CTK Family Devotions Week #85

Main Topic: God Nourishes Us With His Applied Word (2/5) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 36)

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: Sunday night camp fire @ Warner’s

Monday (4/28/2025)

Everything follows after its own kind, so the heavenly One can alone give us heavenly life.

1 Corinthians 15:35–42 (ESV) — 35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” 36 You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. 39 For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. 42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.

1) Talk together about how seeds work, about plants you grew, or when plants grew that you weren’t expecting!

2) What sets apart us as humans, even more than our bodies? (Our eternal souls united to said bodies // image of God)

3) Explain v.42. Who alone has been raised to an imperishable body? Thus, in whose name alone can we find life?

Tuesday (4/29/2025)

Jesus comes to feed us; that is, He works that we may believe, rejoice, rest, and cling to Him alone. (2/4)

John 6:34–40 (ESV) — 34 They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” 35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. 36 But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. 40 For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

1) Do Jesus’ words today help answer any remaining questions from yesterday’s reading? Compare as needed.

2) Why is verse 39 so important for your faith? (We need a Savior who will not forget about us, but lives to save us)

3) Spend time giving Jesus thanks for His faithful feeding of faith that will lead to life everlasting!

Wednesday (4/30/2025)

It is foolish to think that we can hide our wickedness from God. His judgment, like His love, searches high & low.

Psalm 36:title–6 (ESV) —  TO THE CHOIRMASTER. OF DAVID, THE SERVANT OF THE LORD. 1 Transgression speaks to the wicked deep in his heart; there is no fear of God before his eyes. 2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated. 3 The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit; he has ceased to act wisely and do good. 4 He plots trouble while on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject evil. 5 Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. 6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O LORD.

1) Share about a time you got caught breaking the rules. Did you think you could get away with it? Why?

2) Is the fact that we don’t see all of the sins in each other’s heart a good thing? Why or why not? Does God see?

3) What alone is the answer to the always vigilant justice of God? (His all-seeking love that brings us forgiveness!)

RSVP now to Family Supper if you haven’t! Use online form (link at end) or text/call Joe

Thursday (5/1/2025)

God’s people (especially His prophets and apostles) are called to proclaim His nourishing Word faithfully. (2/5)

1 Peter 5:1–4 (ESV) — 1 So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.

1) What does a shepherd do? In what way is a pastor’s ministry similar? (Daily, angry sheep, enemies, etc.)

2) What are important things for a pastor to be an example of? (family, time in Word, rest, diligence, etc.)

3) Pray for the pastors who labor that you might know Christ. Consider current ones, past ones, & community ones!

Friday (5/2/2025)

A day of resting and reflecting on God’s Word is important because it is how God restores and strengthens us.

Isaiah 58:13–14 (ESV) — 13 “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the LORD honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; 14 then you shall take delight in the LORD, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

1) Why do congregations meet on Sundays? (Christ rose then) Is Sunday the only day we should listen to God?

2) What are some distractions that can keep us from hearing God’s Word on Sunday? How about on other days?

3) Come up with a practical plan to feast on God’s Word daily AND to remove any distractions from your Sundays.

Saturday (5/3/2025)

The work of proclaiming Christ gives us purpose and strength as we endure this broken world.

John 4:27–38 (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. 31 Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. 35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. 36 Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. 37 For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’ 38 I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”

1) What is more important: eating your next meal or telling someone about Jesus? (Think carefully about it…)

2) Why did Jesus entrust the Gospel to His church? (So that others might join His family and be saved)

3) If you had an abundance of food, would you share it? Will you share about the abundance of grace Christ gives?

Sunday (5/4/2025) – Prayer and Praise Requests

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

2) Keep the students and adults preparing for FLY in your prayers. This includes the staff planning the event!

3) Praise God for the student-led Bible studying going on at PAS library during Wed. lunch.

4) Praise God for the blessings of planting season and the safety given during the busyness of it all.

Family Study @ Warner’s (Campfire night!) WEATHER PERMITTING (6/1 backup)

- Meet to carpool from CTK at 4:30pm or arrive right at their house by 5pm.

- Games, food, and a lesson will fill up our time between 5 and 6:30pm.

- QR code to RSVP before Thursday (or call/text Joe):

CTK Family Devotions Week #86

Main Topic: God Nourishes Us With His Applied Word (3/5) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 36)

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: NO studies Sunday (Mother’s Day)

Monday (5/5/2025)

When God plants His life in you by His Word, He then protects you as you grow in His righteousness.

