CTK Family Devotions Week #163

The Final Chapter: Pride, Repentance, and Living Faith (4/23) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 42)

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 (10/26/2026)

The hope of glory is not found in sophisticated arguments, but in the grace of God that turns us into family.

2 Corinthians 1:11–14 (ESV) — 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. 12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you. 13 For we are not writing to you anything other than what you read and understand and I hope you will fully understand— 14 just as you did partially understand us—that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.

1) Give an example of someone acting with “simplicity and godly sincerity” that you have seen or heard about.

2) Give an example of someone forsaking “earthly wisdom” to walk instead by “the grace of God.”

3) What will be Paul’s reason to boast on the day of the Lord? What will be your reason to boast?

4) List out ways that you can encourage your brothers in Christ with a simple call or text, then do so for at least 1 of them.

Tuesday (10/27/2026)

All the good that the Lord makes happen is entirely by His awesome power and grace.

Exodus 34:10 (ESV) — 10 And he said, “Behold, I am making a covenant. Before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been created in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people among whom you are shall see the work of the LORD, for it is an awesome thing that I will do with you.

1) What’s the last thing that you saw that you could describe as awesome? What made it so awesome?

2) From the day that the Lord promised this at Sinai until the coming of Christ, what mighty acts did God do for Israel?

3) What kinds of awesome work is the Lord doing through His Word and His people today?

4) Ask that the Lord’s will would be done in your own life & that he would receive the glory for His awesomeness.

Wednesday (10/28/2026)

The transformed life leads to a desire for more and more good things that come from our Father.

Philippians 4:8 (ESV) — 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

1) Have everyone reading this list one example of something that fits each of the following words (no repeats)

True:

Honorable:

Just:

Pure:

Lovely:

Commendable:

Excellent:

Praise-worthy:

2) How can you rearrange your priorities or habits to make it easier to dwell on these things?

3) How does being united to Christ lead us to long for these kind of good things?

Prayer or praise requests that you want featured for next week? Text or call Pastor Joe any time!

Thursday (10/29/2026)

The coming Messiah that the Israelites hoped for fulfilled His prophecies perfectly in victory.

Isaiah 62:10–12 (ESV) — 10 Go through, go through the gates; prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway; clear it of stones; lift up a signal over the peoples. 11 Behold, the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the earth: Say to the daughter of Zion, “Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.” 12 And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.

1) Has a VIP ever visited your town? What sort of things had to (or would have to) be prepared for their visit?

2) What is the VIP in this text bringing? (v.11) What is His effect on the people of Israel? (v.12)

3) Are there any hymns or worship songs that dwell on the arrival of Christ? Sing one of those that you enjoy.

4) Pray that the Lord would prepare your heart for His return in glory by anchoring you in His first arrival of grace.

Friday (10/30/2026)

The natural man cannot understand God’s Word, but the Holy Spirit graciously breaks through our blind eyes.

John 16:12–13 (ESV) — 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.

1) If you haven’t seen any, look up a video about people seeing or hearing for the first time. How did they react?

2) In what way is coming to faith by the work of the Spirit like those people who had their senses restored?

3) Thinking specifically about the apostles, what did the Holy Spirit inspire them to proclaim and record?

4) Anchoring ourselves to God’s Word, which is truth, keeps us from going back to the blindness of the past. What practical ways can you incorporate Scripture into every part of your life in the coming weeks?

Saturday (10/31/2026)

The glory of the Jewish heritage is found in God’s Word, which should bring them directly to Christ, the Messiah.

Romans 3:1–4 (ESV) — 1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God. 3 What if some were unfaithful? Does their faithlessness nullify the faithfulness of God? 4 By no means! Let God be true though every one were a liar, as it is written, “That you may be justified in your words, and prevail when you are judged.”

1) Called out of slavery and of no special value, what is ultimately the biggest blessing of being Jewish? (v.2)

2) How does a Jew rejecting the Word and Christ who is revealed in that Word ultimately reject his Jewishness?

