Big Changes – February 11, 2026
Read: 1 Peter 2:9-12
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10
Big Changes
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Do you know how big you were when you were born? Most babies weigh about as much as a big bag of flour—only seven or eight pounds! So little! Babies are so helpless, they need their parents and grown-ups for everything: eating, getting dressed, changing their diapers, staying clean, and staying safe in their car seats. Parents love their babies so much. And now—look at you! You’ve grown bigger, stronger, and able to do many things on your own. That’s a big change!
The Bible tells us something surprising about our hearts, too. Before God saved us, we were like babies—but even more helpless. We couldn’t fix our sins or reach God on our own. The Bible says we were “dead in our sins”—we couldn’t save ourselves. But God didn’t leave us that way. He loved us and rescued us. The Bible says: “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:10).
God chose you to be his child. He gave you faith—maybe you have pictures when you were baptized as a baby. That’s when God started faith in your heart. You may remember hearing Bible stories when you were little, or when you learned about Jesus later on. However it happened, God was the one doing the work.
As you grow, God helps your faith grow too. He tells you who you are: chosen, royal, holy, and special. Because God loves you, you get to live for him. You come to church to hear about Jesus. You listen to your parents and teachers. You show kindness and tell others about Jesus. We don’t do these things to earn God’s love. We do them because we already have God’s love.
Prayer:
Dear God, my human nature often tempts me to do or feel or say the wrong things. Please forgive me! 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
- When you were a baby, who took care of you and helped you with everything? How did they show you God’s love?
- God loves you and chose you to be his child. What is one way you can say “thank you” to God today?
Questions for Elementary Age Children
- Why does the devotion compare us to babies when it talks about our faith and salvation?
- Can you name one way you can show thankfulness to God for choosing and loving us?
Questions for Middle School and Above
- The devotion says we were “dead in our sins.” Why is it important to know that we cannot save ourselves—but God saves us?
- If God calls you chosen, royal, holy, and special, how does that change the way you live out your faith (especially how you treat others at home or at school)?
