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Author: Nathaniel Colt

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Learn 5.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 2/13) – Wednesday

 

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I put God first.

Faith Verse

Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Question of the Day: What is most important to me?

Read about It

Read: Matthew 6:19–21

Have you ever been in an attic filled with boxes and trunks? Many times these boxes and trunks are filled with things people valued at one time. They placed items they thought were treasures inside the trunks. But, after years in the attic, dirt, dust, rust, and moths have damaged or destroyed things that were once important.

The Bible clearly tells us not to store treasures on earth where things can be destroyed, stolen, broken, or discarded. But, rather, our treasure should be in heaven. Jesus wasn’t saying we couldn’t have nice things, but that we need to make sure that what we most care about and put first in our life is God. When we treasure our relationship with God more than anything else, He becomes the desire of our heart, and what He has for us is better than any treasure we could have here on earth.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What can happen to your earthly treasures?

Answer 1. They can rust. They can be destroyed, and they can be stolen. (Matthew 6:19)

 
Question 2. What can happen to your treasures in heaven?

Answer 2. They cannot rust, be destroyed, or stolen (Matthew 6:20)

 
Question 3. How is the location of your treasure related to your heart’s desires?

Answer 3. “Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.” (Matthew 6:21)

 
Question 4. When have you chosen to put God first?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. How is putting God first better than putting any earthly treasures or possessions first?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

Pray about It

God, You are more important to us than anything else in this world. May every word we say, every thought we think, and every action we take show that You are number one in our life. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 5.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 2/13) – Tuesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I put God first.

Faith Verse

Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Question of the Day: Why should I put God first?

Read about It

Read: Matthew 13:44–46

The verses in today’s passage are two of Jesus’ parables that compare the kingdom of heaven, or God’s Kingdom, to things here on earth. The treasure hidden in a field and the choice pearl were both things of great value. They were so valuable that everything else was sold in order to gain them.

This is how it is with being a part of God’s family. Being connected with Jesus is more valuable than anything we have here on earth. Our life on earth is temporary. It won’t last forever. Yet, sometimes we live our life as we want, instead of putting God first. When we live our life for God, we are willing to give up anything we need to give up to gain the most valuable treasure of all, eternal life and a relationship with Him forever.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What did the man do when he found the treasure in the field?

Answer 1. He hid it again and sold everything he owned to get enough money to buy the field. (Matthew 13:44)

 
Question 2. What did the merchant do when he discovered a pearl of great value?

Answer 2. He sold everything he owned and bought it. (Matthew 13:46)

 
Question 3. Why are eternal life and our relationship with God more important than anything else here on earth?

Answer 3. Our relationship with God and eternal life will last forever. Most things in this world will not last forever.

 
Question 4. How is my relationship with God the most valuable treasure of all?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 
Question 5. What are some things in my life that I need to get rid of to ensure that I can have that treasure, a relationship with God?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You for making it possible for me to have a relationship with You. Help me to value that relationship more than anything else here on earth. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 5.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 2/13) – Monday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I put God first.

Faith Verse

Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Question of the Day: How can I put God first?

Read about It

Read: Deuteronomy 6:4–7

Professional athletes work hard to be 100 percent committed to their sport. They are careful to get up in the morning to exercise their body. They take great care in what they eat and drink, making sure to eat enough protein, vitamins, and minerals. They spend their days practicing drills, going over plays, and working to get better. If they fail to practice or do not train their body properly, they will likely not play well and could have to find a new profession.

An athlete’s level of commitment to the sport is similar to the level of commitment to God that the Bible says Christians should have. How we talk and what we do should always reflect a wholehearted commitment to God.

As you live for Him in every part of your life and love Him with all your heart, soul, and strength, He will help you and make sure that you have everything you need to live for Him!

Talk about It

 

Question 1. How should we love God?

Answer 1. We should love God with all our heart, all our soul, and all our strength. (Deuteronomy 6:5)

 
Question 2. How should you commit yourself to God’s commands?

Answer 2. “You must commit yourselves wholeheartedly.” (Deuteronomy 6:6)

 
Question 3. How often should we talk about what God expects of us?

Answer 3. “When you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” (Deuteronomy 6:7)

 
Question 4. What is one thing you can do to help you live wholeheartedly for God?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. What is something in your life that may be keeping you from living wholeheartedly for God?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

Father God, I believe that You alone are God. I want to love You with all my heart, all my soul, and all my strength. Help me to be fully committed to You in every part of my life. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 4.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 1/30) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

The Holy Spirit teaches me.

Faith Verse

Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Question of the Day: What is your favorite sports team?

Read about It

Read: 1 Corinthians 1:10

Can you imagine being part of a team made up of people who don’t get along and who all think they should be the one in charge? That would make it almost impossible to get anything done, and the team would most likely go nowhere. The team would fall apart.

First Corinthians 1:10 talks about the importance of getting along with other believers. We need the Holy Spirit to teach us and help us to love one another and work together. Because we are part of God’s team, we need to be working together, supporting one another, sharing the good news about Jesus. This is the mission of the Church, and it helps the body of Christ to grow.

Talk about It

Question 1. What does the phrase to “live in harmony” mean to you?

Answer 1. Answers will vary.

 
Question 2. How can the people in the church sometimes get divided?

Answer 2. Answers will vary.

 
Question 3. What can we do to help keep the church united?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. What is the mission of the Church?