3) What sort of family heritage do you have? How about church heritage (reformation, pietism, etc). Why do those matter?

4) Is it possible to use your heritage as a cover for sin or for laziness in being faithful to Christ now? Explain.

5) Ask the Lord to spur you and your congregation on to a life of faith and service, using your unique heritage to anchor in God’s Word while also giving you the gifts and wisdom necessary to proclaim Him in this age.

Sunday (11/1/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Call out for His will to be done in you, your family, your community, your congregation, and the world.

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.

CTK Family Devotions Week #164

The Final Chapter: Pride, Repentance, and Living Faith (5/23) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 42)

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 (11/2/2026)

We do not have to play silly games when it comes to proclaiming the grace of God in Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:15–19 (ESV) — 15 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a second experience of grace. 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedonia, and to come back to you from Macedonia and have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans according to the flesh, ready to say “Yes, yes” and “No, no” at the same time? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes.

1) When was the last time someone was “wishy-washy” when answering a question you had? How’d it feel?

2) How can planning “according to the flesh” lead to conflict instead of the steady assurance of counting on Christ?

3) Re-read v.19. Does that mean that Jesus never said no? What is Paul getting at? (Christ the victor, anchor, etc.)

4) As you plan for the week, look for ways in which the sureness of Christ can answer your fears, doubts, and dilemmas.

Tuesday (11/3/2026)

Our lives will look drastically different than the unbelievers around us as we are set apart by the One true God.

Exodus 34:11–16 (ESV) — 11 “Observe what I command you this day. Behold, I will drive out before you the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 12 Take care, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you go, lest it become a snare in your midst. 13 You shall tear down their altars and break their pillars and cut down their Asherim 14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God), 15 lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and when they whore after their gods and sacrifice to their gods and you are invited, you eat of his sacrifice, 16 and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters whore after their gods and make your sons whore after their gods.

1) Do you like or dislike standing out from those around you? Give examples of good uniqueness and bad.

2) There are (at least) two key purposes God had in setting His people apart from the nations. What are they? (Witness & holiness)

3) In what ways might a Christian be set apart from the world today?

4) Now, get specific: what things in your life should you flee from lest you get entangled by worldly desires?

5) Ask for courage to go against the ways of the world as the life Christ gives you shines like a light in the dark.

Wednesday (11/4/2026)

The Christian life is a continual effort spurred on by the Spirit who shapes us into the image of Christ.

Philippians 4:9 (ESV) — 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

1) What was the last thing you had to practice (sport, instrument, skill, etc.) How many hours have you practiced it?

2) What does Paul teach? What did Paul pass along? What did Paul say? What did Paul demonstrate?

3) How can you continue to learn? How can you continue to grow in love? How can you be an example of Christ?

4) Can you take credit for your salvation? Does your savior still call & empower to serve Him with every breath?

5) Earnestly seek to practice all that is good in Christ, removing neutral things from your life that may hinder this.

Prayer or praise requests that you want featured for next week? Text or call Pastor Joe any time!

Thursday (11/5/2026)

The mighty King came first to deliver, but His return will be to judge all unrighteousness.

Isaiah 63:1 (ESV) — 1 Who is this who comes from Edom, in crimsoned garments from Bozrah, he who is splendid in his apparel, marching in the greatness of his strength? “It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.”

1) What’s the heaviest weight you’ve seen someone lift? Does that make them the strongest person you know?

2) Does the quote by this great and strong man make you think of anyone? Explain.

3) With prophecies like this, is it understandable that the Jews might have been confused by the meekness of Jesus? Discuss.

4) Ask that the righteous king would continue to save you from yourself, your sins, the accuser, and death itself.

Friday (11/6/2026)

The united will of our Triune God delivers not just His inspired Word, but salvation through that Word.

John 16:14–15 (ESV) — 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.

