CTK Family Devotions Week #144

Main Topic: Restoring God’s Image (4/19) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 41)

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 (6/15/2026)

Instead of lording our righteousness over others, the Law reveals that we need a Savior just as much as anyone.

Romans 2:1–4 (ESV) — 1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

1) What sort of feeling do you get when your class or coworkers get rightly yelled at, but you get praised?

2) In Romans, Paul brings all under condemnation, moving in this section to condemn the reader. Why is this important?

3) Why is it kind for God to convict us of our sin and lead us to repentance? (Because He then can forgive us)

4) Consider carefully ways in which you might be subtly breaking God’s Law, even if it’s “not as bad” as others.

Tuesday (6/16/2026)

A hard heart that refuses to forgive others is at risk of being too hard to be humbled for repentance by the Spirit.

Matthew 6:14–15 (ESV) — 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

1) What was the last thing you forgave someone else for? Was it hard to forgive them and move on?

2) What was the last thing you had to be forgiven for? Was it hard to acknowledge your wrongdoing?

3) What are some examples of sins against you that might be hard to forgive? Must you still forgive these?

4) Ask for God to forgive the hardness of your heart, to lead those who’ve hurt you to repentance, & to strengthen your faith.

Wednesday (6/17/2026)

The Lord was so faithful to His promises that He didn’t let the world’s powers stop Him from freeing His people.

Nehemiah 9:9–15 (ESV) — 9 “And you saw the affliction of our fathers in Egypt and heard their cry at the Red Sea, 10 and performed signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants and all the people of his land, for you knew that they acted arrogantly against our fathers. And you made a name for yourself, as it is to this day. 11 And you divided the sea before them, so that they went through the midst of the sea on dry land, and you cast their pursuers into the depths, as a stone into mighty waters. 12 By a pillar of cloud you led them in the day, and by a pillar of fire in the night to light for them the way in which they should go. 13 You came down on Mount Sinai and spoke with them from heaven and gave them right rules and true laws, good statutes and commandments, 14 and you made known to them your holy Sabbath and commanded them commandments and statutes and a law by Moses your servant. 15 You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger and brought water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and you told them to go in to possess the land that you had sworn to give them.

1) Which sections of the Bible are summarized here? Would you add or remove anything to this summary?

2) Even after witnessing all of these mighty works of God, what happened to this generation of Israelites?

3) Even after seeing all of God’s gracious works towards you, what will happen if you don’t cling to His Word?

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

Thursday (6/18/2026)

The powerful Word of God applies life because Christ tasted death, suffering, and sorrow for us.

John 17:13–19 (ESV) — 13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves. 14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.

1) Re-read the main point. Which verse stresses that truth? (19) How important is that truth?

2) What does verse 17 mean? Give examples of that happening in your life. Are you prioritizing that work?

3) Ask to be sanctified by God’s Word. Set aside time to be in God’s Word at home, on the go, & with other believers.

Friday (6/19/2026)

God calls us to repent, lest we be swept away in judgement by a day of the Lord.

Joel 1:14–16 (ESV) — 14 Consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD. 15 Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, and as destruction from the Almighty it comes. 16 Is not the food cut off before our eyes, joy and gladness from the house of our God?

1) What’s the last day you were very excited for? How about one you were very nervous about or dreading?

2) The day of the Lord has been discussed before. How is that day best described? (Judgment of evil, rescue of righteous)

3) While a fast might be part of your plan, what should you do when you are overwhelmed by sin? (yours or your community’s)

Saturday (6/20/2026)

The Law’s severity should remind us of how far we have fallen and just how much grace we need.

James 2:10–13 (ESV) — 10 For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. 11 For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

1) Share about a time you’ve played a game with unfair or confusing rules. How did it feel?

2) Now, share about a time where you played a game with simple rules that someone kept ignoring. How’d that feel?

3) Are God’s Laws complicated? Are they difficult to keep from the heart perfectly? Why?

4) Is God unjust to punish us for the slightest misstep? Discuss what true justice means.

5) Do you sin because you are a sinner or are you a sinner because you sin? Is your hope in stopping sin or being saved from it?

6) Ask God to carry out His saving work on you through His Word both now and tomorrow in the congregation.

Sunday (6/21/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Pray that this summer would be an opportunity to spend more time in God’s Word as a family & at Bible camps.

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.

No evening studies tonight.

Please be in prayer for our sister churches around the world.

