Jesus Loves Families

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...

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...

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...