1) How often do you think about the Trinity? I’d recommend the Athanasian Creed if you’d like to know more!

2) Considering the Father as Creator, the Son as Savior, and the Spirit as Sanctifier, how do they as One God work in unity to save you?

3) Where are you given insight into our Triune God? (His Word) Where should you go when you have questions?

4) If you still are unsure about the Trinity, please reach out to your pastor now to avoid confusion down the road.

Saturday (11/7/2026)

True Christianity focuses, like the rest of creation, on the restoration of God’s perfection.

Romans 8:18–23 (ESV) — 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

1) When was the last time you groaned inwardly (or outwardly) as you were waiting for something? Why did you?

2) All of Scripture is important, but what key arguments for the faith does this passage make? (Nature restored, coming glory, etc.)

3) What sort of sufferings have you endured? What sort of sufferings will only be comforted by a perfect eternity with Christ?

4) As you gather with the saints, ask for wisdom in encouraging them to look to the redemption that their Savior is bringing while also asking that your own heart would be made steadfast in the hope of His glorious grace.

Sunday (11/8/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Call out for His will to be done in you, your family, your community, your congregation, and the world.

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.

CTK Family Devotions Week #165

The Final Chapter: Pride, Repentance, and Living Faith (6/23) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 42)

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 (11/9/2026)

The sure work of God through Christ applied to hearts is both our joy and our crown.

2 Corinthians 1:20–24 (ESV) — 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. 21 And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee. 23 But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming again to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith.

1) List out at least five promises that God gave in the Old Testament that find their fulfillment in Christ.

2) Who is the one who establishes us in Christ? By what means does God do that? When in your life does this happen?

3) Do those who proclaim the Word and administer the sacraments have reason to boast in themselves? How about reason to boast in the might salvation of God that is delivered through means? Explain the difference.

4) Think of three specific things that you can add to your schedule this week to help you stand firm in the faith.

Tuesday (11/10/2026)

The Israelites were able to look back to the Passover deliverance and ahead to the Messiah’s coming salvation.

Exodus 34:17–20 (ESV) — 17 “You shall not make for yourself any gods of cast metal. 18 “You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month Abib, for in the month Abib you came out from Egypt. 19 All that open the womb are mine, all your male livestock, the firstborn of cow and sheep. 20 The firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, or if you will not redeem it you shall break its neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. And none shall appear before me empty-handed.

1) Does God own just the firstborn, or does He own everything? Discuss how this impacts you.

2) What event connects unleavened bread and firstborns? Discuss what happened during Passover.

3) What happened to God’s firstborn Son? Why was He broken for us? Does that make Him a Passover lamb?

4) Ask for wisdom in understanding how Christ is the fulfillment of all righteousness & how He guides us in His ways.

Wednesday (11/11/2026)

The perfect righteousness of Christ provides us with contentment and a concern for others.

Philippians 4:10–11 (ESV) — 10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.

1) When was the last time someone was concerned about your well-being? What did they do about it?

2) Is Paul saying in v.11 that Christians shouldn’t work to provide for their family? What is he saying?

3) How will a life of contentment because of Christ look different than a life of covetousness?

4) Which of these two lives does the world push on you? Which one are you living? What alone can change you?

Prayer or praise requests that you want featured for next week? Text or call Pastor Joe any time!

Thursday (11/12/2026)

The wrath of God was fully poured out on Christ who alone can save us from the coming judgment.

Isaiah 63:2–6 (ESV) — 2 Why is your apparel red, and your garments like his who treads in the winepress? 3 “I have trodden the winepress alone, and from the peoples no one was with me; I trod them in my anger and trampled them in my wrath; their lifeblood spattered on my garments, and stained all my apparel. 4 For the day of vengeance was in my heart, and my year of redemption had come. 5 I looked, but there was no one to help; I was appalled, but there was no one to uphold; so my own arm brought me salvation, and my wrath upheld me. 6 I trampled down the peoples in my anger; I made them drunk in my wrath, and I poured out their lifeblood on the earth.”