CTK Family Devotions Week #145

Main Topic: Restoring God’s Image (5/19) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 41)

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 (6/22/2026)

Only a restored image of God in us seeks after eternal things, so we need life from outside of ourselves.

Romans 2:5–11 (ESV) — 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.

1) Is there anyone who has done verse 7 perfectly other than Jesus? Explain. What part of v8 makes v7 hard?

2) Is verse 11 good news, bad news, or some of both? Explain.

3) Think carefully how your actions this week can reflect both “patience in well-doing” and a desire for immortality.

Tuesday (6/23/2026)

The cutting work of the Law should lead us to humbly correct our brothers while we also soberly judge ourselves.

Matthew 7:1–6 (ESV) — 1 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. 6 “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

1) Have you ever tried to correct someone, only to be corrected yourself? Share. How did it feel?

2) Re-read v5. How does this reminder keep us from the opposite errors of “never rebuking” and “hypocritical” judgment?

3) Ask for discernment not just in your own life, but also for looking clearly at the lives of those you’re called to guide.

Wednesday (6/24/2026)

The mercy and grace of God are greater than anything we can imagine.

1) As you read this text, note on one hand the actions of the people, and on the other God’s actions towards them.

Nehemiah 9:16–21 (ESV) — 16 “But they and our fathers acted presumptuously and stiffened their neck and did not obey your commandments. 17 They refused to obey and were not mindful of the wonders that you performed among them, but they stiffened their neck and appointed a leader to return to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and did not forsake them. 18 Even when they had made for themselves a golden calf and said, ‘This is your God who brought you up out of Egypt,’ and had committed great blasphemies, 19 you in your great mercies did not forsake them in the wilderness. The pillar of cloud to lead them in the way did not depart from them by day, nor the pillar of fire by night to light for them the way by which they should go. 20 You gave your good Spirit to instruct them and did not withhold your manna from their mouth and gave them water for their thirst. 21 Forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell.

2) What did you find in your comparison of actions? What does that reveal about humanity? About God?

3) Make a similar list of actions that God has done (and is doing) for you. What will your response be?

Have requests for food or activities for this week’s youth-only study at CTK? Let Pastor Joe know!

Thursday (6/25/2026)

Christ’s mercy and grace towards us is also greater than anything we can imagine.

John 17:20–23 (ESV) — 20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

1) Why is verse 20 so amazing? (Jesus is praying for us!) Do you often think about Jesus loving us so dearly?

2) What does Jesus desire for us? Based on what He said earlier in John 17, what means does He use to make this happen?

3) Thank Jesus together for His concern for you even as He prepared Himself to suffer and die for your sins.

Friday (6/26/2026)

In our most desperate hour, our eyes are often refocused on the only One who can truly save us.

Joel 1:17–20 (ESV) — 17 The seed shrivels under the clods; the storehouses are desolate; the granaries are torn down because the grain has dried up. 18 How the beasts groan! The herds of cattle are perplexed because there is no pasture for them; even the flocks of sheep suffer. 19 To you, O LORD, I call. For fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and flame has burned all the trees of the field. 20 Even the beasts of the field pant for you because the water brooks are dried up, and fire has devoured the pastures of the wilderness.

1) How often do your prayers begin with the desperation of verse 19? Explain when they might (how bad is it).

2) Even though it did not deserve it, our fall into sin shattered creation and caused it to suffer. How does this passage show that?

3) The brokenness that Adam as head brought into all of creation will be undone by Christ, the new and greater Adam. Share which aspects of the restoration of creation that you are most looking forward to at Christ’s return.

Saturday (6/27/2026)

As the image of God has been broken, so also has the beautiful power of the tongue been corrupted by our pride.

James 3:1–6 (ESV) — 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. 4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.

1) Try to speak some tongue-twisters together. OR Try to sing some songs while sticking your tongue out.

2) What makes the tongue so powerful? Make a list of what the tongue/speech can do, both good and bad.

3) Use your tongue to ask for forgiveness, give praise to God, and ask for His Word to be on your tongue always.

Sunday (6/28/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Pray that this summer would be an opportunity to spend more time in God’s Word as a family & at Bible camps.

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.

Tonight will be a youth-only study at Christ the King. Students entering 7th grade through college are welcome. Arrive anytime 4:30pm onwards. Main activities start at 5pm and run until 6:30pm.

