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

 

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 have you stopped what you were doing to help someone?

Read about It

Read: Matthew 14:13–21

Jesus was getting in a boat so He could go somewhere to be alone, but then He saw a large crowd of people behind Him who had followed Him from several towns. Many of these people knew that Jesus had the power to heal them. In that moment, Jesus could have continued on to a place to be alone, but He stopped to help people who were in need. He got out of the boat and healed those who were sick. Later in this story, Jesus performed one of His most famous miracles and fed more than five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish.

The beauty of this miracle of healing is that Jesus stopped what He was doing to be with the people and meet them where they were. As believers, we know that Jesus is always with us through the Holy Spirit. When we are sick or hurting, we can turn to Him and find He is already with us and wants to meet our need.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What was Jesus originally going to do in this story?

Answer 1. Get on a boat to be alone in a remote area (Matthew 14:13)

 

Question 2. What did Jesus do when He got off the boat?

Answer 2. He had compassion toward the people who had followed Him and He healed the sick. (Matthew 14:14)

 

Question 3. Why do you think Jesus had compassion toward the people?

Answer 3. Answers may vary.

 

Question 4.When did you need to stop what you were doing to help someone?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 

Question 5. How can you respond to people the way that Jesus responds to them?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You that You are never too busy for people. Thank You for Your heart of compassion toward those who seek You. Thank You that you meet us where we are. God, help me respond to others in that same way. Thank You that whenever I need You, You are already right there. Amen.

 

 

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

 

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: What is something you need or have needed healing from?

Read about It

Read: 2 Kings 5:1–14

Has God ever asked you to do something, but you wanted to do things your own way instead? In today’s Bible verses, a strong and mighty warrior named Naaman suffered from a disease and he wanted to be healed. He went on a mission to find someone who could heal him, and he found the prophet Elisha. The prophet gave him simple instructions: Go wash seven times in the Jordan River. However, the warrior responded in anger. He didn’t want to do what Elisha said because he wanted Elisha to heal him in a big way. When his soldiers encouraged him to simply obey what Elisha had said, Naaman finally did and was completely healed.

There will be times in our life that God tells us to do something, and we may not want to do it. In those times, we need to have faith, trust in what God says, and ask Him for help to obey.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What did Naaman suffer with?

Answer 1. Leprosy (2 Kings 5:1)

 

Question 2. Whose house did Naaman go to for his healing?

Answer 2. Elisha (2 Kings 5:9)

 

Question 3. How many times was Naaman to wash in the Jordan River?

Answer 3. Seven times (2 Kings 5:10)

 

Question 4. How did Naaman respond at first to what Elisha had said?

Answer 4. He went away in anger. (2 Kings 5:11–12)

 

Question 5. What happened after Naaman did what Elisha had told him to do?

Answer 5. He was completely healed. (2 Kings 11: 4)

 

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You that You still heal people today. I pray that when You tell me to do something, that I will respond in obedience and not in anger. God, help me keep my heart in tune with what You are saying. I thank You that even when we respond in anger, You still offer us healing if we choose to follow You. God, help me to obey Your voice always. Amen.

 

 

Learn 8.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 6/5) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I believe God can do great things.

 

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 does the word faithful mean to you?

Read about It

Read: 2 Timothy 1:3–5

Think about your family for a moment. Have your parents or your grandparents been Christians for a while? Maybe you are the first person in your family to accept Jesus into your life and are changing your family’s history. There is power in creating a line of believers in your family and in praying for the next generation coming up. Did you know that even today, you can be investing in the future of your family by praying that God will use each member of your family and speak to them in a powerful way? God wants your family to love and follow Him.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What type of faith was talked about in 2 Timothy 1:5?

Answer 1. Genuine faith

 

Question 2. Today’s Bible reading was written first to Timothy. Whose faith did Timothy share?

Answer 2. The same faith as his grandmother Lois and mother, Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5)

 

Question 3. How often does Paul remember Timothy in his prayers?

