CTK Family Devotions Week #157

Main Topic: Restoring God’s Image (17/19) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 41)

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: These devotions are on CTK’s website too!

Monday (9/14/2026)

The restored image of God leads to more and more righteousness being produced.

Romans 6:19–23 (ESV) — 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1) Recite verse 23 a few times together so that it is committed to memory well. What does this verse mean?

2) Give an example of how sin is like slavery and how it can lead to more lawlessness and/or sin.

3) Give an example of how freedom in Christ is like slavery and how it can lead to more righteousness.

4) Make a plan to “present your members as slaves to righteousness” in three specific ways this week.

Tuesday (9/15/2026)

There is a great need for those who proclaim the Gospel both near and far, ordained and lay.

Matthew 9:35–38 (ESV) — 35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

1) How long do you think a herd of domesticated sheep could last without someone caring for them? (Research it after you guess)

2) In what way are those entrusted with the Gospel like shepherds? How are they like harvesters?

3) Have you been entrusted with the Gospel? How is this different than your pastor? (Discuss oversight, sacraments, etc.)

4) Pray for boldness in sharing Christ, for opportunities for men to become pastors, & for faithful lay leaders in congregations.

Wednesday (9/16/2026)

When we turn from the Lord’s ways, there will often be bad consequences, even if they aren’t seen immediately.

Nehemiah 13:15–18 (ESV) — 15 In those days I saw in Judah people treading winepresses on the Sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys, and also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of loads, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I warned them on the day when they sold food. 16 Tyrians also, who lived in the city, brought in fish and all kinds of goods and sold them on the Sabbath to the people of Judah, in Jerusalem itself! 17 Then I confronted the nobles of Judah and said to them, “What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day? 18 Did not your fathers act in this way, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Now you are bringing more wrath on Israel by profaning the Sabbath.”

1) Do you know anyone who cares deeply about certain aspects of the Christian life? Do you know why they care?

2) Nehemiah seems to be afraid for the restored Israelites here. What happened when Sabbaths were ignored before?

3) If the heart of the Sabbath in Christ is honoring the Word of God, in what ways are you tempted to profane the Sabbath?

Have requests for food or activities for this week’s FORGE study at CTK? Let Pastor Joe know!

Thursday (9/17/2026)

Songs that testify to the fullness of our King and His works should not be afraid to highlight His justice.

Deuteronomy 32:43–47 (ESV) — 43 “Rejoice with him, O heavens; bow down to him, all gods, for he avenges the blood of his children and takes vengeance on his adversaries. He repays those who hate him and cleanses his people’s land.” 44 Moses came and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people, he and Joshua the son of Nun. 45 And when Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. 47 For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”

1) What are most contemporary Chistian songs like? Would many of them touch on the vengeance of God? Why not?

2) Why is Moses willing to share both the good news & the bad news about God’s might? (See 46–47)

3) Where are you hearing both about God’s wrath and about His grace in Christ? Why do you need both Law & Gospel?

4) Sing from the heart a song that recognizes God’s power, authority, grace, mercy, goodness, and faithfulness.

Friday (9/18/2026)

The nations exist only by the mercies of the Lord who uses them as He sees fit.

Joel 3:9–12 (ESV) — 9 Proclaim this among the nations: Consecrate for war; stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near; let them come up. 10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I am a warrior.” 11 Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves there. Bring down your warriors, O LORD. 12 Let the nations stir themselves up and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.

1) If you could visit another country for a week, what would be your top 3 choices? For a year? Forever?

2) What makes a country? How does the church function beyond even national boundaries? Does this matter? Why?

3) Will any nation be saved purely by their name/reputation? How are people from every nation saved? (Christ)

Saturday (9/19/2026)

The confidence of the Gospel is a surer foundation that any rock, fortress, or man-made philosophy.

1) As you read off the pieces of the armor of God, answer for each one: how it’s given to you, for what purpose, and examples of use.

Ephesians 6:13–17 (ESV) — 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

2) Was it difficult differentiating the pieces of armor? How do the pieces work together in the Christian life?

3) Ask to be fully equipped so that you can stand firm on the promises of God with your fellow believers tomorrow & always.

Sunday (9/20/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Keep our students and teachers in your prayers as the school year starts up. Encourage them if you see them!

2) Pray for all those recovering from illness, surgery, and even grief. Ask for God to comfort them.

3) Lift up the Church across the world, especially our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for their faith.

4) Ask for discernment in how best to serve others around you using the gifts God has given you.

5) Ask for God to turn the hearts of leaders (local and national) back to Himself through Christ.

FORGE NIGHT

Tonight will be a Bible study for 5th and 6th graders at Christ the King.

Main activities start at 5pm and run until 6:30pm.

Food, fellowship, games, and a lesson time in God’s Word. Invite a friend or two to join in on the fun.

CTK Family Devotions Week #158

Main Topic: Restoring God’s Image (18/19) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 41)

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: These devotions are on CTK’s website too!

Monday (9/21/2026)

Our old nature is so deceitfully wicked, meaning we desperately need to be given a new nature.

