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Author: Nathaniel Colt

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

 

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: What is your favorite type of fruit?

Read about It

Read: Galatians 5:22–23

In Matthew 7:16, Jesus said people can be identified by their actions, just as trees can be identified by their fruit. The apostle Paul used a similar idea in Galatians to show the difference between a life controlled by sin and a life controlled by the Holy Spirit.

A life controlled by sin will be prone to outbursts of anger, hostility, envy, quarreling, jealousy, and other bad behaviors. The life controlled by the Holy Spirit will be different.

As we allow the Holy Spirit to help us, people should see that our actions are good. That means people can see the change God is producing in us by seeing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in our life. This means that we are living in a way that brings positive attention to God.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What is the fruit of the Spirit?

Answer 1. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23)

 
Question 2. Why do you think the fruit of the Spirit is important?

Answer 2. It shows we are living the way God wants us to; it shows we are becoming more like Jesus, etc.

 
Question 3. What part of the fruit of the Spirit do you need the Holy Spirit to help you grow most in?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. How does the fruit of the Spirit show up in our everyday life?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. What are some things we do to help our life produce good fruit?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You for helping me grow to be more like Jesus each day. Help me become the person You want me to be and help me show others Your love by what they see in my life. Amen.

 

 

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

 

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: What is the kindest thing someone has ever done for you?

Read about It

Read: Acts 9:36–42

Tabitha (also called Dorcas) was a woman who was always doing kind things and helping those who were in need. She got sick and died. People who had been helped by Tabitha were really upset. When the believers at Joppa heard that Peter was near, they asked him to come.

 

Peter prayed for Tabitha and God healed her.

Each of us has a chance to be like Tabitha and make a difference for those we encounter. Whether at home, school, or at the grocery store, we need to tell others about Jesus. The most effective way to reach others with the good news about Jesus is to allow the Holy Spirit to guide our words and our actions.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. How do you think the people felt when Tabitha died?

Answer 1. Answers will vary.

 
Question 2. What can we learn from the example of Tabitha?

Answer 2. Answers will vary.

 
Question 3. Why is it important to show kindness to others?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. Who can you show love and kindness to?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. How can the Holy Spirit help you love others?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

Dear God, thank You for showing us the importance of showing kindness to others. I ask that the Holy Spirit would guide and direct me every day to share Your love and to make a difference in the life of every person I meet. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 4.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 1/16) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

The Holy Spirit fills me with power.

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 dream you have had?

Read about It

Read: Acts 2:16–18

The Holy Spirit lives in all Christians. Sometimes we need to pause and simply listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying. Life can get super busy, but it is important to stop every day and spend time with God to hear what the Holy Spirit may be speaking to you.

Today’s verses talk about how God promised to pour out His Spirit on all people. This pouring out of the Spirit has a special name. It is called the baptism in the Holy Spirit. A person must be a Christian before he or she can be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit works in those who are older, and He works in kids too. The Holy Spirit is for everyone who follows Jesus.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. In Acts 2:17, who did God say He is going to pour out His Spirit on?

Answer 1. All people (Acts 2:17)

 
Question 2. In Acts 2:17, God said that “your sons and daughters” will do what?

Answer 2. Prophesy (Acts 2:17)

 
Question 3. In the same verse, He said that “young men will” do what?

Answer 3. See visions (Acts 2:17)

 
Question 4. Have you ever felt God speaking to you?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 
Question 5. Why is it important that this verse talks about young and old, sons and daughters?

Answer 5. Because the Holy Spirit is for everyone

 

 

Pray about It

Thank You, God, for the Holy Spirit and for the dreams You have placed in my heart. God, please guide every move I make and every word I say. Use my life to bring glory to You. Amen.

 

 

Posted on

Learn 4.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 1/16) – Wednesday

 

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

The Holy Spirit fills me with power.

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: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Read about It

Read: Acts 1:6–9

Have you ever had exciting news that you couldn’t wait to share? Just before He went back to heaven, Jesus shared some big news. He told His disciples that the Holy Spirit would come and would give power to Jesus’ followers.