Answer 3. “Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers.” (2 Timothy 1:3)

 

Question 4. Why is sharing faith with the next generation important?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 

Question 5. In what ways can you begin investing in the next generation now?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You that I can learn and grow from people You have placed in my life. I pray that I will listen to their advice and follow in their footsteps. God, I pray that even now You will begin to use my life to encourage kids who are younger than I am, so that they will follow You. Amen.

 

 

Learn 8.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 6/5) – Wednesday

 

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I believe God can do great things.

 

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 is something you can trust God with?

Read about It

Read: Matthew 21:21–22

When we read these verses, we might think they mean that we can ask God for anything: even if we ask for a million dollars and just believe, it will happen! The truth is that when we pray and ask God for anything, we can trust that He hears us and that He gives us what we need. We can trust that He is God our Father and loves us so much. Although we may not get specifically what we ask for, we know that He will never let us down and that He will give us far more than we need. We can have faith and trust in His goodness. Let’s pray that our heart will line up with what He desires for our life and be filled with trust in who God is.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What does Jesus say we need to have in Matthew 21:21?

Answer 1. Faith (Matthew 21:21)

 

Question 2. What can we pray for?

Answer 2. Anything (Matthew 21:22)

 

Question 3. Does God always answer our prayers the way we want?

Answer 3. No, but He always knows best and we can trust in Him.

 

Question 4. What is something you can do when you are struggling with doubt?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 

Question 5. Who is someone in your life you trust and can talk to about the Bible and God?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You that I can pray to You about anything. God, give me faith to know that although sometimes things may be different from what I think they should be, I can trust that You always know what is best. You are amazing, God! Amen.

 

 

Learn 8.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 6/5) – Tuesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I believe God can do great things.

 

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 is a time you have promised something to someone?

Read about It

Read: Hebrews 11:1–3

God has shown His faithfulness repeatedly in the Bible. Hebrews 11 is a perfect place to go if you need a reminder of Bible people who were faithful to God. Each story shows how people did what God told them to, even when they did not know why. They had faith that God would do what He had said. Each of the examples in this chapter teach us how to live in faith. Has God given you a promise? Are you still waiting for it to come true? Hold on to that promise and be faithful in serving, loving, and growing in your relationship with God. The God of the Bible is faithful to you. Allow your life to be an example of having faith in the Creator of all things.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What does faith show us according to Hebrews 11:1?

Answer 1. “Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

Question 2. What does Hebrews 11:3 mean to you?

Answer 2. We know that God is powerful because He created everything. What we can see came from nothing that existed before it. Answers may vary.

 

Question 3. Why do you think Hebrews 11 shares so many stories of faith found in the Bible?

Answer 3. Answers may vary.

 

Question 4. What did the faith of the people earn them?

Answer 4. A good reputation (Hebrews 11:2)

 

Question 5. How should we respond to God’s promises?

Answer 5. Hold on to that promise and be faithful in serving, loving, and growing in your relationship with God.

 

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You for showing Your faithfulness over and over again in the Bible. Thank You for always knowing what is best for me and for creating me for more than I can ever imagine. Please keep me faithful to You. Amen.

 

 

Learn 8.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 6/5) – Monday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I believe God can do great things.

 

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 does the word faith mean to you?

Read about It

Read: 2 Kings 2:9–12

Both Elijah and Elisha had incredible faith. As we read in the Bible story, we can see that God moved in their lives in an incredible way. Just before these verses, God used Elijah to do a miracle when he took off his coat, hit the river, and the water split so the two men could walk across. Elijah was a prophet, meaning he spoke God’s words to people. God told him that he would go to heaven and Elisha would replace him. So, Elisha asked for something extremely difficult: he asked for the supernatural gift of carrying on Elijah’s work with great power. What a big request!

Elisha was bold in his request, and you know what? He received the blessing that he asked for. God gave him this gift! It’s a reminder to us that we can be bold in our requests to God and bold in believing for what sometimes may seem impossible.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What did Elijah ask Elisha that showed he cared for him?

