Tuned in or Tuned Out? – September 29, 2025
Read: Amos 6:1-7
Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria . . . your feasting and lounging will end. Amos 6:1a,7b
Tuned in or Tuned Out?
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Have you ever put on headphones or earbuds, cranked up your favorite song or video, and didn’t even notice someone talking to you? Maybe Mom was calling you for dinner, but you didn’t hear her at all. You were in your own world—tuned out.
That’s kind of what happened in today’s Bible reading. God’s people were having parties, eating fancy food, enjoying life, totally tuned out. But they weren’t listening to God. They were so distracted by having fun that they didn’t care what God said. So God sent the prophet Amos to call them to repent—to wake them up.
God wants us to enjoy good things too—family, games, food, even fun hobbies. But he doesn’t want us so tuned in to those things that we tune out his voice. If we don’t hear Jesus’ voice, how can we follow him? His voice is the one that leads us to heaven.
Think about times when your family has gotten really busy—school, sports, vacations, or just being tired—and you’ve tuned Jesus out. Or maybe during devotions you’ve thought about what’s for lunch instead of listening. But here’s the good news: Jesus never stops calling. Even right now, through his Word and Holy Spirit, he’s calling you back. That’s grace.
In the Bible, this happened again and again:
- God’s people got distracted.
- God sent someone (a prophet, pastor, or parent) to wake them up.
- When they listened, God forgave them and promised to fix things.
That’s what happened in Amos’ time, too. God promised: “I will restore and repair” (Amos 9:11). That promise pointed ahead to Jesus, who fixes what sin breaks and makes us God’s children forever.
God still speaks today—through the Bible, through parents and pastors, and through Christian friends. He wants you tuned in because his voice is full of love, truth, and eternal life.
Let’s pray that even when life gets noisy, we always hear Jesus first.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me so many good blessings—food, friends, family, and fun. Forgive me when I get too busy or distracted to listen to you. Help me to stay tuned in to your Word every day. 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’s something that makes it hard for you to hear your parents calling you? (video games, TV, music, etc.)
- How do you think Jesus “calls your name”? (through the Bible, church, parents, teachers, etc.)
Questions for Elementary Age Children
- When do you feel tempted to tune out God’s Word?
- What’s one idea to help your family stay tuned in to Jesus? (like family prayer before bed, reading a short verse at dinner, listening to Christian songs, etc.)
Questions for Middle School and Above
- What are some “loud noises” in your life that try to drown out Jesus’ voice?
- What’s one habit you could start this week to stay tuned in to Jesus?
