Devotions

Jesus Meets Zacchaeus - Luke 19:1-10

A tax collector named Zacchaeus can’t see Jesus over the crowd, so he climbs a tree. Jesus calls Zacchaeus down for lunch. People are mad because Zacchaeus cheats people! But Zacchaeus changes, because when we spend time with Jesus, he changes us.

Through the Week

This week, be more intentional about including Jesus in your family activities.

- Talk to him as you drive to sports practice.

- Talk to him as you clear dishes from the table.

- Talk to him during TV commercials.

- Think of other ways you can remember to spend time with Jesus as you go about life.

Talk About This…

- Tell about someone who’s changed you.

Watch and Discuss

We’ve been learning about Zacchaeus. There are a lot of things we know about Zacchaeus from today’s Bible story. But what’s really the point?

- What do you think is the point of Zacchaeus’ story?

Let’s watch a video and think about what really matters about Zacchaeus’ life. Watch “Get to the Point.”

- At the end of the video, Bob asks, “If you were Zacchaeus, would you come down out of your tree?” How would you answer that question?

- Do you think one encounter with Jesus can still change someone’s life today? Explain.

We don’t know if Jesus and Zacchaeus ever hung out again. If they did, the Bible doesn’t talk about it. But we do know that hanging out one time was all it took for Zacchaeus’ heart to be changed! When we spend time with Jesus, he changes our hearts.

Digging Into the Life of Jesus. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc. Permission to reproduce granted for local church use.

The Poor Widow’s Offering - Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4

Jesus points out a poor widow who drops two coins into the collection box at the Temple. Although many rich people give far more money, Jesus is most impressed with her gift because she generously gives everything she has to live on. Jesus loves givers.

Family Together Time

Spend time together collecting things to give away, as a reminder that Jesus loves givers.

- Clean your house. Collect things that you can give away.

- Make a big pile of everything you want to donate.

- Go through the pile and talk about which things are easy to give, and which require more of a sacrifice.

- Talk about why it’s important to Jesus to give generously.

- Take your items to a homeless shelter or other charity.

Talk About This…

- What would be the hardest thing for you to give away? Why?

Watch and Discuss

In our Bible story, there was a poor woman who gave all the money she had. Jesus saw her giving the money, and he was happy with what he saw. Jesus loves givers.

- What are some things kids can give?

It might seem like kids don’t have a lot to give. But we’re going to watch a video about a 3-year-old named Emily who gave something very special. That’s right…3 years old!

Watch “Emily’s Story.”

- Why do you think Emily’s gift was important?

- Explain whether it would be easy or hard for you to give some of your hair to someone with cancer.

Say: Emily was very young, but she wanted to give something. She found out about an important organization that takes gifts of something she had—hair! We can always find ways to give, and Jesus loves givers.

Digging Into the Life of Jesus. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc. Permission to reproduce granted for local church use.

Jesus Heals Blind Men - Mark 10:46-52; Matthew 20:29-34; Luke 18:35-43

Jesus is walking down the road when he hears a blind man named Bartimaeus crying out for help. People tell Bartimaeus to be quiet, but he keeps calling out. Jesus stops, asks the man to come to him, and then heals his blindness. Just as Jesus heard Bartimaeus’ cries, Jesus hears us.

Family Together Time

Try this fun family activity to practice listening!

- Clean two empty tin cans or get disposable plastic cups. Remove the labels and tape sharp edges.

- have an adult a hammer and nail to poke a hole in the bottom of each can or cup.

- Cut a 10-foot piece of string and poke each end through the bottom of the cans. Knot the ends so the string stays in place.

- Have two people each hold one end and stand as far apart as they can so the string is taut. One person will talk into the can, and the other person will listen through his or her can.

- Experiment with it! What happens if you use a wire instead of string? What happens if you just tape the string to the bottom of the cans instead of poking holes? What if the string is longer or shorter? See how you can use this device to be the best listener.

- Talk about how it’s like or unlike Jesus listening to us.

Talk About This…

- What’s something you want to talk to Jesus about more?

Watch and Discuss

We’re learning that Jesus hears us. Jesus always hears us perfectly. But sometimes we don’t listen as well. Let’s practice listening.

Ask kids to each find a partner and make a noise that imitates an animal, machine, or something else. Then partners can guess what the noise is.

All right…now that you’ve practiced with each other, let’s see if you can tell two different animals apart—just by listening!

Watch “Name That Critter.”

- Which animals were the hardest to tell apart by sound? Why?

Jesus doesn’t just hear two people at once—he hears everyone who’s praying. He could hear the blind man calling out over a crowd of people. Jesus hears us all…and he knows just who is praying about what.

- How do you think Jesus can hear everyone talking at once?

Jesus hears us, so we can go to him anytime. He’ll always recognize our voices!

