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Author: Nathaniel Colt

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Learn 7.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 4/24) – Tuesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

God helps me when bad things happen.

 

Faith Verse

Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

 

Question of the Day: Why should I care about other people suffering?

Read about It

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:25–27

In the middle of the night, you decide to get out of bed and walk to the kitchen for a drink of water. All the lights are out and it’s completely dark in your house. As you stumble through the living room, “Bam!” Your toe smashes into something. Immediately, your whole body reacts. Your mouth says, “Ouch!” Your back bends and your hand grabs your throbbing toe.

The church should operate like that when someone hurts. When people suffer, the church body should react to support them and to care for them. God expects His people to care for each other and support each other through both good and bad times.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Why should I care when another person is suffering?

Answer 1. Because if we are part of God’s family, it’s natural for us to feel pain when another part of the family is suffering.

 
Question 2. How can I treat others as I’d like to be treated during hard times?

Answer 2. Answers may vary.

 
Question 3. How does another person’s suffering affect me?

Answer 3. When one part of the body suffers every part suffers. (1 Corinthians 1:26)

 
Question 4. How does God want me to help those who are going through hard times?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 
Question 5. Why do you think it is important to care for those who are suffering and rejoice with those who are rejoicing?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

 

Pray about It

Jesus, help me to be mindful of those who are suffering. Help me care for them and encourage them. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 7.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 4/24) – Monday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

God helps me when bad things happen.

 

Faith Verse

Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

 

Question of the Day: Where can I find comfort?

Read about It

Read: 2 Corinthians 1:3–7

When bad things happen or when people are sad, they search for comfort in many places. Some may cuddle up with their favorite blanket. Others may go for a walk or a run. Some may listen to music or talk to a friend. Although these things may be of some value, none of them can compare to the comfort God provides.

God is the source of all comfort. He has a plan and purpose for our life, and, sometimes, for reasons only known to Him, He allows bad things to happen. He uses these times to draw us closer to Him and to strengthen our faith. He also uses these events in our life to give us opportunities to encourage others who may face similar situations. We can receive comfort from God, and we can direct others to Him to receive the comfort they need.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. How do you respond when you’re sad or when bad things happen?

Answer 1. Answers may vary.

 
Question 2. Who is the source of all comfort?

Answer 2. God, our merciful Father (2 Corinthians 1:3)

 
Question 3. How can God use us to bring comfort to others?

Answer 3. “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)

 
Question 4. When you are going through a difficult time, why should you go to God for your comfort?

Answer 4. God is the source of all comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3)

 
 

Question 5. How may God want to use you to comfort those around you?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You for the comfort You bring. Thank You for always being there for me. Help me to always share Your comfort with those around me. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 6.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 4/10) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

We serve together.

 

Faith Verse

Matthew 18:20 (NLT)

“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

 

Question of the Day: Who is your neighbor?

Read about It

Read: Galatians 5:13–17

Who is your neighbor? When you think of this, you might think of the person who lives right next door to you. But did you know that your neighbor is more than just the person who lives next door to you? Your neighbor is pretty much anyone you come in contact with. We are told to “love your neighbor as yourself.” That means we are supposed to treat everyone we meet with the love and kindness we would like to receive.

Sometimes when we start comparing ourself with others, judging, or allowing little things to get in the way, we can build up a heart that becomes resentful to other people. In those moments, we need to pray to see our neighbors the way God sees them, as His children. We need to find ways to serve them and share God’s love with them. When we serve and love one another, we become unified!

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Why do you think God wants us to love others as much as we love ourself?

Answer 1. Answers will vary.

 
Question 2. What might get in the way of your efforts to show love to others?

Answer 2. Answers may vary.

 
Question 3. Why is showing love to your neighbor important?

Answer 3. The Bible tells us to. (Galatians 4:14).

 
Question 4. How can we treat others, even those who mistreat us, properly?

Answer 4. “Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” (Galatians 5:16)

 
Question 5. What are some ways that you can love your neighbor this week?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You for my neighbors and the people I see every day. Help me show love and kindness to them and help me share Your love with others. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 6.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 4/10) – Wednesday

 

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

We serve together.

 

Faith Verse

Matthew 18:20 (NLT)

“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

 

Question of the Day: What is a talent that you have?

Read about It

Read: 1 Peter 4:7–11

What are some things that you are really, really good at? Maybe it’s drawing, sports, encouraging people, or cooking. We all have abilities that sometimes are referred to as gifts or talents. These are things we’re really good at. Did you know that God can give you gifts too? You should use those gifts and talents to help serve others.

The Bible says we should use whatever talent or gift we have been given to serve other people. We should serve others not because we have to, but because we get to. We can serve others with a heart that shows them God’s love.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. How should we love each other?

Answer 1. Deeply (1 Peter 4:8)

 
Question 2. How do you think love covers sin?

