CTK Family Devotions Week #98

Topic: True doctrine produces faith, love, & life eternal (3/13) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 38)

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 (7/28/2025)

Seeing the incorruptible resurrection of Christ gives us hope that we too will rise like Him one day if we are His.

Acts 13:32–39 (ESV) — 32 And we bring you the good news that what God promised to the fathers, 33 this he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, “ ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you.’ 34 And as for the fact that he raised him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, he has spoken in this way, “ ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings of David.’ 35 Therefore he says also in another psalm, “ ‘You will not let your Holy One see corruption.’ 36 For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid with his fathers and saw corruption, 37 but he whom God raised up did not see corruption. 38 Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.

1) What makes David & Jesus similar? What makes them different (see v.35–37). Does that matter? Why?

2) How does faith in Christ free us in a way the Law never could? (It unites us to Him, rather than revealing sin)

3) Have you recently heard about “what God promised to the fathers” and why it matters to us? If so, share now.

Tuesday (7/29/2025)

God’s patience with a world that constantly rejects Him reveals just how merciful He is to choose to save anyone!

Romans 9:19–24 (ESV) — 19 You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” 20 But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” 21 Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use? 22 What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, 23 in order to make known the riches of his glory for vessels of mercy, which he has prepared beforehand for glory— 24 even us whom he has called, not from the Jews only but also from the Gentiles?

1) Share about a time you were upset with something that wasn’t working right (car, wifi, phone, door, toy, etc.)

2) Could God have just given up on mankind after our fall into sin and let us all suffer His righteous wrath? (Yes)

3) Note carefully in 22–23 that, while God worked to prepare vessels of mercy, the rest are already wrath vessels.

4) Take time to praise God that, instead of letting us be destroyed, He faithfully drags us up from death to life!

Wednesday (7/30/2025)

Our God armors Himself to go to war for His perfect justice and to bring His salvation to the ends of the earth.

Isaiah 59:14–18 (ESV) — 14 Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. 15 Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The LORD saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. 16 He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. 17 He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak. 18 According to their deeds, so will he repay, wrath to his adversaries, repayment to his enemies; to the coastlands he will render repayment.

1) Picture God gearing up for battle when you read these verses. What do you see? (Superhero? Military? Knight?)

2) The injustices of 14–15 are still a problem today. Come up with some examples, both local and worldwide.

3) Do the last verses remind you of the armor of God we have? This makes God our champion who fights for us!

Planning to attend VBS or have any prayer requests you want added? Let Pastor Joe know!

Thursday (7/31/2025)

It is a horrible thing to, after having known Christ, choose to reject Him and return to the brokenness of sin.

2 Peter 2:17–22 (ESV) — 17 These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. 18 For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. 21 For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 22 What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”

1) Share about a time where you got dirty just after getting clean (or your dog did, a room did, etc.) Was it frustrating?

2) Give some examples of sins that promise freedom but are actually slavery. What makes these so dangerous?

3) Ask God to preserve you and all His people from returning to the brokenness He died to deliver us from.

Friday (8/1/2025)

Sometimes we foolishly reject the good truth of God’s Word because we feel personally attacked.

1 Kings 22:13–18 (ESV) — 13 And the messenger who went to summon Micaiah said to him, “Behold, the words of the prophets with one accord are favorable to the king. Let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.” 14 But Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, what the LORD says to me, that I will speak.” 15 And when he had come to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?” And he answered him, “Go up and triumph; the LORD will give it into the hand of the king.” 16 But the king said to him, “How many times shall I make you swear that you speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the LORD?” 17 And he said, “I saw all Israel scattered on the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd. And the LORD said, ‘These have no master; let each return to his home in peace.’ ” 18 And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “Did I not tell you that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil?”

1) Have you ever had to say something important that might’ve been hard for others to take (or seen this happen)?

2) Is it important for a pastor (and all Christians) to speak the full counsel of God, even if that means speaking harsh words against sin and warnings about judgment? Consider when you may be called to speak hard truths

3) The king of Israel ignores this word because he takes it personally (18). Is that a good reason to ignore truth?

Saturday (8/2/2025)

The Gospel of Christ is a never-ending fountain that pours out life now and life forever.

John 4:11–14 (ESV) — 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

1) If you had to pick between two air fresheners (same price), would you choose one that lasted 3 days or 300? Why?

2) What is the difference between what Jesus has to offer and what the world has to offer? (How long it lasts!)

3) Knowing that was Jesus gives is better and longer-lasting than all else, why do we struggle to look for it first?

4) Ask God to change your heart to seek His ways first, then to send you out to do good (but temporary) works.

Sunday (8/3/2025) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Pray for students & teachers on break. Ask that they would have time to rest & be with family & in God’s Word

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

3) Ask God to give us wisdom in promoting connections between generations within our congregation.

4) Pray for Tanner, Kynslee, Jordan, and Kenley as they move into full-on membership at CTK post-confirmation.

5) Pray for VBS: lift up all those who are attending, serving, or sending their families.