Digging Into the Life of Jesus. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc. Permission to reproduce granted for local church use.

Jesus Blesses the Children - Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16; Luke 18:15-17

Parents bring their children to Jesus for a blessing. Jesus’ disciples try to stop the parents. But Jesus welcomes and blesses the kids because Jesus wants to be with children.

Family Together Time

Try this fun family activity so you can welcome kids just like Jesus did!

• Get some fun supplies, such as stickers, fun pencils, or other small trinkets and toys you don’t mind giving away.

• Decorate paper lunch bags.

• Fill the bags with the trinkets and toys.

Keep a stash of bags by the door. Whenever a child comes to visit, welcome the child by giving him or her a fun welcome bag. Or you could take the bags to church, school, or a park and share them with kids

Talk About This…

• What do you think Jesus likes about spending time with you?

Watch and Discuss

In our Bible story, Jesus wanted the kids to come spend time with him. But Jesus’ disciples said, “No kids allowed!”

• What are things you’re not allowed to do because you’re a kid?

Our video shows a lot more things kids aren’t allowed to do. Check it out!

Watch “Kids Welcome.”

• Which thing from our video do you most wish you were allowed to do?

• What are some things you can do?

• Tell about a time you got to do something really exciting.

Jesus wants to be with children. The next time you hear “You’re too little” or “You’re not old enough,” just remember that you can spend time with Jesus! And that’s exciting!

Digging Into the Life of Jesus. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc. Permission to reproduce granted for local church use.

Jesus Heals Ten Men of Leprosy - Luke 17:11-19

Jesus sees 10 men with leprosy. He tells them to go show themselves to the priests. They all go and are healed on the way. One man comes back to thank Jesus because he knows that Jesus deserves our thanks.

Through the Week

• Take the Thankfulness Challenge. Each person will try to thank at least 10 people every day this week.

• Tell each other who you’ve thanked, and why.

• At the end of the week, talk about whether your attitude changed as a result of thanking so many people!

Talk About This…

• What have people thanked you for?

Watch and Discuss - “The Ten Men With Leprosy”

Our Bible story today shows that Jesus deserves our thanks. When Jesus helps us, we can thank him the way the one man who came back did! Let’s see firsthand what it was like when that happened!

Watch “The Ten Men With Leprosy.”

Before the men were healed of leprosy, they had different things they missed. One missed pizza a lot! (Okay, maybe that part wasn’t in the Bible…)

• What would you miss the most if you had to live far away from everyone else?

• Tell about something you’re thankful for.

• What are some things the men with leprosy could’ve been thankful for—even before they were healed?

The men with leprosy had lost a lot of things. But there are always things we can thank Jesus for. Once the men were healed, they could get their old lives back! That’s definitely something to be thankful for. Jesus deserves our thanks in good times and bad.

Digging Into the Life of Jesus. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc. Permission to reproduce granted for local church use.

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead - John 11:1-44

Jesus learns his friend Lazarus is sick. He waits to go heal him, and Lazarus dies. Lazarus’ sisters are upset, but Jesus waited on purpose so that they could see Jesus has power over death. Jesus brings Lazarus back to life.

Family Together Time

Do a fun science experiment to see power at work!

- Fill cups about halfway with water, one for each person.

- Get pieces of cardboard that are bigger than the tops of the cups. You could cut up food boxes.

- Place the cardboard over the top of the cup. Hold it tightly against the lip of the cup as you turn the cup over. (You might want to try it over a bowl or sink first.)

- Now let go! The air pressure in the cup has so much power, it keeps the water from falling out. It’s stronger than gravity!

- Talk about how the power of the air pressure is like Jesus’ power.

- Feeling brave? Go outside or stand in the bathtub to try this experiment over each other’s heads.

- Talk about how trusting the air pressure’s power when you’re under the cup is like trusting Jesus’ power.

Talk About This…

- What are ways you’ve seen Jesus’ power?

Watch and Discuss

When Lazarus died, it seemed like the end of the story for Mary and Martha. But Jesus has power over death. Let’s watch what happened.

Watch “Lazarus, Come Out!”

• What do you think about the fact that because Jesus waited so long, Lazarus died?

• Tell about a time you thought it was the end of the story. What happened next? Share your own example first.

Jesus waited to come until after Lazarus died so that he could show his power over death. If he’d come earlier, he could’ve healed Lazarus before he died. Instead, he showed that he has power over everything—even death! It’s never too late for Jesus to work in our lives, because Jesus has power over death.

Digging Into the Life of Jesus. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc. Permission to reproduce granted for local church use.

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead - John 11:1-44

Jesus learns his friend Lazarus is sick. He waits to go heal him, and Lazarus dies. Lazarus’ sisters are upset, but Jesus waited on purpose so that they could see Jesus has power over death. Jesus brings Lazarus back to life.