Isaiah 54:11–17 (ESV) — 11 “O afflicted one, storm-tossed and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. 12 I will make your pinnacles of agate, your gates of carbuncles, and all your wall of precious stones. 13 All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children. 14 In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. 15 If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you. 16 Behold, I have created the smith who blows the fire of coals and produces a weapon for its purpose. I have also created the ravager to destroy; 17 no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, declares the LORD.”

1) Share if you’ve had something you were growing eaten by an animal (Or something you were saving in the fridge eaten)

2) Re-read verse 14. How does God establish us in righteousness today? (In Christ) How does that still our fears?

3) Do these verses mean that we can run into battle & not be killed? What do they mean? (He declares us righteous!)

Tuesday (5/6/2025)

God feeds all of creation because of His mercy, but His special favor rests on those who’ve come to trust in Him.

Psalm 147:7–11 (ESV) — 7 Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre! 8 He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. 9 He gives to the beasts their food, and to the young ravens that cry. 10 His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the legs of a man, 11 but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.

1) Make a song out of these verses and sing it together. Actions may make it more memorable!

2) How does God provide food for His creation? How does He provide food for you? Why does He do this?

3) Re-read (or re-sing) verse 11. Ask for a heart that will treasure that verse and its meaning in the coming days.

Wednesday (5/7/2025)

We always need more of the solid food of God’s Word that deepens our knowledge of our sin & of his grace.

Hebrews 5:11–14 (ESV) — 11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

1) Have parents (or older siblings) share about when you first started eating food OR any current picky food habits.

2) What are some of the basics of the Christian faith? Why is it important to start and continue in these things?

3) What are some more advanced things you may encounter in Scripture? Are they worth studying too?

4) Could studying something advanced/narrow ever accidentally shift your focus away from Christ? How?

5) Consider what key truths from Scripture you need to solidify & then ponder what teachings you want to learn about more.

NO studies this week. Spend quality time honoring and serving the mothers in your life!

Thursday (5/8/2025)

God’s people (especially His prophets and apostles) are called to proclaim His nourishing Word faithfully. (3/5)

Jeremiah 17:15–18 (ESV) — 15 Behold, they say to me, “Where is the word of the LORD? Let it come!” 16 I have not run away from being your shepherd, nor have I desired the day of sickness. You know what came out of my lips; it was before your face. 17 Be not a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster. 18 Let those be put to shame who persecute me, but let me not be put to shame; let them be dismayed, but let me not be dismayed; bring upon them the day of disaster; destroy them with double destruction!

1) Have you ever been afraid to do something you were asked to do? (Chores, meeting new people, taking tests, etc.)

2) What can make sharing God’s Word (to friends, as a pastor or missionary, etc.) difficult? Is it still worth sharing?

3) List out some people you can share God’s Word with this weekend (even those who’ve heard it before). Be bold!

Friday (5/92025)

Many hear the Gospel repeatedly, and yet are little affected because they are not led by the good Spirit of God.

Romans 7:16–20 (ESV) — 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

1) Have you ever felt the tension that Paul writes about above? (Knowing what’s right, but being unable to do it)

2) As such, why is it so important that God continues to send His Spirit through His Word to bring us to Jesus?

3) Ask for God to once again reveal your sin and apply His grace to you. Then, ask Him to do the same for others!

Saturday (5/10/2025)

The Lord feeds His people with abundant life and rivers of living water that flow from Christ.

Psalm 36:7–12 (ESV) — 7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings. 8 They feast on the abundance of your house, and you give them drink from the river of your delights. 9 For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light. 10 Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you, and your righteousness to the upright of heart! 11 Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. 12 There the evildoers lie fallen; they are thrust down, unable to rise.

1) What would happen if you went six days without food? What about six days without water?

2) Do you ever go six days (or more) without hearing God’s Word? How can that be just as dangerous as above?

3) Share personal examples of how God’s Word nourishes, refreshes, or strengthens you. Be specific!

Sunday (5/11/2025) – Prayer and Praise Requests (Mother’s Day)

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

2) Keep the students and adults preparing for FLY in your prayers. This includes the staff planning the event!

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

4) Praise God for the blessings of planting season and the safety given during the busyness of it all

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

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