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Author: Nathaniel Colt

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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.

 

 

Posted on

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.

 

 

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

 

 

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 do you show love to others?

Read about It

Read: 1 Corinthians 13:4–7

In 1 Corinthians 13, we learn about the importance of love, what love is, and what love is not. These verses help us know how much God loves us, how God sees love, and how we should show love to others.

We can ask the Holy Spirit to help us grow in love for others, to help us offer forgiveness when someone hurts us, and to always respond with love. Sometimes things happen that make us want to respond in a way that does not show love. In those moments, it is important to take a step back and ask God to help us.

Talk about It

 

Question 1. What are some qualities of love?

Answer 1. Patient, kind, rejoices when truth wins (1 Corinthians 13:4–7)

 
Question 2. What are some things love is not?

Answer 2. Love is not jealous, not boastful, not proud, etc. (1 Corinthians 13:4–7)

 
Question 3. What do you think the Bible means when it says that “love never gives up or loses faith”?

Answer 3. Answers will vary.

 
Question 4. What does love mean to you?

Answer 4. Answers will vary.

 
Question 5. How do you show love to others?

Answer 5. Answers will vary.

 

 

Pray about It

God, thank you for loving me. Help me be kind and patient to those around me and to show Your love to everyone. Amen.

 

 

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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.

 

 

Posted on

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.

 

 

Posted on

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.