Family Together Time

Do a fun science experiment to see power at work!

- Fill cups about halfway with water, one for each person.

- Get pieces of cardboard that are bigger than the tops of the cups. You could cut up food boxes.

- Place the cardboard over the top of the cup. Hold it tightly against the lip of the cup as you turn the cup over. (You might want to try it over a bowl or sink first.)

- Now let go! The air pressure in the cup has so much power, it keeps the water from falling out. It’s stronger than gravity!

- Talk about how the power of the air pressure is like Jesus’ power.

- Feeling brave? Go outside or stand in the bathtub to try this experiment over each other’s heads.

- Talk about how trusting the air pressure’s power when you’re under the cup is like trusting Jesus’ power.

Talk About This…

- What are ways you’ve seen Jesus’ power?

Watch and Discuss

When Lazarus died, it seemed like the end of the story for Mary and Martha. But Jesus has power over death. Let’s watch what happened.

Watch “Lazarus, Come Out!”

• What do you think about the fact that because Jesus waited so long, Lazarus died?

• Tell about a time you thought it was the end of the story. What happened next? Share your own example first.

Jesus waited to come until after Lazarus died so that he could show his power over death. If he’d come earlier, he could’ve healed Lazarus before he died. Instead, he showed that he has power over everything—even death! It’s never too late for Jesus to work in our lives, because Jesus has power over death.

Digging Into the Life of Jesus. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc. Permission to reproduce granted for local church use.

Jesus Raises Lazarus From the Dead - John 11:1-44

Jesus learns his friend Lazarus is sick. He waits to go heal him, and Lazarus dies. Lazarus’ sisters are upset, but Jesus waited on purpose so that they could see Jesus has power over death. Jesus brings Lazarus back to life.

Family Together Time

Do a fun science experiment to see power at work!

- Fill cups about halfway with water, one for each person.

- Get pieces of cardboard that are bigger than the tops of the cups. You could cut up food boxes.

- Place the cardboard over the top of the cup. Hold it tightly against the lip of the cup as you turn the cup over. (You might want to try it over a bowl or sink first.)

- Now let go! The air pressure in the cup has so much power, it keeps the water from falling out. It’s stronger than gravity!

- Talk about how the power of the air pressure is like Jesus’ power.

- Feeling brave? Go outside or stand in the bathtub to try this experiment over each other’s heads.

- Talk about how trusting the air pressure’s power when you’re under the cup is like trusting Jesus’ power.

Talk About This…

- What are ways you’ve seen Jesus’ power?

Watch and Discuss

When Lazarus died, it seemed like the end of the story for Mary and Martha. But Jesus has power over death. Let’s watch what happened.

Watch “Lazarus, Come Out!”

• What do you think about the fact that because Jesus waited so long, Lazarus died?

• Tell about a time you thought it was the end of the story. What happened next? Share your own example first.

Jesus waited to come until after Lazarus died so that he could show his power over death. If he’d come earlier, he could’ve healed Lazarus before he died. Instead, he showed that he has power over everything—even death! It’s never too late for Jesus to work in our lives, because Jesus has power over death.

Digging Into the Life of Jesus. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc. Permission to reproduce granted for local church use.

Parable of the Prodigal Son - Luke 15:11-32

Jesus tells a story about a son who leaves home to live a wild life. When the son’s money runs out, he repents and comes home. Before he can apologize, his father runs and embraces his long-lost son. Like the father in this story, Jesus loves us no matter what.

Family Together Time

Do a fun science experiment to show that Jesus’ love lifts us up!

- Get some raisins or Craisins.

- Pour a glass of clear soda.

- Have everybody drop a raisin or Craisin in the glass.

- What happens to the raisins?

- Talk about how no matter what, we can count on Jesus’ love to lift us up.

Talk About This…

- What makes you feel loved in our home?

Watch and Discuss

Today we’re learning about a father who loved his son even though his son had done some bad things. It’s a story Jesus told to show that he loves us no matter what.

- Tell about someone who loves you no matter what. Share your own example first.

We’re going to see a video where a grandfather shows his grandson that kind of love.

Watch “Back in the Day.”

- What did you think of the way Opa reacted when his grandson broke his gavel?

- The man kept the broken gavel as a reminder of Opa’s love. What reminds you of Jesus’ love?

Opa loved his grandson so much! He loved his grandson way more than he loved his gavel. He wouldn’t let a broken gavel come between him and his grandson. That’s how the father in our Bible story was. He didn’t let his son’s mistakes hurt their relationship; he just showed him love! Jesus’ love is the same way—Jesus loves us no matter what.

Digging Into the Life of Jesus. Copyright © Group Publishing, Inc. Permission to reproduce granted for local church use.