1) If this is a picture of the Lord and/or His Messiah, how did Jesus defy this expectation at His first coming?

2) Re-read v.5. How did Jesus bring salvation by His own arm? (Wrath on Him, hanging on cross, etc.)

3) Will this picture of vengeance be appropriate for Christ’s glorious return? (See 19:11–16 for details)

4) Ask that the Lord would punish evil in due course, but also that He would deliver you & others by His grace!

Friday (11/13/2026)

Scripture is only able to be comprehended (by any age) after the Spirit does His work.

John 16:16–18 (ESV) — 16 “A little while, and you will see me no longer; and again a little while, and you will see me.” 17 So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while, and you will see me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’?” 18 So they were saying, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We do not know what he is talking about.”

1) How many years do you think it takes to learn something well? Discuss different subjects (math, theology, etc.)

2) How many years had the disciples spent with Jesus? (About 3) Why could they not seem to understand Him?

3) Since it is the Spirit who gives understanding by His Word, explain how that can be both a judgment to pride and a gift to the humble. Then, plan for how you can humbly receive His Word this weekend.

Saturday (11/14/2026)

The hope that God provides is not an abstract idea, but a perfect and enduring righteousness that we need.

Romans 8:24–30 (ESV) — 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

1) Re-read v.24. How does the “distant” nature of hope help us in sorrows? Does it erase this life’s difficulties?

2) Re-read v.26. How does the Spirit’s intercessory role encourage you?

3) Are those who are eternally condemned lost because of their own sin or because of God’s pre-selection?

4) Are those who are saved delivered by their own works or by the mercy and faithfulness of God?

5) Keeping both tensions alive, give praise to the One who works to deliver you from your own foolishness.

Sunday (11/15/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Call out for His will to be done in you, your family, your community, your congregation, and the world.

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.

CTK Family Devotions Week #166

The Final Chapter: Pride, Repentance, and Living Faith (7/23) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 42)

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 (11/16/2026)

Rebuking brothers who are acting accordingly to the flesh is a loving thing, not a mean thing.

2 Corinthians 2:1–4 (ESV) — 1 For I made up my mind not to make another painful visit to you. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not suffer pain from those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote to you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

1) When was the last time someone had to tell that you were doing something wrong? How’d you receive their correction?

2) Is it possible to have bad motives when trying to correct someone? What are good motives for constructive criticism?

3) Should we avoid telling someone about their sin or shortcoming just because it might hurt them?

4) What should the end goal of correcting someone be? (Their growth/improvement, especially through repentance & faith)

5) Consider Paul’s example of correction shown here and look carefully for ways to build up others in love even if you must do so by rebuking their sins so that they may repent and be forgiven in Christ.

Tuesday (11/17/2026)

It is vital for the health of God’s people to consistently gather together with other believers both near and far.

Exodus 34:21–26 (ESV) — 21 “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest. In plowing time and in harvest you shall rest. 22 You shall observe the Feast of Weeks, the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year’s end. 23 Three times in the year shall all your males appear before the LORD God, the God of Israel. 24 For I will cast out nations before you and enlarge your borders; no one shall covet your land, when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year. 25 “You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with anything leavened, or let the sacrifice of the Feast of the Passover remain until the morning. 26 The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring to the house of the LORD your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

1) Re-read v.21. Is the command to take rest even in plowing and harvest seasons difficult for farmers? Why?

2) Think of any important benefits that came from gathering at the tabernacle/temple for feasts (forgiveness, fellowship, etc)

3) What sort of benefits come from gathering with fellow believers today? (Hint: think of things like weekly services, but also of large conferences, smaller groups, and everything in between!)

4) Ask for the Spirit to work His unity in your family, congregation, and community so that the saints might be built up in Christ

Wednesday (11/18/2026)

The Lord who provides spiritual life will certainly provide for our physical needs, even if we must perish & await His return.

