WELS Family Devotion

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260720fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Isaiah 44:6-11 “This is what the LORD says—Israel's King and Redeemer, the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God. Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.” All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Isaiah 44:6,8-9 God Isn't Monopoly Money! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Every Monopoly game comes with $20,580. That's a lot of money! But imagine walking into a toy store with a handful of Monopoly money and trying to buy your favorite LEGO set or stuffed animal. It won't work. It's fake money. Sometimes people make a similar mistake with something much more important. They put their hopes for happiness and even heaven in created things instead of the Creator. In Isaiah’s time—and, in some places still today—those created things were statues—idols—made of wood or stone. But idols don’t have to be made of wood or stone. An idol can be anything or anyone that we fear, love, or trust more than the true God. Today idols may look like sports, video games, being the best at something, friends, money, or being popular. Wood and stone are real. Toys, money, friends, and popularity are real too. But none of these are God. They are false gods that cannot bring us real joy, peace, forgiveness, or eternal life. Isaiah says, “All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless” (Isaiah 44:9). What are the idols that tempt you? Money? Are you more in love with the stuff of this world than with the One who created it? Popularity? Is your life focused on being the most popular person in the room with the most “likes” and “followers”? This is what makes believers in Jesus different. Christians may or may not be famous or wealthy, and they may or may not have lots of nice things, but they have Christ. They believe God’s words, “Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one” (Isaiah 44:8). By grace, the one and only God found them and called them into his family of faith. They also know that Jesus has forgiven all their sins, even the sin of so often wanting their own selfish desires above what God wants. Living as God's people in this world is not always easy. Advertisements whisper that happiness is found in what we own. Social media suggests our value depends on how many people notice us. Yet none of those can save us. Christians are different because they listen to the voice of their Savior, who alone forgives sinners. To have the true God is to have everything. God forgives sins, promises the resurrection from death, and reserves for us a room in his heavenly mansion. Those are gifts that never wear out, never break, and can never be taken away. When we have him, we possess treasures that never fade and a future that never ends. Prayer: Dear Jesus, forgive us when we love other things more than you. Help us trust you above all else and find our joy in your forgiveness and promises. 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 wouldn’t Monopoly money work at a real store? How many true Gods are there? Questions for Elementary Age Children Name three idols that people today might be tempted to love more than God. What are some things that the true God gives that idols cannot give? Questions for Middle School and Above Luther says that a “god” is whatever we trust most or run to first for help. When kids are scared, sad, or worried, what are some things they might be tempted to trust instead of God? How can a Christian enjoy God’s gifts—such as family, success, possessions, or popularity—without turning them into idols? 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/20260717fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 [Jesus said] “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Matthew 13:3-8 Seeds Everywhere! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Imagine your family gave you a packet of flower seeds and said, “Don’t waste these!” You would probably be careful, right? You’d plant them in good dirt. You wouldn’t throw them onto the driveway. You wouldn’t toss them into a pile of rocks. You definitely wouldn’t scatter them into a patch of weeds. That would be silly! But in Jesus’ story, that’s exactly what the farmer does. He throws seed everywhere. Some lands on the path. Some lands on rocky ground. Some lands among thorns. Some lands on good soil. At first, it almost seems like the farmer is being careless. But Jesus is teaching us something important. In this parable, the seed is God’s Word—the good news about Jesus. And the farmer is God. God doesn’t keep his Word locked away or only share it with a few people. He spreads it everywhere. Some people hear God’s Word and ignore it. Some people get excited about it for a little while but then drift away. Some people let other things become more important than Jesus. But some people hear God’s Word, trust in Jesus, and their faith grows strong. That’s the good soil. And when God’s Word grows in someone’s heart, amazing things happen: Faith grows. Lives change. People learn about Jesus. Others hear the gospel too. Just think, one little seed can produce a huge harvest! This parable teaches us how we should share God’s Word. Sometimes we wait for the “perfect” moment. Sometimes we’re afraid someone won’t listen. Sometimes we think, “What if they don’t care?” But Jesus tells us to keep planting. Keep inviting. Keep sharing. Keep talking about Jesus. We don’t have to figure out which hearts are good soil, and which aren’t. That’s God’s job. Our job is simply to scatter the seed. And because God’s Word is powerful, we know it is never wasted. The farmer in Jesus’ story wasn’t careless. He was generous. And God is generous too. He keeps planting his Word in our hearts and in the hearts of others because he wants many people to know the love and forgiveness found in Jesus. So don’t be afraid to share God’s Word. You never know when God is growing a harvest that is bigger than you can imagine! Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for planting your Word in our hearts. Let your Word root deeply in us so that we may bear fruit for your kingdom. 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 did some of the farmer’s seed land? What does the seed represent in Jesus’ story? What happened to the seed that landed on good soil? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why do you think the farmer scattered seed everywhere instead of only putting it in the good soil? What does this story teach us about our job and God’s job when we share the gospel? Questions for Middle School and Above The farmer kept scattering seed even though he knew some would not grow. What does that teach us about God’s love for people and about the way Christians should share the gospel? Have you ever invited someone to church, Sunday school, or vacation Bible school? What happened? 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/20260715fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 Corinthians 3:5-11 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 The First Button In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever gotten dressed in the dark? Maybe you started buttoning your shirt and everything seemed fine at first. But when you got to the last button, something looked funny. One side was higher than the other! You turn on a light and discover the problem. The very first button was in the wrong hole. Because the first button was wrong, every other button ended up wrong too. One little mistake at the beginning changed everything at the end. Paul was dealing with a problem at the church in Corinth. Some people were arguing about which teacher was most important. Was it Paul, who started the church? Was it Apollos, who helped teach the people afterward? Paul reminded them that they were all working together for God. One person planted the seed. Another person watered it. But God was the one making it grow. Then Paul shared something even more important. Every Christian is building on the exact same foundation: Jesus Christ. A foundation is the part of a building that everything else sits on. If the foundation cracks, the whole building is in trouble. But if the foundation is strong, the building can stand firm. Jesus is the strong foundation for the church. Jesus is also the strong foundation for our family. Sometimes it’s easy to build our lives on other things. We might think, “I’ll be happy if I make the team.” Or “Everything will be okay if I get a good grade.” Or “I need everyone to like me.” Those things aren’t bad. Sports, school, and friendships are gifts from God. But they make terrible foundations. What happens if you don’t make the team? What happens if you get a bad grade? What happens if a friend says something hurtful? If those things are your foundation, your whole life can start to feel shaky like it's going to crash down! Our foundation is already laid for us in Jesus. That means your value doesn’t depend on how well you play, how smart you are, or what other people think about you. Your value comes from Jesus. When Jesus died and rose again, he forgave every sin. He made you part of God’s family. He promised to love you forever. When our family prays together, reads God’s Word together, and reminds each other about God’s forgiveness, we are building on a rock-solid foundation. It's a “first-button” issue: When Jesus is our foundation, we know how the rest of our story lines up. No matter what difficult days come, Jesus will hold us up now until he invites us to our forever home in heaven. Now THAT'S a really good ending! Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for being our strong foundation. When we are tempted to build our lives on sports, grades, popularity, or other things, remind us that you are what matters most. Help our family stay close to you through your Word and prayer. Thank you for loving us, forgiving us, and holding us up 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 What happened when the first button was put in the wrong hole? Who does Paul say is the foundation of the church? Questions for Elementary Age Children What are some things kids your age sometimes think are the most important things in life? Why can sports, grades, friends, or hobbies make us happy but still be poor foundations? Questions for Middle School and Above Imagine two families. One builds everything around success and achievements. The other builds everything around Jesus. What differences might you notice when both families go through a difficult time? Look at the practical examples mentioned at the end: praying together, reading God’s Word, and reminding each other of forgiveness. Which of these do you think our family is doing well, and which one could we work on to make our foundation stronger? 