Romans 7:7–12 (ESV) — 7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

1) Have you ever been given a rule or instruction that you really hated? (By parents, in school, at work, etc.) Explain.

2) Do any of God’s laws frustrate you? How about church customs? Cultural “rules” for behavior? Explain.

3) Is God’s Law a bad thing? (No, v.12) Why then do we hate obeying so much? (V.11) How then can we be saved?

Tuesday (9/22/2026)

Proclaiming the message of Christ will lead to opposition, so we must be not only above reproach, but also wise.

Matthew 10:16–22 (ESV) — 16 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. 17 Beware of men, for they will deliver you over to courts and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings for my sake, to bear witness before them and the Gentiles. 19 When they deliver you over, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour. 20 For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. 21 Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

1) What form was Satan in when he deceived Eve? Why then would Jeus call us to be wise (shrewd) like serpents?

2) What sort of persecutions have Christians over the years faced and from whom? Why? Have you faced any?

3) Ask for wisdom, integrity, and boldness in proclaim Christ with every remaining breath that you have left.

Wednesday (9/23/2026)

Sometimes you have to be very direct in correcting those who are ignoring God’s Law.

Nehemiah 13:19–22 (ESV) — 19 As soon as it began to grow dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and gave orders that they should not be opened until after the Sabbath. And I stationed some of my servants at the gates, that no load might be brought in on the Sabbath day. 20 Then the merchants and sellers of all kinds of wares lodged outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21 But I warned them and said to them, “Why do you lodge outside the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you.” From that time on they did not come on the Sabbath. 22 Then I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the Sabbath day holy. Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.

1) Have you ever had to be more direct or take action when someone wasn’t listening to you? How was it received?

2) Is Nehemiah being rude here in not only calling out those who broke the Sabbath, but threatening them?

3) Share ways we can be this direct with ourselves & our fellow saints when it comes to ignoring God’s Word today.

Have requests for food or activities for this week’s youth-only study at CTK? Let Pastor Joe know!

Thursday (9/24/2026)

Even Moses, called by the Lord, was not perfectly righteous apart from his faith in the coming Messiah.

Deuteronomy 32:48–52 (ESV) — 48 That very day the LORD spoke to Moses, 49 “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel for a possession. 50 And die on the mountain which you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in Mount Hor and was gathered to his people, 51 because you broke faith with me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel. 52 For you shall see the land before you, but you shall not go there, into the land that I am giving to the people of Israel.”

1) Have a race to see who can find where in Scripture Moses disobeyed God & struck a rock instead of speaking to it (Numbers 20)

2) Is God being cruel in keeping Moses from the promised land? What ultimately did Moses have his hope set on? (See Hebrews 11)

3) Ask God to be merciful to you in your sin by forgiving & by giving glimpses of Christ, the fulfilment of every promise.

Friday (9/25/2026)

The day of the Lord is always marked by a judgment of the wicked and a saving of the righteous people of God.

Joel 3:13–16 (ESV) — 13 Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread, for the winepress is full. The vats overflow, for their evil is great. 14 Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision. 15 The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. 16 The LORD roars from Zion, and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and the earth quake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronghold to the people of Israel.

1) Together, draw some of the scenes from this day of the Lord. What things stuck out to you? What do they mean?

2) How does God’s voice continue to cause the heavens and earth to quake today? (His Word)

3) Does Jesus say anything about the longevity of the heavens and earth in comparison to God’s Word? Look it up!

4) Knowing the power of God’s Word, where then do you think our refuge can be found? Specifically where?

5) Hunt during your devotions this weekend for “anchoring” promises in God’s Word that offer life now & forever in Christ.

Saturday (9/26/2026)

As we see our needs & His gifts, we bring everything to the Lord in continual prayer as we live in repentance & faith.

Ephesians 6:18–20 (ESV) — 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

1) What were the pieces of the armor of God that we read last week in the verses before this?

2) What command was given after putting on all that armor? (Stand firm) How does that connect to prayer?

3) How is the Gospel a mystery? (For Gentiles, the sacrificial work of Christ, revealed in Word alone, etc.)

4) Begin to pray now for God’s Word to create you anew, both as you read His Word, dwell on it, & hear it with the congregation Sunday.

Sunday (9/27/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Keep our students and teachers in your prayers as the school year starts up. Encourage them if you see them!

2) Pray for all those recovering from illness, surgery, and even grief. Ask for God to comfort them.

3) Lift up the Church across the world, especially our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for their faith.

4) Ask for discernment in how best to serve others around you using the gifts God has given you.

5) Ask for God to turn the hearts of leaders (local and national) back to Himself through Christ.

Tonight will be a youth-only study at Christ the King. Students entering 7th grade through college are welcome. Arrive anytime 4:30pm onwards. Main activities start at 5pm and run until 6:30pm.

Food, fellowship, games, and a lesson time in God’s Word. Invite a friend or two to join in on the fun.

CTK Family Devotions Week #159

Main Topic: Restoring God’s Image (19/19) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 41)

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: These devotions are on CTK’s website too!

Monday (9/28/2026)

Though the image of God is restored in us through Christ, we still have the old image to deal with in this life.

