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Author: Nathaniel Colt

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Live 3.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 11/27) – Monday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I can make a difference.

Faith Verse

John 20:21 (NLT)

[Jesus] said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”

Question of the Day: How can you make yourself available for Jesus?

Read about It

Read: Luke 5:1–3

Simon Peter was doing his job as a fisherman. Scrubbing and cleaning nets was hard work! But then, he had an encounter that changed everything. Jesus told Simon Peter to push his boat into the water so that others could hear His teaching. Simon Peter could have said no because he was too busy. There were many other important things that this hard-working fisherman had to do. Instead, he made his boat and his heart available for Jesus.

There are always many things we can be doing. Homework, chores, and practices fill our daily routine. Most of these things we need to do are necessary and good! When Jesus speaks to our heart, we must be willing to put down our nets like Simon Peter did and make our life available for what Jesus wants from us. Making a difference starts with being available. Like Simon Peter, we let Jesus use what we have to do great things

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What was Simon Peter’s job?

Answer 1. A fisherman

 
Question 2. What did Jesus ask Simon Peter to do?

Answer 2. Push his boat out in the water (Luke 5:3)

 
Question 3. Why do you think Simon Peter stopped everything to do what Jesus asked?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. What are some things in your life that make you busy?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. How can you make yourself available for Jesus?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

Dear Jesus, thank You for the good things that You have given me. I want to use them to bring glory to Your name. I am available to do what You are calling me to do. Help me to hear Your call so I can follow You with my whole heart. I love You, Jesus! Amen.

 

 

Posted on

Live 2.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 11/13) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I will help others.

Faith Verse

Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Question of the Day: How should we use our time?

Read about It

Read: Galatians 5:13–15

Imagine what you would do if you had a whole day free to do whatever you wanted. We could all think of some fun ways to spend that time. You might think of some ways to treat yourself. Paul wrote to the church in Galatia to remind them that the freedom they have in Jesus should not be used to do things that are wrong. He knew that we should use our freedom in Jesus to serve and show love to others.

It’s not bad to treat ourself on occasion. But God wants us to use our time in a way that we are blessing and serving others. When we are tempted to use our time on the wrong things, we should think about these verses. Then we should ask ourself if there is anything we could do to love and serve others instead.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What does Paul tell us not to do?

Answer 1. “Don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.” (Galatians 5:13)

 

Question 2. How does Paul say the law can be summed up?

Answer 2. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14)

 

Question 3. Why do you think Paul called the Christians “my brothers and sisters”?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. What are some ways that you have seen people waste their time?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. How should we use our time?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear Jesus, thank You for the freedom we have that You have provided. Help us to use our time to serve others. Amen.

 

 

Posted on

Live 2.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 11/13) – Wednesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I will help others.

Faith Verse

Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Question of the Day: How should we help others?

Read about It

Read: Isaiah 58:6–10

Have you ever given away something that was important to you? It can be hard to make sacrifices to help others. Isaiah was writing these verses about seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth. Isaiah encouraged the people living in Israel to show their love and devotion to God by helping those in need. Everything he was telling them to do would involve some kind of sacrifice for them, but Isaiah was telling them to do it for God.

Following Jesus means we put the needs of others before ourself. It can be difficult to make sacrifices to help others, but we know that God will always take care of us. Isaiah listed ways we can help others, but that is just the beginning. There are so many ways that God can use us to help others in need.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What are some of the things Isaiah said for the people to do?

Answer 1. Free those who were in prison for the wrong reason, make the work easier for those who worked for them, share their food with the hungry, etc. (Isaiah 58:6–7)

 

Question 2. How did Isaiah say God would answer when those who helped others called on Him?

Answer 2. “Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.” (Isaiah 58:9)

 

Question 3. Have you ever given up something to help others?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. Why do you think we should help others?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. How can you help someone this week?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear Jesus, help us to put the needs of others above our own needs and wants. Amen.

 

 

Posted on

Live 2.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 11/13) – Tuesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I will help others.

Faith Verse

Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Question of the Day: Is it wrong to want to be a leader?

Read about It

Read: Matthew 20:24–28

Do you know what you want to be when you get older? Some people have smaller ambitions, but others want to be a big leader. Is it wrong to want a position of leadership? Jesus didn’t say it was wrong to want those things, but He made it clear that if we want to lead then we must serve people.

When we ask to lead in God’s kingdom, we are really asking to be a servant. Many people in the world want to lead so they can rule over people, but God wants us to help people. That means we can all be leaders if we choose to help others. So is it wrong to want to be a leader? Only if you don’t want to be a servant.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What did Jesus say would be different among the disciples?

Answer 1. “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26)

 

Question 2. What two things did Jesus say He came to do in verse 28?

Answer 2. “To serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28)

 

Question 3. What are some things that bad leaders do?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. What are some ways we can be leaders in God’s kingdom?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. Is it wrong to want to be a leader?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear Jesus, help us to be focused on following Your example by serving others. Amen.

 

 

Posted on

Live 2.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 11/13) – Monday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I will help others.

Faith Verse

Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Question of the Day: What are you asking Jesus for?

Read about It

Read: Matthew 20:20–23

Have you ever used your parents to pass on a message for you? Maybe you were too nervous to ask a question yourself, so you had them ask. James and John may have used their mother in a similar way. She asked for something from Jesus for them. They wanted to receive a high honor in His kingdom. But did they even know what following Jesus would require of them?

