Author: Nathaniel Colt

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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.

 

 

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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.

 

 

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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.

 

 

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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.

 

 

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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.

 

 

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

 

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: Where does faith come from?

Read about It

Read: Acts 14:8–10

Have you ever seen someone’s face light up with excitement? Maybe that is what this man looked like listening to Paul preach. Life would have been so hard for this man who had been crippled since birth. He would have had to depend on others for everything. Doctors didn’t have any hope of him being able to walk. But when he heard Paul preach, he was full of faith.

Faith comes from hearing the Word of God. Paul preached the truth of God’s Word, and the crippled man had the faith he needed to be healed. When we listen to and speak the truth of God’s Word, we will be full of faith to believe for the impossible.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. How long had the man been unable to walk?

Answer 1. Since birth (Acts 14:8)

 
Question 2. What was Paul doing before the man was healed?

Answer 2. He was preaching. (Acts 14:9)

 
Question 3. How do you think the crippled man felt when he was listening to Paul preach?

Answer 3. He had faith in God. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. What do you imagine the man might have done when he was healed?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 

Question 5. Where does faith come from?

Answer 5. Faith comes from hearing the Word of God.

 

 

Pray about It

Dear Jesus, help us to listen to and speak the truth of God’s Word, the Bible. Amen.

 

 

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Sunday Encounter 11-6-22

Join us for worship and God’s Word as we wrap our series, The Hope of Restoration. Used with permission by Pastor Bryan Jarrett, Northplace Church, Sachse, TX

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Live 2.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 10/30) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I can know 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 don’t some people believe the truth?

Read about It

Read: 1 Corinthians 2:10–14

Have you ever listened to someone speaking a foreign language? When you don’t know the language, it can sound strange. Paul tells us that this is how unbelievers can feel when they hear Christians talking about the truth of God’s Word. Some people think differently from God, but we know that God knows best. As Christians, God’s Spirit lives in us and He shows us the truth.

Other people might not understand the truth of God’s Word. They might even think we are wrong to believe it. But we can be confident in the truth because we know the Holy Spirit has revealed or shown it to us.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Who does verse 10 say revealed God’s truth to Paul?

Answer 1. God’s Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10)

 

Question 2. What is the difference between human wisdom and God’s truth?

Answer 2. Answers will vary.

 
Question 3. How can we know God’s truth?

Answer 3. “No one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:11–12)

 
Question 4. How should we treat people who don’t understand God’s truth?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. Why do some people not believe the truth?

Answer 5. It sounds foolish or silly to them. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

 

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You for giving us Your Spirit. Help us not to rely on human wisdom but to follow Your truth. Amen.

 

 

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Live 2.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 10/30) – Wednesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I can know 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: How can we know the truth about ourself?

Read about It

Read: Hebrews 4:12–13

Have you ever tried to mix oil with water? No matter how much you stir, they don’t completely mix! When it comes to mixing the truth with lies, it’s almost the opposite. It can be hard to tell them apart. The writer of Hebrews reminds us that it’s the word of God that helps us separate truth about ourself from lies.

God’s Word is true. That’s why it is important that we read our Bible. When we have thoughts or desires, we should always compare them to God’s Word. God’s Word will always help show the lies we are believing about ourself or our situation. When we listen to God’s Word, it leads us to truth.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. How does Hebrews 4:12 describe the word of God?

Answer 1. It is “alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword.” (Hebrews 4:12)

 
Question 2. When we do something wrong, can we hide it from God?

Answer 2. No. “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God.” (Hebrews 4:13)

 
Question 3. Why should we trust God’s Word?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. How do you think God’s Word exposes our thoughts and desires?

Answer 4. When we read the Bible, the words will speak to our heart and mind to help us know what is right and what is wrong. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. How can we know the truth?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

Dear Jesus, please help expose any lies that we have believed and help us to see the truth in God’s Word. Amen.

 

 

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Live 2.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 10/30) – Tuesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I can know 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 does it look like to follow Jesus?

Read about It

Read: Matthew 16:21–24

Have you ever been tempted to play instead of work? It can be hard to choose to obey your parent’s instructions to clean your room instead of watching TV or playing video games. In today’s Bible verses, Jesus was frustrated with Peter. The enemy was using Peter against Jesus. But Jesus knew what He must do and that it would be hard.

We all face temptations to live a relaxing and comfortable life. But Jesus never promised us that life with Him would be easy. Jesus suffered for us on the Cross. His followers must also take up their cross and endure whatever challenges come their way. Following Jesus means we give up our own plans to follow Him. No matter how difficult it gets, we can trust Jesus and remember how much He has done for us.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What did Jesus tell the disciples that the elders, priests, and religious teachers would do to Him?

Answer 1. “He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.” (Matthew 16:21)

 
Question 2. Who did Jesus say was using Peter’s words to tempt Him?

Answer 2. Satan, the devil (Matthew 16:23)

 
Question 3. Why do you think Peter rejected what Jesus was saying about His death?

Answer 3. What Jesus said didn’t fit what Peter thought would happen. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. How do you think Peter felt after Jesus’ rebuke?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. What does it look like to follow Jesus?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

Dear Jesus, help us to give up our own plans, pick up our cross, and follow You. Amen.