Answer 4. Sharing the good news about Jesus

 
Question 5. How can you help serve the church?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You for all my friends who follow You. Help us to work together and love each other so that more people can come to know You. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 4.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 1/30) – Wednesday

 

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

The Holy Spirit teaches me.

Faith Verse

Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Question of the Day: What is the best gift you have ever received?

Read about It

Read: Ephesians 2:8–9

When you believe in Jesus dying to take your place and forgive your sins, you are forgiven of your sins and receive the most amazing gift you will ever receive. This is the gift of salvation. None of us deserve this gift, there is nothing we can do to earn this gift, and yet God loves us so much that He freely gives it to us. This gift of salvation is only possible because of Jesus’ work on the Cross.

These verses are an amazing reminder that we cannot earn our way into heaven. The only way we can receive salvation and go to heaven is because of what Jesus did on the Cross. When we accept His gift of salvation, our sins are forgiven and we are saved. How amazing is that!

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What did God save us by?

Answer 1. Grace (Ephesians 2:8)

 
Question 2. When did He save us?

Answer 2. When we believed (Ephesians 2:8)

 
Question 3. What makes salvation possible?

Answer 3. Jesus’ work on the cross

 
Question 4. Why do you think the Bible says that salvation is not about the good things we have done?

Answer 4. So that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:9)

 
Question 5. How does knowing salvation cannot be earned impact you?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You so much for the gift of salvation and for loving me. I know that I still make mistakes and I can’t earn Your love, but You freely give it to me and forgive me. I know I can put my trust and faith in You. I love You. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 4.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 1/30) – Tuesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

The Holy Spirit teaches me.

Faith Verse

Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Question of the Day: What is one thing you have learned from an adult?

Read about It

Read: Romans 8:14–17

One of the really cool things about God is that He is our Father. The word Abba in our Scripture reading means “father.” When a little kid sees their dad, they lift up their arms because they want to be picked up. They want to be picked up because they find comfort in his arms, and they feel safe. This is an important part of how God wants us to see Him.

God is our Protector, and we can follow Him. We can trust in who He is and that He has called us His own. He has promised that He will always be with His children, and that we can turn to Him no matter what. The Holy Spirit can help teach us to become more and more like God every day. Just as a child learns and grows by what their dad teaches, we can learn and grow by what our Father teaches us through the Holy Spirit.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Who should be leading us in our daily life?

Answer 1. The Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14)

 
Question 2. What does the word Abba mean?

Answer 2. Father (Romans 8:15)

 
Question 3. Why is it important to obey the Holy Spirit?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. How does being a child of God make you feel?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. In what areas has the Holy Spirit helped you?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You for loving me and for giving me the gift of the Holy Spirit. I love You, and I know that You are a good Father and that You have called me Your own. Help me to clearly hear Your voice and follow You. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 4.4 Devotionals (for Sunday 1/30) – Monday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

The Holy Spirit teaches me.

Faith Verse

Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Question of the Day: What is a language you would like to learn?

Read about It

Read: Acts 8:26–40

The Holy Spirit spoke to Philip in our Bible story and told him to walk alongside the carriage of the Ethiopian man. As Philip did this, he noticed that the man was reading Scripture. Philip asked the man if he understood everything he was reading. The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” Philip then taught the man about the good news of Jesus and baptized him in water too!

This encounter happened because Philip obeyed instructions from God when the angel of the Lord and the Holy Spirit spoke to him. In our life, God is going to give us opportunities to help people and opportunities to tell them about Jesus. It is important to follow the Holy Spirit’s leading because He knows exactly what we need to do and say.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What did the Holy Spirit tell Philip to do?

Answer 1. “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” (Acts 8:29)

 
Question 2. How did Philip help the Ethiopian man?

Answer 2. Talked with him, taught him, and baptized him in water (Acts 8:30, 35–38)

 
Question 3. Verse 39 says that Philip and the Ethiopian official never saw each other again. What can we learn from that?

Answer 3. When the Holy Spirit speaks, we should act immediately and make the most of every opportunity we are given.

 
Question 4. Why is it important to tell other people about Jesus and help them hear the good news about Jesus?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. What is something you can teach someone this week?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You for the Holy Spirit and for helping to guide and direct my steps. Help me to be obedient when You tell me to do something. Help use me to teach others about the good news of Your love. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 4.3 Devotionals (for Sunday 1/23) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

The Holy Spirit helps me.

Faith Verse

Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Question of the Day: How have you shown someone you care about them?

Read about It

Read: 1 John 4:16

God sending His one and only Son, Jesus, is the greatest example of love. God loves you so much that He didn’t want to be separated from you because of sin. Because of what Jesus did on the Cross, we can experience God’s love for us.

We experience God’s love every day of our life, and it is important for us to share that love with others. Have you ever thrown a rock into water? When you do, the water ripples out and the ripples keep going. When you choose to show someone love, it can create a ripple effect: As that person experiences love, they sometimes reach out to another person, and so on. Every day we can impact the world by allowing the Holy Spirit to help us show God’s love to others.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What does today’s Bible verse say we put our trust in?

Answer 1. God’s love (1 John 4:16)

 
Question 2. How has God shown us His love?

Answer 2. By sending Jesus to die for us

 
Question 3. How else has God shown His love to you?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. Why is it important for us to show love to others?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. In what areas do you need to grow in showing others love?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You for Your love for me. Help me show love to everyone so that those who don’t know You will come to know Your love. Amen.