Read: Isaiah 7:10-14

Listen now, you house of David. … the Lord himself will give a sign for all of you. Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and name him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:13,14

Did You Forget?

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

A new church came to a town offering perfectly designed music, lights, sights, and sounds for worship. Their musicians were talented, their church members very friendly, their pastor a really good speaker. On a giant billboard next to their church, they advertised to the thousands of cars driving by: “Not your grandma’s church.” They’re saying that their worship and church were more exciting than the memories of the church your grandmother grew up in.

It’s possible that some people decided to attend church there because of their advertising “Not your grandma’s church.” Maybe some people went there not because that church is better—but that it’s simply different from what they knew growing up. Is it also possible that they forgot the blessings—the Jesus—that their grandparents tried to teach them? Is it possible for people to forget about the blessings that Jesus gives through his Word and sacraments because they get distracted by something that feels easier and more entertaining?

It’s not the first time that’s happened.

In our reading from Isaiah chapter 7, we hear about a wicked king named Ahaz. He forgot about the blessings God promised to his great-great-great grandfather, King David. Ahaz worshiped other gods and forgot about the promised Messiah, who would come from David’s family.

In his grace, God sends Isaiah to remind King Ahaz: “Listen now, you house of David. … the Lord himself will give a sign for all of you. Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and name him Immanuel.”

Maybe your grandparents grew up Lutheran. Maybe your grandparents aren’t Christian at all. But either way, we need reminding today. We need to be reminded that church is the place where God’s Word is preached, where God’s work takes center stage, where Christ forgives our sins and gives his personal assurance of it in his miraculous meal called the Lord’s Supper.

This time of year God reminds us: The Lord himself has promised a miraculous baby, the Messiah. This one is Immanuel—God with us.

That’s the message we all need, grandmothers and grandchildren alike: Immanuel has come to live among us!

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank you for living among us during your ministry; thank you for continuing to be in the midst of your people in Word and sacrament, and thank you for reminding us of your grace this Advent season. 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

• Name two actions that we do in the worship service on Sunday mornings. Which is your favorite?
• What kind of things do you like to be reminded of? What good thing did God remind us about in our devotion today?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why do we need to be reminded of good things?
• What is one thing that God reminds us about during the worship service?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• In the Words of Institution, after promising his body and blood are present in the Lord’s Supper, Jesus says: “Do this in remembrance of me.” Why is Jesus so concerned that Christians remember him?
• What can our family do to help remember Jesus on a more regular basis?

 

Read: James 5:7-11

Therefore, brothers, be patient until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the valuable harvest from the ground, patiently waiting for it, until it receives the early and late rain. You be patient too. Strengthen your hearts because the coming of the Lord is near.
James 5:7,8

I’m Too Busy to be Patient

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

It’s a joke that your pastor has probably heard a few times, the kind of joke that is funny enough to tell at a potluck—and true enough to mention in a sermon: “Be careful when you pray for patience. The last time I prayed for patience, I got stuck in a traffic jam for two hours!”

Patience doesn’t come naturally for any of us. We know what we want, and when we want it:

• If we’re meeting friends at the park, I want to go—now! And I don’t need a nap.
• Do you open the microwave when there are five seconds left rather than wait for it to beep?
• When you’re in line at a store, do you scan the lines to see which one is moving quicker and wish you had picked that one?

Patience. We learn patience in everyday life, and God uses the time of Advent to teach us patience. Advent is the time of waiting for Christmas—the time of patiently waiting for our celebration of Christ’s birth. We wait, patiently, as we look forward to God’s promises fulfilled.

Doesn’t that describe our Christian life?

We patiently wait for God to do everything that he has promised to do. We humbly bow our heads and set aside our schedule; we admit that God knows better than we do, that God’s timing is better than ours, and that we simply wait for God to do everything he has promised.

That’s exactly what James talks about in our second reading: “Therefore, brothers, be patient until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the valuable harvest from the ground, patiently waiting for it, until it receives the early and late rain. You be patient too. Strengthen your hearts because the coming of the Lord is near.”

