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Learn 9.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 7/3) – Monday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

God has plans for my life.

 

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: Why should I trust God’s plans for my life?

Read about It

Read: Acts 9:11–13; Romans 8:28

Many times our parents or other grownups will tell us to do something that doesn’t always make sense. Maybe it’s to go to bed early, eat vegetables, or wait for something we really want. Sometimes they tell us to do things that might be difficult for us or things we don’t want to do. Most of the adults in our life are great people. We may not know about the plans they have set up for us, but we can trust the plans that good people have for us even though we may not understand.

In our Bible story, Ananias wasn’t sure about God’s plan at first. God had told Ananias to go and visit a man who he thought could choose to hurt him. However, Ananias trusted that God was good and His plans are good. Because of Ananias’s obedience, God used him to heal Saul.

God has plans for our life that don’t always make sense and can be confusing or difficult. But, because we know who God is, we can trust that His plans for us are good. That’s why we can trust His plans for our life! When we follow His leading every day, we can experience everything He has planned for us, and it will be better than anything we could imagine on our own..

Talk about It

 

Question 1. How many things does God cause to work together for our good?

Answer 1. God causes everything to work together for our good. (Romans 8:28)

 

Question 2. Whose purposes are we called to?

Answer 2. We are called to God’s purposes and plans. (Romans 8:28)

 

Question 3. What kinds of things have your parents or grownups told you to do that you didn’t understand at first but figured out later?

Answer 3. Answers may vary; could include looking both ways before crossing the street, not giving up, etc.

Question 4. What are some things that God may be telling you to do that don’t make sense right now?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 

Question 5. Why should you trust God’s plans and purposes for your life?

Answer 5. Answers may vary; can include God’s trustworthy character.

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You that Your plans for me are good and that You are working all things together for my good as I follow You every day. Amen.

 

 

Learn 8.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 6/19) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I believe God can answer prayer.

 

Faith Verse

John 14:12 (NLT)

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done.”

 

Question of the Day: Where is a place you like to spend quiet time in prayer?

Read about It

Read: Matthew 6:5–8

Prayer is talking to God; it’s not a public performance. Sometimes when we pray, we get so concerned about what others may be thinking that we forget to focus on the One we are talking to. God doesn’t care if you use fancy words or if you speak loudly. He doesn’t care if everyone in the room is looking at you because you drew their attention.

God looks at your heart. When you pray, you are talking to Him as your best friend. He wants you to come to Him not so others can see you, but because you trust in who He is. You can pray in a large group setting with others around, but it is just as important to pray on your own and spend quiet time with God. No matter where you are or who’s around, you can believe God will hear and answer your prayer.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What does the Bible say about the people who like to pray loudly for everyone to hear and see them?

Answer 1. They are hypocrites (Matthew 6:5).

 

Question 2. Should we only pray in public places?

Answer 2. No, we should also pray on our own. (Matthew 6:6)

 

Question 3. Where is a place that you can spend quiet time with God?

Answer 3. Answers may vary.

 

Question 4. Does God know everything we need?

Answer 4. Yes (Matthew 6:8)

 

Question 5. What does your prayer time look like?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You that I can come to You anytime and talk to You about anything on my heart. Please help me to care less about what others think of me and more about growing in my relationship with You each day. I pray that I will have a heart that is focused on You and that I will grow in my walk with You. Amen.

 

 

Learn 8.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 6/19) – Wednesday

 

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I believe God can answer prayer.

 

Faith Verse

John 14:12 (NLT)

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done.”

 

Question of the Day: Who is someone you pray with?

Read about It

Read: Matthew 18:19–20

When we read Matthew 18:19, we might think that when we pray with other people for something, God is going to answer with exactly what we want. But when we pray and ask God for things, we want to be sure we know God is good so that even if He answers us differently from what we expect, we still trust in Him.

These verses talk about the importance of having people in our life to pray and believe with us that God can answer our prayers. We know that there is power in prayer and in encouraging one another to trust in God together. Together, we can agree that God is with us and never leaves or forsakes us.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Where is God when His followers gather?

Answer 1. He is there among us. (Matthew 18:20)

 

Question 2. Who are some people in your life you turn to when you need prayer?

Answer 2. Answers may vary.

 

Question 3. How are you encouraged when people pray with you?

Answer 3. Answers may vary.

 

Question 4. What are some ways you can encourage others in prayer?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 

Question 5. What is something you are trusting and believing God for?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You for people in my life who I know will pray with me. Please continue to place good friends in my life who will encourage me to trust in You. I thank You that You hear us when we pray. Amen.

 

 

Learn 8.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 6/19) – Tuesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I believe God can answer prayer.

 

Faith Verse

John 14:12 (NLT)

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done.”

 

Question of the Day: How has God used you to help someone?

Read about It

Read: James 2:14–17

Sometimes God allows us to see people’s needs so that He can use us to help them. Imagine seeing a kid at school who has torn-up clothes, no food for lunch, and holes in his shoes. You think, “I feel sorry for this kid.” But then you do nothing to help him. What good is it if you see a need but don’t do anything about it? That’s what these verses in James are talking about.

