WELS Family Devotion

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260401fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Exodus 24:1-11 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey.” Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.” Exodus 24:7-8 God Wants to Be Close to You In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. A covenant is a very special promise. Today we're going to hear about a promise God made because he wanted to be close to his people—and he wants to be close to you too. Long ago, God rescued his people, the Israelites, from slavery in Egypt. God did amazing things to help them. He sent plagues to make the Egyptians let them go. He opened the Red Sea so they could walk safely through it. Later, he even sent bread from heaven and birds for them to eat. God took care of them every day. But the people kept forgetting what God had done. They complained. They got scared. Sometimes they even doubted that God would help them. Even after all the miracles, they struggled to trust him. Still, God did something wonderful. He made a covenant—a special promise—with his people. God said, “I will be your God, and you will be my people.” To show how serious this promise was, sacrifices were made and blood was used to seal the covenant. It may sound strange to us, but in the Bible, blood showed that a promise was very serious and important. God was showing how much he wanted his people to belong to him. God even invited some of the leaders of Israel to come close to him, see his glory, and eat and drink in his presence. Imagine that! The Holy God welcoming people to be near him. That shows how much God loves his people. But sadly, the people kept breaking their promises. They disobeyed God and worshiped other gods. The old covenant depended on people obeying perfectly—and no one can do that. That's why Holy Thursday is such an important night. On Holy Thursday, Jesus gave us a new covenant—a new promise from God. At the Last Supper, Jesus took bread and said, “This is my body.” Then he took the cup and said, “This is my blood.” Jesus knew we could never be perfect, so he came to be perfect for us. The blood of animals in the Old Testament could never truly take away sins. But Jesus' blood can. When Jesus died on the cross, he paid for every sin—once and for all. Jesus said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you.” Did you notice those words? “For you.” Jesus wants you to know his forgiveness is meant for you personally. In the Lord's Supper, Jesus gives his body and blood with the bread and wine. It's a wonderful gift where we can receive and be sure of his forgiveness. God wants us to know that he truly forgives us and brings us close to him. God still wants to be close to you today. Through Jesus, your sins are forgiven and you belong to him forever. Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for giving yourself for me. Thank you for your Holy Supper where I can taste and touch your forgiveness and grace. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children God helped his people, the Israelites, many times. Can you name two good things God does for you? What does Jesus give people in the Lord's Supper? (A good opportunity to explain what we receive in the Lord's Supper.) Questions for Elementary Age Children Why couldn't the Old Covenant work if people had to obey perfectly? What makes Jesus' New Covenant better? Questions for Middle School and Above What does the Exodus account teach us about the difference between God's promises and human promises? Jesus says his body and blood are given “for you.” Why are those two words such comforting words when we feel guilty or sad about our sins? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260330fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. Zechariah 9:9-10 A King on a Donkey In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever watched a parade when an important person comes to town? Maybe people cheer, wave, and clap. Something like that happened when Jesus came to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday! Palm Sunday can feel a little confusing. During Lent we remember that Jesus suffered and died for our sins. That makes us feel sorry for our sins. But on Palm Sunday people were cheering and celebrating Jesus. They sang joyful songs and waved palm branches. Why would people celebrate if Jesus was going to die only a few days later? When Jesus came into Jerusalem, the crowd spread their coats on the road like a red carpet. They waved palm branches and shouted with joy. Those were things people did for a king! But many people thought Jesus came to be a powerful king who would beat their enemies and make their country strong again. They wanted help with their problems right away. They didn't understand that Jesus came for something even more important. God had already told people what to do on that day. Through the prophet Zechariah he said, “Rejoice!” God wanted people to celebrate because his Son had come. That was wonderful news! Jesus is a righteous King. That means he is perfectly good and holy. We are not perfect—we sin. But that's exactly why Jesus came. He came to save us from our sins. Now notice something surprising: Jesus did not ride a big war horse like a powerful king. He rode a donkey! That showed that Jesus came gently and humbly. He came to bring peace, not to fight a battle. There's another interesting detail. Many donkeys have a dark stripe down their back and another across their shoulders, making the shape of a cross. It's a quiet reminder of why Jesus came. Right in the middle of the Palm Sunday celebration, God reminds us that Jesus was on his way to the cross. Jesus went to the cross willingly. No one forced him. He did it because he loves you. He came to forgive your sins and give you eternal life. That's why Palm Sunday is such a happy day. Our King came to save us! Let's say the Palm Sunday words together: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for willingly going to the cross for me. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What did Jesus ride into Jerusalem on? Why is that surprising for a king? What did Jesus really come to do for us? Questions for Elementary Age Children Some people thought Jesus came to defeat their enemies and fix their problems right away. Why is what Jesus actually did even better? What is one way you can say “Hosanna” (praise Jesus) this week—at home, at school, or with a friend? Questions for Middle School and Above Sometimes we want Jesus to fix things immediately. What can we remember about Jesus when life doesn't go the way we expect? Why is it important that Jesus entered Jerusalem as a righteous King who came to suffer rather than to rule with power? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260327fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 11:17-27,38-45 [Jesus said] “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.” John 11:25-26 Death Is a Problem; Jesus Is the Solution In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. You believe in Jesus, but sometimes we still get sick. We still sit in hospital rooms holding hands. We still hear bad news from doctors. We still say goodbye to people we love. We might wonder: Does God really care? Does he really have the power to help? In the Bible, Lazarus got very sick. His sisters, Mary and Martha, called for Jesus. But Lazarus died before Jesus came. Jesus knew what was happening. He knew it would break Mary and Martha's hearts. But Jesus cared about something even more—more than wanting Lazarus to be well right then—even more than he wanted them to have a life free from pain. He wanted them to have this: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die” (John 11:25-26). Jesus wanted them to know him as the Savior from death and sin. He wanted them to see that life with God never ends. Jesus wants the same for you. He wants you to enjoy your family, friends, and good health. But even more than that, he wants you to know even if you get sick, even if you die, you will live forever with him. Death is our problem, but Jesus is our solution. Prayer: Dear Jesus, you have defeated sin and death for me. Teach me not to fear the day I die, but to look forward to the eternal life I'll one day enjoy with you. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children When we get sick or sad, who can we trust to help and love us? Even when someone we love dies, what does Jesus promise will happen? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why do you think Jesus didn't come right away when Lazarus was sick? What does Jesus mean when he says that people who believe in him will live forever? Questions for Middle School and Above Why might Jesus care more about saving us from death and sin eternally, than from sickness and pain right now? How does Jesus being the Resurrection and the Life change the way we face illness, loss, and even death? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260325fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Romans 8:11-19 And by him we cry, “Abba, Father. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. Romans 8:15,17 The God Who Lets You Call Him “Dad” In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. How big is God? Think about it for a moment. God describes himself as filling the whole universe. That means He is everywhere—here with you right now, across the world in China, and even up on the moon. All of God is in all those places at the same time! And how far does God's “bigness” extend? Listen to this amazing part: “And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father.'” “Abba” is an old (Aramaic) word that means, “Dad.” So, a little child would say, “Abba, Abba,” just like little kids would say, “Daddy, Daddy!” Can you imagine it? The holy, all-powerful God looks at you and says, “I want you to talk to me, and you can call me ‘Dad.'” Not “All-Powerful One.” Not “O Amazing One.” Instead, he says, “You get to call me ‘Dad.'” That's amazing! Why can we do that? Because God adopted us into his family. He sent Jesus to become our brother. But we weren't perfect brothers and sisters—we were sinful, selfish, and made wrong choices. So Jesus our brother did what we couldn't do—he went to the cross to pay for all our sins. The result? Listen: “We are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). An “heir” (not “hair”!) is someone who inherits things from their parents. That means one day, we will share in the same wonderful life that Jesus has with God forever. What an incredible act of mercy! God loves us so much and he lets us call him “Dad.” What a gracious God we have! Prayer: Father in heaven, thank you for making me your child. Help me to speak with you daily in prayer. Lead me to look forward to the glorious inheritance awaiting me in heaven. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What special name does God say we can call him? If God is big enough to be everywhere, do you think he can hear you when you talk to him? Questions for Elementary Age Children What does it mean that God is everywhere at the same time? Why does that make you feel safe or happy? Why do you think God wants us to call him “Abba” or “Dad” instead of something scary or far away? Questions for Middle School and Above How can God be so big (filling the universe) and still be close enough to hear us call out, “Abba, Father”? What does it mean that we are God's children and “co-heirs with Christ”? How does that change the way you see yourself and God? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260323fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 2 Kings 4:17-37 When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his couch. He went in, shut the door on the two of them and prayed to the LORD. Then he got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out on him, the boy's body grew warm. 2 Kings 4:32-34 God Makes the Dead Alive In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. “Death scares us, but it really shouldn't. Death is just a natural part of life.” That's a quote from a popular children's book about death. It's a touching story, that is, until you see what a Shunammite woman is cradling in her arms. The Bible tells her story in 2 Kings. In her old age, God blessed her with a gift that she never expected: a little boy. She watched him grow up, playing and learning, and she loved him very much. But one day, as he was working in the field with his dad, his head began to hurt. A servant rushed him home to his mother and she cradled him in her arms until he died. Her heart was broken. Sometimes people say things like “death is just a natural part of life” to make it sound simple. But when someone we love dies, that doesn't feel true at all. We hate and fear death because it is sad and scary. The Shunammite woman did the right thing—she went to God's prophet Elisha, trusting that God could help. Elisha prayed to the Lord, and God brought the boy back to life! This miracle shows us two things: 1. God is loving and merciful. 2. God has power, even over death. Just like that boy, we are born with sin, and we will face death one day. But God made a way from death to life through Jesus. When we are baptized, God makes us spiritually alive. Baptism joins us to Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. It makes us forgiven children of God and gives us the gift of eternal life. That doesn't mean you'll never cry when someone you love dies. Sometimes, there may be a part of you that wants to quote whatever phrase you can to make the pain go away. But when you want to understand death, look to Jesus. Stories like today's remind us: death is real, but God has the power to fix it. Jesus didn't just bring the Shunamite boy back to life—he brings life to you too. This Lenten season, look at Jesus on the way to the cross. He teaches us not just about death, but about real life with him. Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to provide a real answer to death. Because Jesus lives, we too will live! Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Who helped the Shunammite woman when her little boy was very sick and died? When you feel sad or scared, who should you go to for help? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why do some people say things like “death is just a natural part of life”? Why does that not feel true when someone we love dies? How did God show his power and love in the story of the Shunammite woman and her son? Questions for Middle School and Above Why is death hard for people to understand and deal with? How does baptism connect us to Jesus' victory over death? How does that help Christians face sadness and grief? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260320fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 9:1-7,13-17,34-39 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means “Sent”). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. John 9:1-7 The Best and Brightest Light In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Think about this: A flashlight lights up the path for the person holding it—but the last person in line still can't see very well. Car headlights light the road ahead, but they don't shine far enough for everyone on the highway. A lighthouse warns ships about rocky waters, but it can't light up every ship far away—they need their own lights. Lights are helpful, but they all have limits. Some are very small, like a single candle. Some are strong, like the lights used for highway construction at night. Even the sun only lights up the part of the earth that faces it. But Jesus is different. