CTK Family Devotions Week #60

Main Topic: Love and Reconciliation 2/3 — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 29)

Reminder: These devotions are only a tool to use to help you run family devotions in a way that your family needs. Whether you do it daily, tie it to a prayer or sharing time, or have everyone read these verses on their own time is up to you. My aim is to equip you all to be in the Word as a family by giving you Scripture and questions to consider. Each day you will find a main idea to consider, a Scripture passage to read, and some questions to ask to help discuss the reading and tie it to the main idea. Reminder: Family study @ Wayne and Jane Smith’s this Sunday!

Monday (10/28/2024)

God reconciling Himself with us through Jesus drives us to be reconciled with others.

Luke 19:1–10 (ESV) — 1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” 8 And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

1) Together, act out this scene from Scripture. Did acting it out help draw your attention to any important details?

2) What caused Zacchaeus to have a turn of heart and help others? (Hint: who alone changes our hearts? How?)

3) Take time in prayer thanking Jesus, the Son of Man, that He has come to seek & save the lost (including you!)

Tuesday (10/29/2024)

Nothing, be it status, pleasures, or worldly goods, are worth clinging too. Only Christ is worthy of all focus.

Philippians 3:8–11 (ESV) — 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

1) What is the most valuable thing you own? What other stuff would you get rid of in order to keep that thing?

2) Is there anything more valuable than your soul? What could you offer in order to buy it?

3) Has Christ bought back your soul from eternal death? How? (His own blood). Praise God for this redemption!

Wednesday (10/30/2024)

Christ calls for a reconciliation of the heart, not an external pattern of worship or feigned love.

Isaiah 1:13–20 (ESV) — 13 Bring no more vain offerings; incense is an abomination to me. New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations— I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly. 14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. 15 When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen; your hands are full of blood. 16 Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, 17 learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. 18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; 20 but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword; for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

1) Have you ever gotten a bad stain on something? Share about it. Were you able to remove it? Why or why not?

2) God says He tires of worship offered by people living in sin. If that includes you, ask for His mercy now.

3) Having asked for His mercy, God says He works to cleanse your sins, wiping them away and leaving no stain. Praise God for this perfect, cleansing righteousness given only through faith in Christ, who took on your sin!

RSVP now to Family Supper if you haven’t! Use online form (link at end) or text/call Joe

Thursday (10/31/2024)

The Word of God alone can make us children of God who are set apart to do His will for the good of others.

John 1:9–13 (ESV) — 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

1) What do parents pass on to their children? (Hint: not just possessions, but think DNA, values, etc.)

2) What does God pass along to us if we are His children through faith? (Life, love, mercy, His Spirit, etc.)

3) What is God’s will for everyone? (That they might repent and be saved).

4) What is also God’s will for you? (That you might walk in love for others and confident faith in Him)

Friday (11/1/2024) – All Saint’s Day

In Christ alone is there true and eternal pleasure. The saints who have passed on to glory share in this now.

Psalm 16:7–11 (ESV) — 7 I bless the LORD who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

1) What can we learn from those who came in the faith before us? (Endurance, encouragement, example, etc.)

2) What makes all the other pleasures in this world (good or evil) less than what Jesus offers? (They don’t last)

3) Take time in prayer thanking God for those who have passed down the faith to you & were faithful to the end.

Saturday (11/2/2024)

Seeking Christ means leaving behind the old nature and its way of doing things and instead walking in love.

Philippians 3:12–16 (ESV) — 12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

1) Do you have a favorite sports movie or real story about an athlete getting stronger? Share about it.

2) What sort of things do athletes have to do as part of their training? (Eat well, practice, lift weights, etc.)

3) What is a distraction for many athletes, especially big stars from the NFL/NBA/etc? (Fame, parties, being rich)

4) In what ways do we as Christian “press on” like athletes? Why do we do this? (Because Christ pushes us on)

Sunday (11/3/2024) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Continuing asking for wisdom and endurance as we connect youth students to older congregation members.

2) Pray for everyone wrapping up harvest and preparing for the shift to winter activities.

3) Praise God for the student-led Bible studying going on at PAS library during Wed. lunch.

Family Study @ Wayne and Jane Smith’s

- Meet to carpool from CTK at 4:30pm or arrive right at their house by 5pm.

- Games, food, and a lesson will fill up our time between 5 and 6:30pm.

- QR code to RSVP before Thursday (or call/text Joe ):

CTK Family Devotions Week #61

Main Topic: Love and Reconciliation 3/3 — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 29)

Reminder: These devotions are only a tool to use to help you run family devotions in a way that your family needs. Whether you do it daily, tie it to a prayer or sharing time, or have everyone read these verses on their own time is up to you. My aim is to equip you all to be in the Word as a family by giving you Scripture and questions to consider. Each day you will find a main idea to consider, a Scripture passage to read, and some questions to ask to help discuss the reading and tie it to the main idea. Reminder: NO youth study on 11/10 – Steele event instead!

