CTK Family Devotions Week #137

Rule for Holy Living #12: Love Your Neighbor By Seeking His Redemption! — (True Christianity Chapter 40)

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 (4/27/2026)

We can boldly proclaim the Gospel to everyone we meet since Christ died for the sins of the entire world.

Ephesians 3:1–6 (ESV) — 1 For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles— 2 assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you, 3 how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. 4 When you read this, you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit. 6 This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

1) Have you ever had a time when you felt like an outsider? (Friend group, town, etc) Did you ever “get in” to the group?

2) What makes the revelation that Gentiles can be united to Christ so radical? (They were saved and yet still Gentile)

3) Is there any nationality that you cannot preach the Gospel to? Who in your life could you share Christ with next?

Tuesday (4/28/2026)

A pastor’s conduct & character are important because he seeks to care for God’s flock and draw in outsiders.

1 Timothy 3:1–7 (ESV) — 1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

1) What were the qualifications listed on the job you are currently working (or one you hope to work on day)?

2) How many qualifications are given here for a pastor/overseer? Which ones do you think are most difficult?

3) Why are there so many qualifications for a pastor? (As in, what do these show about him? – his trust in Christ he proclaims)

4) Pray for your pastor, the local pastors of your community, & then pastors across the world. Ask God to strengthen them for service.

Wednesday (4/29/2026)

The Gospel applied to us leads to wonderous things, including generosity, fellowship, and life everlasting.

Acts 2:42–44 (ESV) — 42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. 43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common.

1) What’s the most generous thing someone has ever done for you? How about in the last few weeks?

2) What does it mean to be devoted to something? What are the Christians devoted to here (42)? Do we do those things today?

3) Make a plan for how to devote yourself this week to each of the 4 things listed in v.42, as well as the generosity of v.44.

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

Thursday (4/30/2026)

The hope of our faith is not that this life will be easy, but that the eternal life Christ won for us will be revealed.

1 Peter 4:12–13 (ESV) — 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

1) How would your life be easier if you weren’t a Christian? How would Christians in persecuted countries answer that question?

2) What are some examples of “fiery trials” that you have gone through for Christ? What trials might be coming soon?

3) Ask for a joyful heart that is confident in Christ so that you may endure the hard days & look for His return!

Friday (5/1/2026)

We often misunderstand our neighbors, yet God can still use us to apply the comfort of His promises.

1) This is an interesting account from Scripture. Go ahead and act it out together if you are feeling brave!

1 Samuel 1:12–18 (ESV) — 12 As she continued praying before the LORD, Eli observed her mouth. 13 Hannah was speaking in her heart; only her lips moved, and her voice was not heard. Therefore Eli took her to be a drunken woman. 14 And Eli said to her, “How long will you go on being drunk? Put your wine away from you.” 15 But Hannah answered, “No, my lord, I am a woman troubled in spirit. I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have been pouring out my soul before the LORD. 16 Do not regard your servant as a worthless woman, for all along I have been speaking out of my great anxiety and vexation.” 17 Then Eli answered, “Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition that you have made to him.” 18 And she said, “Let your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad.

2) What does Eli assumption about Hannah’s “drunkenness” at the tabernacle reveal about conditions in Israel?

3) Does our selfishness, gossip, pride, and envy in the church today reveal something about our fallen condition?

4) Who alone is the hope for us broken people, the one who keeps His promises & provides all that we need? (Jesus!)

Saturday (5/2/2026)

Being a leader is not about lording power over others, but sacrificing yourself as you guide them towards Christ.

Nehemiah 5:14–19 (ESV) — 14 Moreover, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year to the thirty-second year of Artaxerxes the king, twelve years, neither I nor my brothers ate the food allowance of the governor. 15 The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration forty shekels of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God. 16 I also persevered in the work on this wall, and we acquired no land, and all my servants were gathered there for the work. 17 Moreover, there were at my table 150 men, Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations that were around us. 18 Now what was prepared at my expense for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people. 19 Remember for my good, O my God, all that I have done for this people.

1) Who are some leaders that you look up to (local & distant)? Why? Who are some leaders that are bad examples? Why?

2) What are duties of leaders in… a class? A workplace? A church? A town? A nation? What do all of them need? (Humility, wisdom, etc)

3) Ask God to grant those good traits to all sorts of leaders through faith in Christ. Pray for the good leaders & the bad ones!

