just like Mrs. Hill’s bulletin boards showed what was happening inside her classroom, your life shows the love Jesus has put in your heart.

So, what’s your bulletin board showing today?

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for loving us so much that you died on the cross and came back to life. Help us show your love in what we say and do. Make our lives like bright, loving bulletin boards that point people to you! 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 do people wear name tags? What can a name tag tell you about someone?
  • Do you know when God wrote your name in his book of life? (Hint: It happened at your baptism!)

Questions for Elementary Age Children

  • What bulletin boards do you have in your classroom? What kinds of things do they show people?
  • How are YOU like a bulletin board for Jesus? What are some ways your words or actions show others that you love Jesus?

Questions for Middle School and Above

  • How can people tell that you are a follower of Jesus? Can you think of a time when you showed love or kindness like Jesus does?
  • How might people know if someone is NOT following Jesus? Have you ever acted in a way that didn’t show Jesus’ love? What could you do differently next time?

 

Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship.
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.