Patience doesn’t come naturally—not to any of us. But patience is exactly what God gives. Patience is the attitude of faith that recognizes: It might not come on my schedule, or in exactly the way I had hoped—but I have a Lord who has promised me everything that I need, at the best time and in the best way possible. He has proven it in the past with the coming of his Son; he teaches me patience today as we await Christmas; and together, the Christian Church waits patiently for Christ’s return.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, teach me patience—and teach me to trust your timing in all things, even as we look forward to the celebration of your birth. 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 you have to wait for?
• How can waiting for something be a good thing?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why do you think that most people aren’t very patient?
• Think of a farmer who plants a field of corn or wheat. Why does he have to be patient? What will happen if he isn’t patient?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• How can we practice more patience (or learn more patience) in our family?
• Think of the Fourth Petition to the Lord’s Prayer, “Give us this day our daily bread.” How does God both teach and give patience in this petition?

 

Read: Matthew 3:1-12

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”

John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
Matthew 3:1-6

Let’s get ready for the King of peace

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

Don’t you hate it when you get caught doing something wrong? We don’t want other people to know about our sins. We’re ashamed of them, and so we try to hide our guilt so no one finds out.

But look what happened when John the Baptist arrived. John was the last great prophet that God sent to prepare people for Jesus. And as John preached, people lined up just to be able to confess their sins! They were eager to admit the things they did wrong. Imagine that!

But why?

When they heard John’s preaching, they realized that they could try to hide their sins, but that doesn’t get rid of them. It’s like pushing a splinter deeper into your finger because you’re too scared to pull it out: it’s just going to make the problem worse. And they weren’t there just to admit they did bad things. John was baptizing them. He was washing them with water and promising them that God forgave all their sins. That’s how he got people ready for Jesus: he told them to confess their sins and told them that Jesus was bringing forgiveness.

As we get ready for Christmas, there are so many things to do: we wrap presents and get the house ready for visitors or help our family make a big dinner. Those are wonderful things, but that’s not really what it means to be ready for Jesus. Do you want to be ready for him? Then be honest about the sins you’ve done; there’s no point in hiding them and no reason to hold onto that guilt. Sometimes that’s hard to do—almost as hard as knocking down mountains or straightening out crooked roads. But there’s a reason why we want to get those things out of the way: Because Jesus is coming to share forgiveness and peace with us and to wash us clean from our sins.

Closing Prayer:

Jesus, you didn’t come to bring us guilt, but to take guilt away. You didn’t come to fill me with sadness, but with peace. So help me to recognize that my guilt, my fear and my sadness all come from my sins. As I confess those sins, fill me with your peace. As we remember your birth this Christmas, give me faith that this peace is really for 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

• What made John the Baptist look different?
• What was John’s message?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• After the people confessed their sins, what did John do for them?
• What does God do for us in baptism?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• John the Baptist told people they needed to repent. Why do you think so many people were eager to confess their sins?
• Why is it helpful for us to think about our baptisms?

 

Read: Isaiah 11:1-10

The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling together;
and a little child will lead them.

The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

The infant will play near the cobra’s den,
and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest.

They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.
Isaiah 11:6-10

Let’s get ready for peace

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

When you heard Isaiah’s words, did you smile a bit? A wolf and a lamb living side by side? A lion eating straw? That’s not the way it really works! Put straw in front of a lion and he won’t touch it. Put a lamb in a cage with a wolf, and you’ll just have a well-fed wolf. Cows and bears, leopards and goats can’t get along. They’re natural enemies!

Actually, they aren’t. When God created the world, it was a perfect place. There was no fighting, no animals eating each other, no death. Sin changed all of that. Now we live in a world where wolves want to eat lambs and a child who puts his hand into a viper’s nest is going to be taking a trip to the hospital. We’re so used to sin, it’s hard for us to picture a world that isn’t like that.

That’s why God gives us these pictures. To help us understand that Jesus brings peace to the world. He uses these pictures that seem so strange to make this point: Jesus will bring peace, even where it seems impossible.

And he tells us where to find it: on his “holy mountain.” That’s a picture God uses for his church. When you and I hold to God’s Word, he brings us peace. It doesn’t always feel like it—sometimes we still hurt each other. We do something completely unnatural: we sin against people God created us to love. That will always be the case this side of heaven. But the more we’re filled with the knowledge of the Lord—as we go back to his Word for forgiveness and guidance—he’ll help us forgive those hurts, even in people that feel like our enemies. That’s the peace Jesus brings to us. And then one day, he’ll bring us to himself in heaven, where there will be no more sin or pain again.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Savior, there are some problems in my life that I can’t imagine ever getting better. It seems as impossible as picturing a wolf and a lamb lying down together. As we listen to your Word, teach us about the peace that Jesus brings. Help us confess our sins to each other and forgive each other. Help us share our faith so that other people find your peace too, until you bring us to perfect peace in heaven. 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 was your favorite animal picture from today’s Bible reading?
• What is so strange about a lion eating straw?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Are these images “literal” (talking about real wolves living with real lambs) or “symbolic” (trying to help us picture peace)?
• What, at the end of our reading, is bringing such great peace to the world?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• How can you help spread God’s peace?
• When we look at the world, we don’t see peace like Isaiah pictured. Does that mean God failed? Why or why not?