Monday (11/4/2024)

We ask to see sin clearly not to condemn others, but that they might be brought to repentance and restored.

Luke 6:37–42 (ESV) — 37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” 39 He also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

1) Have you ever had something in your eye? How awful was it until you could get it out?

2) When we are blind to spiritual things, do we usually feel bad about it? Why or why not?

3) Does it hurt when someone points out that we are not keeping God’s commands? Why or why not?

4) Is it possible to correct somebody with bad intentions? What might correcting somebody in love look like?

5) Ask God to correct you and forgive you so you can point others to Him in all that you say and do.

Tuesday (11/5/2024)

Restoration means being turned from what you were doing (evil) towards what is good, right, and true.

Ezekiel 18:30–32 (ESV) — 30 “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. 31 Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? 32 For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord GOD; so turn, and live.”

1) Do you think verse 32 might surprise a world that sees God as petty and vindictive? Why?

2) Is it loving for God to leave us in our sin? Is it loving for us to not warn others about the wages of sin?

3) Think of struggles in your life and the lives of those close to you. Ask for forgiveness and strength in these areas. Then, ask to see what good gift you are to instead seek after. (Ex. Thieving -> hard work; lust -> marriage)

Wednesday (11/6/2024)

In Christ, we are no longer ruled by our selfish flesh, since our master puts our eyes on eternal life.

Philippians 3:17–21 (ESV) — 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

1) Who do you look up to and follow the example of? Give a variety of answers (local, family, sports, etc.)

2) Why are heroes and role models so important? (To show us possibilities, give encouragement, etc.)

3) What makes Jesus the best role model? (He not only shows us how to live, but He gives us His own righteousness, which is the strength we need to actually carry out the fullness of the Law of love for others).

NO youth study this week. Steele visit instead at 5:30pm. Submit prayer requests by texting/calling Joe

Thursday (11/7/2024)

The Word (Jesus) brought grace and truth, so we cannot divide a love for God from a love for others.

John 1:14–18 (ESV) — 14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

1) What is so revolutionary about Jesus (the eternal Word) coming in the flesh to dwell with us?

2) Jesus’ coming was key to our eternal life, but also to revealing the Father. How does the Word still do this?

3) Knowing that the Son of God loved the world enough to come and die for it, how should you view others?

Friday (11/8/2024)

God will bring vengeance upon sin, so He calls us to repent so that He can restore all that has been broken.

Amos 4:9–13 (ESV) — 9 “I struck you with blight and mildew; your many gardens and your vineyards, your fig trees and your olive trees the locust devoured; yet you did not return to me,” declares the LORD. 10 “I sent among you a pestilence after the manner of Egypt; I killed your young men with the sword, and carried away your horses, and I made the stench of your camp go up into your nostrils; yet you did not return to me,” declares the LORD. 11 “I overthrew some of you, as when God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and you were as a brand plucked out of the burning; yet you did not return to me,” declares the LORD. 12 “Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God, O Israel!” 13 For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth— the LORD, the God of hosts, is his name!

1) Is God being mean to His people here by sending famines, insects, & trouble? (Hint: why did He send trials?)

2) Did Israel ever come back to the Lord? (Yes, there was a faithful remnant, which even lead into the Church)

3) What is better: to suffer a little from sin now and repent, or to suffer the eternal judgment our sin merits because we refuse to repent? Knowing that, ask God for a heart that is quick to repent and return to Him, day after day.

Saturday (11/9/2024)

In Christ alone do we have true rest, because His steadfast love gives us life, hope, and strength.

Psalm 92:title–4 (ESV) —  A PSALM. A SONG FOR THE SABBATH. 1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; 2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night, 3 to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre. 4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy.

1) It’s often important to include the title/purpose of a Psalm. Looking at the main point, why’d I include today’s?

2) When was the last time you felt well-rested? This could be physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Discuss it.

3) How does Christ give us true rest? (Through His blood, from works, by giving peace, by securing us life, etc.)

Sunday (11/10/2024) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Praise God for the blessings of harvest and the safety given during the business of it all.

2) Pray for those mourning, be it major losses or simply the trials of the daily grind.

3) Lift up the Steele event in prayer. Ask God to give good fellowship and a time of learning for families.

4) Pray for safe travels for Sarah, Wesley, and I as we visit friends in Fargo and Beulah.

5) Ask God to give us wisdom in promoting connections between generations within our congregation.

NO youth study tonight. Instead, please come at 5:30pm to CTK to meet with the Steele’s and enjoy pizza.