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world” (John 9:5). That means he isn't just for a few people. He is bright enough for everyone! If Jesus' light is for everyone, that includes me, and that includes you! Why is Jesus' light so important? Without him, people don't even realize they are in the dark spiritually. And that kind of darkness is really serious—it's not just stubbing your toe on a chair in a pitch-black room. It's being separated from God and missing out on his love forever. But there is enough light for everyone! Jesus is enough. And now we can help others see it too. We can share the light of Jesus so no one has to stay in the dark about God's love. Prayer: Dear Jesus, you are the Light of the world. Shine so brightly that no one remains in the darkness of unbelief! Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Can you remember a time when you were scared of the dark and then felt better when a light was turned on? What happened? Why is Jesus the most important light in the whole world? Questions for Elementary Age Children Jesus didn't say he was “a” light or “one of many” lights—he said he is “the” Light of the world. Why do you think that matters? Churches and believers help others see Jesus' light. What are some ways they can do that? Questions for Middle School and Above A light can help someone in the dark in two ways: to show where they are and to show where they need to go. How does Jesus do both of these things for us spiritually? Jesus said he was the Light of the world “while I am in the world.” He also talked about a time when the darkness was coming, after which no one could work. What do you think he meant by that? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260318fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Ephesians 5:8-14 Looking Like We Live In the Light In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Imagine this: A patient had just finished surgery. The nurse gently peeled off the bandages and told him to keep his eyes closed. Then she said, “Okay, slowly open your eyes.” Light poured in. At first, everything was blurry. But then, little by little, shapes became clear . . . colors appeared . . . and finally, he could see for the first time in his life! His world had completely changed. We haven't had that kind of surgery, but something similar happened to us spiritually. The Bible says: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8). That's a big deal! We weren't just in darkness—we were darkness itself. We couldn't see how lost we were, and there was no way we could make ourselves see the light. But then Jesus, the Light of the world, came into our hearts. He didn't wait for us to figure things out. He shined his light on us, showing us that we are forgiven and loved. Suddenly, our hearts were no longer in darkness, they were full of light! Now our lives are different, just like the patient who could see for the first time. The Bible says we should “live as children of the light.” Before, we only cared about ourselves. Now, we want to do what is good and pleases God. That looks like: Speaking kindly to others, instead of hurting them with words. Helping others, even when it's not easy. Doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. Why? Because we have seen the light of Jesus, and we get to live in it every day! Prayer: Lord Jesus, in you the darkness turns to light. Help us live as children of the light. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children A night-light helps us walk safely in the dark. How is Jesus like a night-light for our hearts and lives? Where can we look to “find out what pleases the Lord” (v.10)? (Hint: think about a special book we read or listened to in church or at home!) Questions for Elementary Age Children Agree or disagree: The life of someone living in darkness looks different from the life of someone living in the light. Why do you think that? What are some ways kids can make sure they keep living in the light? Questions for Middle School and Above Temptation sometimes tries to pull us back into darkness. When we mess up, what does Jesus want us to do to stay in the light? Do you have friends who don't know Jesus yet? How could you share the light of Jesus with them? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260316fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion “For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant. I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools. I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them. But those who trust in idols, who say to images, ‘You are our gods,' will be turned back in utter shame. “Hear, you deaf; look, you blind, and see! Who is blind but my servant, and deaf like the messenger I send? Who is blind like the one in covenant with me, blind like the servant of the LORD? You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen.” It pleased the LORD for the sake of his righteousness to make his law great and glorious. Isaiah 42:14-21 Sometimes the Unknown Is Better In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever gone somewhere you've never been before? Maybe a new school, a new park, or a new friend's house? Sometimes that can feel a little scary. When we don't know where we are or don't recognize anything around us, we might feel nervous. Most of us like places that feel familiar. We like to know where our favorite restaurants are, where our friends live, where we grocery shop, and where we go to church. But sometimes going somewhere new turns out to be really great! Maybe your family surprised you with a trip to a theme park. At first you didn't know where anything was—but then you found amazing rides and fun things to do! Or maybe you tried a brand-new restaurant and the food ended up being one of the best meals you've ever had. When something new turns out to be even better than we expected, the “unknown” doesn't feel so scary anymore. God once made a promise to his people in the Old Testament. He said, “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them . . .” (Isaiah 42:16). God's people knew what it felt like to walk on scary, unfamiliar paths. They had been slaves in Egypt. They had traveled through a hot desert. Their nation had been divided. They had even been taken far away to live in another country as exiles. That's a lot of unknown places! No thanks! But God had something better planned. God was leading his people on the most important path of all—the path to salvation. For a long time, the people didn't fully understand how God would save them. It was still unknown to them. Then God sent Jesus. He would lead people to their salvation, paving the way by his perfect life and enabling them to see their salvation, something they were too blind to see on their own. Without Jesus, we would be lost in the darkness of sin, like people who can't see where they are going. But through the good news of the gospel, Jesus helps us see the way to God. So sometimes the unknown isn't something to be afraid of. In fact, the best news ever—the gospel about Jesus—was once unknown to us. And now it shows us the most wonderful path of all: the path to eternal life with God. Thank God for opening our eyes so we can see it! Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for taking us down the unfamiliar path of salvation, which we could never have known without the gospel. It is better than we ever could have imagined! Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Can you think of a time when you were nervous to try something new—like a new food, a new activity, or a new place—but it ended up being really fun? What happened? Some people feel unsure or nervous about Christianity because they don't know much about it. What are some ways we could show them that following Jesus is good and joyful? Questions for Elementary Age Children What does God use to help people learn about Jesus and salvation? True or False: “The Bible teaches us how to earn our way to heaven.” Why is the answer true or false? Questions for Middle School and Above God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Which person of the Trinity works in our hearts to help us believe the good news about Jesus? Agree or disagree? While a person needs the gospel to make salvation known to them, it isn't because the message of the gospel is complicated. Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260313fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 4:5-26 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won't get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” John 4:7,9,13-15 The Picture We Can't Live Without In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever heard someone say, “A picture is worth a thousand words”? It means that sometimes showing a picture is better than trying to explain it with words. For example, I could describe a famous painting for a long time but seeing it in person makes it so much easier to understand. When Jesus taught people, he loved to use pictures like that to help them understand really important truths. One of his favorite pictures was water. Why water? Because we literally can't live without it! A human body can only survive about three days without water. Water is essential for life. One day, Jesus met a woman at a well. She had come to draw water to drink. Jesus used that every day, important water to teach her about something even more important: spiritual life. He said: “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). Jesus wasn't talking about water you guzzle from a bottle that quenches your thirst for a little while. He was talking about the gift of salvation—forgiveness of sins and eternal life—something that lasts forever. We all look for things in this life to make us happy. The woman at the well thought the right person in her life would make her happy. We might think games, friends, screens, or even AI will satisfy us. The problem is those things never fully satisfy us. They leave us wanting more. They leave us feeling empty. Jesus gives us what we can't find anywhere else: Forgiveness when we foolishly look elsewhere for fulfillment. Peace with God for the moments we need it most. Eternal life to someday replace this life. And the best part? He fully satisfies us with salvation! We don't need to keep going back and trying over and over—Jesus already gives us everything we need. Jesus even gave us a picture of this truth: his cross. Look at it, and you see the gift of salvation, love, and forgiveness—all in one picture. Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for helping me understand how important your gift of salvation is for me. May your gift always satisfy me and make me truly happy. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What happens to a person who doesn't drink water? How is that like what happens to someone who doesn't know or believe in Jesus? When you see a picture of a cross, what does it make you think of? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why was the woman at the well so surprised that Jesus talked to her? What does that show us about Jesus? How is spiritual life like drinking water? How is it different? Questions for Middle School and Above Name three other things people sometimes look to for happiness or fulfillment. Jesus used a normal, everyday thing (water) to teach a spiritual truth. Can you think of something in your life that could help you teach someone about Jesus? How would that look? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260311fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Romans 5:1-8 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:1,6,8 The Price of Our Peace Has Already Been Paid! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Do you like peace and quiet? If you have a little brother or sister, or a new baby in the house, you know exactly what I mean. You probably love it when everyone is calm and happy, right? But sometimes it feels impossible. Little siblings whine. Babies cry. And suddenly it seems like peace and quiet will never come back! Jesus promises peace too—but not just quiet in your house. He promises peace with God—and that's even more important. Here's why: God is holy and perfect, and we are not perfect. The Bible says we are enemies of God because of our sins. Normally, enemies try to get peace by fighting until one side wins. But that's not how we get peace with God. Paul explains it like this: “Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). “Justified” is a big Bible word that simply means: God says, “You're not guilty!” He says we are not enemies anymore, no matter what wrongs we've done. Think about your siblings for a minute. How do you try to make peace with them? Give them a snack if they're hungry? Give them a toy if they're bored? Let them take a nap if they need it? Sometimes that works. But sometimes it doesn't! They might still cry, still fight, or still be unhappy. Jesus didn't leave peace up to chance. He wanted to guarantee it for us. Paul says: “At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6). Even though we deserved the punishment, Jesus took it for us. He defeated the real enemies: sin, death, and the devil. Because Jesus won, peace with God is now ours—forever! That's why he's called the “Prince of Peace!” Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for giving me peace with God that I couldn't have on my own. Thank you for dying for my sins and defeating sin and death. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children How does it feel when two people aren't getting along? The Bible says that Christ died for the “ungodly.” Who does that include? (Hint: it means everyone!) Questions for Elementary Age Children Why can't anyone earn peace with God on their own? The Bible often says “grace and peace” together. Why do you think that is? Questions for Middle School and Above Can you think of a Bible story that you think does a good job of showing what real peace looks like? (Helps: Jesus calms a storm, Jesus' birth—“peace on earth”, after his resurrection, Jesus greets frightened disciples, “Peace be with you.”) During Lent, we remember that Jesus paid the price for our peace. How does thinking about that help us appreciate Jesus more? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260309fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion The whole Israelite community . . . camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. So they quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” Moses replied, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you put the LORD to the test?” But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. Then Moses cried out to the LORD “What am I to do with these people? They are almost ready to stone me.” The LORD answered Moses, “Go out in front of the people. Take with you some of the elders of Israel and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.” Exodus 17:1-7 (selected verses) Worth More Than Water In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever been REALLY thirsty? Like after recess? Or soccer practice? Or playing outside on a super hot day? Without food, a person can live for quite a while. But without water? Only about three days! That means water isn't just nice to have. It's something our bodies absolutely need. Most of us can just turn on a faucet and—splash!