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Author: Nathaniel Colt

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Learn 10.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 8/21) – Monday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

Jesus wants me to be ready.

 

Faith Verse

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

 

Question of the Day: Did you ever forget to prepare for something important?

Read about it

Read: Matthew 25:1–13

God wants us to do things to prepare for when Jesus comes back. It may seem like Jesus is taking a long time to return, just like the bridegroom took a long time to show up in today’s Bible story. Half of the bridesmaids were prepared, and half were not. The ones who weren’t prepared couldn’t go to the feast because they were still getting ready.

Jesus told us this story so we would not be like that. Even when it feels like we’re waiting a long time for Jesus to come back, we can still be ready. We can be ready by having a relationship with God and growing closer to Him. We do that by reading our Bible, talking to and listening to God, and going to church. And we do all that to know God and tell others about Him so they can know Him too! That way they will be ready when Jesus comes back to take us to be with Him forever.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Why were the five bridesmaids foolish?

Answer 1. They didn’t take enough oil for their lamps. (Matthew 25:3)

 
Question 2. What happened when the foolish bridesmaids left to buy more oil?

Answer 2. The bridegroom came, and they missed him.

 
Question 3. Are you ready for when Jesus returns?

Answer 3. Answers may vary.

 
Question 4. What does Jesus say about the day or hour of His return?

Answer 4. No one knows when it will happen. (Matthew 25:13)

 
Question 5. What can you do to prepare for Jesus’ return?

Answer 5. Answers may vary but could include spend time with other Christians, read the Bible, and pray.

 

 

Pray about It

Dear God, I pray that in this time of waiting, You will prepare my heart and help those around me come to know You more and more. I thank You for the promise that Jesus is coming again. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 10.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 8/14) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

Jesus is coming back.

 

Faith Verse

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

 

Question of the Day: Have you told someone that Jesus died for them?

Read about It

Read: 1 Corinthians 15:50–58

Did you know that nothing you do for Jesus is ever useless? These verses explain why: Jesus is still alive! He defeated death so that we can live with Him forever. Death can seem like a loss, but it will not be a loss for people who know Jesus. It will be a victory, because then we get to live with Him forever in new bodies that don’t die. We can have faith that this will happen because we know that Jesus has already defeated death. So we can be strong because victory is on the way. We can tell other people what Jesus did for them. Then they can know true victory, too!

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What does 1 Corinthians 15 say will happen to our bodies?

Answer 1. They will be changed into ones that can live forever. (1 Corinthians 15:51–53)

 
Question 2. How can we have victory over both sin and death?

Answer 2. By accepting Jesus’ death for our sins and His victory over the grave (1 Corinthians 15:57)

 
Question 3. What challenge for us is found in 1 Corinthians 15:58?

Answer 3. To be strong and immovable and to always work enthusiastically for the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58)

 
Question 4. Why is nothing we do for the Lord useless?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 
Question 5. How can the Lord use you?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

.

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You for giving us ultimate victory in Jesus and in what He did on the Cross. I pray that You will use my life so that others will come to know who You are. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 10.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 8/14) – Wednesday

 

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

Jesus is coming back.

 

Faith Verse

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

Question of the Day: What do you think heaven is like?

Read about It

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18

 

These verses are filled with hope. They tell us how to think about other Christians who have died: We’ll see them again when Jesus comes back! Because Jesus died and was raised back to life, He defeated death. This means we can trust God for life with Him after death. People who put their faith in Jesus get to spend eternity with Him after they die. This is why we can have hope that we will see them again. These verses tell people to encourage each other with these words—and there is much to be encouraged about today.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. When believers die and we are sad, we can still have hope. Why?

Answer 1. Because we will see them again (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14)

 
Question 2. What will happen to believers who have died?

Answer 2. They will be with Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

 
Question 3. What are some things that 1 Thessalonians 4:16 says will happen when the Lord returns?

Answer 3. “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

 
Question 4. How long will the believers be with the Lord?

Answer 4. Forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

 
Question 5. What do you think that day will be like when Jesus returns?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You for the promise that we will see our loved ones who are believers again. I thank You that Jesus overcame death. God, I thank You for the hope we find in You alone. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 10.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 8/14) – Tuesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

Jesus is coming back.

 

Faith Verse

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

 

Question of the Day: What is something you do when you wait for something?

Read about It

Read: 2 Peter 3:8–13

Only God the Father knows what day and time Jesus will come back, but we have the promise that Jesus will come back someday. Some people say that Jesus won’t ever come back. But we know that God’s Word is true, and it gives us the promise of His return. While we wait for His return, we have the job of telling others about Jesus. Second Peter 3:9 says God is patient because He wants all people to hear about Jesus and have the opportunity to accept Him as their Lord and Savior..

Talk about It

 

Question 1. If someone says that Jesus is too slow in returning, what can you tell them?

Answer 1. “The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9)

 
Question 2. What can you answer when someone says that Jesus is not going to return at all?

Answer 2. Answers may vary. You can tell them about your relationship with Him that is built on trust and on what He has done in your life.

 
Question 3. What can you do while we wait for Jesus to return?

Answer 3. Tell others about Jesus!

 
Question 4. What are Christians looking forward to, according to 2 Peter 3:13?

Answer 4. “The new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13)

 
Question 5. Who is someone you can tell about Jesus this week?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You for the promise of Your Son Jesus’ return. God, there are so many people who don’t know about You. I pray that while we wait for Jesus to come back, that we will do our part in telling others about You. May more and more people hear about You and choose to follow You. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 10.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 8/14) – Monday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

Jesus is coming back.