Answer 1. “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” (2 Kings 2:9)

 

Question 2. What did Elisha ask Elijah for?

Answer 2. “Let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.” (2 Kings 7:9)

 

Question 3. What happened as they were walking along and talking?

Answer 3. A chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire, and Elijah was taken to heaven by a whirlwind. (2 Kings 7:11)

 

Question 4. What is a prophet?

Answer 4. Someone who speaks God’s word to people

 

 

 Question 5. What does this story teach us?

Answer 5. We can be bold in our requests to God and bold in believing for what may seem impossible. Other answers are possible.

 

 

Pray about It

Dear God, help me to have bold faith in You and in who You are. Help me to live a life that allows people to see You living and moving in me, and help me be brave in telling others about You. Amen.

 

 

Learn 8.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 5/29) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I believe God can do miracles.

 

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 is Jesus far better than any superhero?

Read about It

Read: John 6:16–21

Do you have a favorite superhero? If I were a superhero, I would want to have a superpower that no one else has. Maybe I would like to fly or control the weather or have superhuman strength. One of my favorite things about superheroes is how they usually go back to their ordinary life when they take off their suit.

Unfortunately, superheroes don’t exist outside of comic books and movies. But Jesus is better than any superhero. When we read about Jesus with His disciples, there were a lot of things He did that were very ordinary. It can be easy to forget that even though Jesus was fully man, He was also fully God! In the Bible, many of the stories begin with some ordinary event, and then Jesus showed up. Jesus always shows up and saves the day. We see Jesus perform miracles to help others, and sometimes He does them just to show the world how great God is. Read about the miracles of Jesus; it’s a good way to remind yourself just how powerful and mighty God is.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What happened right before Jesus arrived?

Answer 1. A gale swept down upon them and the sea grew very rough. (John 6:18)

 

Question 2. What miracles happened in this passage?

Answer 2. Jesus walked on water and they immediately arrived at their destination. (John 6:19, 21)

 

Question 3. How do you think the disciples felt in the boat?

Answer 3. Answers may vary.

 

Question 4. What can you learn from this story about Jesus?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 

Question 5. What is something you’ve learned about God from the miracles in the Bible?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You that we can trust in who You are. I know that You can do miracles, and I believe You are still doing them today. Help my life be an example of faith to others so that they can know You and Your love for them. Amen.

 

 

Learn 8.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 5/29) – Wednesday

 

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I believe God can do miracles.

 

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 does God use to perform His miracles?

Read about It

Read: John 6:9–14

When we read the Bible, our heart is encouraged to learn and know the goodness of God and see the miracles that happened. So many times in the Bible, we can see when Jesus did the miraculous and the crowds were amazed. We can also see times when Jesus used His followers to be a part of a miracle. In John 6, we see how Jesus used a boy and his lunch to feed more than five thousand people. The disciples didn’t see much possibility of a boy’s lunch of five small loaves of bread and two small fish feeding that many people. But Jesus chose to show God’s power through this young boy’s offering of his lunch.

Want to know something cool? God can use you! He can use your gifts, talents, and resources to do a miracle in your life or for someone else! If God can use a young boy’s lunch to feed so many people, imagine the incredible ways that God could use you. The young boy probably had no idea that Jesus would do something mighty with his lunch that day, but he was willing to let Jesus use his lunch to do a powerful miracle.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What are some miracles found in the Bible?

Answer 1. Answers may vary.

 

Question 2. What did Jesus do with the loaves and fish?

Answer 2. He gave thanks and distributed them. (John 6:11)

 

Question 3. How do you think the boy felt giving his lunch to Jesus?

Answer 3. Answers may vary.

 

Question 4. What did the people say when they saw Jesus do the miracle?

Answer 4. “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” (John 6:14)

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You that You still do miracles today. Thank You that we can see in the Bible when You used ordinary people to do miracles. Everything we have is Yours. We ask that You use us to do Your miraculous works in this world. Amen.