Food, fellowship, games, and a lesson time in God’s Word. Invite a friend or two to join in on the fun.

CTK Family Devotions Week #146

Main Topic: Restoring God’s Image (6/19) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 41)

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 (6/29/2026)

Ignorance of God’s Law will never work as an excuse for committing sin and evil.

Romans 2:12–16 (ESV) — 12 For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 14 For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them 16 on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.

1) If you got pulled over for speeding, do you think the officer wouldn’t give you a ticket if you said you didn’t know the limit? Explain

2) Re-read v15. What are cultural examples of the law/conscience at work even in unbelievers? (Adultery bad, greed bad, etc)

3) When sharing the Gospel, how can you use the example of conscience as a path to showing off sin before pointing to Christ? Think of at least one person you can do that with when the opportunity comes up this week.

Tuesday (6/30/2026)

Only Christ has the authority to restore the broken image of God, since He alone can cover us in His perfection.

Matthew 7:28–8:4 (ESV) — 28 And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, 29 for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. 1 When he came down from the mountain, great crowds followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” 3 And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a proof to them.”

1) What medical advice would you trust more: tips from a TikTok influencer or tips from your doctor? Why?

2) Who has ultimate authority over spiritual and physical health? Where do we go to hear from Him?

3) Ask for a heart ready to submit to Christ’s ways, to be led by His authority, and to encourage others with His truth.

Wednesday (7/1/2026)

God has every right to judge sinful humanity, even at the hands of other broken humans.

Nehemiah 9:22–25 (ESV) — 22 “And you gave them kingdoms and peoples and allotted to them every corner. So they took possession of the land of Sihon king of Heshbon and the land of Og king of Bashan. 23 You multiplied their children as the stars of heaven, and you brought them into the land that you had told their fathers to enter and possess. 24 So the descendants went in and possessed the land, and you subdued before them the inhabitants of the land, the Canaanites, and gave them into their hand, with their kings and the peoples of the land, that they might do with them as they would. 25 And they captured fortified cities and a rich land, and took possession of houses full of all good things, cisterns already hewn, vineyards, olive orchards and fruit trees in abundance. So they ate and were filled and became fat and delighted themselves in your great goodness.

1) What was the greatest victory you’ve ever achieved in a game? (video, board, sport, etc.) How about the worst defeat?

2) This recalls a great victory for Israel, but a loss for the Canaanites. Was God being unfair during this time? Explain.

3) What are earthly kingdom/religions that may have to fall for the Gospel to spread further? (Islam, Judaism, communism, etc)

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

Thursday (7/2/2026)

The restoration of the image of God includes a restoration of true love, not our inadequate substitutes.

John 17:24–26 (ESV) — 24 Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. 25 O righteous Father, even though the world does not know you, I know you, and these know that you have sent me. 26 I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.”

1) How does our culture define love? How would you define love? How does God define love, since He IS love?

2) How are the knowledge of Christ and the reflection of His love connected? Thus, how do gain both?

3) Ask that the Lord would continue His work on your heart as you know Him through His Word & love His people daily.

Friday (7/3/2026)

Judgment for rebellion will occur even in places where the Lord was once worshipped in truth.

Joel 2:1–3 (ESV) — 1 Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near, 2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations. 3 Fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but behind them a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them.

1) What’s the holiest place you can think of? Would God hesitate to wipe it out if people there rejected Him?

2) Where is this judgment in Joel taking place? Does that mean God forgot His promises? (No, His people rejected Him)

3) Can the Lord cause a place condemned by His wrath to one day be restored? Give examples & explain how He does this.

Saturday (7/4/2026) – Independence Day

Instead of using our freedom for evil, we ought to ask for a pure heart that pours out good words & actions.

James 3:7–12 (ESV) — 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water.

1) What sort of animals have you tamed? Share stories of experiences, good or bad, you had while doing this.

2) What does James have to say about our tongues? What does that reveal about our current human condition?

3) How does Christ turn us from hypocrites with evil tongues to people who proclaim him & sing His praise? Ask that this would be done for you tomorrow in congregational worship & always as He convicts, restores, & guides you by His Word.

Sunday (7/5/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Pray that this summer would be an opportunity to spend more time in God’s Word as a family & at Bible camps.

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.

No studies tonight.

Lift up our nation in prayer, asking God to bring us all to repentance and faith!