 

Faith Verse

1 Corinthians 2:9 (NLT)

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

 

Question of the Day: How do you feel when something happens that you don’t expect?

Read about It

Read: Matthew 24:35–44

If you knew the day or time that something was going to happen, like a birthday party or even something bad, like a weather disaster, you would be prepared and ready for it. As believers in Jesus, one of the biggest things we are waiting for is Jesus coming back. We should be so excited about this! We know that Jesus has promised that He will come back someday, but no one but His Father knows the day or time.

Because we don’t know the day or time, what should we do while we wait for that day? We should make sure we are doing everything we can to tell other people—our friends, family, and neighbors—about Jesus and His gift of salvation. We need to be ready for Jesus to come back. We should make the most of our time until then, growing closer in our relationship with Him.

Talk about It

Question 1. Why should you be ready for Jesus to return at any time?

Answer 1. Because He may come when you’re not expecting it, and you need to be ready (Matthew 24:44)

 
Question 2. According to the Scripture we read, how will the day that Jesus returns be like “Noah’s day”?

Answer 2. In Noah’s time, people didn’t realize what was coming. Then when the Flood came, it was too late because they weren’t ready. (Matthew 24:37–39)

 
Question 3. What would a homeowner do if he knew exactly when a burglar was coming?

Answer 3. He would keep watch and not permit his house to be broken into. (Matthew 24:43)

 
Question 4. What can we learn from the homeowner example?

Answer 4. We also must be ready all the time for Jesus to return. (Matthew 24:44)

 
Question 5. What are things we should do daily as we wait for Jesus to come back?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You for the promise that someday Your Son Jesus will come back to earth. While I’m waiting for His return, I pray that I will grow in my walk with You. God, I pray that I will be wise and not like the people of Noah’s day. Help me to become the person You have called me to be. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 9.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 7/31) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I will help others go.

 

Faith Verse

Matthew 28:19 (NLT)

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

 

Question of the Day: How does God use people to help the world know Him?

Read about It

Read: 1 Corinthians 3:5–9

There are lots of ways to assemble a puzzle. Some people like to put the border together first and then the inside. Some people just start matching up pieces until they find ones that fit together. How do you put together a puzzle? Regardless of our different methods, each piece is important to the puzzle being complete. If one piece goes missing, there won’t be a complete puzzle at the end.

People are a lot like puzzle pieces. We each play a very important part in the kingdom of God because God wants to use each of us in special ways. That’s what the apostle Paul was talking about in today’s Bible verses. Paul told the people he was writing about Jesus. Then, a man named Apollos helped the people understand more about Jesus. But God was the one who helped the people to grow in their faith. Some people thought Paul was more important than Apollos, and others thought Apollos was better than Paul. God has given each of us jobs to do, and it’s His power that helps people to grow in God. Maybe we will be like Paul, the first person to tell others about Jesus. Or maybe, we will be like Apollos, showing up after people have heard about Jesus, and helping them grow in their faith. Both jobs are important to God! As we are faithful to do our part, the whole world will hear about Jesus.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What role did each person play in Paul’s example in our Scripture reading today?

Answer 1. Paul planted the seed, Apollos watered it, and God made it grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6)

 
Question 2. It’s not important who does the planting or who does the watering, but what is important?

Answer 2. That God makes the seed grow (1 Corinthians 3:7)

 
Question 3. Why should we work together to tell others about Jesus?

Answer 3. Answers may vary but can include that we each have a role and no one person does everything.

 
Question 4. What is the work God has given you today?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 
Question 5. How can you help others tell people about Jesus?

Answer 5. Answers may vary but can include praying, encouraging other people, and giving to missionaries.

 

Pray about It

God, thank You for allowing me a part in Your plan. Help me be faithful to do what You call me to do and help me support others in what You’ve called them to do. Amen.

 

 

Posted on

Learn 9.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 7/31) – Wednesday

 

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I will help others go.

 

Faith Verse

Matthew 28:19 (NLT)

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

 

Question of the Day: How can I be part of helping all the world know Jesus?

Read about It

Read: Acts 1:8

The promise that Jesus gave to His followers in today’s Bible reading was the promise of one of the greatest gifts: the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit does many things to help us in our relationship with God, including giving us power and boldness to tell everyone about Jesus. Jesus told His disciples to go into Jerusalem, which was their town, and into Judea and Samaria, which were their surrounding areas, and to the ends of the earth. He wanted them to go into all the world and tell everyone about who He is and what He had done. And they could do this through the power of the Holy Spirit.

If you are wondering how you can be part of helping all the world know Jesus, the answer is that the Holy Spirit will help you tell people everywhere about Jesus. God wants to use us right now, wherever we are, to tell others about Him. He also calls people to go to other parts of the world as missionaries. They may have to learn a different language and live in a different culture to tell people about Jesus. Whether we go somewhere or stay where we are, we need the power of the Holy Spirit! He can use us to tell others about Jesus around the world.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Who is the special gift Jesus promised to send?

Answer 1. The Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8)

 
Question 2. How does the Holy Spirit help us witness?

Answer 2. He gives us power to witness. (Acts 1:8)

 
Question 3. Where did Jesus say His disciples would be witnesses to?

Answer 3. Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8)

 
Question 4. What are some ways we can tell others about Jesus where we are right now?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.
Question 5. How can we help someone else be a missionary to the places we can’t go to right now?

Answer 5. Answers may vary, but can include praying for them and giving so they can go.

 

Pray about It

Jesus, thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit to help us be Your witnesses. May there be missionaries sent to every part of the world so that the whole world can come to know You. Amen.