Sunday (5/3/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

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

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

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

NO YOUTH OR FAMILY STUDY TONIGHT

Instead, please take time to pray for (and visit, if able) our confirmation students:

Grayson Lindquist // Keegan Otter // Lauren Steuck // Clifford Rupp // Owen Lindquist

Encourage them as they step into full-on membership at CTK with all the privileges & duties that this entails!

CTK Family Devotions Week #138

Main Topic: Rule for Holy Living #13: Understand Your Own Need! — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 40)

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 (5/4/2026)

Rather than blaming others for our temptations, we must recognize the brokenness of our own sinful hearts.

James 1:12–15 (ESV) — 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

1) After doing something wrong (or stupid), have you ever blamed someone else? (Or witnessed someone blame others?)

2) Where do temptations really come from (v.14)? Why then do we ask God to not lead us into temptation?

3) List out desires you might be easily tempted by (wealth, fame, etc.) so you can “prepare for battle” this week. Use the list as a means of avoiding things that might lead you down a path towards sin, evil, and selfishness.

Tuesday (5/5/2026)

God might allow the brokenness of sin to come full circle in the hard hearts of people who continually reject Him.

Ecclesiastes 7:9–13 (ESV) — 9 Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. 10 Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this. 11 Wisdom is good with an inheritance, an advantage to those who see the sun. 12 For the protection of wisdom is like the protection of money, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it. 13 Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?

1) Have you ever tried helping someone, only to be forced to watch them fail because they refused to listen? Share.

2) Re-read v.10. What does this remind us about glamourizing the past and not faithfully serving in the present?

3) How can anger lead to God’s judgment? Specifically, what lies at the heart of lingering anger? (Pride)

4) Ask God for a humble heart that receives His correction, endures tough days, and gives Him all the glory.

Wednesday (5/6/2026)

The foundation of everything that the Christian does is based on the Lordship and grace of Christ Jesus.

Philemon 21–25 (ESV) — 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 At the same time, prepare a guest room for me, for I am hoping that through your prayers I will be graciously given to you. 23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends greetings to you, 24 and so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

1) When was the last time you hosted a guest in your home? Share why they were there & what you did with them

2) How does hospitality connect to our lives as Christians? (Showing grace we’ve received, sharing, evangelism, fellowship)

3) Re-read verse 25. Paul often includes this in his letters. What amazing things can we learn from this one verse?

4) Think of someone you could invite over for a visit, be it short or long. Plan to do so, sharing the love of Christ.

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

Thursday (5/7/2026)

Rather than causing controversy, seek to do what is good for all men & be confident that the Lord will sustain you.

1 Peter 4:14–16 (ESV) — 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.

1) Do you know anyone who has done stupid things, then pretended that people disliked them because of their faith?

2) How does the reputation of Christ suffer when His people are foolish or wicked? Can this hinder evangelism?

3) Ask for forgiveness for times you’ve misrepresented Christ. Seek to gently restore other believers caught in foolish sin.

Friday (5/8/2026)

Hannah’s supernatural gift of a son was still carried out through faithful love shown in marriage (as intended).

1 Samuel 1:19–20 (ESV) — 19 They rose early in the morning and worshiped before the LORD; then they went back to their house at Ramah. And Elkanah knew Hannah his wife, and the LORD remembered her. 20 And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the LORD.”

1) What are some of your favorite miracles recorded in the Bible? Why? Any that make you uncomfortable?

2) Although there is a miraculous side of God allowing Hannah to conceive, was Samuel made like any other baby?

3) Why is it important to see husband & wife faithfully loving each other (and giving credit to God) while having kids?

Saturday (5/9/2026)

Publicly reading God’s Word is important, as is explaining that Word so that everyone might understand it.

1) This is a lengthy passage. Ready yourself mentally to walk through it and see its importance!

Nehemiah 8:1–8 (ESV) — 1 And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the LORD had commanded Israel. 2 So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. 3 And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. 4 And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. 6 And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. 8 They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

2) Re-read verse 8. Is this what you are doing when you go through these devotions? When else do you do this?

3) Ask for God’s Word to do the work He intends to do tomorrow at the congregational gathering (and for understanding!)

Sunday (5/10/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

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

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

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

No studies tonight. However, please take time to honor the mothers in your life! Some possible ideas include:

   - A coupon book that mom can use to “delegate” chores she usually does so she can get rest/a break

   - A massage gift card and the promise that you’ll work on projects (cleaning, prepping, etc.) while she is there

   - A series of simple notes reminding her that you love & appreciate her that you can give over the coming weeks

   - A “planning session” to get her in touch with friends + covering any duties she may miss when she visits them

   - A willing & obedient heart that listens to what she asks the 1st time + being quick to apologize when you don’t!