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
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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)
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| 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)
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| Question 3. Why is what God wants for us better than what we may want for ourself?
Answer 3. Answers may vary.
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| Question 4. How does putting God first help us to receive God’s very best for us?
Answer 4. Answers will vary.
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| 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.