The final VBS night is coming up next Sunday (8/10). Check out ctkpipestone.com/vbs-2025 for details!

YOU ARE INVITED, BE YE YOUNG OR OLD!

CTK Family Devotions Week #99

Topic: True doctrine produces faith, love, & life eternal (4/13) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 38)

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 (8/4/2025)

Every page of Scripture testifies to the goodness of our God, both in His just judgment & His merciful salvation.

Romans 9:25–29 (ESV) — 25 As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’ ” 26 “And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘sons of the living God.’ ” 27 And Isaiah cries out concerning Israel: “Though the number of the sons of Israel be as the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will be saved, 28 for the Lord will carry out his sentence upon the earth fully and without delay.” 29 And as Isaiah predicted, “If the Lord of hosts had not left us offspring, we would have been like Sodom and become like Gomorrah.”

1) Pick one of the passages Paul quotes and have a race to find it OR work as a team to gather all the references.

2) Now, think about why the passage(s) you found are so important to your life & salvation today (Hope? Promises?)

3) Share about how the Lord has personally carried out these truths in your life (saving, rebuking, restoring, etc.)

Tuesday (8/5/2025)

When you know God’s truth, you will be called upon to share that truth with others, lest they perish forever!

Ezekiel 33:1–9 (ESV) — 1 The word of the LORD came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, 3 and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand. 7 “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.

1) How important is the job of a watchman (person who warns of trouble)? How important are the warnings of God?

2) Who’s been appointed watchman for your congregation? (Pastor/elders) For your family? (Parents) Friends? (You)

3) Ask for boldness in sharing God’s Word & a true love for those who don’t know Him (that you might warn them).

Wednesday (8/6/2025)

God will carry out His promises, both for the judgment of the world & the salvation of those who cling to Him.

2 Peter 3:1–7 (ESV) — 1 This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder, 2 that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles, 3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. 4 They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 5 For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God, 6 and that by means of these the world that then existed was deluged with water and perished. 7 But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.

1) What’s the longest that you’ve had to wait for a package/gift? How’d you feel while waiting vs. when it came?

2) Are there any scoffers today (v.3) that ignore God’s Word (v.2)? Give examples, especially if they are local!

3) How is knowing that everything will be remade a comfort to us now? Rejoice in the hope of Christ’s return!

Planning on coming to VBS this Sunday? Let Pastor Joe know!

Thursday (8/7/2025)

Sometimes the Lord sees fit to punish unbelief and rejection with more confusion, hardness of heart, & destruction.

1 Kings 22:19–23 (ESV) — 19 And Micaiah said, “Therefore hear the word of the LORD: I saw the LORD sitting on his throne, and all the host of heaven standing beside him on his right hand and on his left; 20 and the LORD said, ‘Who will entice Ahab, that he may go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?’ And one said one thing, and another said another. 21 Then a spirit came forward and stood before the LORD, saying, ‘I will entice him.’ 22 And the LORD said to him, ‘By what means?’ And he said, ‘I will go out, and will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.’ And he said, ‘You are to entice him, and you shall succeed; go out and do so.’ 23 Now therefore behold, the LORD has put a lying spirit in the mouth of all these your prophets; the LORD has declared disaster for you.”

1) Have you ever allowed something bad to happen to someone so that they would learn a lesson? Share about it.

2) Is God being wicked by allowing King Ahab (who often rejects him) to hear from a false spirit? Why?

3) Ask God to forgive you for ways you have been ignoring Him. Ask that He would not take away His true Spirit!

Friday (8/8/2025)

The truth of God might be harsh, but it is always better than a lie, since it alone can give us life through Christ.

John 4:15–26 (ESV) — 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.” 16 Jesus said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.” 17 The woman answered him, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, “You are right in saying, ‘I have no husband’; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.” 19 The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” 21 Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. 22 You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. 24 God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” 25 The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

1) Have you ever known someone was lying when you asked them a question (or had your lie busted by someone)?

2) When Jesus says salvation is from the Jews, does He mean the Judaism of today? (No) What does He mean?

3) Since Jesus is the one promised by God from the Jews, He alone is our salvation and the salvation of the world.

Saturday (8/9/2025)

Jesus, the servant-king, endured every ounce of suffering that we deserved so that He might save us.

Hebrews 2:9–13 (ESV) — 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

1) How many people that you know would die for you? How about celebrities or politicians? Why or why not?

2) Did Jesus have to set aside His crown and come and suffer? Why then did He choose to endure God’s wrath?

3) Sing a song of praise together the focuses on the King who suffered in our place to deal with our sins perfectly.

Sunday (8/10/2025) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Pray for students & teachers on break. Ask that they would have time to rest & be with family & in God’s Word

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

3) Ask God to give us wisdom in promoting connections between generations within our congregation.

4) Pray for Tanner, Kynslee, Jordan, and Kenley as they move into full-on membership at CTK post-confirmation.

5) Pray for VBS: lift up all those who are attending, serving, or sending their families.