It’s funny to think that James and John thought they could handle this suffering when they didn’t seem to even have the courage to ask Jesus the question on their own. Jesus didn’t correct them for their question, but He did make it clear that following Him would involve great suffering for those two.

It’s possible that we might go through hard times for following Jesus, too. And like James and John later did, our trust in Jesus can help us make it through whatever problems come our way. Rather than asking for fancy titles or positions, let’s ask Him to help us follow Him no matter the cost.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Who made the request to Jesus for James and John to sit beside Him in heaven?

Answer 1. Their mother (Matthew 20:20)

 
Question 2. Why do you think James and John’s mother asked the question?

Answer 2. Answers will vary.

 
Question 3. Why do you think Jesus asked if they were ready to suffer like He would?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. Who did Jesus say would decide which people would sit in those seats of honor?

Answer 4. God the Father (Matthew 20:23)

 
Question 5. Think about the things you have prayed for recently. Were your requests more like or unlike James and John’s request?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear Jesus, help us not to desire applause or praise, but to focus on serving You. Amen.

 

 

Posted on

Live 2.3 Devotionals (for Sunday 11/6) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I will speak the truth.

Faith Verse

Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Question of the Day: What should we do with the truth?

Read about It

Read: 2 Timothy 4:1–5

Imagine if you had the cure to one of the worst diseases. Do you think you would keep the medicine a secret? No, we would do everything we could to spread the cure so that more people could be saved from the disease.

In these verses, Paul was writing to encourage his friend Timothy to be ready to preach the truth of God at any time. Whether people receive the message or not, Timothy needed to share the truth and good news of Jesus.

Today, there are many people who aren’t interested in hearing the truth. But does that mean we should stop sharing the truth? No, the truth of God is the only way for people to be saved. So even when it’s hard, we must keep speaking the truth to everyone we meet.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What are some things Paul encouraged Timothy to keep doing?

Answer 1. Preach God’s Word, be ready all of the time, teach people. (2 Timothy 4:2)

 
Question 2. What did Paul warn Timothy about the future?

Answer 2. “For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.” (2 Timothy 4:3–4) People won’t want to listen to God’s truth and will find teachers who will teach them whatever they want to hear.

 
Question 3. Why do you think Paul was telling Timothy this?

Answer 3. To help him prepare for what was coming. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. Have you ever found it difficult to listen to the truth? Why or why not?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. What should we do with the truth?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear Jesus, help us to not get discouraged when others don’t listen to the truth. Help us to keep sharing Your good news. Please use us so that more people will come to believe in You and follow You. Amen.

 

 

Posted on

Live 2.3 Devotionals (for Sunday 11/6) – Wednesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I will speak the truth.

Faith Verse

Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Question of the Day: Why should we speak the truth?

Read about It

Read: Romans 16:17–20

Have you ever been taught the wrong way to do something? It can be frustrating and time consuming to have to relearn to do things the right way. Paul told the church in Rome to watch out for people who didn’t speak the truth. He knew that these false teachers could teach the people the wrong way to follow God.

We must also be careful that what we are being taught is the truth found in God’s Word. This means that we must know God’s Word and we must also speak the truth to others. We don’t want others to lead us away from God, and we don’t want to lead others away from God.

Talk about It

Question 1. What kinds of people does Paul tell us to watch out for?

Answer 1. “People who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught” (Romans 16:17)

 
Question 2. Who does Paul say these false teachers are serving?

Answer 2. Their own personal interests (Romans 16:18)

 
Question 3. What could happen if people follow false teaching?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. What are some ways we can tell people aren’t teaching the truth?

Answer 4. See if it matches what the Bible says and what we have been taught. (Romans 16:17)

 
Question 5. Why should we speak the truth?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear Jesus, protect us from people who don’t speak the truth. Help us to know Your Word and to speak Your truth. Amen.

 

 

Posted on

Live 2.3 Devotionals (for Sunday 11/6) – Tuesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I will speak the truth.

Faith Verse

Romans 12:2 (NLT)

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Question of the Day: Whose power heals the sick?

Read about It

Read: Acts 14:11–15

The crowd saw something spectacular. They couldn’t understand how the man who had always been crippled had been healed. They decided that there must be something extra special about Paul and Barnabas. The man with crippled feet listened to Paul preach and God healed him. But the crowd saw the healing and seemed to completely miss the truth about the true God.

If the crowd had listened to Paul and Barnabas, their lives could have been forever changed. God is all powerful and it is by His power that the man was healed. If we want everything that God has for us, then we should turn from worthless things, listen to and turn to the living God. He alone has the power to heal sick people and do miracles!

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Who did the crowd think Paul and Barnabas were?

Answer 1. “These men are gods in human form.” (Acts 14:11–12)

 

Question 2. What did the people try to do for Paul and Barnabas?

Answer 2. They were going to offer sacrifices to them. (Acts 14:13)

 
Question 3. How do you think Paul and Barnabas felt when the crowd started to do this?

Answer 3. Paul and Barnabas were upset and told the people to stop the sacrifices. Paul and Barnabas explained that they were there to tell the people about the living God. (Acts 14:14–15)

 
Question 4. Why do you think the crowd didn’t listen to Paul and Barnabas?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. Whose power heals the sick?

Answer 5. Our living God

 

Pray about It

Dear Jesus, help us not to get distracted by worthless things. Help us focus on the living God and what He wants. Amen.