CTK Family Devotions Week #147

Main Topic: Restoring God’s Image (7/19) — (True Christianity Book 1, Chapter 41)

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 (7/6/2026)

Only the perfect righteousness of Christ that comes through faith can restore what was broken, not bloodlines.

Romans 2:17–24 (ESV) — 17 But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth— 21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

1) What sort of reputation does your family have? Do you have the same reputation, or a different one? Explain.

2) What issues is Paul attempting to correct here? (Thinking salvation is by lineage, not allegiance) Can this happen in the church?

3) Look carefully in God’s Word during your devos this week for ways in which you have broken the Law & how Christ is restoring you

Tuesday (7/7/2026)

The restoration of the image of God is accomplished through the powerful & active Word of God.

Matthew 8:5–13 (ESV) — 5 When he had entered Capernaum, a centurion came forward to him, appealing to him, 6 “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, suffering terribly.” 7 And he said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. 11 I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 And to the centurion Jesus said, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” And the servant was healed at that very moment.

1) Has someone ever surprised you by surpassing your expectations? How about disappointed you by falling short?

2) Why is Jesus so amazed at this Roman solider? Is the soldier’s assumption about Christ’s authority correct & logical?

3) Ask for a faith that rests confidently on the mercy of Christ and the power of His living & active Word.

Wednesday (7/8/2026)

The old nature delights in turning back to wickedness, while our perfect God delights in delivering us.

Nehemiah 9:26–27 (ESV) — 26 “Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies. 27 Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies.

1) What book of the Bible is being summarized here? Would you add anything else to this summary?

2) Take turns “casting” things behind your back. How did Israel do this with God’s law? How do you do the same?

3) What does it take to collect something you’ve tossed behind your back? How is repentance like this?

Have requests for food or activities for this week’s youth-only study at CTK? Let Pastor Joe know!

Thursday (7/9/2026)

Even more unmovable than the mountains, our God who was and is and is to come has an eternal name.

Deuteronomy 32:1–4 (ESV) — 1 “Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak, and let the earth hear the words of my mouth. 2 May my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, like gentle rain upon the tender grass, and like showers upon the herb. 3 For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! 4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

1) What’s your favorite kind of weather? (Rain, sunny, snow, etc.) How is God’s Word like rain? (See Isaiah 55)

2) What’s your favorite kind of rock? What’s the biggest rock formation you’ve ever climbed/stood on?

3) Why is God called “the Rock” by His people? In what ways has He remained steady for you over the years?

4) Thank the Lord for His justice, His steadfast love, and His willingness to both condemn sin & deliver you, the sinner.

Friday (7/10/2026)

Even in its brokenness, creation is under the command of the Lord who might use it to condemn evil.

Joel 2:4–8 (ESV) — 4 Their appearance is like the appearance of horses, and like war horses they run. 5 As with the rumbling of chariots, they leap on the tops of the mountains, like the crackling of a flame of fire devouring the stubble, like a powerful army drawn up for battle. 6 Before them peoples are in anguish; all faces grow pale. 7 Like warriors they charge; like soldiers they scale the wall. They march each on his way; they do not swerve from their paths. 8 They do not jostle one another; each marches in his path; they burst through the weapons and are not halted.

1) Joel is likely about a locust plague. Is this description of them accurate? What other descriptions could be used?

2) What was the damage caused by the locust? How did this rebuke Israel’s idol worship? (They thought false gods would give crops)

3) Instead of destruction, what does the Lord promise ultimately for those who fear, love, and trust in Him?

Saturday (7/11/2026)

Understanding our need for restoration should lead to humility in planning, serving, and worshipping.

James 4:13–17 (ESV) — 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— 14 yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. 17 So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

1) Re-read verse 15. How does this convict you? How can you practically practice it this coming week?

2) Re-read verse 16. How does this convict you? How can you practically practice it this coming week?

3) Re-read verse 17. How does this convict you? How can you practically practice it this coming week?

4) Ask for humility in being convicted & restored, wisdom in serving, & patience for dealing with others.

Sunday (7/12/2026) – Prayer and Praise Requests

1) Pray that this summer would be an opportunity to spend more time in God’s Word as a family & at Bible camps.

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.

Tonight will be a youth-only study at Christ the King. Students entering 7th grade through college are welcome. Arrive anytime 4:30pm onwards. Main activities start at 5pm and run until 6:30pm.

Food, fellowship, games, and a lesson time in God’s Word. Invite a friend or two to join in on the fun.