Philippians 4:12–13 (ESV) — 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1) Share about a time in your life when you were brought low. How did the Lord sustain you and your faith?

2) Share about a time in your life when you were abounding. How did the Lord sustain you and your faith?

3) What temptations to turn from Christ come in times of need? How about in times of plenty?

4) What sort of things does Christ strengthen you to do? What strength should we especially ask for?

Prayer or praise requests that you want featured for next week? Text or call Pastor Joe any time!

Thursday (11/19/2026)

True Christianity flows from the life that Christ won for us bubbling over into love, justice, & mercy towards others.

Isaiah 63:7–9 (ESV) — 7 I will recount the steadfast love of the LORD, the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. 8 For he said, “Surely they are my people, children who will not deal falsely.” And he became their Savior. 9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

1) Re-read v.9. Give three examples of the Lord carrying this out for Israel, then three examples of Christ doing this saving.

2) Re-read v.7. What examples of the steadfast love of the Lord can you testify to in word and/or song?

3) Sing now a song of praise to your Savior-King and His love for you, His people, and those He continues to call.

Friday (11/20/2026)

Christ made it clear that the world is not our friend, but also that He would overcome the world.

John 16:19–20 (ESV) — 19 Jesus knew that they wanted to ask him, so he said to them, “Is this what you are asking yourselves, what I meant by saying, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? 20 Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.

1) Why did the world rejoice when Christ was killed? Why does the world rejoice now when Christ is hidden & His people harmed?

2) Despite this hatred from the world, how often do you find yourself trying to be like the world around you? Give examples.

3) How does the Christian life continue to be a cycle of sorrow turning to joy? (Repentance into faith; present age into eternity)

Saturday (11/21/2026)

Authority is a good gift from God and even wicked authorities can be endured as He provides strength.

Romans 13:1–7 (ESV) — 1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

1) What part of being subject to authority do you not like? (Parental rules, taxes, speed limits, etc.) Why?

2) Was the Roman emperor during the time Paul wrote this friendly or unfriendly towards Christians?

3) Discuss the merits of the American Revolution in light of this passage. (Why it happened, if it was justified, etc.)

4) Ask for strength in obeying (non-sinful) commands from all kinds of authorities who are over you (for your good).

Sunday (11/22/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Call out for His will to be done in you, your family, your community, your congregation, and the world.

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.

CTK Family Devotions Week #167

The Final Chapter: Pride, Repentance, and Living Faith (8/23) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 42)

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 (11/23/2026)

The wrongdoing of a brother should pain us all to the point that we earnestly seek to correct, forgive, & restore him.

2 Corinthians 2:5–8 (ESV) — 5 Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to all of you. 6 For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him.

1) What was the last thing that hurt an entire group that you are a part of? (Family, congregation, etc.)

2) What makes the Christian love for fallen brothers different from the false religions or worldly groups?

3) Can guilt and shame be good things? Discuss their role in revealing evil, driving people to Christ, etc.

Tuesday (11/24/2026)

The Law of the Lord is good since it is a reflection of His perfectly holy and just character.

Exodus 34:27–28 (ESV) — 27 And the LORD said to Moses, “Write these words, for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.” 28 So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights. He neither ate bread nor drank water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments.

1) What parts of God’s character are reflected in the Ten Commandments?

2) How does following the character of God lead to benefit for our neighbor?

3) What other examples of 40 days do we see in Scripture? Why is Christ in the wilderness the most important connection to this text?

4) Give thanks to the Lord for providing the perfect righteousness that we need in Christ and in guiding us by His law.

Wednesday (11/25/2026)

Meeting practical needs is a key part of our fellowship in Christ.

Philippians 4:14–16 (ESV) — 14 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.

1) Give three different examples of ways you can support other believers with practical gifts. (Food, donations, etc.)

2) Is meeting practical needs the only mission of the church? How does it connect to its main mission of spreading the Gospel?

