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Learn 2.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 10/10) – Thursday
Key Ideas
Faith Fact
My God is in control.
Faith Verse
Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”
Question of the Day: Do you need to understand what’s happening?
Read about It
Read: Isaiah 55:8
Close your eyes and imagine that you are sitting at your kitchen table and it is covered with puzzle pieces. As you start putting the puzzle together, the image begins to emerge. Finally, you finish putting the puzzle together, and you can see the complete picture.
Life can be like that puzzle. Over time, God reveals your life to you piece by piece. Eventually, you see how the pieces connect and how beautiful the final result is.
It is important to trust God even when you don’t understand the things that are happening in your life. God can see, think, and work in ways you can’t understand. He can make any situation work with His plan for your life.
Talk about It
Question 1. When has God worked in your life?
Answer 1. Answers will vary.
Question 2. When have you struggled to trust God?
Answer 2. Answers will vary.
Question 3. How did you handle struggling to trust God?
Answer 3. Answers will vary.
Question 4. When have you seen God’s faithfulness?
Answer 4. Answers will vary.
Question 5. How does knowing that God’s thoughts are “far beyond anything we could imagine” impact your relationship with God?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Pray about It
Dear God, You are good! Thank You that I can trust You even when things don’t make sense to me. I do trust You. Help me to follow Your leading every day. Amen.
Learn 2.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 10/10) – Wednesday
Key Ideas
Faith Fact
My God is in control.
Faith Verse
Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”
Question of the Day: What does God want us to know?
Read about It
Read: Psalm 23
When we read Psalm 23, we find the Lord described as our “shepherd.” A shepherd takes care of his sheep. He knows all of them, and his goal is to keep them safe.
When you watch sheep, you can see the special bond they have with their shepherd. The sheep know the shepherd’s voice, and they know the shepherd will protect them, guide them, and meet their needs. The sheep know they can trust the shepherd.
That is what God desires from us. God wants us to know that we can trust Him to protect us, to guide us, and to meet our needs. He wants us to know that we are safe when we listen to and obey Him.
Talk about It
Question 1. In Psalm 23:1, it says that “The Lord is my shepherd.” What is the second part of that verse?
Answer 1. “I have all that I need.” (Psalm 23:1)
Question 2. Which part of these verses stands out to you the most?
Answer 2. Answers will vary.
Question 3. In Psalm 23:4, what do the shepherd’s rod and staff do?
Answer 3. Protect and comfort me (Psalm 23:4)
Question 4. How should Psalm 23 affect our life?
Answer 4. Answers will vary.
Question 5. What does it mean to “live in the house of the Lord forever”?
Answer 5. Answers may vary.
Pray about It
Dear God, thank You for being my shepherd and for leading and guiding me. God, help me listen to Your voice and trust You. Thank You that You are giving me rest, guidance, protection, comfort, and strength. I love You. Amen.
Learn 2.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 10/10) – Tuesday
Key Ideas
Faith Fact
My God is in control.
Faith Verse
Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”
Question of the Day: When should I be scared?
Read about It
Read: Psalm 118:6–7
When has someone been really mean to you? When have been you afraid? Fear can make us feel anxious.
When we feel afraid or anxious, we can find comfort in Psalm 118:6–7. These verses tell us God is for us, and He will help us. That means we don’t have to be afraid. When we learn to listen to God and to trust that He is in control, we can remember that God is with us, no matter what happens. And He can bring something good from any situation.
Talk about It
Question 1. According to Psalm 118:6, who is the Lord is for?
Answer 1. For me (Psalm 118:6)
Question 2. What do you think “The Lord is for me” means?
Answer 2. Answers may vary.
Question 3. How does knowing God is with you make you feel?
Answer 3. Answers may vary.
Question 4. When has God helped you?
Answer 4. Answers will vary.
Question 5. When you feel afraid, what can you do?
Answer 5. Pray, read the Bible, talk to another believer. Answers may vary.
Pray about It
Dear God, thank You for being with me and helping me. God, help me to trust You to bring good from every situation. May I find hope and peace in who You are. Amen
Learn 2.2 Devotionals (for Sunday 10/10) – Monday
Key Ideas
Faith Fact
My God is in control.
Faith Verse
Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”
Question of the Day:Who decides what you make with play dough?
Read about It
Read: Jeremiah 18:1–11
Have you ever created anything with play dough? It’s fascinating to watch people mold and shape play dough. The process begins with a lump, but may end with something incredible.
Today we are talking about God leading Jeremiah to a potter’s shop and speaking to him there. As Jeremiah watched the potter, the potter saw that his creation was flawed, so he started over.
In our life, sometimes things keep us from being what God wants us to be. Maybe it is the choices we make, the people we hang out with, or fear. When we don’t allow God to shape those areas in our life, we fail to meet what God wants for our life. Today, we are reminded that God is in control, and we can trust Him with every area in our life. We need to turn from the things that hold us back and follow God’s plan for us.
Talk about It
Question 1. In the verses we read, who did the Lord give a message to?
Answer 1. Jeremiah (Jeremiah 18:1)
Question 2. Where did God tell Jeremiah to go?
Answer 2. A potter’s shop (Jeremiah 18:2)
Question 3. What did the potter do to the jar that wasn’t turning out like he wanted?
Answer 3. He smashed it and started over (Jeremiah 18:4)
Question 4. What did God say about the nation of Israel?
Answer 4. Israel was in His hand just as the clay was in the potter’s hand. (Jeremiah 18:6)
Question 5. What might keep you from being everything God planned you to be?
Answer 5. Answers may vary.
Pray about It
Dear God, thank You for molding and shaping me. I trust You, and I know You have an amazing plan for me. Lead me and direct my path. Help me be the person You want me to be. God, I give You every area of my life, and I trust You. Amen.