Answer 2. Answers will vary.

 
Question 3. Why should we use the gifts God has given us to serve others?

Answer 3. The Bible teaches us to do so. (1 Peter 4:10)

 
Question 4. Why do you think God gives people different gifts?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. How can you use your gifts to serve others this week?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You for the gifts You have given me. I pray that You would show me how to use my gifts so that others can learn about You and know how much You love them. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 6.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 4/10) – Tuesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

We serve together.

 

Faith Verse

Matthew 18:20 (NLT)

“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

 

Question of the Day: How have you served someone this week?

Read about It

Read: Mark 10:45

Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be a king or a queen living in a big castle with servants just waiting to do whatever you tell them? That would be pretty amazing, right?

We know Jesus is God’s Son which makes Him the Son of God and the King of kings. And yet when Jesus came to the earth, He was born as a baby in a manger. Because He came as a human, Jesus is identified as the Son of Man. He didn’t have a fancy castle or servants waiting on Him all the time. He came to earth to serve others and to die on the Cross so that our sins could be forgiven. Jesus showed us what it means to put other people before ourself. We can learn how to serve one another as we study what Jesus did for us.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Who is the Son of Man?

Answer 1. Jesus

 
Question 2. What did Jesus come to do?

Answer 2. Jesus came to serve and to give His life as a ransom. (Mark 10:45)

 
 

Question 3. Why did Jesus give His life?

Answer 3. So that we could be forgiven

 
Question 4. How can you serve others?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. Why is it important to serve people?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

Dear Jesus, thank You for dying on the Cross for me. I love You, and I am so grateful for Your love. Please help me to have a heart that chooses to follow You and to serve others with love and kindness. Help me to put others’ needs ahead of my own. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 6.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 4/10) – Monday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

We serve together.

 

Faith Verse

Matthew 18:20 (NLT)

“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

 

Question of the Day: If you could have any type of lunch box, what kind would you have?

Read about It

Read: John 6:1–15

Imagine being the little boy in this story about Jesus. You give your lunch to Jesus and then watch Him take your lunch and feed thousands of people. That must have been a crazy and amazing experience.

Jesus took the small amount of food and did something incredible with it. Jesus has not changed. When we give what we have to Jesus and allow Him to use it, He is able to do amazing things. It may sometimes seem like we don’t have a lot to give, but when we are open to allowing God to use what we do have, He can do more than we ever could imagine.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Why did Jesus ask Philip about feeding the people who had gathered?

Answer 1. He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do. (John 6:6)

 
Question 2. How did Philip respond?

Answer 2. “Even if we worked for months, we wouldn’t have enough money to feed them!” (John 6:7)

 
Question 3. Who noticed the boy with his lunch?

Answer 3. Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother (John 6:8)

 
Question 4. What did Jesus do after He took the loaves of bread and the fish?

Answer 4. He gave thanks to God and then distributed it (John 6:11)

 
Question 5. Why did Jesus have the disciples gather the leftovers?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You that You can take what I have and make something amazing from it. Help me have a heart like the little boy and be willing to give everything I have to You. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 6.3 Devotionals (for Sunday 4/3) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

We share together.

 

Faith Verse

Matthew 18:20 (NLT)

“For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

 

Question of the Day: When have you received healing?

Read about It

Read: Isaiah 53:5

This text written by Isaiah was written hundreds of years before what Jesus did for us. What He did is beyond incredible. Jesus never did anything wrong. Yet because of His love for us, He took upon himself the sins of the world. He was made fun of, laughed at, beaten, broken, and died on the Cross so that we could experience the gift of grace and forgiveness from sin.

But He didn’t stay dead. Three days later, He defeated death and rose from the grave. He conquered not only sin, but also sickness and pain, making physical healing part of the Atonement. Atonement is a big word that means Jesus’ sacrificial death could make our relationship with God complete and good. Jesus rose from the dead and when He rose He was victorious over death and sin.

Because of what Jesus did on the Cross and because He rose again and defeated sin, death, and sickness, we can experience eternal life through Him. We can experience not only forgiveness from sin, but also healing. It’s amazing to think of what Jesus did for each one of us.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. How does knowing Isaiah wrote this text hundreds of years before Jesus was crucified impact your faith?

Answer 1. Answers will vary.

 
Question 2. How would you define the word atonement?

Answer 2. Jesus’ sacrificial death made our relationship with God complete and good.

 
Question 3. How does knowing what Jesus suffered make you feel?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. How did Jesus suffer so people could be healed?

Answer 4. He was whipped and beaten. (Isaiah 53:5)

 
Question 5. When have you seen God heal someone?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

Pray about It

Dear Jesus, thank You for suffering and dying on the Cross for my sins so that I could have healing and peace. Please lead and guide me each and every day, and help me tell other people about Your love for them. Amen.