When we have the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can have power to pray and see God do miracles. The Holy Spirit is really special and He is with us all the time. He can give us guidance, and He can help us to be witnesses by giving us boldness to tell other people about Jesus. That was the task Jesus left the disciples with and that is also what He wants us to do. But He didn’t leave us to do it on our own! He gave us the Holy Spirit to empower us and to be there with us.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. According to Acts 1:8, when do you receive power?

Answer 1. When the Holy Spirit comes upon you (Acts 1:8)

 
Question 2. What does the word witnesses mean in this verse?

Answer 2. People who know Jesus and tell others about Him

 
Question 3. Why is it important to tell other people about Jesus?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. How can you tell other people about Jesus?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. What does verse 8 tell us about who we should tell about Jesus?

Answer 5. We should go to the ends of the earth so that everyone can hear about Jesus.

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You for the gift of power from Your Holy Spirit. Help me to receive everything You have for me and help me to tell others about Your power and love working in my life. Amen.

 

 

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Learn 4.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 1/16) – Tuesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

The Holy Spirit fills me with power.

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: When has God spoken to you?

Read about It

Read: Acts 10:19–23, 44–48

Peter received a vision from God and didn’t understand what it meant. He got the message three times, so he knew it must have been very important. After this, the men that Cornelius had sent found where Peter was staying. When the men arrived, the Holy Spirit told Peter the men were looking for him and he was to go with them.

After Peter arrived at Cornelius’s house, Peter learned a valuable lesson: God’s good news is for all people. As Peter began to teach about Jesus, something amazing happened. The Holy Spirit fell on the people who were listening. This Bible story shows that the Holy Spirit is for everyone who believes.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. Who told Peter that the men Cornelius sent were downstairs?

Answer 1. The Holy Spirit (Acts 10:19)

 
Question 2. What was Peter’s response to the message the men shared?

Answer 2. He invited the men to stay the night. He left the next day with them to go to Cornelius’s house. (Acts 10:23)

 
Question 3. What happened when Peter was preaching the good news?

Answer 3. The Holy Spirit fell on the people in Cornelius’s house, and they started speaking in tongues. (Acts 10:44–45)

 
Question 4. What is something you can take away from this Bible story?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You for the power of the Holy Spirit and for speaking to people. God, I thank You that Your Word shows us the Holy Spirit is meant for everyone who believes in You. Use us to tell others about You. Amen.

 

 

Posted on

Learn 4.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 1/16) – Monday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

The Holy Spirit fills me with power.

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: When have you helped someone?

Read about It

Read: Acts 10:1–8

Cornelius was following God. The Bible says that he was a “devout, God-fearing” person and so was everyone in his household.

One day Cornelius saw an angel who gave him a message from God. Can you imagine being Cornelius that day? The angel told Cornelius to send men to Joppa to find a man named Simon Peter.

Cornelius listened to God’s messenger and followed the instructions. There are many times in our own life when God will speak to us. When God speaks, we must listen and obey.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What was the name of the Roman army officer in today’s Bible reading?

Answer 1. Cornelius (Acts 10:1)

 
Question 2. At what time did he have a vision and who did he see?

Answer 2. About 3 o’clock in the afternoon; an angel of God (Acts 10:3)

 
Question 3. Who did the angel tell Cornelius to send men to go see?

Answer 3. Simon Peter (Acts 10:5)

 
Question 4. In what city was Simon Peter staying?

Answer 4. In Joppa (Acts 10:5)

 
Question 5. Cornelius was said to be a “devout, God-fearing man.” What does that mean to you?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You for who You are and for the leading of the Holy Spirit in our life. When You speak to us, help us to hear You and to obey. Help me become the person You have designed me to be. I love You. Amen.

 

 

Posted on

Learn 4.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 1/2) – Thursday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

The Holy Spirit lives in 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 biggest mistake you have ever made?

Read about It

Read: John 3:17–21

Have you ever done something and had to sit in a time-out? Choices and actions have consequences. Everyone has experienced this. The Bible says “everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard” (Romans 3:23).