—there's water. We use water to drink, brush our teeth, shower, wash dishes, water plants, and even have water balloon fights! We have LOTS of water. But not everywhere is like that. Some places are called deserts. A desert is a place that gets very, very little rain. One of the driest deserts in the whole world is called the Atacama Desert in Chile. It is said to be 100 times drier than Phoenix, AZ. Some parts of the desert have gone years without rain! Imagine waiting years for rain! Plants that grow there have to survive with almost no water. But people? People can't survive like that. Now imagine the Israelites. They had just left Egypt, and they were traveling through the desert. It was hot. It was dry. And they were thirsty. Very thirsty. They started to complain. But they forgot something important: They were not alone. God was with them. And God promises to take care of his people. So God told Moses to do something amazing. He said, “Strike the rock, and water will come out of it.” Water. From a rock! And it worked. God gave his thirsty people exactly what they needed. But God didn't just give them water. And he doesn't just give us water either. God gives us food, water, homes, and families. But he gives us something even more important. He gives us salvation. Just like a desert can't make its own water, we can't make our own salvation. We can't be good enough to earn heaven. We can't fix our sins by ourselves. And when we complain like the Israelites did—or forget to trust God—that shows us how much we need a Savior. And God gave us one. He didn't just bring water from a rock. He sent Jesus. That is worth more than water. That is worth everything. Let's never forget it. Prayer: Dear Lord, you alone provide everything that I need for my body and life. Most of all, you provide what I need for eternal life: Jesus. Thank you! Now help me to trust you and not complain. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Where were the Israelites traveling that made it hard to find water? We need water to live physically. We need God's Word to live spiritually. How is the Bible like water for our faith? Questions for Elementary Age Children The Israelites complained to Moses—but who were they really complaining against? What does that teach us about complaining? In your own words, what did Jesus do to save you? Why couldn't we save ourselves? Questions for Middle School and Above Where do you complain the most (Homework, chores, siblings, bedtime)? God gave the Israelites water in the desert. Water can remind us of Baptism. How does your Baptism show that God has already given you forgiveness and made you his child? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260306fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 3:1-17 [Jesus said] “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 Faith Doesn't Have to Make Sense In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. When something doesn't make sense, we often feel frustrated. Maybe it's homework that seems confusing. Maybe it's when someone is sick and the doctor doesn't have clear answers. We like knowing what's going on. When we don't have answers, we can feel worried or upset. We try hard to figure everything out so it makes sense. This can also happen when we think about faith. The Bible does not explain exactly how the Holy Spirit puts faith in someone's heart. It simply says that faith comes from hearing God's Word. That might leave us with questions. Why do some people hear about Jesus and still not believe? How do we know the Holy Spirit is working if we can't see him or feel him? If the Holy Spirit feels hard to understand, you're not alone. A man named Nicodemus was confused too. When Jesus said people must be “born again,” Nicodemus thought Jesus meant being born from their mother all over again! He was trying to make God fit into his own way of thinking. But God is bigger than our brains. If we try to figure out everything about God on our own, we will only get more confused and frustrated. We cannot fully understand God, because he is greater than we are. Here is the good news: you don't have to understand everything about God in order to believe in him. Faith is not about knowing every answer. Faith is trusting Jesus. Jesus lived, died, and rose again. That is proof that God loves you. The Holy Spirit works in your heart even if you can't see how he does it. And because of Jesus, you can be sure that you belong to God and will live with him forever. Prayer: Lord, thank you for giving me your Holy Spirit to work faith in my heart. Remind me of the certain truth that you love me, even when life becomes uncertain. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children How do you usually feel when you don't understand something right away? What can you be sure of because Jesus died and rose again? Questions for Elementary Age Children What happens when we try to fit God into our own small way of thinking? Why is it good that God is bigger and wiser than we are? Questions for Middle School and Above What things in your life feel confusing or unsure right now? What promises of God help you feel safe and secure when life feels confusing? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260304fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Romans 4:1-5,13-17 Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. Romans 4:4-5 Salvation Is Not a Chore In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Would you rather earn $5 by taking out the trash, or just be handed $5 as a gift? Most of us would rather get the gift! If you earn it, you have to grab the smelly garbage, tie the bag, carry it outside, and put in a new bag. You worked for that money. You earned it. But if someone gives you $5 as a gift, you don't have to do anything at all. You didn't earn it. They just gave it to you because they care about you. Now think about something even bigger—salvation. Would you rather earn your way to heaven, or receive heaven as a gift? We might say “gift,” but sometimes we act like we have to earn it. “If I'm good enough, God will love me more.” But that's not true. The Bible says even our best good deeds are like dirty rags because we still sin. No matter how many good things we do, we can't earn heaven. Your sin makes your good deeds look like rotten trash. Here's something that is worth praising God! You don't have to earn salvation at all. Jesus already did the work for you. He died on the cross and rose again, so your sins are forgiven. Heaven is a gift. God gives it to you because he loves you—not because you earned it. And now, when you obey God or help others, you're not trying to earn anything. You're simply saying, “thank you.” Serving God isn't a chore. It's a joyful way to show love back to him. Prayer: Lord, I praise you for giving me your salvation without expecting anything in return. Inspire me to live for you and others, not out of obligation, but out of thanksgiving for all you have done for me. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children How has God shown his love to you? Does Jesus ask us to pay him back? Why or why not? Questions for Elementary Age Children “All our righteous acts like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Why can't our good deeds earn us heaven? What makes salvation different from earning money for chores? Questions for Middle School and Above When does obeying or helping feel like a chore? How does knowing heaven is a gift make you want to live for God and others? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260302fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Genesis 12:1-8 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him. Genesis 12:7 God's Best Gift Is Yet to Come In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The candles are blown out. You can still smell the cake. You've opened your presents, and it feels like the best birthday ever. Then your parents say, “Wait! There's one more gift.” You can hardly sit still. This must be the best one! But then they say, “You can't open this gift until you grow up and have a family of your own.” What? That doesn't make sense! If it's your gift, why can't you enjoy it now? God once gave a special gift to a man named Abram. But Abram had to wait for it. In fact, he would never live there himself. God promised that Abram's children and grandchildren would receive a special land called the Promised Land. The Bible says it was “flowing with milk and honey.” That means it was a wonderful land with plenty of food and good things. But Abram did not have a home of his own. He moved from place to place in tents. If Abram would never live in that land, why did the promise matter? But Abram did not complain. He did not get angry. Instead, he worshiped God. Abram knew who God was. God was his loving Father. And God always keeps his promises. If God said it would happen, Abram believed it would happen. Abram trusted that God had an even bigger plan. One day, one of Abram's great-great-great-grandchildren would be Jesus, the Savior, who would take away the sins of the world. God has given you an amazing gift too. Because of Jesus, your sins are forgiven. That means you belong to God right now. And God has another gift waiting for you—heaven. Heaven is already yours, but you are waiting for the day you get to live there forever with Jesus. That is a gift worth thanking God for every day. Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for forgiving my sins because of Jesus. Thank you for keeping your promises. Help me trust you when I have to wait for good things. Thank you for the gift of heaven where I will live by your side forever. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What gift did God promise to Abram and his descendants? How did Abram show that he trusted God? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why is waiting sometimes hard for you? How could Abram trust God, even though he wouldn't live long enough to receive the promised gift? Questions for Middle School and Above Name at least two gifts God has blessed your life with this week? How can you thank God for these amazing gifts? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260227fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 4:1-11 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'” Matthew 4:4 Use God's Tools for Success! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever wondered how Jesus beat Satan when Satan tried to trick him? You might think, “Well, Jesus is God—of course he won!” And that's true—Jesus is fully God. He could have stopped Satan right away. But listen to this: Jesus chose not to use his special God-power. Instead, he became fully human—just like us. He got tired. He got hungry. He depended completely on his heavenly Father. So how did Jesus fight Satan? Jesus didn't argue. He didn't show off. He didn't use superpowers. He used God's Word. Every time Satan tempted him, Jesus answered with words straight from the Bible. He trusted what his Father said more than what Satan promised. That's important for us too. We might know Bible verses—but doing what God says can still be hard. Satan isn't trying to make us forget Bible stories. He tries to trick us into thinking we can handle temptation all by ourselves. He whispers things like, “You don't need God's help.” But that's a lie. Jesus chose to be tempted on purpose—not because he might fail, but to show us how to win. He wanted to give us the right tools to fight temptation. Jesus understands what it's like to be tempted, because he was tempted too. And because he won, we can fight temptation the same way—by trusting God and using his Word. God's tools for success aren't muscles or willpower. They are every word and promise that comes from our heavenly Father's mouth. When we listen to God's Word, it gives us strength—every time. Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving me your Word, which helps me fight temptation. When I feel weak or confused, help me trust you instead of myself. Use your Word to guide me and keep me strong. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Who did Jesus trust when Satan tried to tempt him? What did Jesus use to defeat Satan—his power or God's Word? Questions for Elementary Age Children What can happen when we try to fight temptation all by ourselves? Why does it help to know that Jesus understands what it's like to be tempted? Questions for Middle School and Above What do you think Satan wants when he tempts people? Can you name a Bible truth or promise that could help you when you're tempted to do something wrong? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260225fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Romans 5:12-19 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ! Romans 5:17 Righteousness Is Unfair In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Is it fair to get in trouble for something someone else did? Most kids would say, “No way!” If your sibling breaks something, you shouldn't have to pay for it. If a stranger does something wrong, it wouldn't make sense for you to get punished instead. That's how many people think about sin too. They think: “Big sins should get big punishments.” “Small sins shouldn't matter as much.” “Surely lying isn't as bad as hurting someone.” But God looks at sin differently. The Bible teaches that even one sin breaks God's rules. Everyone has sinned—by thinking, saying, or doing things God tells us not to do. Even before we make our own choices, we are born with sin in our hearts. That sin has been passed down all the way from Adam and Eve. Because of Adam's sin, sin and death entered the world. That means everyone is guilty before God. That part might not feel good—but it is fair. But here's the surprising part. What's NOT fair is what God does next. Instead of giving us the punishment we deserve, God gives us a gift. He sends Jesus. Jesus never sinned—not even once. But on the cross, Jesus took all our sins and the punishment for them. God treated Jesus as guilty so he could treat us as forgiven. That's not fair. That's grace. Jesus gives us something amazing: his righteousness. That means God looks at you and sees Jesus' goodness instead of your sin. You didn't earn it. You don't deserve it. It's a free gift. Praise God for his unfair mercy! Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for giving me the gift of righteousness that I did not earn, instead of punishment that I did earn. Thank you for Jesus, who took my sins and gave me new life. Help me share your love and mercy with others, just like you shared it with me. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Do you think it's fair to pay for someone else's mistakes? Why or why not? How did Jesus pay for our mistakes? What did he do for us? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why does God say everyone has sinned—even if their sins seem different? What does it mean when God says we are “not guilty” because of Jesus? Questions for Middle School and Above Can you think of a time when someone forgave you or showed you mercy when you didn't deserve it? What is one way you can show God's undeserved love to someone else this week? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260223fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Genesis 3:1-15 The LORD God called to the man, “Where are you?” [Adam] answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” And [God] said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” Genesis 3:9-11 Let God's Truth Win! