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Author: Nathaniel Colt

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Learn 5.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 2/20) – Monday

 

Key Ideas

 

Faith Fact

I can talk to God.

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 talk to God when I’ve made a mistake?

Read about It

Read: Luke 15:8–10

This is how God feels about us. He knows that we have all messed up and sinned. We have all walked away from what He desires for us. However, because He loves us, and because we are so valuable to Him, God sent His Son, Jesus, to die on a cross to ensure that we could have a relationship with Him. No matter how far we feel like we’ve strayed or how bad we think we’ve messed up and sinned, He wants us to come and talk with Him about it and ask Him to help us!.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What is something that was lost that you spent a long time looking for?

Answer 1. Answers will vary.

 
Question 2. How did you feel when you found the item that had been lost?

Answer 2. Answers may vary.

 
Question 3. How is God like the woman in today’s Scripture passage?

Answer 3. Answers may vary.

 
Question 4. What is the connection between how hard you search for a lost item and how important that item is to you?

Answer 4. Answers may vary.

 
Question 5. How does coming to God after we’ve messed up help us grow closer to Him?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank You that I can come and talk with You even when I’ve messed up. Help me to always to be quick to turn to You and to come back to You when I’ve sinned. Thank you for always being willing to forgive me and help me live for You. Amen.

 

 

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

 

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 keeping me from putting God first?

Read about It

Read: 1 John 2:15–17

Have you ever seen someone place a cookie on a table in front of a child, and then say to the child, “I need to step out of the room for a minute. If that one cookie is still there when I come back, I will give you a second cookie.”

It’s interesting to watch what the child does. Sometimes the child gobbles up the cookie. In that case, the child may enjoy the cookie but misses out on getting a second. But, when you see a child refuse to eat the cookie in order to get a second cookie, it just makes you want to jump up and cheer because they got something so much better!

Sometimes it can be difficult to choose the things of God over our immediate desires. When we have friends or family who do things that look like fun, but go against God, it can be difficult to say no to that temptation. However, when we honor God in the choices we make and choose to put Him first, we receive something far better than the short-term pleasure of a sin that leads to destruction. We must be willing to sacrifice the things in our life that distract us from God’s very best for us, because “anyone who does what pleases God will live forever” (verse 17).

Talk about It

 

Question 1. In these verses, what does the Bible warn us not to love?

Answer 1. “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you.” (1 John 2:15)

 
Question 2. What does the Bible tell us about the things of the world?

Answer 2. “This world is fading away, along with everything that people crave.” (1 John 2:17)

 
Question 3. Why is what God wants for us better than what we may want for ourself?

Answer 3. Answers may vary.

 
Question 4. How does putting God first help us to receive God’s very best for us?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. What are you allowing in your life that is distracting you from putting God first?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

Pray about It

God, thank You that what You desire for me is so much better than what I could ever imagine. Help me to always choose You and Your ways. I want to put You first in every part of my life. Amen.

 

 

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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.

 

 

Posted on

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.