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Family Devo: “LOST” BOOKS OF THE BIBLE?

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Please read the text and briefly discuss it together. Some discussion-starter questions are provided. Then read the closing text as a guide to your family prayer and finish by praying together and singing a hymn. When people talk about the “lost books of the Bible,” they usually mean one of two things. One of them is what we call the Apocrypha, which is a list of books kind of like Bible books but not actual Bible books that are included in some Bibles. These books were written in the time between the Old and New Testaments. They were part of the Greek Old Testament, a translation of the Hebrew version, called the Septuagint, which many early Christians used. The word “Apocrypha” means “hidden away” in Greek, which makes sense because they were kept separate and apart from the Holy Spirit-inspired Scriptures from ancient times. The Apocrypha includes books like Tobit, Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, 3 and 4 Maccabees, 1 Esdras, the Prayer of Manasseh, Psal...
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Family Devo: JOY TO THE WORLD & PSALM 98

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Please read the text and briefly discuss it together. Some discussion-starter questions are provided. Then read the closing text as a guide to your family prayer and finish by praying together and singing a hymn. Psalm 98 talks about singing a new song because God has done amazing things. It says everyone, even the rivers and hills, should celebrate because God is fair and loving. Joy to the World is a hymn Isaac Watts wrote based on Psalm 98. It was first printed in 1719. Though Watts was thinking about Jesus’ return to this world when he wrote it, many people now sing it at Christmas to celebrate Jesus’ birth. The song talks about how happy the world should be because Jesus has come and will return. He's the king who brings joy and fixes everything that's wrong. Look up the lyrics and sing the hymn together as part of this devo. The song tells us that Jesus’ coming means the end of sadness and bad things.  The Bible says that God loves everyone so much that He sent Jesus to s...
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Family Devo: PSALM 46: A SONG ABOUT GOD'S STRENGTH

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Read the text and briefly discuss it together. Some discussion-starter questions are provided. Then read the closing text as a guide to your family prayer and finish by praying together and singing a hymn. Psalm 46 is a special song some Israelites who lived a long time ago wrote with the Holy Spirit’s help. The song tells everyone to trust in God no matter what is happening around them. Here's what it says in simple words: God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble. So we will not be afraid if the earth shakes, or if the mountains fall into the sea. We will not fear even if the oceans roar and foam, or if the mountains shake at the raging sea. Think about this. There is a river which brings joy to the city of God. This is the holy place where God Most High lives. God is in that city, and so it will not be shaken. God will help her at dawn. Nations tremble, and kingdoms shake. God shouts, and the earth crumbles. The Lord of heaven’s armies is with u...
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Family Devo: THE 23RD PSALM

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Read the text and briefly discuss it together. Some discussion-starter questions are provided. Then read the closing text as a guide to your family prayer and finish by praying together and singing a hymn. The 23rd Psalm is one of the very best well-known Psalms in the Bible. King David wrote it. Here's what it says: The Lord is my shepherd. I have everything I need. He gives me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water. He gives me new strength. For the good of his name, he leads me on paths that are right. Even if I walk through a very dark valley, I will not be afraid because you are with me. Your rod and your shepherd’s staff comfort me. You prepare a meal for me in front of my enemies. You pour oil of blessing on my head. You give me more than I can hold. Surely your goodness and love will be with me all my life. And I will live in the house of the Lord forever (ICB). Jesus talks about this in the Bible, too. In John 10:11–17 (ICB), He says: “I am the good shepherd. Th...
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Family Devo: SUNDAY, THE FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, IS THE LORD’S DAY

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Read the text and briefly discuss it together. Some discussion-starter questions are provided. Then read the closing text as a guide to your family prayer and finish by praying together and singing a hymn. Sunday means "day of the sun god," but for us Christians, it's just called the first day of the week. We don't worship the sun god; we worship the one God who created everything. Christians have always met on this day, which we call the Lord's Day, to worship together and share communion.  Jesus rose from the dead on a Sunday, which makes this day special. It's not the Sabbath, which is Saturday, but many Christians think of Sunday as a day of rest, too, even though the Bible doesn't say it has to be.  Coming together on Sunday isn't something we can choose to skip. The Bible tells us to meet, take communion, and serve God together. Scripture commands us not to neglect this practice (Hebrews 10:24–25) and specifies that the first day of the week is t...
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Family Devo: PRINCIPLES, PRESENTATION, & ATTITUDES FOR WORSHIPPING GOD

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 PRINCIPLES, PRESENTATION, & ATTITUDES FOR WORSHIPPING GOD (FAMILY DEVO) Read the text and briefly discuss it together. Some discussion-starter questions are provided. Then read the closing text as a guide to your family prayer and finish by praying together and singing a hymn. Not everyone believes that all religious paths lead to God. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This means that the right way to worship God is through Jesus. Let’s learn six principles that should guide us as we worship in church. (Parents, this is an excellent time to teach your kids what principles are and how we implement them in our lives.) Principle I: God wants people who worship in spirit and truth. This means you should worship God as the Bible teaches: right actions, right attitudes.  Principle II: Treat God with Respect. Just like you would show respect to a king, you should show even more respect to God. Don't do things in wo...
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Family Devo: SEEKER-FRIENDLY CHURCH SERVICES

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Read the text and briefly discuss it together. Some discussion-starter questions are provided. Then read the closing text as a guide to your family prayer and finish by praying together and singing a hymn. A typical family arrives at a church on Sunday and sits down. Mom and the kids slide into a pew, and Dad sits at the end near the aisle. They look around at all the new faces and feel a bit uncomfortable.  A young mom with two kids, a little boy of four and a girl who's two and a half, comes to church hoping to get closer to God. She struggles to keep her children quiet, worried she might be bothering others or that her kids might be too noisy.  Families from different church backgrounds come in. They're not used to our way of worshipping, which might confuse them.  We don't want them to feel out of place because if they do, they might not come back. Then there's someone who has never been to church before. They've already faced a lot of fear just to step inside. ...
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