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Adam and Eve knew they had done something wrong. God had given them one clear rule: do not eat fruit from a certain tree in the Garden of Eden. But they disobeyed. Why? Because Satan tricked them. He told them a lie. He made them think God was holding something good back from them. Satan said that if they ate the fruit, they would be like God. But the lie didn't make them happy. It made them ashamed. Right away, Adam and Eve realized they had sinned. Instead of running to God for help, they hid. They even tried to hide behind bushes! Then God came looking for them. Not angry. Not yelling. God asked a sad question: “Who told you that you were naked?” Before sin, Adam and Eve trusted God completely. They didn't need to hide from him. But sin broke that trust. The devil had lied about God, making them think God wasn't good or loving. Satan still tells lies today. He whispers lies like: “God won't forgive that.” “You messed up too badly.” “God doesn't really care.” When we believe those lies, we feel ashamed and want to hide from God. We might stop praying or think God is disappointed in us. But here's the truth: God already knows every sin you've ever done. And he doesn't come to destroy you. He comes to save you. God sent Jesus. Jesus defeated Satan by dying on the cross and rising again. That means Satan's lies lose. Your sins are forgiven—completely. The Bible says God throws our sins far away, and Jesus takes our shame with him to the cross. So don't hide. Run to God. God is your loving Father who wants you back. Let God's truth win. Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, forgive me when I believe lies about you. Thank you for loving me and taking away my sin and shame through Jesus. Help me trust you and remember that you always do what is best for me now and forever. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Why did Adam and Eve feel ashamed after they sinned? What did God do when Adam and Eve hid from him? Questions for Elementary Age Children What are some lies people sometimes believe about God? How does Jesus show us that Satan is a liar? Questions for Middle School and Above What are some ways Satan tries to trick us today? What helps you remember the truth about God—like the Bible, prayer, family, or church? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260220fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 6:1-6,16-21 [Jesus said] “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:5-6 Me First! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. “ME FIRST!” Have you ever said that—or thought it? Maybe it was about the first slice of cake, being first in line, or getting a turn with something fun. Sometimes it even happens at school or on the playground. Kids aren't the only ones who think this way. Grown-ups do too—even if they don't say it out loud. Adults like to be noticed, thanked, or chosen first too. That “me first” feeling sneaks into all our hearts sometimes. But Jesus was different. Jesus lived with a “you first” attitude. He didn't think about himself first—he thought about others first. As we enter Lent, we see this clearly. Jesus knows he is going to suffer and die, but he still spends time teaching his disciples. He patiently helps them learn how to serve God with humble hearts. Jesus teaches them something important: Don't do good things just so people notice you. Don't chase things like money, popularity, or being number one. Those things don't save you. What matters most is loving God and trusting him. That's a great lesson—but it's also a hard one. Just like the disciples, we mess this up a lot. We put ourselves first. We get upset when we're not noticed or chosen. When we realize that, we see how much we need Jesus' forgiveness. So we come to God humbly. We don't brag or show off. We pray honestly. And God does something amazing. He forgives us, loves us, and promises us a home in heaven. Not because we earned it—but because Jesus already did the work for us. This is why Ash Wednesday is important. We come together to admit our sins—not to show off, but because our hearts are sorry. We stand with other believers and say, “Yes, we need Jesus.” And then we hear the best words of all: “You are forgiven.” Prayer: Dear God, help us notice when we put ourselves first instead of you or others. Keep us humble. Help us say “I'm sorry” for our sins and trust your forgiveness. Fill our hearts with joy so we can share your love with others and put them first! In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children How does it make you feel when someone says, “Me first!” and won't share or take turns? Jesus puts others first. What is one small way you could put someone else first today—at home, at school, or with a friend? Questions for Elementary Age Children When we say Jesus had a “you first” attitude, what does that tell us about how he treated people? Why do you think God cares more about what's in our hearts than about how things look on the outside? Questions for Middle School and Above Why is it sometimes hard to put others first, even when we know we should? During Lent and on Ash Wednesday, how can saying “I'm sorry” to God help us remember how much we need Jesus? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260218fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Isaiah 59:12-20 The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice. He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm achieved salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. Isaiah 59:15b-17 What a Mess In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have your parents ever walked into your room, looked around, and said, “What a mess! Who is going to clean this up?” Uh-oh—that's never a good sign. Maybe toys are everywhere and clothes are on the floor. It's as if everything just exploded! Or think about this: you worked really hard on something—maybe you cleaned your room or finished a school project—and then later it's messy again. That can feel really frustrating. You might think, “Hey! I already fixed this! How did it get messed up again?” God knows what that feels like. God created the world perfectly. When he finished, the Bible says God looked at everything he made and said, “It is very good.” The project was done. No mess at all! But then sin entered the world. Adam and Eve disobeyed God. Their relationship with him was broken. The world itself became broken too—people got sick, argued, and died. This was not how God wanted things to be. The perfect world he loved was now a mess. So God asked the big question: Who is going to clean this up? The Bible says in Isaiah, “He was appalled that there was no one to help . . . so his own arm achieved salvation.” That means God saw that no person could fix the mess of sin. People tried—but failed. Kings made bad choices. Prophets were ignored. God's people kept turning away from him. So God did something amazing. He cleaned up the mess himself. God sent his own Son, Jesus, to rescue the world. On Ash Wednesday, we start the season of Lent. Lent helps us to remember how serious sin is—but also how great Jesus' love is. During Lent, we think about how Jesus suffered, died, and rose again to forgive our sins. Sin made a huge mess—but Jesus didn't walk away from it. He stepped right into it to save us. Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to clean up the mess of sin. Use the season of Lent to remind me how serious sin is, and how much Jesus did for me. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children How do you feel when you clean something up and it gets messy again right away? Jesus fixed the biggest mess—sin. What is one thing you can thank Jesus for today? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why couldn't people fix the sin problem by themselves? What does Lent help us remember about Jesus and what he did for us? Questions for Middle School and Above Why is it important to know that only God—not people—could save us from sin? During Lent, what is one way you can remember Jesus' love in your everyday life (at school, at home, or with friends)? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260216fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 17:1-9 While he was still speaking, a bright cloud covered them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. “Get up,” he said. “Don't be afraid.” Matthew 17:5-7 Who Are You? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Who are you? If someone at school asked you that, what might you say? You might say you're a student, a son or daughter, a brother or sister, or a friend. You might say you love soccer, art, music, or video games. You could even describe your hair, your favorite hoodie, or your shoes. Jesus also asked a big “who” question. He wanted people to know who he really was. The disciples had heard God speak at Jesus' baptism and say, “This is my Son, whom I love.” Now something amazing happens. Jesus takes a few of his disciples up a mountain. While they are there, Jesus changes right in front of them! His face shines like the sun, and his clothes become bright white, like a flashing light. They even see Moses and Elijah talking with Jesus! This was a huge clue—Jesus wasn't just a teacher. He really is God's Son. Peter is so excited that he blurts out an idea. He wants to build shelters so they can stay there longer. He doesn't want the moment to end! But suddenly, a cloud covers them, and God speaks: “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” The disciples are terrified. They fall down in fear. Why were they so scared? They weren't scared because Jesus was mean. They were scared because they were standing in front of God's glory. They knew they weren't perfect. Have you ever done something wrong and wanted to hide or say, “Please don't look at me”? That's how they felt. But Jesus doesn't leave them afraid. He touches them and says, “Do not be afraid.” Jesus is showing them something important: even though God is holy and powerful, Jesus came to save sinners, not scare them away. So—who are you? You are a sinner. You mess up sometimes. But you are also forgiven. Jesus went to Jerusalem, died on the cross, and rose again to take away your sins. That means your biggest identity isn't what you do or how well you behave. You are God's child. And God says about you, “I love you.” Prayer: God, when I forget who I am or feel unsure about myself, help me remember who I am to you, a perfect redeemed child of God! Thank you for loving me, forgiving me, and calling me your child. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What is one thing you enjoy doing or something you think God made you good at? Jesus says, “Do not be afraid.” What is something that makes you feel scared, nervous, or worried sometimes? Questions for Elementary Age Children What was so amazing (and maybe scary) about seeing Jesus shine on the mountain? How does it make you feel to know Jesus forgives you and calls you God's child? Questions for Middle School and Above The disciples were afraid when they saw Jesus' glory because they were sinners before a holy God. Why is it important to remember that we sin—but that Jesus always forgives us? If someone asked you, “Who are you?” how would being “God's child” help you answer that question? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260213fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 5:13-20 [Jesus said] “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 Northern Lights In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever seen pictures of the northern lights? They are also called the aurora borealis. They look like colorful ribbons of light dancing across the night sky—green, pink, purple, and blue! The northern lights happen when tiny bits of energy from the sun hit the air around the earth. Something interesting about them is this: they are happening all the time, even during the day. We just can't see them unless the sky is dark. In the very beginning, when God first made the world, everything was perfect. God's world was full of light. Adam and Eve were perfect, and their friendship with God was perfect. But then sin came into the world. Sin brought darkness—sadness, anger, fighting, and hurt. We still see that darkness today: arguments at home, problems at school, and people being unkind to one another. But God didn't leave the world in darkness. He sent Jesus—the Light of the world. Jesus lived perfectly, died on the cross, and rose again. That means the darkness did not win. Jesus won the victory! Even though Jesus has already won, we still live in a world with darkness. That's why God tells us something very important: He says you are a light. You might think, “My light is small. Does it. really matter?” But think about the northern lights. When you show kindness, tell the truth or talk about Jesus, your light shines brightly—just like the northern lights in the night sky. Prayer: Dear God, thank you for a beautiful creation, with wonders like the northern lights. Remind me that I am part of your creation, with an important job to do—letting my light shine. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What did today's devotion say you are? (light) Jesus is called the Light of the world. What is one way you can shine God's light by being kind to others? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why can we see the northern lights better when the sky is dark? What are ways someone your age can be a light for Jesus (at home or at school)? Questions for Middle School and Above The devotion explained the good of light and the scariness of darkness. Where do you see that struggle of light and dark in the world or in your own life? If God calls you a light, how does that make you feel about yourself? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260211fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 Peter 2:9-12 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 1 Peter 2:9-10 Big Changes In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Do you know how big you were when you were born? Most babies weigh about as much as a big bag of flour—only seven or eight pounds! So little! Babies are so helpless, they need their parents and grown-ups for everything: eating, getting dressed, changing their diapers, staying clean, and staying safe in their car seats. Parents love their babies so much. And now—look at you! You've grown bigger, stronger, and able to do many things on your own. That's a big change! The Bible tells us something surprising about our hearts, too. Before God saved us, we were like babies—but even more helpless. We couldn't fix our sins or reach God on our own. The Bible says we were “dead in our sins”—we couldn't save ourselves. But God didn't leave us that way. He loved us and rescued us. The Bible says: “Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2:10). God chose you to be his child. He gave you faith—maybe you have pictures when you were baptized as a baby. That's when God started faith in your heart. You may remember hearing Bible stories when you were little, or when you learned about Jesus later on. However it happened, God was the one doing the work. As you grow, God helps your faith grow too. He tells you who you are: chosen, royal, holy, and special. Because God loves you, you get to live for him. You come to church to hear about Jesus. You listen to your parents and teachers. You show kindness and tell others about Jesus. We don't do these things to earn God's love. We do them because we already have God's love. Prayer: Dear God, my human nature often tempts me to do or feel or say the wrong things. Please forgive me! Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children When you were a baby, who took care of you and helped you with everything? How did they show you God's love? God loves you and chose you to be his child. What is one way you can say “thank you” to God today? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why does the devotion compare us to babies when it talks about our faith and salvation? Can you name one way you can show thankfulness to God for choosing and loving us? Questions for Middle School and Above The devotion says we were “dead in our sins.” Why is it important to know that we cannot save ourselves—but God saves us? If God calls you chosen, royal, holy, and special, how does that change the way you live out your faith (especially how you treat others at home or at school)? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260209fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Exodus 19:1-8a “Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.' These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Exodus 19:5-6 My Favorite Thing In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Let's pretend for a moment. A loud bell rings and you have to leave your house right away. You can only grab one or two things. What would you take? Maybe it's a favorite stuffed animal, a blanket, a book, or a toy you've loved for a long time. Those things are special to you—even if they don't seem special to anyone else. We call those things treasures. In today's Bible verses, God is talking to the people of Israel. He had already rescued them from slavery in Egypt and helped them cross the Red Sea. But the people were not perfect. They complained. They worried. They made mistakes. So why did God call them his “treasured possession” and his favorite people? It wasn't because they were so good. It was because of who God is. God chose them because he loved them! He is a God of love. The Israelites did nothing to deserve his love. They were sinners who needed forgiveness and grace. He promised that one day a Savior would come from them. God chose them to be his special people. They were a holy nation, not because they were perfect, but because Jesus, the coming Savior, would be perfect for them. God blessed them and led them to the Promised Land. Here's the really good news: You are also God's treasured possession! That means you are very special to him. Sometimes you might feel left out or not good enough. Sometimes you might feel sad about something you did wrong that makes you feel unlovable. But God says, “You are my child. You are my treasure.” You are God's favorite—not because you earned it, but because he loves you! He will always be with you here on earth and someday will bring you to live with him in heaven. Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for rescuing me from the slavery of sin and always staying with me. Help me remember that I am your treasure. Lead me to share this good news with others. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What is one thing you would grab if you had to leave your house quickly? Why is it special to you? How does it make you feel to hear that God calls you his treasure? Questions for Elementary Age Children The Israelites complained and made mistakes. Why do you think God still loved them? When you feel left out, sad, or not special, what can you remember about God's love for you? Questions for Middle School and Above God loves us because of who he is, not because of what we do. What does that tell us about how kind and forgiving God is (his grace)? If you are God's treasure, how does that change the way you see yourself? How does that help how you treat other people like they are treasures too? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260206fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 5:1-12 [Jesus said] “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 Bad or Good? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Devon was having a rough morning when he came down to breakfast. He hadn't slept well because of all the thunder and lightning from the storms last night. And then his morning got worse when he looked out the window and saw his favorite tree lying in pieces on the ground. Devon was ready to cry until his dad said something surprising: it was a good thing the storm caused the tree to fall down. Devon didn't understand how his dad could be glad about a tree falling down. What a mess! Yes, Devon's dad explained, that was true. But the tree was old and rotted. It needed to be taken down because it could have easily fallen on the house or on power lines. Instead, the tree fell in a way that didn't hurt anybody or cause any major damage. So, what looked like a bad thing to Devon was actually a good thing. Jesus taught his disciples lots of things during their three years together. Some of those things were surprising—like the Sermon on the Mount. In this special sermon, Jesus talked about people who are blessed (or happy). How surprising when Jesus identifies them as the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, and so on. He then says something even more surprising: that his followers are blessed when people insult them and mistreat them and tell lies about them because of him. Not only are they blessed when these things happen—they should even rejoice and be glad! Thankfully, Jesus also explains why his disciples should rejoice and be glad. Everything bad that might happen to them because they believed in Jesus was only temporary. Yes, life would be hard for them on this earth because they followed him, but that was only for a short time. They had something much better to look forward to—an eternity in heaven where they would receive their reward. You likely won't be treated badly in the same way Jesus' disciples were. But what if someone makes fun of you because you believe in Jesus? What if they say you spend too much time at church or that going to church is stupid? Even though it hurts when people are mean to you, remember this: you can rejoice and be glad, because someday you will see God face to face, and that will be your greatest reward! Prayer: Dear Jesus, it can be hard when people make fun of me for believing in you. Thank you for reminding me to be glad in those hard times and to look forward to my reward in heaven. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What did Jesus tell his disciples to do when people made fun of them for believing in him? What could Jesus' disciples look forward to? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why can we rejoice and be glad even when people are making fun of us? Sometimes our reward in heaven seems so far away. Name one thing that helps remind you of heaven. Questions for Middle School and Above Matthew 5:1-12 is called “The Beatitudes” or series of “Blessings.” Read the whole section. Which “blessed are you” statement stands out the most to you? Why? When you endure something humiliating because of your faith, why is it important to remember your greater reward in heaven? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260204fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27 Striving to Be Foolish and Weak In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Foolish. Weak. What do you think of when you hear these words? Do you feel like you want to be foolish and weak, or would you rather be wise and strong? That's a silly question, isn't it? You go to school every day so that you can be wise instead of foolish. You eat healthy foods and get enough sleep so that you can be strong instead of weak. Who would want to be foolish or weak if they could be wise or strong? The apostle Paul gives us a surprising answer to that question. He says that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and the weak things of the world to shame the strong. Why? Why would God choose weak or foolish things when he could have something strong or wise instead? Does God actually want you to be foolish and weak? Yes . . . and no. God doesn't want you to stop going to school so that you can be foolish. He doesn't want you to eat junk food all day and stay up all night so that you can be weak. He does want you to remember where your strength and wisdom come from, though. Trying to be wise and strong on your own apart from God isn't going to get you very far. Instead, that attitude will bring you to shame sooner or later. You'll eventually run into a problem you can't solve or a task you can't tackle, a problem or a task where your own wisdom or strength just isn't good enough. But when you turn to God for your wisdom and strength, you can be confident that he's walking alongside of you and giving you everything you need to live a life of faith. Relying on God for your wisdom and strength might make you look weak and foolish to those around you. They might say that it doesn't make sense to believe in God. Nothing could be further from the truth! Jesus must have looked foolish and weak to the world when he was hanging on the cross, but that's how he saved us. So when you appear foolish and weak to the world, when you turn to God for your wisdom and strength, you're doing exactly what God wants you to do. Without God, you have nothing. With him, you have everything! Prayer: Dear God, thank you for being my wisdom when I am foolish and my strength when I am weak. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Would you rather be foolish and weak or wise and strong? Who should you rely on for your strength and wisdom? Questions for Elementary Age Children Agree or disagree: God wants you to be foolish and weak. Why might you look foolish or weak to the world when you rely on God? Questions for Middle School and Above In Philippians 4:13, the apostle Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” Explain what he means. How can you live during your time on this earth so that your life will truly be finished at its end? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260202fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:11-13 Seek the LORD, all you humble people of the earth who have carried out his commands. Seek righteousness. Seek humility. Zephaniah 2:3 (EHV) Give Thanks for the Little Things In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. What's something you're really good at? Maybe it's a sport where you've helped your team win trophies and championships. Maybe it's a musical instrument where you've played a really hard piece perfectly at a recital. Maybe you're good at school and can solve hard problems. When you're good at something, you naturally want to tell someone about it. You want your friends and family members to come watch your game or concert or listen to what you're learning in school. It's fun when people compliment you on something you're good at, when they give you recognition and praise. There's nothing wrong with being proud of things you're good at and accomplishments you've worked hard to achieve. But in today's reading, the prophet Zephaniah reminds us that there's something else we should be good at. He says to be a humble person and “seek humility.” It means not bragging about things you're good at. But when you're good at something, you naturally want to share that with people! So how can you be both proud and humble at the same time? If you rely on yourself, you can't. If you think you're really good at something just because you worked hard and practiced, you can't. But if you remember where your abilities came from, if you remember who made you good at something in the first place, then you can be both proud and humble. You are special to God. He made you just the way he wanted you to be and gave you exactly the gifts and talents he wanted you to have. Without God, you wouldn't be good at anything. So when you remember you're only good at something because of God, when you remember to say thank you for your successes, when you get your strength from God rather than from the things you're good at, then you're being humble and proud at the same time. Thank God for what you're good at. Thank him when you do something well. Remember that all your abilities come from him, and then you'll be both proud and humble. Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the special gifts and abilities you gave me. Remind me to always give you thanks for all the things you equip me to do well. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What's something that you're really good at? Who gave you the gifts to be good at it? Questions for Elementary Age Children What does it mean to be humble? How can you be both proud and humble at the same time? Questions for Middle School and Above Agree or disagree: It's wrong to appreciate recognition and praise when you do something well. When you do something well, what is something you can say or do to show people around you that you're thankful to God for your success? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260130fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 4:12-23 Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23 (EHV) The Good News of Epiphany In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Each year has its own seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. Which is your favorite? Each church year has its own seasons, too. We just finished the Christmas season, where we celebrate Jesus' birth. Now we're in the Epiphany season (say it like this: ee-PIH-fuh-nee). Epiphany is an old word. It means “to show” or “to be made known.” It can also mean a big “aha!” moment—when something suddenly makes sense. People long ago used it to talk about the moment one of their gods appeared. That helps us understand the church season of Epiphany. During Epiphany, God shows us who Jesus really is. Jesus is not just a baby in a manger. He is God's Son, sent to save the world. The Bible tells us that Jesus traveled through Galilee, just like the prophet Isaiah said he would hundreds of years earlier. He taught in synagogues (that's like a Jewish church). And what did Jesus teach? He taught “the good news of the kingdom.” That means God loves sinners, forgives them, and welcomes them into his family. Anyone who is sorry for their sin and trusts in Jesus belongs to God's kingdom. Jesus didn't just say these things—he showed them. He healed sick people. He made blind people see and hurting people well again. The Bible says he healed “every disease and sickness.” Only God can do that. So Jesus clearly showed who he was. And yet . . . some people still did not believe him. They saw the miracles. They heard his words. But they still said no. Before we wonder how they could do that, we should think about ourselves. You believe in Jesus. You know who he is. But sometimes we don't act like it. Jesus told people the good news everywhere he went—but sometimes we stay quiet about our faith. Jesus helped people who were hurting—but sometimes we don't want to help when it's inconvenient. When that happens, we deny Jesus with our actions. So here's the big question: Will Jesus deny us? No! That's the good news of Epiphany. Jesus, the Son of God, appeared to forgive sinners—people like us. If you trust in him, you are forgiven. Now God gives you a special job: May people who see you have their own “epiphany.” May they see Jesus' love, kindness, and forgiveness shining through you. Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending your Son to appear to us. May we be a mirror that reflects his love and forgiveness. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Why are you happy that Jesus came to earth? If you could talk to Jesus face-to-face, what would you want to say to him? Questions for Elementary Age Children What does epiphany mean? (Try explaining it in your own words.) What are some ways Jesus showed that he is the Son of God? (Think about miracles, teaching, forgiveness, resurrection.) Questions for Middle School and Above Why do you think some people still rejected Jesus, even after seeing miracles? Why is it important for the church to celebrate the Epiphany? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260128fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 John 2:3-11 The one who says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. The one who loves his brother remains in the light, and nothing causes him to stumble. 