Our faith in God should lead us to pray for people and to see people where they are. God may also place it on our heart to help people. We can believe God will answer our prayers for other people, and sometimes we are part of His answer! Listen and be open as the Holy Spirit leads you.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What are the two things verse 15 talks about a person not having?

Answer 1. Food or clothing (James 2:15)

 

Question 2. What happens when we see a need but don’t offer to help someone in need?

Answer 2. Answers may vary.

 

Question 3. When was a time God spoke to you to help someone?

Answer 3. Answers may vary.

 

Question 4. When was a time God used someone to help you when you had a need?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 

Question 5. Who may God use you to help this week?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You that my life can be used to be a blessing to someone. God, let me see people the way You do and let me listen for You to lead me to help. Give me a heart of compassion that leads to action and helping others. Amen.

 

 

Learn 8.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 6/19) – Monday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I believe God can answer prayer.

 

Faith Verse

John 14:12 (NLT)

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done.”

 

Question of the Day: What prayers do you need God to answer?

Read about It

Read: 2 Kings 6:14–23

The prophet Elisha believed God could—and would—answer his prayers. In the Bible story, Elisha prayed for three miracles and God did each one. First, an enemy army found Elisha’s hiding place, and Elisha prayed his servant would see God’s army protecting them. Next, the enemy attacked, and Elisha prayed they would go blind. Finally, Elisha led the enemy to Israel’s king and prayed that they would be able to see again. God answered all his prayers! Elisha told the king of Israel to have mercy on the captured soldiers, feed them, and send them home.

Elisha could have been scared when a whole army came to his city looking just for him. Instead, he was brave, because he knew he could ask God for help. God can answer our prayers too!

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Why was Elisha’s servant scared when he went outside early in the morning?

Answer 1. “There were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere.” (2 Kings 6:15)

 

Question 2. What did Elisha’s servant see after the Lord opened his eyes?

Answer 2. “The hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.” (2 Kings 6:17)

 

Question 3. Why did Elisha ask God to make the enemy soldiers blind?

Answer 3. So they would not attack and Elisha could lead them safely to the king of Israel.

 

Question 4. What does this story teach us?

Answer 4. God answers prayer. We can ask God for specific things. God is protecting us in ways we can’t see. Other answers are possible.

 

 Question 5. What is one prayer you need God to answer?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You for loving me so much that You hear and answer my prayers. Help my faith to grow, and open my eyes to Your miracles all around me. Amen.

 

 

Learn 8.3 Devotionals (for Sunday 6/12) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I believe God can heal.

 

Faith Verse

John 14:12 (NLT)

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done.”

 

Question of the Day: Have you ever prayed for someone to be healed?

Read about It

Read: 1 Peter 2:24

When Jesus died on the Cross, He didn’t die only so that our sins can be forgiven. He died on the Cross to overcome death and sickness also. Jesus did that for each one of us because He loves us so very much. Nothing is stronger than He is! When we pray to Jesus, we can ask Him to heal us or anyone else. We can believe that Jesus will heal them because of what He overcame on the Cross.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Can we experience healing today?

Answer 1. Yes

 

Question 2. How can we experience healing?

Answer 2. Answers may vary.

 

Question 3. Besides healing, what else did Jesus’ death on the Cross do for us?

Answer 3. Made a way for our sins to be forgiven (1 Peter 2:24)

 

Question 4. When have you prayed for someone and Jesus healed them?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 

Question 5. How do you feel knowing Jesus’ death on the Cross provides healing for us?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear Jesus, thank You for dying on the Cross so my sins may be forgiven and I may experience the gift of healing. I know that You overcame death and sickness when You rose again. Thank You that today we can experience Your power of healing. Amen.

 

 

Learn 8.3 Devotionals (for Sunday 6/12) – Wednesday

 

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I believe God can heal.

 

Faith Verse

John 14:12 (NLT)

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done.”

 

Question of the Day: When was a time that you didn’t know what to say when you prayed?

Read about It

Read: Romans 8:26

Have you ever had a time where you had no clue about how to pray for someone or something that had happened? Maybe you found out someone was sick, or maybe something really scary or bad happened. Everyone experiences those times. That’s when you can trust God’s Holy Spirit to lead you, direct you, and even pray for you! Although we may not know what to pray for, God does, and we can turn to Him. Let’s choose to always pray to God and trust in who He is.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Have you ever had a time when you didn’t know what to pray for?

Answer 1. Answers may vary.

 

Question 2. Who can we rely on during those moments?

Answer 2. God’s Holy Spirit

 

Question 3. Did you know that you can allow the Holy Spirit to pray for you? How does that make you feel?

Answer 3. Answers may vary.

 

Question 4. What is something you can ask the Holy Spirit to pray with you for right now?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 

Question 5. When was a time God has helped you when you didn’t know what to do?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You that in times when I don’t know what to do or say that I have the Holy Spirit as my Helper. Amen.