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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
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Question 1. How does knowing Isaiah wrote this text hundreds of years before Jesus was crucified impact your faith? Answer 1. Answers will vary.
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| Question 2. How would you define the word atonement?
Answer 2. Jesus’ sacrificial death made our relationship with God complete and good.
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| Question 3. How does knowing what Jesus suffered make you feel?
Answer 3. Answers will vary.
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| Question 4. How did Jesus suffer so people could be healed?
Answer 4. He was whipped and beaten. (Isaiah 53:5)
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| 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.
Learn 6.3 Devotionals (for Sunday 4/3) – Wednesday
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 do you spend time with Jesus?
Read about It
Read: John 6:43–59
Spending time with Jesus is important. When we spend time reading the Bible and in prayer, we grow to know more and more that Jesus is the Source of everything we need. We see in these verses that He talked about being the Bread of Life. Only through Jesus can we experience eternal salvation, grace, and forgiveness of our sins.
Jesus came to earth to die on the Cross for our sins. We can’t earn forgiveness or earn God’s love. He freely gave it to us through Jesus. When we ask Jesus to come into our life and forgive our sins, we experience that grace and love. We experience the gift of new life through Christ Jesus, and it is one of the greatest things we will ever experience. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and only through Him can we be saved.
Talk about It
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Question 1. What do you think Jesus meant when He called himself “the bread of life”? Answer 1. Answers will vary.
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| Question 2. What did Jesus say about anyone who believes?
Answer 2. They have eternal life. (John 6:47)
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| Question 3. How do you think you would have reacted to these words: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you”?
Answer 3. Answers may vary.
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| Question 4. What is God saying to you today from this devotion?
Answer 4. Answers may vary. |
Pray about It
Dear God, thank You that You are my Source and that everything I need comes from You. Thank You for loving me enough to send Jesus to die for me. Help me not take what Jesus did for granted. I love You, God. I choose every day to follow You and to put You first in my life. Amen.
Learn 6.3 Devotionals (for Sunday 4/3) – Tuesday
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: What foods spark memories of people or events?
Read about It
Read: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
Has a smell ever made you remember something special? Maybe the smell of cookies fresh from the oven makes you think about Christmas time. Or maybe you tasted something, and it made you think of someone? Grilled hamburgers make you think about your grandpa. Sometimes smells and tastes have a way of doing that. They can remind us of things from our past.
When we take Communion, we stop and think about what Jesus did on the Cross for all of us and how much He loves us. Jesus died on the Cross so that we can be forgiven of our sins. Every time we take Communion, we have a chance to remember how much He loves us. We should also remember to tell others about Him so that they can experience His love and forgiveness too.
Talk about It
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Question 1. What are some emotions you may feel when you take Communion? Answer 1. Answers may vary.
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| Question 2. How does knowing Jesus died for you change your life?
Answer 2. Answers will vary.
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| Question 3. How would you explain the significance of Communion bread to someone?
Answer 3. It represents Jesus’ broken body. (1 Corinthians 11:24)
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| Question 4. How would you explain the significance of the Communion juice to someone?
Answer 4. It represents Jesus’ blood. (1 Corinthians 11:25)
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| Question 5. How does taking Communion help us remember Jesus’ death?
Answer 5. Answers may vary. |
Pray about It
Dear Jesus, thank You for Your promise of salvation and for dying on the Cross for my sins. I am so thankful for the love and grace You showed to each one of us. I love You. Amen.
Learn 6.3 Devotionals (for Sunday 4/3) – Monday
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: What is your favorite memory?
Read about It
Read: Matthew 26:17–19, 26–30
Jesus knew His death was quickly approaching. One of the last things Jesus did was meet with His disciples and share a very special meal with them. While they were eating, Jesus explained to them what each part meant and its significance. We remember this night through something we call Communion. When we take Communion, we remember what Jesus said and how He gave His life on the Cross.
It is powerful when a group gathers and stops what they are doing to reflect on what Jesus has done for them. His body was broken and His blood was shed so that every person could receive eternal forgiveness. Jesus modeled what Communion would look like with the disciples and how it can be shared together with all believers today. Communion reminds us of what Jesus has done for us, and it looks forward to His return.
Talk about It
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Question 1. What was the name of the festival that Jesus and the disciples were celebrating? Answer 1. The Festival of Unleavened Bread and Passover (Matthew 26:17)
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| Question 2. What did the bread symbolize?
Answer 2. Jesus’ body which was broken for us (Matthew 26:26)
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| Question 3. What did the cup symbolize?
Answer 3. Jesus’ blood which was shed for us (Matthew 26:27)
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| Question 4. Why is Communion important?
Answer 4. It reminds us of what Jesus has done for us and looks forward to His return.
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Pray about It
Dear Jesus, thank You for giving us the pattern of Communion to remind us of what You have done. Thank You that Communion also looks ahead to Your return. Jesus, I love You and thank You for dying on the Cross so that my sins could be forgiven. Thank You for loving me. Amen.
Sunday Encounter 4/3/22
Join us for worship and God’s Word.
Learn 6.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 3/27) – Thursday
Key Ideas
Faith Fact
We celebrate 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 something you can thank God for this week?
Read about It
Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Have you ever had a really, really bad day, when nothing went right and everything went wrong? Did you know that even on a bad day you can still have joy?
When we know that we belong to God, we can find strength and hope even in tough times. Even when we may not feel like rejoicing or giving thanks, there is always something to be thankful for.
What is something you can be thankful for today? No matter how big or small it might seem, give thanks for it! What is something you can rejoice over today? What is something you can pray about today?
