CTK Family Devotions Week #118

Main Topic: Doctrine Is Defended By Teaching and Love (10/17) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 39)

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 (12/15/2025)

Although we need the support of the body of Christ, our ultimate hope and strength lies in the Lord Himself.

2 Timothy 4:16–22 (ESV) — 16 At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 19 Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. 21 Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. 22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.

1) If you were falsely taken to court, how many of your friends/family could show up to testify to your good character?

2) Paul makes it seem easy to forgive those who “flaked” on him. How can he do this? (He was forgiven, Lord gave strength)

3) In what ways is our salvation like a rescue story? What evil are you most excited to be rescued from?

Tuesday (12/16/2025)

The piercing Word of God that saves those who trust in Christ will also judge the world’s wickedness.

Revelation 2:11–17 (ESV) — 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’ 12 “And to the angel of the church in Pergamum write: ‘The words of him who has the sharp two-edged sword. 13 “ ‘I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you hold fast my name, and you did not deny my faith even in the days of Antipas my faithful witness, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. 14 But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. 15 So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. 16 Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth. 17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone, with a new name written on the stone that no one knows except the one who receives it.’

1) What is your favorite kind of sword? How about your favorite kind of gun? Weapon in general?

2) Are weapons a good thing? (When used against evil) How does God’s Word work like a sword? (Cuts to heart)

3) Ask for God to reveal any false teachings you might be holding on to. Then, ask for forgiveness and strength.

Wednesday (12/17/2025)

The blessings that we have been given we can in turn use to bless others.

2 Corinthians 9:7–11 (ESV) — 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” 10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.

1) How much money would you need to have in the bank right now to feel comfortable for the rest of your life?

2) Will our current form of money always be valuable? What value will it have for you once you are dead?

3) Together, make a list of practical ways your money can be used for the good of others. Then, look for opportunities to share when you see others’ needs and discover that you have been given extra so you can help.

Thursday (12/18/2025)

God’s plan to deliver all of mankind might include putting us on a better path that we did not originally expect.

Acts 16:6–10 (ESV) — 6 And they went through the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been forbidden by the Holy Spirit to speak the word in Asia. 7 And when they had come up to Mysia, they attempted to go into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not allow them. 8 So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” 10 And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.

1) Have you ever been driving with a GPS guiding you, only for it to reroute you mid-journey? Did it help?

2) Were there any times in life where you ended up on a path different than your plans? Did God use it for good?

3) Take time to thank God for the way in which He uses both good and bad times to guide us back to His grace.

Friday (12/19/2025)

Caring for one another will involve lots of labor, but it is worth it to support the saints & the message of Christ.

Titus 3:12–15 (ESV) — 12 When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13 Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. 14 And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. 15 All who are with me send greetings to you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.

1) What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do in school? At work? At church? At home? What made them hard?

2) What is your life about: doing what is best for you, or doing what is best for those God has given you to love? Explain.

3) What are other examples of hard but important things you may have to do for each of the places listed in Q1?

4) If you realized that many people have worked hard in many ways to love & care for you, make sure to thank them!

Saturday (12/20/2025)

The Lord’s judgment can be carried out even through nations that do not fear Him, so we must seek His mercy!

Isaiah 5:25–30 (ESV) — 25 Therefore the anger of the LORD was kindled against his people, and he stretched out his hand against them and struck them, and the mountains quaked; and their corpses were as refuse in the midst of the streets. For all this his anger has not turned away, and his hand is stretched out still. 26 He will raise a signal for nations far away, and whistle for them from the ends of the earth; and behold, quickly, speedily they come! 27 None is weary, none stumbles, none slumbers or sleeps, not a waistband is loose, not a sandal strap broken; 28 their arrows are sharp, all their bows bent, their horses’ hoofs seem like flint, and their wheels like the whirlwind. 29 Their roaring is like a lion, like young lions they roar; they growl and seize their prey; they carry it off, and none can rescue. 30 They will growl over it on that day, like the growling of the sea. And if one looks to the land, behold, darkness and distress; and the light is darkened by its clouds.

1) Did Israel’s status as God’s chosen people protect them from His just wrath over their sin? Explain.

2) Does your status as your parents’ son or daughter mean it is more or less likely that they will discipline you when act up?

3) In what ways has the Lord disciplined His people? What is the end goal of His discipline? (To restore us)

4) In what ways has the Lord disciplined you? Come ready to hear about the Gospel of restoration tomorrow!

Sunday (12/21/2025) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Praise God for His endless mercy that is new every morning. Pray also for holiday travelers!

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

NO STUDIES OVER CHRISTMAS BREAK

Next studies: 1/4 Family Christmas party at CTK, then 1/11 Youth Christmas party at Larson’s