Week 5 Devotionals (Learn 2.1) – Thursday
Key Ideas
Faith Fact
My God is the one true God.
Faith Verse
Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”
Question of the Day: When has God helped you?
Read about It
Read: Hosea 13:1–6
In the verses we just read, we learned that some of God’s people sinned by worshipping a fake god. They turned from only worshipping the true God. They also started making silver idols and worshipping calf idols. God reminded the people about how He had been with them, had delivered them out of Egypt, and how He had protected them.
Have you seen God do something in your own life? As time goes by, you may forget what God has done. When God does something in your life, it is important to write it down in a journal or create a place where you can hold all those memories. Then, when you look back, you can see all the times God has helped you. Reflecting on what God has done will help you remember who God is!
Talk about It
Question 1. God brought the Jewish people out of what land?
Answer 1. Egypt (Hosea 13:4)
Question 2. Why were the people being reminded that God had brought them out of Egypt?
Answer 2. They had forgotten about Him.
Question 3. What is God asking the people to do?
Answer 3. Worship only Him. (Hosea 13:6)
Question 4. Why is it important for us to remember times that God has been with us in the past?
Answer 4. It helps us remember who God is.
Question 5. How can you make sure you put God first?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Pray about It
Dear God, thank You for all the times that You have been faithful to me. I know You are the one true God and You are always with me. Show me if anything has tried to take your place in my life.
Week 5 Devotionals (Learn 2.1) – Wednesday
Key Ideas
Faith Fact
My God is the one true God.
Faith Verse
Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”
Question of the Day: What does it mean to have other gods?
Read about It
Read: Exodus 20:3
The Ten Commandments are rules God gave people. We find them in Exodus 20 in the Old Testament. The first one says, “You must not have any other god but me.” We know that our God is the one true God.
We might not be tempted by false religions, but sometimes we may allow things to take the place of God in our life. The things we allow in our life can become a problem. If they take away from the time we spend with God, negatively change how we act, or we let them rule over us in a way only God should, they are a problem. The second commandment says,“You must not make for yourself an idol.” This means that we should not worship or give something a higher value or regard than God. It’s important that we put God first in our life and have a close relationship with him.
Talk about It
Question 1. Where in the Bible are the Ten Commandments found?
Answer 1. Exodus 20
Question 2. What is the first commandment?
Answer 2. “You must not have any other god but me.” (Exodus 20:3)
Question 3. Why do you think God put this commandment first?
Answer 3. Answers will vary.
Question 4. Why is it important to keep our relationship with God as the most important one in our life?
Answer 4. Answers will vary.
Question 5. Is there anything you sometimes put before God?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Pray about It
Dear God, thank You that You are the one true God! Thank You that You loved me so much that You sent Jesus to the world to die in my place and forgive my sins so that I can experience forgiveness and love. God, thank You for being who You are in my life, and I choose to put You first. Amen.
Week 5 Devotionals (Learn 2.1) – Tuesday
Key Ideas
Faith Fact
My God is the one true God.
Faith Verse
Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”
Question of the Day: What can we learn about God from His creation?
Read about It
Read: Isaiah 45:18
What is something that you love a lot? It could be a person, place, or thing. Do you know who created that person, place or thing? The first chapter of the Bible, Genesis 1, talks about how God created our world. The Bible mentions God as Creator in other places too.
Isaiah 45:18 says God created the heavens and earth. Have you ever stopped and looked at the world God has created? It’s pretty amazing when you look at it. God created every single star, every grain of sand, every bird, every flower, and He even created you! He knows you by name and loves you. When you stop and look at creation, you can truly know that God is the one true God and there is no one else like Him!
Talk about It
Question 1. What is your favorite thing God created?
Answer 1. Answers will vary.
Question 2. How does creation show us that God is the one true God?
Answer 2. Answers may vary.
Question 3. Where do we find the story of creation?
Answer 3. Genesis 1
Question 4. Why is the story of creation important?
Answer 4. Answers will vary.
Question 5. If God created the world, what does that say about His ability to help you?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Pray about It
Dear God, thank You for showing us in creation that You are the one true God. There is no one like You, God, and we give You praise for You are amazing. I love You. Amen.
Week 5 Devotionals (Learn 2.1) – Monday
Key Ideas
Faith Fact
My God is the one true God.
Faith Verse
Isaiah 55:8 (NLT)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”
Question of the Day: When have you felt God’s presence?
Read about It
Read: Daniel 3:14–18
Have you ever had such a bad sunburn that your skin blistered? What did that feel like? How is getting burned by the sun different from being burned by touching something that is hot? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were willing to honor God with their lives even if that meant being burnt in a fiery furnace.
Even though they faced a terrible punishment, they stood up to the king and trusted God to help them. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew that God is the one true God. They knew God had the power to rescue them. This is an incredible reminder today that in our life, we can have faith, and trust God to be with us in all circumstances!
Talk about It
Question 1. How did King Nebuchadnezzar respond to reports that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had not obeyed his orders?
Answer 1. He questioned them and offered them another chance to obey. (Daniel 3:14–15)
Question 2. How do you think Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego felt when the king confronted them?
Answer 2. Answers may vary.
Question 3. What did King Nebuchadnezzar say that might mean he thought he was more powerful than God?
Answer 3. “If you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the blazing furnace. And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” (Daniel 3:15)
Question 4. What do you think about how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego responded to the king?
Answer 4. Answers will vary.
Question 5. When do you think Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego felt God’s presence?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Pray about It
Dear God, thank You for showing us in the Bible that You are the one true God and that You are always with us. I may go through some hard experiences, but I can have faith and trust in who You are. God, as you were with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, I know that You are with me. I praise You, God, and thank You for who You are. Amen.
Worship 10-3-21
The Invitation to Win