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/20260713fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Isaiah 55:6-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11 God's Word Always Works In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever planted a seed? Maybe it was a bean seed in a cup at school or a flower seed in a garden. What would happen if that seed never got any water? It would stay dry. It wouldn’t grow. But when it rains or someone waters it, something amazing happens. Little roots begin to grow. A tiny plant pushes up through the dirt. Before long, there are leaves, flowers, or even food to eat. A science teacher might call this part of the water cycle. Water goes up into the clouds and then comes back down as rain or snow. You don't have to remember any big science words to know something important: God sends water, and water does what God wants it to do. Rain helps flowers bloom. Water helps crops grow. Animals need water to live. People need water to drink. God sends water for a reason, and it does its job. God says his Word works the same way. When God’s Word is shared, read, taught, or preached, it always does something. Sometimes God’s Word helps someone believe in Jesus. Sometimes God’s Word helps a Christian grow stronger in faith. Sometimes God’s Word shows a person that they are doing something wrong and need God’s forgiveness. Sometimes people don’t want to listen to God’s Word at all. But no matter what happens, God’s Word is never wasted. God promises that his Word will always do exactly what he wants it to do. That means we can tell people about Jesus without being afraid. We don’t have to wonder, “Will this matter?” We don’t have to think, “Maybe sharing Jesus is a waste of time.” God says it isn’t. His Word is living and active. His Word is powerful. His Word works. And God’s Word doesn’t leave us empty either. Because of Jesus, we are forgiven. Because of Jesus, heaven is our home. Because of Jesus, we have peace with God. Since God has filled our hearts with joy, peace, and hope, we can gladly share that same good news with others. Who knows? God can use his powerful Word to fill their hearts too! Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us your powerful Word that always accomplishes your good purpose. May we trust its power to create and strengthen faith in us and those with whom we share it. Bless everyone who hears your Word, and through your Holy Spirit bring many people to trust in their Savior. 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 plants when they get the rain and water they need? What does God say his Word always does? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why do you think God compares his Word to rain and snow? Have you ever told someone about Jesus or invited someone to church? What was that like? Questions for Middle School and Above If someone doesn’t want to listen when we talk about Jesus, does that mean God’s Word failed? Why not? God promises that his Word will always accomplish his purpose. How does that promise help us be brave when we share our faith with 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/20260710fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 11:25-30 [Jesus said] “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (EHV) The Best Kind of Rest In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. There is no animal that purposely delays sleep. Whether it is a giraffe needing 2 hours of sleep or a cat needing 20, no animal will go out of its way to not rest. People, however, are quite different. Despite knowing the dangers associated with lack of sleep and rest we humans continue to work too long and rest too little. We stay up watching shows, playing video games, scrolling on a device, or trying to finish one more thing before bed. The God who made us knows that we need rest. But Jesus came to give us more than a good night's sleep. He doesn't give us one more thing to do, another homework assignment, or one more project to finish. Instead, Jesus invites us to himself so that he can give us rest. Certainly, Jesus gives us an example of rest. Even the Son of God would take time to sleep, to pray, and to spend time in God's Word. But the most important rest Jesus gives is for your soul. He gives you rest when he says that your sins are forgiven. You don't have to carry around the burden of guilt and the wrong things you've done. Jesus took the sins off your back, carried them to the cross himself, and took their punishment away. Because of him, you are God's child and Jesus' friend—forever! Jesus gives you rest as he cares for you even now directing all things for your eternal good. Your life does not consist of you having to be smart enough to figure it all out or to outhustle everyone around you. You can be confident that good things await you because God is directing everything for your sake. Finally, Jesus will give you the greatest rest you will ever know as he is in heaven preparing a place for you to be with him forever. The gentle and humble Savior has promised a place with him forever. In a world where we so often fail to rest, our Jesus gives us exactly the rest we need. Prayer: Father in heaven, our souls are not at rest until they rest in you. Give us the rest Jesus offers to 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 does Jesus invite to come to him in these verses? What kinds of things can make people feel tired, worried, or burdened? Questions for Elementary Age Children How does Jesus describe the rest he gives? Jesus says he is “gentle and humble.” Why is it comforting to know that Jesus is kind and patient with us? Questions for Middle School and Above What are some things kids your age worry about? How can Jesus help you with those worries? The devotion says that you don’t have to have all the answers because God is caring for you. When is it hard to trust God instead of worrying? 