3) Pull up a map of the Mediterranean / Paul’s journeys. Consider also the lack of technology in Paul’s day. Does that make the gifts sent from Philippi all the more amazing when you think about them having to track Paul down?

4) In what ways can we use the gifts of technology & interconnectedness to better support our brothers in Christ?

Prayer or praise requests that you want featured for next week? Text or call Pastor Joe any time!

Thursday (11/26/2026)

The Lord is a mighty ally but a terrible foe to face.

Isaiah 63:10–14 (ESV) — 10 But they rebelled and grieved his Holy Spirit; therefore he turned to be their enemy, and himself fought against them. 11 Then he remembered the days of old, of Moses and his people. Where is he who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of his flock? Where is he who put in the midst of them his Holy Spirit, 12 who caused his glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, who divided the waters before them to make for himself an everlasting name, 13 who led them through the depths? Like a horse in the desert, they did not stumble. 14 Like livestock that go down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD gave them rest. So you led your people, to make for yourself a glorious name.

1) Who is the best fighter you know of in MMA, boxing, or HEMA? What makes them good at their role?

2) What would it be like having that good fighter on your team in a duo match? How about as your enemy?

3) How does sin make us God’s enemies? How can we be moved from enemies to allies?

4) Ask that the Lord would keep you steadfast in His truth & in your faith in His Son, lest He turn & destroy you.

Friday (11/27/2026)

Jesus endured unimaginable suffering so that He could provide unimaginable joy, life, and victory.

John 16:21–22 (ESV) — 21 When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

1) The childbirth analogy could relate to a few parts of Jesus’ work. What might they be? (Death>resurrection; new creation; fulfilled OT promises)

2) Jesus had to endure the full wrath of God in our place on the cross. What strengthened Him? Why’d He do it?

3) How does the resurrection of Christ make Christian funerals a place of both sorrow, hope, & joy?

Saturday (11/28/2026)

Preferences that are matters of conscience should bring us closer together through humility, not divide us in pride.

Romans 14:1–3 (ESV) — 1 As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.

1) Here’s a small joke: re-read v.2. Does this mean that vegans are weak?

2) While we don’t see meat sacrificed to idols often anymore, what sort of divisions are there in the church about abstaining or partaking in certain foods, drinks, or activities that you can think of? (Alcohol, sports, school, etc.)

3) Re-read v.3. What attitude enables this? Does this mean that we should never point out a brother’s sin? (Consider: is their behavior a sin condemned by Scripture, or merely something that bothers your conscience?)

4) If a brother comes to us worried about our behavior, what is the proper response? (Humble consideration of the Word together)

5) Ask that your congregation would be bold enough to discuss life together & humble enough to walk through disagreements that arise.

Sunday (11/29/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Call out for His will to be done in you, your family, your community, your congregation, and the world.

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.

CTK Family Devotions Week #168

The Final Chapter: Pride, Repentance, and Living Faith (9/23) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 42)

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 (11/30/2026)

Satan, the accuser, is foiled when true repentance and forgiveness abounds among the brothers.

2 Corinthians 2:9–11 (ESV) — 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

1) Are there people in your life who would enjoy seeing you fail? Does Satan? Why?

2) What is the answer that we need when we fail? (Forgiveness) What would Satan love for us to never have? (Forgiveness)

3) Make a “battle plan” for this week that focuses on being honest about sin (yours and others) while also being zealous & intentional in seeking out forgiveness (for you & others) so that Satan’s plans can be thwarted in Christ.

Tuesday (12/1/2026)

Until the perfect intercessor (Christ) arrived, the glory of God could never provide hope for us as sinful humans.

Exodus 34:29–33 (ESV) — 29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 30 Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses talked with them. 32 Afterward all the people of Israel came near, and he commanded them all that the LORD had spoken with him in Mount Sinai. 33 And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face.