 

Read: Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7

Our King can turn worry to joy

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

A preacher came to a new church. Everyone liked his first sermon. He preached it again the second Sunday. And the next Sunday! An elder asked him why he kept preaching the same sermon. He replied, “None of you were doing what I said the first time, so I needed to tell you again!!”

Paul repeats himself in our reading: Rejoice! Rejoice! But it’s not to get us to do more. He wants us to worry less. Maybe you think, “Yeah, that’s easy for you to say, Paul! If you lived my life, you’d worry a lot, too!” But did you know Paul was in prison when he wrote this? Paul had reasons to worry.

Here’s a lie that most of us believe: We can’t do anything to stop worrying. It’s just the way we feel. But Paul tells us there’s a lot we can do to change how we feel.

First, you can be gentle to others. You have control over your words and actions. If you treat people with kindness, it will help calm your own heart.

Second, remember that the Lord is near. Paul didn’t mean that Jesus was close to us (even though that’s true!). He meant that Jesus was coming back soon. Whatever problem you have, you won’t face it forever and you’ll never face it alone.

Third, pray. Cast your cares on the Lord. He’s listening, and he can help.

Fourth, give thanks. When you take time to thank God as you bring him your prayers, you’ll find reminders that he really is in control and is giving you so many blessings.

Those are things you can do that will help with your worrying, but maybe you noticed something. As you do these things, God is really the one doing the important work. He’ll give you peace that you can’t even understand. Your King Jesus will be turning your worry into joy.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, sometimes I think I worry because I can’t control the things in my life. But the real reason I worry is because I forget that you’re the one controlling them all in love for me. As I show your love to others and remember your love for me, as I bring you my fears and give you thanks for your kindness, bless me with peace, even when I don’t understand how it will all work out. 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

• Right after Paul tells us to rejoice, what does he tell us to do?
• Why does Paul say we can always rejoice?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Describe something in your life that makes you feel anxious.
• If there’s something you’re worried about, what can you do?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Instead of worrying, Paul tells us to give thanks to God. How does giving thanks to God actually help stop us from worrying?
• What do you think it means that God’s peace “guards our minds”?

 

Read: Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I am going to give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone out of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:8-10

How Do You Say “Thank You”?

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

“So, what do you say?” Millie had just received a piece of candy from the friendly man behind the counter. She was so surprised to receive the sweet treat that she forgot to thank the kind man at the store. Once she heard Mom’s reminder, she blurted out, “Thank you!”

Do you ever forget to say thank you? We all have. Sometimes we don’t pay attention. Sometimes we simply forget, but every day God gives us lots of reasons to say thank you. Thank you for smiling at me. Thank you for preparing a tasty meal. Thank you for helping me with my homework. Thank you for keeping me safe. Thank you for teaching me about math, when I struggle with it. Thank you for telling me about Jesus. Thank you for giving me a hug.

So how do you say, “Thank you”? Sometimes, just saying “Thank you” is enough. But other times, we say thank you with our actions. Maybe you write a thank you note. Maybe you give a gift. Maybe you help the person who helped you. Maybe you pay it forward. That means you show kindness because someone showed you kindness. In fact, Christians have paid it forward for centuries. Why? We’ve been shown the greatest kindness of all!

God’s Word today tells us about a man named Zacchaeus. He was known for being cruel rather than kind. He was a dishonest tax collector and made people’s lives miserable. Nobody liked him. Everyone avoided him, except… Jesus. As Jesus was traveling through his city, Zacchaeus had trouble seeing over the crowd, so he climbed a tree. There Jesus found him. Imagine that! Jesus—God himself and the Savior of all on his way to the cross for our sins—looked up and found Zacchaeus. Jesus cared deeply for that lost, sinful man. Zacchaeus wanted to say thank you for God’s undeserved love with actions. So he paid back everyone he cheated and gave more to help the poor.