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/20260708fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Romans 7:15-25 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25a (ESV) Jesus Does What I Can’t In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. At seven years old, on the way home from church, Matt sat in the back seat of the car and proudly announced to his parents that he wasn't going to sin anymore. Both of his parents chuckled, and his dad told him that he hoped he was right. Matt's promise was short-lived. After arriving home, he didn't like what his mom made for lunch and complained about it. Shortly after lunch, he and his brother had to go to timeout for fighting over Legos. Then before bed, he got in trouble again for sneaking cookies after he brushed his teeth. Matt really did mean it when he told his parents he wasn't going to sin anymore. But by the end of the day, he had already broken his promise several times! Have you ever told yourself that you weren't going to sin anymore only to find yourself still doing wrong things? Maybe you promised not to argue with your brother or sister. Maybe you said you would stop complaining or always obey your parents right away. But sometimes we still do the wrong thing, even when we don’t want to. That happened to the apostle Paul too. He loved God and wanted to do what was right. But he still struggled with sin. That is why he cried out, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24). Notice what Paul does not ask. He doesn't ask, “How can I try harder?” or “What rules can I follow to fix myself?” He asks, “Who will rescue me?” Paul knew he needed more than self-control. He needed a Savior. A deliverer. And then Paul gives the answer: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25). Your peace with God does not depend on you finally getting it right. It depends entirely on Jesus who already got it right for you. The harder you try to save yourself, the more tired you become. The more you trust Jesus, the more rest you find. Jesus does what we can’t. True rest begins when you reach the end of yourself and find Christ waiting there. So, rest in Jesus! Prayer: Lord Jesus, we confess that the good we want to do, we so often fail to do. Forgive us for trying to rely on our own strength. Thank you, that getting to heaven doesn’t depend on what we do for you, but on what you have already done for us. Give us true peace, knowing that we are safe in your loving hands. 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 In the Bible verse, Paul asks who will rescue him from his mistakes, and then he says, “Thanks be to God through . . .” Who is the Savior Paul is thanking? Have you ever tried really hard to be good (like sharing your toys or listening right away) but still made a mistake? How does it feel to know that Jesus always forgives you and loves you anyway? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why couldn’t Paul save himself from his sin? Paul didn’t ask for a checklist of rules to fix himself but instead asked who would rescue him. Why is looking to a person (Jesus) better than just trying to follow a checklist of rules when we mess up? Questions for Middle School and Above True or False: We are both a sinner and a saint at the same time. Sometimes Christians keep struggling with the same sins. How does knowing that Jesus has already forgiven you help you avoid giving up or feeling hopeless? 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/20260706fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Exodus 33:12-23 And the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Exodus 33:21-22 (ESV) Safe in Jesus' Hands In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Whether it is a scary part in a movie or a loud dog at the park, young children will often reach for their parents’ hand. They want to know if their mom and dad are still there and if they are safe. Their parents' hand lets them know that wherever they are going they don't need to be afraid. Someone stronger is there to protect them. The burden of leadership must have been exhausting for Moses. Every day he helped lead hundreds of thousands of people through the wilderness. The people often complained about food, water, and even about Moses himself. One time, a golden calf seemed more attractive to worship than even God himself! Moses must have been tired, discouraged, and overwhelmed. God had promised Moses, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14). But Moses wanted even more reassurance. He cried out, “Please, show me your glory” (Exodus 33:18). God answered Moses' request, but in a special way. No sinful person can look directly at all of God's holy glory and live. So, the Lord placed Moses in the cleft of a rock—a safe hiding place—and covered him with his own hand as his glory passed by. Moses found rest not by escaping his work, but by being safely hidden in the care of God Almighty. Moses learned that God's glory isn't just a burning fire of judgment. God's glory is also his mercy and kindness. He is slow to anger and full of faithful love. Like Moses, we also pray to a gracious God that the Rock of ages would hide us as well. We don't need to hide in a rocky outcropping like Moses did, but we do need Jesus. Jesus keeps us safe in his grace and gives us true rest. In Jesus, God's glory is seen as his saving grace. Jesus stretched out his nailed-scarred hands on the cross. Now those same loving hands watch over you and everywhere you go. Wherever you go, Jesus goes with you. Hidden in Christ, your