1) This is a very weighty, personal, & important text. Together, have each person read it out loud quietly to themselves before discussing.

Romans 7:21–8:4 (ESV) — 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. 1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

2) Since chapter & verse markings are not inspired, but just a helpful tool, do you find it good or bad where ch7 ended? Why?

3) Why are these verses important for you specifically? For the church? For the world?

4) Plan to use this text to show your standing as simultaneously sinner & saint to a friend this week in a way that leads them to Christ.

Tuesday (9/29/2026)

Even though there is salvation in the name of Christ alone, bearing that name will cause the world to hate you.

Matthew 10:23–25 (ESV) — 23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next, for truly, I say to you, you will not have gone through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. 24 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household.

1) What names & nicknames do you go by? Which titles have you had in your life (captain, husband, daughter, etc.)

2) What makes the name of Jesus so special? (Not just His name, but all He has done to save us from our sin)

3) Why might the world hate the name of Jesus and His Word so much? (It says we cannot save ourselves, shows sin, demands loyalty, etc.)

4) Pray that you would be known 1st by the title “faithful Christian servant” & that all you do would reflect this, even in trials.

Wednesday (9/30/2026)

A zealously for the commands of God is a good thing, even if it must be tempered by the love of Christ.

Nehemiah 13:23–29 (ESV) — 23 In those days also I saw the Jews who had married women of Ashdod, Ammon, and Moab. 24 And half of their children spoke the language of Ashdod, and they could not speak the language of Judah, but only the language of each people. 25 And I confronted them and cursed them and beat some of them and pulled out their hair. And I made them take an oath in the name of God, saying, “You shall not give your daughters to their sons, or take their daughters for your sons or for yourselves. 26 Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin. 27 Shall we then listen to you and do all this great evil and act treacherously against our God by marrying foreign women?” 28 And one of the sons of Jehoiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, was the son-in-law of Sanballat the Horonite. Therefore I chased him from me. 29 Remember them, O my God, because they have desecrated the priesthood and the covenant of the priesthood and the Levites.

1) Woah woah woah! Re-read v25. Why is Nehemiah acting this way? Is there any biblical precedent for such action?

2) Since Christ united Jew & Gentile, what temptations to turn from God do we face that are comparable to intermarriage & idolatry?

3) Is there anything to learn about wisely choosing a spouse you can glean from this passage? Discuss.

Have requests for food or activities for this week’s intergenerational study at CTK? Let Pastor Joe know!

Thursday (10/1/2026)

The Lord who takes away is also the Lord who provides abundantly for every need, spiritual and physical.

Joel 3:17–21 (ESV) — 17 “So you shall know that I am the LORD your God, who dwells in Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem shall be holy, and strangers shall never again pass through it. 18 “And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water; and a fountain shall come forth from the house of the LORD and water the Valley of Shittim. 19 “Egypt shall become a desolation and Edom a desolate wilderness, for the violence done to the people of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land. 20 But Judah shall be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem to all generations. 21 I will avenge their blood, blood I have not avenged, for the LORD dwells in Zion.”

1) What’s the strangest word-picture you’ve ever heard used that made sense? Share and explain.

2) What does it mean that wine & milk will run from the hills? How does this show God’s grace? (Restoring)

3) Ask God to restore areas of your life that have been broken either due to your sin or others’ sins, then trust His will & timing for this!

Friday (10/2/2026)

Our love that comes from Christ should lead to an honest concern for the spiritual & physical wellbeing of the saints.

Ephesians 6:21–24 (ESV) — 21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. 23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

1) How many people in your family do you care for deeply? Your congregation? Your neighborhood? Your country?

2) While there are limits to who we can care for, where should our love be focused first? (Family>congregation>community)

3) Discuss whether the digital age & long-distance communication makes it easier or harder to love faithfully, locally.

4) Implement any ideas that came up during your discussion of how best to rekindle love for those nearest to you.

Saturday (10/3/2026)

There is plenty of work to be done as the name of the Lord is proclaimed to the ends of the earth.

Nehemiah 13:30–31 (ESV) — 30 Thus I cleansed them from everything foreign, and I established the duties of the priests and Levites, each in his work; 31 and I provided for the wood offering at appointed times, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

1) What are some of the key events that happened in the book of Nehemiah? What did you learn from it?

2) Instead of temple duties, what sort of duties are needed to proclaim Christ & gather as a congregation?

3) What gifts have you been given by the Holy Spirit for the sake of service & love for others? How are you using them?

4) Ask for opportunities to put your gifts to work even tomorrow, as well as asking for any gifts that still needed to be given.

Sunday (10/4/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Keep our students and teachers in your prayers as the school year carries on. Encourage them if you see them!

2) Pray for all those recovering from illness, surgery, and even grief. Ask for God to comfort them.

3) Lift up the Church across the world, especially our brothers and sisters who are being persecuted for their faith.

4) Ask for discernment in how best to serve others around you using the gifts God has given you.

5) Ask for God to turn the hearts of leaders (local and national) back to Himself through Christ.

INTERGENERATIONAL NIGHT

A Bible study night for all ages!

Please talk to Pastor Joe or see the bulletin for more information.