Jesus loves you just as much as he loved Zacchaeus. He knows what’s going on in your life. Yes, he knows when you are cruel and dishonest, but he cares deeply about you. He came to save you. He sacrificed himself for you, so you could be his holy child forever. So how will you say thank you? With words? With action? How about with an entire life devoted to giving thanks to God for his gracious love to you? May God grant it!

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you are the Savior of sinners. Thank you for saving me too. Let my entire life be filled with thanksgiving for your amazing grace. 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

• Name three things you can thank Jesus for today.
• What caused Zacchaeus to thank Jesus?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Recall the last time you said thank you to someone. What made it easy or hard to do?
• Name two or three ways you can “pay forward” to others the love Jesus showed to you.

Questions for Middle School and Above

• It’s easy to forget to say thank you to people and God. What Bible passage can help you remember to say thank you for all God’s gifts? (e.g.: Psalm 136:1)
• Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” How does knowing that fact about Jesus help you take action and share his love with others?

 

Read: Luke 12:35-40

“Be dressed, ready for service, and keep your lamps burning. Be like people waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. Blessed are those servants, whom the master will find watching when he comes… You also be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you are not expecting him.”
Luke 12:35-37a,40 (EHV)

Blessed Are Those Who Are Ready

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

“Are you ready yet? Grandma and Grandpa will be here any minute!” The house was a beehive of activity. Why? Grandma and Grandpa were coming over for Thanksgiving dinner. Kids hurried to clean their rooms. Toys needed to be picked up. Beds needed to be made. Teens and parents helped elsewhere around the house. A tasty turkey and a variety of yummy dishes and desserts were being prepared in the kitchen. A vacuum cleaner whirred away in the living room, while bathrooms were made sparkling clean.

Yet all this activity had to wrap up soon, because Grandma and Grandpa were going to arrive at any moment. “They’re pulling into the driveway!” In a matter of moments, the cleaning stopped. Grandma and Grandpa were standing at the door. “Happy Thanksgiving!”

Why do we work so hard to get ready? We don’t always do that. Is your room clean right now? Did your family prepare a feast for last night’s dinner? Maybe. Maybe not, so why work so hard to get ready? We work hard to get ready because someone special is coming. We want our rooms to look nice, our homes to be welcoming, and our meals to be tasty. When we do, all that effort often makes our time with our special guest all the more special.

In his Word, Jesus encourages us to be ready. Ready for what? Jesus wants us to be ready for his return, when he will come back to judge the living and the dead. Jesus even promises that we will be blessed if we are ready for his return, but are we ready now?

When Jesus returned to heaven, he promised that he would come back soon. Two thousand years have passed. We don’t know when he’s coming back, but he could return today, tomorrow, or another 2,000 years from now. So how can we stay ready? Jesus provided a way for us in his holy Word. When we hear it, ready it, study it, and trust what God promises in that Word, we get our hearts and heads ready for his return. That Word tells us how Jesus kept every one of his promises for us, which means he will keep that promise to come back and bring us home to heaven. What a blessing! So with that Word, let’s get ready because Jesus will be here soon!

Closing Prayer:

O Jesus Christ, do not delay, but come back to us quickly. Help us to wait patiently and be ever ready for your return. Come soon, Lord Jesus, and bring us home to heaven! 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

• Name someone so special that it is hard to wait for their arrival.
• What makes it hard to wait for someone special to arrive?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What makes it hard to stay ready for Jesus to return?
• Why does Jesus want us to be ready?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Agree or Disagree: Getting ready for Jesus’s return is easy. Explain your answer.
• Identify two ways that God’s Word can help you get ready for the return of your Savior.

 

Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:5-10

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels… on the day he comes to be glorified among his saints and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.
2 Thessalonians 1:6,7,10

It’s the End of the World… And I’m Safe

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

Jake ran as fast as his little legs could take him. Some kids had teased him and started chasing him. He knew where he had to go to be safe, where those kids wouldn’t tease him anymore. Jake ran to his dad. Jake’s dad was a big man, bigger than the big kids. Jake even thought he was bigger than all their dads too. So he ran until he found his dad, who scooped him up in his arms high above the other kids. “What’s wrong, Jake?” his father asked. “The big kids were teasing me.” “Don’t worry. You’re safe here with me.”