We all make mistakes, it’s part of the consequences from when Adam and Eve sinned and ate the fruit in the Garden. However, we can be forgiven of our sin because of what Jesus did on the Cross.

Those who reject Jesus and choose not to accept God’s goodness and who He is can’t receive His forgiveness because they are choosing to turn away from God. They don’t accept what Jesus did on the Cross, so they have no way to be forgiven for their sins. To receive forgiveness for your sins, you must accept Jesus paying the price for your sins and ask Him to come into your life. Then you’ll receive the gift of salvation.

It is okay to have questions and to ask the Holy Spirit to help you when you are struggling with doubt. When you have questions, it is important to ask those around you to help you find answers in the Bible. The Holy Spirit lives in you and He is there to help you discover the truth about the goodness of God.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What is a sin that can be a struggle for you at times?

Answer 1. Answers may vary.

 
Question 2. Who can you turn to when you are struggling with a sin?

Answer 2. God (Answers like parents/guardians or Christian leaders are also acceptable.)

 
Question 3. How do you receive forgiveness for your sins?

Answer 3. By asking Jesus to forgive my sins and to come into my life

 
Question 4. What is a question you would like to ask God someday?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 
Question 5. When you have questions about God and the Bible, who can you talk to?

Answer 5. Answers may vary.

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You for Your Holy Spirit living me in. Thank You for loving me although sometimes I do things that I shouldn’t do. God, when I have questions about my faith help me to turn to You and to the Bible for the answers. Amen.

 

 

Posted on

Learn 4.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 1/2) – Wednesday

 

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

The Holy Spirit lives in 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 God says about you?

Read about It

Read: Ephesians 4:30

What is the most valuable thing you own? Did you know that God sees you as far more valuable than the item you just thought of and even more valuable than the most valuable object in the world?

Ephesians 4:30 talks about how God has called all Christians “his own.” You are a child of God, and He loves You! He has forgiven you of your sins and you have been given freedom and salvation through Him. The gift of salvation is the most amazing and valuable gift you will ever receive.

As you choose to live for God and daily grow in Him, there may be some things in your life that need to change. Your life should reflect God’s love for you and for all people. As you live for God, you turn away from the things that produce bad fruit in your life and you turn toward things that produce the things listed in the Faith Verse.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What are some things that we do that could cause the Holy Spirit to be disappointed or sad?

Answer 1. Answers will vary.

 
Question 2. How has God identified you?

Answer 2. As His own (Ephesians 4:30)

 
Question 3. What will you be saved from?

Answer 3. Your sins and/or separation from God

 
Question 4. What are some things we find in God?

Answer 4. Freedom, love, joy, peace, etc. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. Why is it important to live for God?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

Pray about It

God, thank You for freedom and forgiveness. Thank You that You call me Your own and I am Your child. I love You! Amen.

 

 

Posted on

Learn 4.1 Devotionals (for Sunday 1/2) – Tuesday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

The Holy Spirit lives in 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: Who is your best friend?

Read about It

Read: 1 Corinthians 6:19–20

Do you remember when you asked Jesus to come into your life to be your Best Friend? That moment is super special. It is when you are no longer separated from God by things you’ve done wrong. That happens when God forgives your mistakes because you asked Him to.

In the Scripture verses today, you learned that, after you choose to follow Jesus, your body becomes the “temple of the Holy Spirit,” and He lives in you. He is with you always and helps you every single moment of every single day. Do you know how amazing that is?

It is incredible to think about that and how special that is. It is also important. We should honor God in all we say and do. He loves us so much that He sent Jesus to die for us so that we can be forgiven of our sins. He paid the highest price because of His love for each one of us. We should show our love of God through our actions.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. How does knowing that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit make you feel?

Answer 1. Answers will vary.
Question 2. How can you honor God with your actions?

Answer 2. Answers will vary.

 
Question 3. How do you feel about God sending Jesus to die in your place?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. What is your response to God’s love for you?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. How does the Holy Spirit’s presence impact you?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You so much for sending the Holy Spirit and for being with me every day. Help me to honor You with my actions. Amen.