1) This discussion about Moses’ veil comes up in the New Testament. Race to find out where & what it means. (Around 2 Cor 3:15)

2) Where else in the New Testament does glowing radiance get featured alongside Moses? (Jesus’ transfiguration)

3) Considering all of this, how then does Jesus serve as the New and Greater Moses who unites glory, justice, and grace?

4) Sing about turning your eyes upon Jesus as you praise His steadfast love and faithfulness to all generations.

Wednesday (12/2/2026)

Temporary wealth is best used to proclaim the eternal Gospel of Christ.

Philippians 4:17–18 (ESV) — 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.

1) What is a gift that keeps on giving? Have you received or given such a gift? Share about it.

2) How were the supplies and/or funds that the Philippian congregation sent converted into an offering for God?

3) How are physical gifts given to the local congregation used to further the Gospel? Think about a variety of ways, such as a building to meet in, food to keep people alive, a pastor to equip the saints, Bible distribution, etc.

4) Even though some have sinfully misused gifts given to the church, is it still important to share your time, talents, and treasures with the local congregation? Why? Give some specific examples of how you have done (& will do) this.

Prayer or praise requests that you want featured for next week? Text or call Pastor Joe any time!

Thursday (12/3/2026)

The compassion of the Lord is for more than the bloodline of Abraham.

Isaiah 63:15–19 (ESV) — 15 Look down from heaven and see, from your holy and beautiful habitation. Where are your zeal and your might? The stirring of your inner parts and your compassion are held back from me. 16 For you are our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not acknowledge us; you, O LORD, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. 17 O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes of your heritage. 18 Your holy people held possession for a little while; our adversaries have trampled down your sanctuary. 19 We have become like those over whom you have never ruled, like those who are not called by your name.

1) Do you know (or have you heard about) anyone who has been disowned by their family? What caused it? What’s their life like?

2) Does this text sound like a confident child of the promised people or a lamenting lost son? Explain your answer.

3) What parable that Jesus told could help give comfort to this “lost son” in his trials? (A father runs to greet a son…)

4) Ask that the Lord would not forsake you, but would hunt you down in your sin and redeem you once again so that you might live.

Friday (12/4/2026)

Jesus graciously invites us to seek Him in all things that He might equip us.

John 16:23–24 (ESV) — 23 In that day you will ask nothing of me. Truly, truly, I say to you, whatever you ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24 Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

1) What does it mean to ask for something in Jesus’ name? (Bonus points if you answer with Luther’s Small Catechism)

2) How does anchoring your requests to Christ’s work for you affect the nature and content of your prayers?

3) What sort of things might the Lord provide when you ask for strength? Wisdom? Peace? Patience? Justice?

4) For this month, keep a prayer journal so you can track both your requests & the ways the Lord answered them.

Saturday (12/5/2026)

Only the grace of our Master can save us, not our odd rituals or personal convictions.

Romans 14:4 (ESV) — 4 Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

1) Reminder: sins clearly condemned by God’s Word should always be revealed so that they can be repented of and forgiven. That being said, what sort of actions might believers disagree on as a matter of conscience? (Movies, games, alcohol, etc.)

2) How is it that the Lord is able to make His people stand? (Our righteousness is not our own, but Christ’s)

3) What then is the greatest threat to the believer? (Actions or attitudes that separate them from Christ and His Word)

4) Is it possible to share an honest concern with a brother about his lifestyle while not turning to judging? Explain.

5) Ask for caring brothers in the faith to help anchor you in Christ’s righteousness and His active Word, even if it means pulling you aside to warn you about the possible dangers of something that you enjoy.

Sunday (12/6/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Call out for His will to be done in you, your family, your community, your congregation, and the world.

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.

CTK Family Devotions Week #169

The Final Chapter: Pride, Repentance, and Living Faith (10/23) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 42)

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 (12/7/2026)

The Lord who sends us all over the world does so to the glory of His name and so that all men might be saved.