Where do you run when you feel scared? Every one of us, kids and adults, needs to feel safe. When we get scared, we run to a parent or teacher, to family or friends, or even to hug a family pet or a favorite stuffed animal. While we can get scared because of nightmares or darkness, storms or monsters, sometimes those who scare us most are other people. Maybe they tease us and they’re not trying to be funny. Maybe they’re unkind and hurtful. Maybe they bully us. Maybe they look down on us. Maybe they even make fun of us for following Jesus.

People can be scary, but God makes a promise to us in his Word. He is just. It means he will make all things right. God knows what’s going on in our lives and he promises to “give relief to you who are troubled.” How will God take away our fears and make us safe forever? “This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.”

Someday we will see Jesus come back to our world in glory, not as a humble baby like he did on the first Christmas, but with glorious power and with all his angels. It will be an amazing sight—Jesus in all his glory! He will come to rescue all of his believers from this scary world. Yet remember: This Jesus who once came to save you from sin and fear and is coming back in glory is the same Jesus who is with you now. There’s no need to be scared. Jesus protects you even now with his loving care and almighty power.

Don’t worry. You’re safe with Jesus now and always.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, where can we run when we’re afraid? Through your Word, remind us that we can run to you. Scoop us up into your almighty arms and keep us safe until you bring us home to heaven. 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 scares you most?
• Who helps you feel safe when you are scared?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Describe a time when you felt scared and someone helped you feel safe again.
• How does Jesus help you feel safe right now? How will Jesus make you safe on the Last Day?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• How does time spent in God’s Word keep you safe until Jesus comes back?
• Identify a Bible passage that you can tell yourself to help when you feel afraid.

 

Read: Luke 6:20-23

“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.”
Luke 6:23

Rejoice in Your Defeat

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

Have you ever been a team captain and gotten to choose your teammates? Whom did you pick? If you were picking a basketball team, did you want the slowest players? Did you want the worst shooters? Did you choose the people who will help you lose the game? Or what about on a review day in school? Which side did you want to be on? Did you want to be teamed up with your classmates who never pay attention? Or with the ones who are really quiet and never answer questions? Did you want to be on the side that never wins?

Probably not. You want to be with the best. You choose the people who are going to help you win. You want to win. Even if you yourself are not the best player on the team or the smartest person in your class, you want to be on the side that wins.

In our Bible lesson today, Jesus tells us that the life of a Christian may sometimes feel like being on the losing side. Jesus upset people with his teaching. Many responded with hate, angry looks, and cutting comments. Followers of Jesus can expect to be treated the same way. It can be embarrassing. It can be painful. It can be sad. It can be really hard.

In those times when being a Christian feels like being on the losing team, Jesus says to rejoice. Rejoice in your defeat. How can Jesus say that? How can you believe it? Remember, being a Christian means that you know you are a sinner. You cannot do anything to earn heaven. Heaven is a gift that God has given you. Because Jesus gave up everything for us, we gain everything.

So when you suffer because of him, it puts the focus where it belongs: on Jesus. He takes all of the embarrassment, all of the pain, and all of the sadness that you and I feel and brings it to the cross. And at the cross, Jesus earned for you a life without pain or embarrassment or sadness. Rejoice in your defeat. It puts the focus where it belongs: on his victory for you.

Closing Prayer:

Dear Jesus, keep my eyes fixed always on your victory for me on the cross and at the empty tomb. 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

• Name one thing that you are really good at.
• God’s Word tells us no matter how good we are, we can’t ever be perfect. Who makes us perfect? How?
  .

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Have you ever felt embarrassed because of being a Christian? How does today’s devotion help explain why it happened?
• Through faith, you actually are on the “winning team” with Jesus. How can you invite others to join the “Jesus Team”?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• How do you deal with situations where others hate, exclude, and/or insult you because of your faith?
• Agree or Disagree: God wants us to be happy during our lives on earth.

 

Read: Revelation 21:1-6

“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Revelation 21:4,5

The King Reigns Supreme

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

When did you last get hurt? How bad was it? When was the last time you cried? How long did it take you to stop? Notice the question was not, “Have you ever been hurt?” That would be too easy because all of us have been hurt before. It could be physical pain or emotional pain. It could be guilt or sadness. There’s no end of bad things in this world. Every day we are surrounded by someone that makes you cry or something that causes pain or loss. Some days it is more obvious than others.