Tonight will be our final VBS family night at Harmon Park in Pipestone. That means you are invited!

Check out ctkpipestone.com/vbs-2025 for details!

CTK Family Devotions Week #100 (Wow!)

Topic: True doctrine produces faith, love, & life eternal (5/13) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 38)

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 (8/11/2025)

Basing our hope on what we do will only lead to failure and discouragement. Faith alone delivers!

Romans 9:30–33 (ESV) — 30 What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; 31 but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

1) When was the last time you stubbed your toe or tripped? What happened? How angry did you get?

2) How is Jesus a stone of stumbling? (He gives life through faith, not our own righteousness).

3) Why was salvation through faith hard to accept for the Jews (and us)? (We like to think we can save ourselves)

3) What does it mean that we will not be put to shame if we believe in Christ? (He is the eternal Rock we build on)

Tuesday (8/12/2025)

Topics like God’s holiness, the conviction of sin, & atonement are not optional: they’re vital for our Christian life.

Isaiah 6:1–7 (ESV) — 1 In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him stood the seraphim. Each had six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. 3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” 4 And the foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke. 5 And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!” 6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a burning coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 And he touched my mouth and said: “Behold, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

1) If you can, re-enact this scene. Pay attention to every detail. Then, discuss what details stood out to you.

2) What does Isaiah realize here? (He’s a sinner) What does God do? (Remove His sin) How does He do this for you?

3) As a song of praise, sing a song similar to the song of the seraphim (such as the hymn “Holy Holy Holy”)

Wednesday (8/13/2025)

Properly taught, the end times shouldn’t fill us with fear (if we’re in Christ), but should instead focus us on Jesus!

2 Peter 3:8–13 (ESV) — 8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. 9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. 11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.

1) If you’d get $1 billion if you kept on a special wristband for 1k hours, would you? How about 1k days? 1k weeks?

2) Does it seem like God is waiting a long time to usher in Christ’s return and perfection? Why? (To save many)

3) What should our lives look like while we wait for Christ? (Repentance, faith, and love for others). Why?

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

Thursday (8/14/2025)

The truth will always be revealed and God’s truth will always prevail, even if it deals with the destruction of evil.

1 Kings 22:24–28 (ESV) — 24 Then Zedekiah the son of Chenaanah came near and struck Micaiah on the cheek and said, “How did the Spirit of the LORD go from me to speak to you?” 25 And Micaiah said, “Behold, you shall see on that day when you go into an inner chamber to hide yourself.” 26 And the king of Israel said, “Seize Micaiah, and take him back to Amon the governor of the city and to Joash the king’s son, 27 and say, ‘Thus says the king, “Put this fellow in prison and feed him meager rations of bread and water, until I come in peace.” ’ ” 28 And Micaiah said, “If you return in peace, the LORD has not spoken by me.” And he said, “Hear, all you peoples!”

1) Have you ever ignored advice & gotten into trouble because of that something you were warned about? Share.

2) Instead of listening to God’s prophet, the kings lock him up. What does this show about their view of God?

3) In what ways are you tempted to “lock up” God’s Word, be it promises or warnings? How can you fight this?

4) Ask for ears that are quick to listen to God’s Word and the good advice of others in matters big or small.

Friday (8/15/2025)

The living water of Christ bubbles up out of the soul and cannot help but spread the news about the Savior.

John 4:27–30 (ESV) — 27 Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” 28 So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” 30 They went out of the town and were coming to him.

John 4:39–42 (ESV) — 39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

1) When was the last time someone told you about Jesus? When was the last time you told someone about Jesus?

2) Is guilt a good motivation for sharing about Jesus? What should drive us? (Love, joy, praise for His work in us)

3) Together, come up with realistic ways to share Jesus, both to encourage believers & to call unbelievers to faith.

Saturday (8/16/2025)

The reality of Jesus being fully God and fully man is not some obscure fact: it is vital for our comfort & salvation.

Hebrews 2:14–18 (ESV) — 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

1) Does thinking about Jesus being fully God and fully man seem like something you’d study at seminary? Why?

2) What truths in these verses could help you understand & share about the importance of Christ’s two natures?

3) Ask for a mind that seeks to know and understand God as He has revealed Himself in His Word.

Sunday (8/17/2025) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Keep all those mourning the loss of loved ones close in prayer and in your daily contact.

2) Pray for those going through transitions, whether that is a move, a school change, or a new job.

3) Ask for wisdom in balancing summer scheduling opportunities; consider how you will be spiritually nourished.

4) Pray for safe travels for those sneaking in vacations as summer heads towards a close.

Looking for fall opportunities? Not only do we have Sunday School classes for all ages on Sunday mornings starting on September 14th, but we also have alternating Sunday night gatherings for youth and then for families of all ages. Ask Pastor Joe for a schedule (or follow these devotions for a schedule as we draw near!)

9/7 = Youth night // 9/14 = Family night for all ages

Reminder: Donut judging for out AFLC in Frost, MN on Saturday, 10/23 from 4–8pm! Talk to Joe for info.