Verse 17 is a great reminder that God is always with us, and we can always turn to Him for help with anything that concerns us. Paul advised the Philippians that instead of worrying, they should pray about everything, telling God what they need and thanking Him for His actions on their behalf (Philippians 4:6). “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).
Talk about It
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Question 1. How should our circumstances affect our thankfulness? Answer 1. Our circumstances shouldn’t keep us from being thankful. We should be thankful in all circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
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| Question 2. When should we be joyful and when should we pray?
Answer 2. Always (1 Thessalonians 5:16–17)
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Question 3. What happens when you tell God what you need and thank Him for what He has done? Answer 3. You will experience peace which exceeds your ability to understand.
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| Question 4. How can you use Paul’s instructions on prayer?
Answer 4. Answers may vary.
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| Question 5. How might being at peace in a stressful situation help those around you?
Answer 5. Answers may vary. |
Pray about It
Dear God, thank You for being with me even in difficult circumstances. Thank You for all You have done in my life and all that You continue to do. Help me to be thankful and help me to pray all the time about everything. Guard my heart and mind, and help me to always live for You. Amen.
Learn 6.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 3/27) – Wednesday
Key Ideas
Faith Fact
We celebrate 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 does being part of a family mean?
Read about It
Read: Galatians 3:26–29
Do you want to know something amazing? When God looks at You, He sees you as His child and He loves you so much! You are special in God’s eyes.
When we make the choice to ask Jesus to come into our life and forgive our sins, we become part of the family of God. In the Early Church, people were baptized in water soon after their decision to follow Jesus. Water baptism involves being briefly let down into water as a sign of faith in Jesus. Then you are lifted up out of the water.
Water baptism symbolizes the death of our sinful nature and a new life in Jesus. In Galatians 3:27, Paul wrote that those who are “united with Christ in baptism” have put on Jesus, “like putting on new clothes.” Think about it this way: Jesus is as close to you as your clothes. And Jesus is what people should see when they look at you.
It’s amazing to think about all the people who are a part of God’s kingdom. It doesn’t matter what you look like or where you come from. The only thing that matters is choosing to follow Jesus!
Talk about It
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Question 1. How do we become children of God? Answer 1. Through faith in Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:26)
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| Question 2. What does verse 27 say is a part of being baptized?
Answer 2. We are united with Jesus Christ.
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| Question 3. What does it mean to be baptized?
Answer 3. To be baptized is to be briefly let down into the water as a sign of your faith in Jesus and then lifted out.
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| Question 4. How does knowing you can be a part of God’s family make you feel?
Answer 4. Answers will vary.
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| Question 5. How can you show others that you are a child of God?
Answer 5. Answers will vary. |
Pray about It
Dear God, thank You so much for being our Heavenly Father. God, help me to live in a way that encourages others and reflects Your love for them. Thank You that You love me and call me Your own. Amen.
Learn 6.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 3/27) – Tuesday
Key Ideas
Faith Fact
We celebrate 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 go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Read about It
Read: Matthew 28:18–20
Matthew 28:19 is known as the Great Commission. Jesus challenged His disciples to go to all the nations and share His message. This challenge goes beyond just those disciples there that day to all disciples, to everyone who is a Christian. We are called to go and tell others about Jesus.
Not only are we called to tell others about Jesus, but to celebrate with them when they make a public declaration of their faith by being baptized in water. When someone decides to follow Jesus and get baptized, they show other people that they plan to live for Jesus every day. It is a special moment when people put their faith in Jesus!
Talk about It
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Question 1. What is the importance of Matthew 28:19? Answer 1. Known as the Great Commission, the verse shows God’s desire for His followers to share the gospel throughout the world.
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| Question 2. In whose name should Christians be baptized?
Answer 2. The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)
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| Question 3. Who needs to hear about Jesus?
Answer 3. Everyone
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| Question 4. Why should we celebrate when someone puts their faith in Jesus and decides to be baptized in water?
Answer 4. Answers may vary.
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| Question 5. Who is someone God wants you to tell about Jesus?
Answer 5. Answers will vary. |
Pray about It
Dear God, thank You so much that we can find grace, love, forgiveness from sin, and so much more in You. God, help me to share Your love with others. Help me to fulfill the Great Commission, and help me to be willing to go wherever You want me to go. Amen.
Learn 6.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 3/27) – Monday
Key Ideas
Faith Fact
We celebrate 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 your favorite way to celebrate?
Read about It
Read: Acts 16:11–15
When something amazing happens, don’t you want to go and tell everyone about it? It’s so much fun when good news spreads fast and people join you in celebrating. In the Bible story, we read about a woman named Lydia who believed in God. After hearing Paul’s message, she wanted to be baptized in water. Not only did she get baptized that day, but other members of her household were baptized that day too!
When God does something in our life, it’s important for us to share it with others. Not only can we tell others about what happened, but we can celebrate together!
Talk about It
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Question 1. What did Lydia sell? Answer 1. Expensive purple cloth (Acts 16:14)
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| Question 2. What happened as Lydia listened to the message?
Answer 2. “The Lord opened her heart, and she accepted what Paul was saying.” (Acts 16:14)
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| Question 3. What do you think the phrase “the Lord opened her heart” means?
Answer 3. Answers may vary.
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| Question 4. Why do you think Lydia invited Paul and his companions into her home?
Answer 4. Answers may vary.
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| Question 5. When God does something in our life, why is it important to tell others about it?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
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Pray about It
Dear God, thank You so much that we, as Christians, can celebrate together when You do something amazing in someone’s life. God, thank You for all the times You have moved in my life. I love You. Amen.