In our Bible reading today, God shows us a new picture. It is a picture of eternal life. But look carefully; it looks so different from the world we know, doesn’t it? It doesn’t have any of those bad things we just talked about. Eternal life with God isn’t just the absence of bad stuff. It’s also the presence of everything good. Like Jesus! Jesus is there on his throne. Picture him as your conquering king. He defeated our greatest enemies of sin and death. They are what cause us so many tears and pain. When we enter eternal life with Jesus, we will see with our eyes what we only know now by faith.

Yes, we still live in an old, tired world damaged by sin. Sometimes, it can look like Jesus really isn’t in control. That’s why God gives us something wonderful to believe and dream about like today’s Word of God. What we see and know by faith is far greater and better than anything we see now.

When you experience pain or sadness, trust that your King reigns supreme. His words are faithful and true. You have them written for you in the Bible, recorded for you that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. This life is completely new. It is completely perfect. One day we will see it. For now, we see it with eyes of faith: Our King reigns supreme.

Closing Prayer:

Lord Jesus, continue to rule over all things for my good in order to bring me to the new life you have promised in eternity. 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

• Draw a picture or describe what you think heaven will look like.
• Discuss: Who will we get to see there?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• List at three bad things caused by sin in our world. Why won’t we need to worry about them in heaven?
• What is the job of an earthly king? What does Jesus do for us as our heavenly king?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Respond: “I can’t believe in a God who lets horrible things like natural disasters, sickness, and wars happen. Why would he allow these if he really loved us?”
• When we make promises, sometimes we can’t keep them. How do you know that God will keep his promise for eternal life in heaven?

 

Read: Galatians 5:1-6

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

True Freedom

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

“Do whatever you want. I don’t care.” What would you do if your parents said that to you right now? Would you run to the kitchen and eat all of the sweets? Would you go to your room and play video games all day and all night? It might sound like exactly what you want most! But what if your parents said that every time you talked to them? Imagine asking them, “Mom, Dad, can you please help me do my homework?” and they say, “Do whatever you want. I don’t care.” Or you ask them, “Can you please tuck me into bed?” and they say, “Do whatever you want. I don’t care.”

Doing whatever you want might sound great at first. But even though you are a Christian, you are also a sinner. A sinner is someone who doesn’t do what God wants, but only what “I” want. And sin hurts your relationship with God. Sinful “freedom” to do whatever you want is really no freedom at all.

Christ has given you true freedom. How? He paid freedom’s price by offering his own life into death. No more paying needs to be done. It means a couple of things:

First: It means your sin no longer separates you from God. You never have to be afraid that God does not care about you. God does care! Always! He cares so much that he sent Christ to set you free from sin. You will never be separated from God.

Second: It means God helps you flee from sin. You know that sin damages your relationship with God. So God gives you the strength in Christ not to sin. When you are tempted, you can look to Jesus for help.

Third: It means you are free to live as God wants. Instead of sinning, you get to live a life of thanks to God by listening to his word. You obey your parents. You help your neighbors. You do your schoolwork. You get to do these things free from worry and free to think first of others.

Stand firm in this true freedom. When you sin, trust in God’s forgiveness. When you are tempted to sin, ask for God’s strength. In Christ, this freedom is yours.

Closing Prayer:

Dear God, hold me fast in the freedom you have won for me. Give me confidence in the forgiveness of sins that Christ has given 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

• Name two sins you have a hard time saying “no” to.” With your family, come up with a simple prayer asking God to help you when you are tempted.
• How does knowing that God has washed all your sins away make you feel?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Imagine you could do anything you wanted for a day. What would you do? Would all of your choices be God-pleasing?
• “Freedom isn’t free.” We know that we can’t do anything to free ourselves from sin. Who paid the price to save us? How?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Pick a sin that often pesters you (example: your temper). Plan a strategy to keep you free the next time you are tempted to sin.
• What does it mean to “serve God with our lives”? How will this guide you as you think about what you want to do as an adult?

 

Read: Luke 18:18-30

A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

[Jesus answered], “You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”

“All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said.

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.

Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus replied, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Luke 18:20-23,26,27

If I Were a Poor Man

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

In the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof, the lead actor, Tevye, sings a song entitled, “If I Were a Rich Man.” It is a popular song even among those who have never sat through the entire three-hour show. And why not? There are not many popular songs that sing the praises of being poor. Would people be humming the tune if the title had been, “If I Were a Poor Man”? I doubt it.