2 Corinthians 2:12–14 (ESV) — 12 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, 13 my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedonia. 14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

1) What are some of your favorite smells? What are some smells that you cannot stand?

2) Why is the proclamation like a triumphal procession? Why is it also like a spreading fragrance?

3) Did Paul do something wrong by turning away from an open door the Lord provided? Discuss.

4) How can you “spray” yourself with the fragrance of Christ? Does this mean time in the Word is good for you & others?

Tuesday (12/8/2026)

We so desperately need the restoration of the image of God, since His holiness is entirely foreign to us.

Exodus 34:34–35 (ESV) — 34 Whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would remove the veil, until he came out. And when he came out and told the people of Israel what he was commanded, 35 the people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining. And Moses would put the veil over his face again, until he went in to speak with him.

1) What do you remember from last week’s discussion about Moses’ veil & the removal of the veil through Christ?

2) What sort of veils might lie over your face? (As in, things that prevent you from understanding Scripture or limit your witness toward others)

3) Ask the Lord to remove any obstacles both to your own assurance in Christ & to your impact on others through His Word.

Wednesday (12/9/2026)

We do not have to fear lacking anything truly important for eternity since the Lord provides perfectly.

Philippians 4:19–20 (ESV) — 19 And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

1) So far this week, what needs have you had met? (Physical, spiritual, mental, relational). What are still unmet?

2) How is God glorified in caring for you and His creation? How about in delivering you from sin?

3) Looking ahead, think of some of the needs that will be met as the week goes on. Each time you recognize one of those needs being met, stop and give thanks to the King who provides everything you need for both life and salvation.

Prayer or praise requests that you want featured for next week? Text or call Pastor Joe any time!

Thursday (12/10/2026)

For those who oppose God, His power is terrible to behold, but for those who fear Him, His power is our hope.

Isaiah 64:1–4 (ESV) — 1 Oh that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains might quake at your presence— 2 as when fire kindles brushwood and the fire causes water to boil— to make your name known to your adversaries, and that the nations might tremble at your presence! 3 When you did awesome things that we did not look for, you came down, the mountains quaked at your presence. 4 From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.

1) The tone shifts from lament in chapter 63 to a more acute longing for justice in 64. How are those feelings connected?

2) Re-read v.4. What benefit do those who worship idols gain for trusting in their “gods”? (Think of Elijah & the prophets of Baal)

3) What sort of things might you be tempted to wait on (trust in) instead of the Lord? Big and small.

4) Ask for forgiveness for the little idols that have crept into your life & wait upon the true God who will answer.

Friday (12/11/2026)

Our faith is a result of God’s love and leads to more love towards God and towards others.

John 16:25–27 (ESV) — 25 “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures of speech but will tell you plainly about the Father. 26 In that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; 27 for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

1) What was the last thing that someone did for you that made you feel loved? What have you lovingly done for others recently?

2) How does this passage connect faith and love? Why is it important to keep those two connected?

3) How does God’s love for us produce more love back toward Him? How about towards others?

4) Spend some time listing out all the ways that you know that God loves you. Then, connect this list to practical ways that you can show a similar love to those He has put in your life.

Saturday (12/12/2026)

The Lord will carry out His plans perfectly, both in saving the needy and humbling the mighty.

1) If you want a fun yet difficult challenge, attempt to act out this text as you read through it:

1 Samuel 2:6–11 (ESV) — 6 The LORD kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 The LORD makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts. 8 He raises up the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are the LORD’s, and on them he has set the world. 9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. 10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The LORD will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.” 11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah. And the boy [Samuel] was ministering to the LORD in the presence of Eli the priest.

2) What does this passage teach about God’s character? How does He upend worldly expectations?

3) Ask that you would come as a needy beggar to worship tomorrow so that His Word might light you up with life & forgiveness.

Sunday (12/13/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Call out for His will to be done in you, your family, your community, your congregation, and the world.

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.