1 John 2:4,10 (EHV) The One Who Loves His Brother In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Imagine saying to a police officer, “I know you! I like you!” But then you grab his hat and run away laughing. Imagine saying to a teacher, “I know you! You're the best!” But then you cheat on a test in her classroom. Imagine saying to your brother or sister, “I love you!” But then you punch them in the arm or say something mean. People would say, “That doesn't make sense.” You can say you love someone a hundred times, but if your actions don't match your words, people won't believe you. That's what the apostle John was teaching when he wrote, “The one who says, ‘I know him,' but does not keep his commands is a liar.” John was talking about Jesus. If someone says they know and love Jesus but never listens to him or never tries to do what he says, their words don't match their actions. That can feel a little scary. Have you always listened to Jesus? Have you always been loving? Kind? Obedient? John also writes, “The one who loves his brother remains in the light.” So think about today: Were you kind to your brother or sister—or did you say something mean? Did you listen to your parents and teachers—or argue and complain? Did you treat classmates and friends with love—or ignore them or hurt their feelings? These questions help us do something important called repentance. Repentance means admitting we have sinned and being sorry about it. But repentance doesn't stop there. Repentance means taking that sin and sadness to Jesus. And here's the best part: Jesus forgives. Always. Jesus is the one who perfectly loved his brothers and sisters—us! He showed that love by going to the cross and taking the punishment for our sins. Because Jesus loves you and forgives you, you really do know him. And because you know him, you want to listen to him. That's what it means to be “the one who loves his brother” and “remains in the light.” God forgives you. Jesus is with you. And one day, he will raise you to live forever. That's why, even when we mess up and stumble in sin, don't stay stuck—keep walking in the light! Prayer: Lord, as you first loved us, inspire us to love one another. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children When is it hardest to love your brother, sister, or parents? (What usually causes arguments or hurt feelings?) How did Jesus show that he loves you? (Think about the cross, forgiveness, and promises.) Questions for Elementary Age Children What does it mean to “know Jesus”? (Is it just knowing facts—or trusting and following him?) What are some ways you can show others that you know Jesus? (At home, school, or with friends.) Questions for Middle School and Above What is repentance? (Try to explain it in your own words.) Why do we need repentance every day—even when we're believers? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260126fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Isaiah 8:19–9:4 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. For those living in the land of the shadow of death, the light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 (EHV) A Great Light In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. “Can you leave the door open just a little bit?” a two-year-old asks at bedtime. Mom smiles and leaves the hallway light on. A thin line of light sneaks into the room. Suddenly, the darkness doesn't feel so scary anymore. The shadows don't look like monsters. The child feels safe, happy, and thankful. Soon, she falls asleep. Darkness and light can do powerful things. Darkness makes it hard to see and makes our imaginations run wild. Light helps us see what's really there. Darkness hides things; light shows the truth. That's why the child wanted light, it helped her feel safe. That's what the prophet Isaiah said about God's people long ago. He said they were “walking in darkness.” He didn't mean the sun disappeared. He meant their lives felt scary and confusing. They were afraid of a powerful enemy called Assyria, who had attacked them. They felt lost—like trying to walk on a path at night with no flashlight. They wanted to follow God, but they kept wandering off. Isaiah called this “living in the shadow of death,” because without light, things don't grow—they die. We have darkness in our lives too. We can be afraid of things like getting in trouble, being left out, failing a test, or letting someone down. We want to follow God and do what's right—but we mess up. That's called sin. Sin separates us from God and leads to death. But Isaiah gives us amazing news: “A light has dawned.” People who walked in darkness have seen a great light! This light scares away monsters. This light forgives sins. This light defeats death. Who is that light? Jesus tells us: “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he was like a bright star shining into a dark world. When Jesus died on the cross, he took the darkness of your sins onto himself. When Jesus rose from the dead, he chased away the shadow of death forever. So the next time the dark feels scary, remember this promise: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Jesus is your light—and he is always with you. Prayer: Lord, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). Help us walk according to it. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What are some things that make you scared of the dark? How does Jesus make you feel safe? Questions for Elementary Age Children How is sin like darkness? How is Jesus like light? Questions for Middle School and Above What did the prophet mean when he said that people “were walking in darkness”? When Jesus says, “I am the light of the world,” what is he promising us? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260123fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 1:29-41 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 It's Good to Point! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Parents teach their children many important lessons. One lesson kids often hear early on is: “It's not nice to point.” Pointing can be rude. It can hurt someone's feelings. So parents remind kids to keep their fingers to themselves. But here's something interesting. Sometimes pointing is actually a very good thing. Think about babies and toddlers. Before they can talk, what do they do? They point! They point to toys. They point to snacks. They point to things they want you to see. Pointing means, “Look at this—it's important!” In today's Bible lesson, God was very happy with two people who pointed. The first was John the Baptist. Whenever John saw Jesus, he wanted everyone to notice him. So he said loudly and excitedly: “Look! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John wasn't being rude. He was helping people see their Savior. Another person who pointed was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. Andrew didn't use his finger either—but he used his words. He ran to Peter and said: “We have found the Messiah!” Both John and Andrew pointed people to Jesus—and God praised them for it. Now think about this question together: Who pointed you to the Lamb of God? Was it your parents—when they brought you to be baptized, brought you to church, or prayed with you at home? Was it a teacher? A pastor? A grandparent? A friend? Christians love to point to Jesus because only good things happen when people look to him. Jesus loves when people point to him! That's important, because sometimes we forget to look at Jesus. We rush away from the dinner table without stopping to thank Jesus. We let sports, screens, or homework take over time we could spend with God's Word and prayer. We let scary or sad things make us forget that Jesus is always with us. When that happens, God lovingly sends people to point us back to Jesus again. And Jesus doesn't get tired of that. He keeps forgiving. He keeps loving. He keeps staying with us. Now here's the exciting part: You can be a pointer too. You can be a modern-day John the Baptist. You can be a 21st-century Andrew. You can point your parents, your friends, your classmates, and your teammates to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away their sins too. Yes, sometimes pointing can be rude. But pointing to Jesus is loving. Pointing to Jesus is helpful. Pointing to Jesus helps people know they have a Savior. Prayer: Dear God, you pointed me to my Savior through many different people. Give me opportunities to point others to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away all sin. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Why do parents usually tell kids not to point? Why is pointing to Jesus different? Who has helped point you to Jesus? (Parents, teachers, pastors, friends?) Questions for Elementary Age Children What is one Bible story you really like listening to or talking about? Why do you like that one? If a friend wondered, “Does God really forgive me?” what Bible story could you share? Questions for Middle School and Above What would you do if you pointed someone to Jesus, but they didn't believe right away? (Who could you pray for? What could you keep doing?) What makes you feel nervous about talking about Jesus? What could help calm those nerves? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260121fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Colossians 2:6-15 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. Colossians 2:9-10a Victory Through a Substitute In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Right before the school talent show started, Connor developed a bad cough. No matter what he tried, he couldn't stop coughing. There was no way Connor could sing his song on stage. No performance meant no chance to win the prize. But something amazing happened. Connor's brother, Grayson, stepped in. He looked a lot like Connor. He wore Connor's clothes. He sang Connor's song. Everyone thought, “Wow, Connor did a great job!” The performance won first place. And when it was time to get the award, Grayson gave all the credit to Connor—even though Connor hadn't sung a single note! That's called a substitute—someone taking another person's place. That kind of switch only worked because Grayson was human and looked like Connor. When it comes to the prize of heaven, something similar—but much bigger—happened. Jesus became one of us so he could take our place. Yes, Jesus is God. But he also became fully human. That's what the apostle Paul means when he writes, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness” (Colossians 2:9-10a). Jesus didn't stop being God—but he also became a real human being. The Bible is clear what we humans have earned because of our sins. We have earned suffering, pain, and death. God made that clear to Adam and Eve—and he explained it to us too. For sin to be forgiven, someone had to pay the price. That price was death. And it had to be paid by a human who had never sinned. That's a problem—because none of us are perfect. We couldn't make a perfect sacrifice. So God made one for us. God sent his own Son. Jesus became human so he could: Live a perfect life Follow God's law completely Suffer and die in our place That's what it means when we call Jesus the Lamb of God. He didn't just show us who God is. He took our place and paid our debt as someone who was innocent. What you and I couldn't do, God did for us. What you and I don't deserve, God declared that it is ours. Jesus, the Lamb of God, looked like us. He had a body. He got hungry and tired. He felt sad. He felt pain. In everything, he stepped in for us, just like Grayson did for Connor—but on a much greater scale. What we lost because of sin, God gave back to us completely through Jesus. Now that's victory—through a substitute! Prayer: Dear God, thank you for sending a substitute to die on the cross instead of us. Help us to praise you for this wonderful gift with our thoughts, words, and actions. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Because Jesus was human just like you, what are some things he experienced that you experience too? (Being tired? Hungry? Sad? Happy?) How does it make you feel to know that Jesus did everything needed so you can go to heaven? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why did Jesus have to be both true man and true God? (What could he do as God? What could he do as a human?) What are you most excited about when you think about heaven—the reward Jesus won for you? Questions for Middle School and Above While he lived on earth, Jesus was true God. Can you think of times when he didn't use his full power? (When he was tired? When he suffered? When he died?) Why couldn't God just say, “I'll forget about everyone's sins”? (What does this teach us about God's justice and love?) Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260119fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Isaiah 49:1-6 “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6 One Sacrifice for All In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine living in the desert. Day after day, hundreds of thousands of families walked through the wilderness to a huge tent called the tabernacle. Can you picture it? Sand under their feet. Sun in the sky. Animals bleating and people talking. Families didn't come empty-handed. They brought animals—sheep, goats, and bulls—because God had given them a special rule. When someone sinned, an animal was sacrificed to show that sin is serious and that forgiveness costs something. One kind of sacrifice was called the guilt offering. One person would bring one ram to take away one sin. Just one. Now let's think together. How many sins do you think one person commits in a week? More than one? Probably! Now imagine hundreds of thousands of people sinning every day. That would be piles and piles of animals. The sacrifices would never stop. That's what makes Jesus as the Lamb of God so wonderful and so powerful. Listen again to what God promised through the prophet Isaiah: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob . . . I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6). God was saying: “It's not enough for Jesus to save just one group of people. Jesus will be the Savior for everyone.” It would have been incredible if Jesus had died only for the Jewish people. That would be one sacrifice for millions of people. But God said, “I have something even bigger in mind.” Jesus' death on the cross was one sacrifice for the whole world. People who lived long, long ago—sins forgiven. People living right now—sins forgiven. People who haven't even been born yet—sins forgiven. One sacrifice. For everyone. Seeing animals sacrificed would not have been fun. Seeing Jesus die on the cross was sad and scary. But because of that cross, God now looks at you and adores you. He doesn't see your ugly sins anymore. Not the ones you remember. Not even the ones you forgot. Jesus, the Lamb of God, took them all away. And now God calls you his precious treasure. Prayer: Dear Lamb of God, thank you for your perfect sacrifice on the cross to take away the world's sins. Help us to share the wonders of your sacrifice with the world. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What part of this story surprised you the most? (The animals? One sin at a time? Jesus forgiving everyone?) We call the day Jesus died “Good Friday.” Why do you think something sad can also be called good? How does it make you feel to know that Jesus died for your sins? (Happy? Thankful? A little sad? Relieved?) Questions for Elementary Age Children Can you think of someone who might not know that Jesus loves them and forgives them? What would you say to the person you just mentioned? Questions for Middle School and Above Why don't we need to sacrifice animals anymore as part of our worship? When you're at church, what are some things you see that remind you of Jesus' sacrifice? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260116fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 3:13-17 “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 Anointed and Appointed In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. When Jesus was baptized, something amazing happened. The Holy Spirit came down on Jesus like a dove, and God the Father spoke from heaven. God said, “This is my Son, whom I love. I am very pleased with him.” That's a big moment! God was showing everyone that Jesus is special. Jesus is God's chosen Savior. There is no guessing here. God tells us clearly who Jesus is. But there is a question we might ask: Why did Jesus get baptized? Jesus never sinned. He didn't need his sins washed away like we do. So why did he do it? Jesus answered that question himself. He said it was right to be baptized “to do everything God wants done.” That means Jesus was obeying God perfectly—for us. A long time ago, kings were chosen by having oil poured on their heads. That was called being anointed. Jesus wasn't anointed with oil. He was anointed with the Holy Spirit. At his baptism, God was saying, “This is the one I have chosen.” God tells people to be baptized. So Jesus obeyed that command too. He obeyed every rule perfectly—so we don't have to. Jesus lived a perfect life for us, and one day he would give that life on the cross. And God would be pleased again. Here's the amazing part for us: Because of Jesus, baptism is special for us too. Baptism is not just a symbol. It is something God does. In baptism, God forgives sins. He gives new life. He makes us part of his family. When you were baptized, God chose you. He made you his child. He anointed and appointed you too. That means you belong to him and get to live for him. Just like God said about Jesus, he also says about you: “This is my child, whom I love. With this child, I am pleased.” Prayer: Dear Holy Spirit, thank you for bringing us to faith in Jesus through the precious waters of baptism. Help our family remember our baptisms and live as people who belong to you, and the Father, and the Son. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Do you know when you were baptized? (Parents can help tell the story!) What is one fun or special way your family could remember your baptism each year? (Cake? Prayer? Candle? Story time?) Questions for Elementary Age Children When is your baptism date? What is one thing that was the same about Jesus' baptism and your baptism? (God's name, water, God's promises) Questions for Middle School and Above What does God give you in baptism? (Forgiveness, new life, God's family) Because you are baptized, what is one loving (or spiritual) thing you can do this week? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260114fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Acts 10:34-38 [You know] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:38 Jesus Was No Flop In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Adults like to argue about sports players. They talk about who they think will be the best player ever. Sometimes they get really excited about a player and say, “This one will be amazing!” But later, that player doesn't do very well. When that happens, people say the player was a “flop.” That means they didn't turn out the way people hoped. Now let's think about Jesus. Long before Jesus was born, God talked about him in the Bible. People heard that he would be powerful and that he would help others. God chose him and anointed him at his baptism. Everyone expected great things from him. And Jesus did amazing things! He healed sick people. He helped people who were hurting. He was kind to everyone. But then something confusing happened. Jesus died on a cross. He let people hurt him. At first, that might make someone wonder, “Did Jesus fail?” But Jesus was not a flop. The apostle Peter reminds us what really happened. He said that God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went around doing good and healing people because God was with him (Acts 10:38). Jesus' miracles were like big signs pointing to who he really is—God's Son and our Savior. The good things Jesus did weren't only miracles. They were also the loving words he spoke. And the most important words he spoke were on the cross: “It is finished!” That means Jesus finished saving us. His death paid for our sins. His death broke the devil's power. And just like God promised, Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus didn't fail. He won. God knew exactly what he was doing. Jesus was never a flop. He is God's chosen Savior—and our forever champion. Prayer: Dear Jesus, we praise you for fulfilling all that Scripture said you would do. Guide us safely home to your side in heaven, where we will see you, our champion, face to face. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What is one miracle Jesus did that you remember? Why do you think that miracle is so cool or important? Questions for Elementary Age Children Can you think of a time when something didn't turn out the way you hoped? How did that make you feel? Can you name a way Jesus helped you or your family—maybe by keeping you safe, giving you help, or bringing you comfort? Questions for Middle School and Above Can you name one Old Testament promise God made in the Bible that Jesus kept? (Parents can help with examples like being born in Bethlehem or rising from the dead.) Imagine you were there when Jesus died on the cross. What might have confused or worried you that Jesus was a flop? What would you say now to remind yourself that Jesus was really winning? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20251231fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God's child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:4-7 The Best Christmas Gift: God's Family In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Most people love Christmas! It's the time between Thanksgiving and New Year's full of cookies and candy canes, treats and traditions, music and magic. Christmas means family. And most importantly, Christmas means Jesus. But here's the thing—you only fully understand what that truly means when you think what Christmas without Jesus looks like. How would that change the phrase “Christmas means family”? People love Christmas because it gives them something to look forward to. It's fun! It makes them feel happy. But we also know life isn't perfect. There are lots of times we see sin and sadness in the world. Christmas reminds us that we don't just need fun—we need to belong to God's family. Through Jesus, you belong to God's family! Jesus didn't come just to make a few weeks of Christmas cheer. He came to save people from sin and death. He bought you for his family. And in God's family, you can talk to your heavenly Father anytime—asking for help, peace, and love. So, when you are afraid of what's going on in the world, when you feel burdened by your sins, you can call out “Abba, Father”—and your heavenly Father will hear your cry for help because you are his child! Christmas means you belong to God's family. As part of this family, you get to wear Christmas clothes! Mom and Dad make sure you have nice clothes to wear for a service. Did they tell you to keep them clean for a nice picture? Christmas gives you something even better: Jesus gives you holy white robes of heaven! That means you get to live as someone who belongs to God's family. Christmas means Jesus. And because of Jesus, Christmas means family—God's family. Prayer: Abba, Father, thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, that through him you call us your children. In the joy of belonging to your family, may we continue to keep our “Christmas clothes” clean by living lives according to your will. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What are some blessings of belonging to God's family? How can you show thanks to your heavenly Father for these blessings? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why did Jesus have to be born “under the law”? How did Jesus keep the law as your perfect brother? Questions for Middle School and Above What do you think it means to be an “heir of God through Christ”? How can knowing you belong to God's family help you be a more caring member of your family? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20251229fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion I will tell of the kindnesses of the LORD, the deeds for which he is to be praised, according to all the LORD has done for us—yes, the many good things he has done for Israel, according to his compassion and many kindnesses. He said, “Surely they are my people, children who will be true to me”; and so he became their Savior. In all their distress he too was distressed, and the angel of his presence saved them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. Isaiah 63:7-9 I Can't Wait to Tell! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Think about when you come back to school after Christmas break. What's the first thing everybody does? They tell stories! Stories about presents, fun trips . . . stories about cousins who stayed WAY too long. We like telling the good parts of our break. We don't usually say things like, “I fought with my brother,” or “I spilled hot chocolate everywhere.” We like to talk about the happy things! The prophet Isaiah reminds us that we can do the same thing when we talk about Jesus—we can tell the good news about him! Tell about his mercies. Even when you and I mess up and sin, Jesus says, “I forgive you.” Every time. And that forgiveness is for your friends too! Tell of the reasons to praise the Lord. Life isn't always easy. Some days are hard. But look around—God gives you so many good things: food, family, clothes, a bed, friends, a school, a Savior. That's a LOT to thank him for! Tell about what Jesus has done. Jesus cared for you so much that he became: your Savior in the manger, your Savior on the cross, your Savior who rose from the empty tomb, and your Savior ruling in heaven right now! Here's the best part: God says to you, “Surely you are my people.” That means, “You belong to me. I love you. I won't leave you.” So whether the rest of your break is super fun, kind of boring, or a little tough, Jesus is with you. He carries you. He will not let you go. You can trust that because he has also told you that the baby in the manger is your Savior. And THAT is something worth telling others! Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for telling us in your Word all the wonderful things you have done for us. May we always remember these truths, that we would tell your praises and mercies to those who need to hear them. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What are some good things the Lord has done for you this week? Which one makes you smile the biggest?! Who can you tell about those good things? What would say to that person? Questions for Elementary Age Children In verse 8, the Lord tells us that he became your Savior. How does Jesus born a tiny baby show he came to be your Savior? What's one simple way you can talk about Jesus this vacation week—at home or with a friend? Questions for Middle School and Above God says, “Surely you are my people.” How can those words help you when you are feeling down? Think of a friend who's having a tough time. What could you tell them about the Lord's mercies to help them feel better? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20251226fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 1:1-14 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2 (EHV) The Best Gift Ever: Jesus! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. A long time ago, at the very beginning of everything, God used his Word to create the whole world—everything we see and even things we cannot see. Over 2,000 years ago, this same Word became a baby and lived among us in Bethlehem. That is what we celebrate at Christmas—Jesus—“the Word”—comes to be with us! But it wasn't just about Jesus being born. He came on a special mission—to save us. Everything he did, and even some things he didn't do, were all part of this mission. His goal? To make us children of God and to bring us close to him. When we look at nativity scenes, manger sets, or Christmas pictures, we remember baby Jesus—“the Word”—and think about all he has done for us. Because of him, we can be friends with God, have our sins forgiven, and live holy lives. We become part of God's family through faith—that means believing Jesus is our Savior. Because we are God's children, we can pray, “Our Father in heaven”, and know that God loves us, cares for us, and is with us every single day. He gives us what we need and keeps us close to him through his Word. One day, because of Jesus, we will be with him forever in heaven! All around the world, people are celebrating this amazing Christmas truth: God's love for us in Jesus. And we get to celebrate it too! Merry Christmas to you and your family! Christ—“the Word”—is born! And that's the best news ever! Amen. Prayer: Jesus, you are the Word made flesh who came down to heaven to become one of us. You became our salvation so that we could become children of God. May we rejoice in the Christmas message now and forever. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What is another name for Jesus in today's devotion? True or False: God made the world using “the Word.” Questions for Elementary Age Children Why can we pray in the Lord's Prayer, “Our Father, who is in heaven”? Why did Jesus come to live with us? Questions for Middle School and Above When you see a nativity scene or a Christmas picture, what does it remind you about Jesus? Look at all the Christmas gifts you got this year. Can you think of reasons why the gift of Jesus is even better than all of them? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20251224fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people. It trains us to reject ungodliness and worldly lusts and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope, that is, the glorious appearance of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave himself for us, to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people who are his own chosen people, eager to do good works. Titus 2:11-14 (EHV) Jesus Cleans Us Up—Just Like Dawn Soap! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. During the school year, we get some breaks—like Christmas break, Easter break, and summer break. Breaks are a time to take a rest from the usual schedule and enjoy something different. Learning is important, but so is rest, fun, and spending time with family and friends. When a break starts, what will you do with that free time? Sometimes, there are plans already. Other times, we have to decide how to use our free time. If we don't think about it, we might end up doing nothing and feel like we wasted our break. Jesus gives us a different kind of freedom. It isn't freedom from school—it's freedom from a life controlled by sin. Sin is all the ways we make bad choices, act selfishly, or ignore God. The freedom Jesus gives us isn't just a “break” before we have to deal with sin again—it's freedom to live a new life following him. Jesus has saved us from sin. We are free! But what will we do with this freedom? God calls us to live for him and do good things. Here's a way to understand it: an old soap commercial—Dawn soap. The power of Dawn soap isn't just for dishes. There was an oil spill in the ocean, and many birds got covered in oil and couldn't move. People came and washed the birds with—you guessed it—Dawn soap and hot water. The commercial shows the birds flying away and free. In the same way, Jesus cleaned us from sin and guilt. His cross and blood free us to do the things God made us to do! We can: Care for others with Christian love Praise God with happy hearts Respect and honor those God puts in charge Speak kindly to others Be thankful for what God gives us All of this is possible because Jesus made us clean and pure. Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for cleaning us from sin and guilt and giving us freedom to live for you. Holy Spirit, help us use our freedom to do good things, love others, and praise you with happy hearts. Thank you for saving us and being with us every day. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Who saved us from all sin and guilt? How can we learn more about God? Questions for Elementary Age Children How did Jesus make us clean from sin and guilt? Name three “good things” (works) you want to do this week to help others. Questions for Middle School and Above How can we live self-controlled, upright, and God-pleasing lives right now? We are not saved by doing good works. Then why do we do them? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20251222fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion The LORD spoke to Ahaz again. He said, “Ask for a sign from the LORD your God. Ask for it either in the depths below or in the heights above.” But Ahaz responded, “I will not ask. I will not test the LORD.” So Isaiah said: Listen now, you house of David. Is it not enough for you to test the patience of men? Will you test the patience of my God as well? Therefore the Lord himself will give a sign for all of you. Look! The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and name him Immanuel. Isaiah 7:10-14 (EHV) God With Us: The Greatest Mission In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever seen a Mission Impossible movie with Tom Cruise? There are eight of them! They have crazy stunts—people hanging from planes, jumping between buildings, and doing things that seem totally impossible. But by the end, all the good guys make it through safely, and the day is saved. A long time ago, over 700 years before Jesus was born, there was a king named Ahaz. Life looked really hard for the people of Judah. They were sad and worried because it seemed like everything was going wrong. But God promised to help them—even when it seemed impossible. God wanted Ahaz to ask for a sign to show that he would keep his promise, but Ahaz didn't want to. So God gave a special sign anyway—the promise of the Savior, Jesus! Jesus would be born from a virgin, and his name would be Immanuel, which means “God with us.” That's amazing, isn't it? God promised to be with his people, and he kept that promise by sending Jesus. Jesus did the most impossible mission ever. He was born as a baby in Bethlehem. He lived a perfect life, died on the cross for us, and promised that everyone who believes in him will be with God forever in heaven. That's the true miracle of Christmas—God with us, Jesus for us, forever! Prayer: Dear Jesus, you are Immanuel, “God with us.” What a beautiful name! Thank you for coming to us, even when it seemed impossible. Help us remember that you are always with us and that “with you,” all things are possible. Lift up our spirits in joy this week as we welcome your deliverance. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Do you know anyone named Immanuel? How long before Jesus was born did God give King Ahaz the promise of a Savior? Questions for Elementary Age Children What does the name “Immanuel” mean? Can you think of a time when it was comforting to know that God was with you? Questions for Middle School and Above Why did Jesus get the name, “Immanuel”? What humanly impossible mission did Jesus do for us? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20251219fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion While John was in prison, he heard about the things Christ was doing. He sent two of his disciples to ask him, “Are you the Coming One or should we wait for someone else?” Jesus answered them, “Go, report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the gospel is preached to the poor. Blessed is the one who does not take offense at me.” As these two were leaving, Jesus began to talk to the crowds about John. “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? No, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. So what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you! And he is much more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.' Amen I tell you: Among those born of women there has not appeared anyone greater than John the Baptist. Yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Matthew 11:2-11 (EHV) Are You the Coming One? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. There's a famous children's book called Are You My Mother? Maybe you've read it! It's about a baby bird who hatches while his mom is gone. So, he climbs out of the nest and starts asking all kinds of animals and even machines, “Are you my mother?” But they all say, “No!” Finally, the baby bird gets lifted back into his nest, and his real mother comes home. They are happy together again! We aren't baby birds, and John the Baptist wasn't either. But John was looking for someone—the Coming One, the Savior God promised. But here's the strange part: John the Baptist already knew Jesus! He even baptized Jesus. He heard God's voice say, “This is my Son, whom I love.” He saw the Holy Spirit come down like a dove. So why would John ask Jesus, “Are you the Coming One?” Maybe John wasn't doubting, maybe he was just tired of waiting. He was stuck in prison and probably wished Jesus would save him right away. Or maybe John wanted his followers to learn the truth themselves by going to Jesus and asking. Whatever the reason, we know what happened: John sent two of his helpers to Jesus to ask, “Are you the Coming One?” And Jesus didn't just say, “Yes.” Instead, he told them to look at what he was doing—making blind people see, deaf people hear, lame people walk and telling the good news to the poor. All those miracles matched the promises in the Bible. So the answer was clear: Jesus IS the Coming One! John's job was always to point people to Jesus. He wanted everyone to know the Savior. We can do that too. Many people still wonder, “Who is Jesus?” With our lives, words, and church family, we can point to Jesus—the One who came to save us, forgive us, and lead us to eternal life. Prayer: Jesus, you are the Coming One whom God promised. You help us see the truth, walk in faith, and one day you will raise us to live with you forever. Make our faith stronger and help us share the good news with others—at Christmas and all year long. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Who did John the Baptist send to Jesus to talk to him? (His disciples.) What question did they ask Jesus? (“Are you the Coming One?”) Questions for Elementary Age Children How can our church do the same kind of work John the Baptist did? (By pointing people to Jesus, teaching about him, sharing God's Word.) Name a few miracles Jesus did that showed he is the Savior—the Coming One. (Helping blind people see, lame people walk, sick people get better, calming storms, feeding crowds.) Questions for Middle School and Above Why didn't Jesus just say, “Yes, I am the Coming One”? Why did he answer the way he did? (He wanted them to see the proof—his miracles matched God's promises.) How did John the Baptist prepare the hearts of people for Jesus' arrival? (He told them to repent, be baptized, and look for the Savior.) Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20251217fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: James 5:7-11 Therefore, brothers, be patient until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the valuable harvest from the ground, patiently waiting for it, until it receives the early and late rain. You be patient too. Strengthen your hearts because the coming of the Lord is near. Do not complain about one another, brothers, so that you will not be judged. Look! The Judge is standing at the doors! Brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of suffering with patient endurance. James 5:7-10 (EHV) The Hardest Thing to Do is . . . Waaait! The Hardest Thing to Do is . . . Waaaait! The Hardest Thing to Do is Waaaaait! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. If you have a dog, you know one of the hardest things to teach it is patience. But it can be done! You might've seen a video of a dog with a treat on its nose while its owner says, “Wait . . . waaaait . . . waaaaait . . . OKAY!” Then the dog flips the treat into the air and gobbles it up. The dog gets rewarded for waiting! But patience isn't just hard for dogs, it's hard for us too. This time of year, we feel it even more. Christmas presents are wrapped already . . . but you can't open them yet. You might be super excited for grandparents to visit . . . but you have to wait for them to arrive. You might love Christmas Eve church or Christmas Day worship . . . but you have to wait for the day to get here. Our Bible reading for today talks about patience. Being patient is a good thing—but it's only really worth it when the person making the promise is someone you can trust. Sometimes people make promises they can't keep, and that makes us sad. But God says, “Be patient until the coming of the Lord.” God promises that one day Jesus will come back in glory, with his angels. He will make a new heaven and a new earth. He promises that everyone who believes in him will live with him forever. But . . . we have to wait. And it's not time yet. So what do we do while we wait? We keep listening to God's Word. We keep living as God's children. We keep fighting against sin. We forgive others—and they forgive us. We keep going, day after day, with Jesus helping us. The prophets in the Bible had to wait too—they waited hundreds of years for Jesus' first coming! And just like a farmer waits for his crops to grow, we wait for Jesus to return. The world is getting ready, and so are we. Being patient isn't easy, but we know something important: God ALWAYS keeps his promises. Not one of his promises has ever failed—and they never will. So we wait . . . but we wait with excitement, because we know Jesus really is coming again! Prayer: Lord Jesus, please help us be patient. You promised to come back and make a brand-new heaven and earth where there is no sin or sadness. Help us believe and trust your promises every day and find strength in daily living. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Why does a farmer have to wait for the harvest? (Because plants need time to grow—harvest only happens when the crop is ready!) Are you excited for Christmas? Why do we have to wait for it? (Because Christmas comes at a set time—waiting builds excitement!) Questions for Elementary Age Children What will Jesus do on judgment day? (He will come back in glory, take believers to heaven, and make everything new.) Why shouldn't we complain about each other? (God wants us to love, forgive, and be patient—just like he is patient with us.) Questions for Middle School and Above Name three things you're looking forward to when Jesus comes back. (Ideas: No sadness, seeing Jesus, heaven, new earth, no sin, joy forever.) What should we do while we wait for Jesus to return? (Keep believing, keep learning God's Word, love others, forgive, and trust Jesus.) Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20251215fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Isaiah 35:1-10 The wilderness and the desert will be glad. The wasteland of the Arabah will rejoice and blossom like a crocus. It will bloom lavishly, and there will be great joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it. It will be excellent like Carmel and Sharon. They will see the glory of the LORD, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make the shaky knees steady. Do not be afraid. Look! Your God will come with vengeance. With God's own retribution, he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind will be opened, and the ears of the deaf will be unplugged. The crippled will leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute will sing for joy. Waters will flow in the wilderness, and streams in the wasteland. The burning sand will become a pool, and in the thirsty ground there will be springs of water. There will be grass, reeds, and rushes where the haunts of jackals once lay. A highway will be there, a road that will be called the holy way. The impure will not walk there. It will be reserved for those who walk in that holy way. Isaiah 35:1-8 (EHV) The Great Heart Superbloom In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever seen a place that looks super green, like a giant forest? The Smoky Mountains are like that—so many greens it looks like someone used every crayon in the box! If you go to a place like Zion National Park, you'll see tons of browns and tans—still beautiful, just different. But then there's Death Valley. Most of the time, it looks dry, empty, and kind of plain. It's like the world's biggest “nothing-to-see-here” desert. But something amazing happens once in a while. When it finally gets enough rain, everything changes. Suddenly, colorful flowers pop up everywhere—yellow, orange, purple, pink—like the desert got a giant surprise party! This is called a “superbloom.” Sometimes our lives feel a little like that dry desert. We might feel sad, lonely, or worried—like our hearts don't have much color in them. But Jesus changes everything. The Bible says he's our “living water,” which means he refreshes our hearts just like rain refreshes a desert. In the book of Isaiah, it talks about things Jesus did. He made blind people see, deaf people hear, and people who couldn't walk get up and move again! But Jesus didn't just fix bodies. He made a way for us to get to heaven—a special road for God's people called the “holy way.” We weren't always on that road. We were stuck in our “sin desert,” with no way out. But God didn't leave us there. The Holy Spirit used God's Word and baptism to plant faith inside us—like tiny seeds that bloom into beautiful flowers. Because of Jesus, we can walk with God now—and someday we'll go to heaven, a place where sadness runs away and joy and happiness chase us down! May God help our faith grow and bloom forever. Amen. Prayer: Jesus, thank you for being our living water. You make our hearts come alive—like a big, beautiful superbloom. Help us remember that all our joy and faith come from you. Thank you for saving us and redeeming us. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Who gets to go to heaven? (Help kids focus on: “Everyone who believes in Jesus as their Savior.”) Who helps us believe in Jesus by working through God's Word and baptism? (The Holy Spirit!) Questions for Elementary Age Children The Bible says there will be no more crying or sadness in heaven. What happy things will “overtake us”? (Talk about joy, laughter, peace, excitement.) As believers in Jesus, why don't we need to be scared about the future? (Jesus is with us, loves us, and already knows the way.) Questions for Middle School and Above How is having faith in Jesus like a “superbloom”? (Faith makes our hearts full of color, life, and joy—just like rain brings flowers to the desert.) What does it mean to be “ransomed” by the Lord? (Jesus paid the price for our sins so we could belong to him forever.) Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.