In the upside-down kingdom of God, we actually sing with honor, “If I Were a Poor Man.” Oddly, it is the question of a rich man that gives Jesus the opportunity to teach us that the kingdom of God is more poor than it is rich.

We are using “rich” and “poor” differently than normal. The kingdom of God is not about material wealth, but about spiritual riches. And the more we understand that sinners are spiritually poor, the wealthier we will be with the riches only God can provide.

Jesus’ conversation helped the rich young man see his spiritual poverty. The young man thought he was spiritually rich, “All these [commandments] I have kept since I was a boy.” But when Jesus asked him to give up his wealth to people who were poor and then follow Jesus, the man became sad. He loved his wealth more than he loved God. Jesus’ request opened the young man’s eyes to his own spiritual poverty.

What if Jesus had the same conversation with us? Would it open our eyes to how spiritually poor we are? But that conversation must happen so that we can realize we cannot earn our way into God’s kingdom. We may think we have spiritual wealth to offer God, but we don’t. It is better to see that we are spiritually poor. We cannot do it by ourselves.

The crowd grasped what Jesus was saying. How can sinners be saved when we have nothing to offer God? God saves us purely by his grace. He makes the impossible, possible by showering us with his riches. “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Whether you are wealthy, middle-class, or poor, it makes no difference; heaven is only for the spiritually poor!

Closing Prayer:

I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have graciously kept me this day. Forgive me all my sins, and graciously keep me this night. Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all things. Let your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over 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

• With whom did the rich young ruler come to speak?
• How much money did the ruler have?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Why was the rich young ruler sad when Jesus asked him to sell his possessions and follow Jesus?
• How did Jesus show his love for the ruler?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why is it necessary to be spiritually poor in order to be saved?
• What commandment do you find most difficult to keep? Why?

 

Read: Deuteronomy 10:12-22

And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?
Deuteronomy 10:12,13

We Get More than We Deserve

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

Raise your hand if you have ever heard of the country of Kiribati. It is a tiny island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with a population of about 100,000 people. Its location makes the island nation the first country to bring in the new year.

Go ahead, you can Google it!

If we can be excused for not knowing about Kiribati, the people of 1500 B.C. can be excused if they never heard of the nation of Israel. Before Israel left Egypt for their new home in Canaan, they did not have any land to call their own. Israel wasn’t large or strong. And yet, God chose them to carry his promise of a Savior and receive a lot of blessings. They received more from God than they deserved.

Sadly, Israel did not respond to God’s undeserved gifts with happy hearts. They disobeyed God’s commands. They followed other gods. They looked out for themselves at the expense of others. Still, the Lord God continued to protect and provide for them. He gave them a land of their own, their population grew, and the promise of the Savior remained with Israel. They received far more from God than they deserved. In his final “sermon” to the nation he had led for many years, Moses urged the Israelites to live in ways that reflected their gratitude for God’s undeserved gifts.

I have a friend who, when you ask him how he is doing, answers, “better than I deserve.” It is a humble answer that he also reflects in the gracious way he lives. How about us? Do we grasp the grace that God has showered on us? He gives us food to eat and clothes to wear. We have cars to drive and phones in our hands. But more than that, we know that the promise of the Savior came true! Though we have been no less “stiff-necked” in our sin (it means to be stubborn!), God assures us that all our sins are forgiven in Jesus and heaven is our home. We, too, can live in ways that show others how much we appreciate God’s gifts.

Who are we that we should receive such grace from God? The answer: We are the objects of God’s love who get more than we deserve.

Closing Prayer:

Gracious Father in heaven, even though we are sinners, you know us and continue to provide us with blessings for our bodies and souls. Give us grateful hearts that spill over into thankful lives, that the world may know your grace. 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

• Moses spoke today’s Word of God. Tell as much as you know about him.
• What is at least one blessing that you have enjoyed today?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What was it about the nation of Israel that made them seem unqualified for God’s blessings?
• Today’s word of God started like this: “what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God?” What does it mean to “fear the LORD”?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why had the Israelites received more than they deserved?
• Make a list of “undeserved” earthly blessings and “undeserved” spiritual blessings. Which list is longer? Why?

 

Read: 1 John 5:13-15

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.
1 John 5:13-15

You Can Have Whatever You Ask For!

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

Prepare a list in your head of the presents you want for your birthday. What is on your list? Most wish lists can be divided into three categories: those things you know you will get, those things you hope you will get, and those things you will not get… but it is fun to dream!

What if I told you that God wants you to prepare a list and whatever you ask for, you will get? That’s right, you can ask God for anything according to his will, and he promises that you will get whatever you ask for.

Did you catch the caveat? The apostle John writes, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” The doors of God’s blessings stand wide open, but … only when we ask for things “according to his will.” There is a limit to what we can demand and know that God will give us. The limit is ”God’s will.” We can find God’s will (or his promises) laid out in his Word. So, we can ask for a million dollars—and God may even give it to us—but we have no promise in his Word that a million dollars is God’s will for us.

What, then, can we ask for with the certainty that God will give us? Here is a short list:

• You can ask that people teach God’s Word correctly and lead lives in line with that Word.
• You can request God the Father to send the Holy Spirit so that people believe the Word and live godly lives.
• You can call on God to destroy all the evil plans of his enemies.
• You can demand that God give you all the things that you need for your earthly welfare.
• You can insist that God forgive you all your sins.
• You can pray that God protects you from the plots of those who would pull you away from the faith.
• You can order God to deliver you from those things that threaten your faith and, in the end, that God would take you to heaven.

The list above may not include a million dollars. But it includes something far better—heaven itself. It is yours for the asking!

Closing Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and forever. 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

• Who wrote the letter we call 1 John?
• What is something you want to ask God for?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• What would you call people “who believe in the name of the Son of God”?
• What things can we ask for and know that God will give us?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Why is the Lord’s Prayer an excellent example of praying for things we know God will give us?
• Why doesn’t God give us everything we ask for?

 

Read: Luke 17:11-19

One of lepers, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him.
Luke 17:15

Thinking Leads to Thanking

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

Abby was sitting next to her mom when her grandparents came up and placed a present on her lap. Her eyes lit up as she checked the wrapping for the best attack point. Then she ripped into it—paper, tape, and ribbons flying this way and that! Finally, she found the toy they bought for her. Quickly, she scooted off to play with it. Her mom called her back, “Hold it! Didn’t you forget something?” Abby froze in her tracks with a blank expression. Abby’s mom tried to nudge her memory, “What do you say?” Suddenly, Abby remembered and replied, “Thank you, Grandpa and Grandma!” She gave them a quick hug and ran off.

We all have something in common with Abby. Gratitude is not something we are naturally born with. Never has a parent said, “Oh, I’ll just give my child another year or two… they’ll learn how to say thank you on their own!” We have to be taught how and when to say, “Thank you.” Like Abby, we sometimes just plain forget. We take for granted all the good things God has given us and forget to say, “Thanks!”

In Luke chapter 17, Jesus hears ten men crying out for his help. They were so sick, no one wanted to get near them. Because he is God, Jesus was able to make all ten of them better. One of them returned, fell facedown at Jesus’ feet, and thanked him. Jesus asked, “Where are the other nine?” All ten cried out to Jesus for his help. But only one remembered to say thank you.

Every day we live is a reminder of how Jesus healed us, cleaned us of sin’s sickness. He took away our disease of sin, he took away our lonely separation from God. His cross cleansed us so that we run to God and he declares us healthy in his sight again! You’ve been given a clean bill of health today!

Jesus doesn’t need our thanks. He deserves our thanks. For what? Take a moment and think of all the reasons you have to thank him. Then take another moment tomorrow. And the day after. That makes every day a day to run back to Jesus and fall at his feet and say, “Thank you!”

Closing Prayer:

Now thank we all our God with hearts and hands and voices,
who wonderous things has done, in whom the world rejoices;
who from our mother’s arms, has blessed us on our way,
with countless gifts of love, and still is ours today.
(Christian Worship 597:1)

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

• How many sick men did Jesus make better in Luke chapter 17? How many came back and thanked him?
• The ten men weren’t the only ones who were sick. From what did Jesus heal us on the cross?

Questions for Elementary Age Children

• Who’s the most thankful person in your family? Ask him/her why that is. What can you learn?
• Take a moment to think of someone you may have forgotten to say “Thank you” to. What might you want to do right after this devotion is over?

Questions for Middle School and Above

• Discuss. Thanksgiving is one day a year. But giving thanks to God ought to be every day of the year.
• A lot of parents tell their children, “Count your blessings.” So do it! Make a top ten list of things you are thankful for using your ten fingers.