sins are forgiven, your burdens are carried, and your soul is granted eternal rest. God's hand is on you, and you are safe with him! Prayer: Lord God, heavenly Father, when we feel worried, scared, or tired, remind us that Jesus is our safe place. Hide us in the shelter of our rock, Jesus Christ. Thank you for revealing your glory to us through your Word and sacraments. Thank you for forgiving our sins and giving us peace and rest. In Jesus’ name, 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 did God hide Moses to keep him safe while his glory passed by? Jesus is like that “safe rock” for us. When are times that you feel scared, worried, or nervous? How does it help to know that Jesus is always with you? Questions for Elementary Age Children Moses had a very big job leading God’s people through the wilderness. What are some things that can make kids feel tired, frustrated, or overwhelmed? Why couldn’t Moses look directly at God's holy glory? How does God show us his grace and love today without scaring us? Questions for Middle School and Above The devotion says that Jesus is our safe rock. What do you think that means? How does God's Word in Holy Baptism and Holy Communion “safely hide” us when we face doubts or guilt? 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/20260703fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 10:34-42 [Jesus said] “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Matthew 10:37-40,42 Who Is Number One? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. It is an uncomfortable situation. You are with your friends. All of a sudden your time together has turned from harmless fun to harmful wrong. Here are some examples: Everyone else seems fine with messing with a neighbor's lawn decorations and stealing them, but what are you going to do? Or maybe you are home with your older siblings, and they want to watch a certain movie or play a video game that the folks have said no to. What do you do? Or maybe everyone in class is laughing at someone, and you know it isn’t kind. What do you do? Sometimes, following Jesus means making difficult, uncomfortable and unpopular choices. In today's reading, Jesus says something that sounds truly frightening: He says he didn't come to bring peace, but a sword. These are shocking words from the Prince of Peace. Jesus isn’t talking about hurting people with a real sword. He means that following him can sometimes cause disagreements because not everyone believes the same things about God. But we know this is sometimes part of our lives as Christians. Jesus is talking about how following him can sometimes cause “sharp” disagreements, even with people we love, like our family or best friends. He wants us to know that being his disciple means he is “Number One” in our lives—even ahead of our close relationships, favorite hobbies, our sports teams, or our own plans. Jesus is to be “Number One” in our lives. All the time. In everything. This sounds like a big job, doesn’t it? The truth is, we aren’t very good at putting Jesus first. Certainly not all the time. Sometimes peer pressure gets the better of us. Too often, we just want peace, so we go along with what we know is wrong. But here is the good news: Jesus put you first. Every time. Without fail. Jesus left the perfect peace in heaven and went to the pain and suffering on the cross for you to take away every sin and every time you choose peace over him. Because Jesus loves you perfectly, he gives you the Holy Spirit to help you stand up for what is right. Now, in faith, we see this in a new light. Jesus tells us, when you put others first—when you help a friend, share your lunch, or tell someone about Jesus—he says it's like you are doing those things for him! Even something as small as giving a cup of cold water to someone who is thirsty is a big deal to God. Sometimes we think only big things matter. Jesus reminds us that small acts of love matter too. Live in faith and in the love of the one who put you first; and because Jesus put you first, you can put him first too. Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you put me first and died for my sins. Help me to put you first in my life, even when it's hard or when my friends don’t understand. Give me a heart that is ready to serve others with kindness. 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 Jesus says even a simple cup of cold water can make a difference. Why do small acts of kindness matter so much to God? Can you think of a small act of kindness someone showed you? How did it make you feel? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why is it sometimes hard to put Jesus first when everyone around us is doing something different? Jesus says that whoever welcomes you, welcomes him. How does it make you feel to know that you represent Jesus to the world? Questions for Middle School and Above Jesus says, “Whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” How do we “lose our life” for Jesus in normal, everyday ways? If Jesus really is “Number One,” what is one thing our family could do this week to show that together? 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/20260701fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:11-16 Ready, Set, Run! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. It is so simple. One of the first sports anyone plays. At the playground, in the backyard, over at the neighborhood park. “I'll race you! Ready, set, go!” Some people, many adults, continue to play this game and are willing to pay money to race with hundreds and thousands of people for distances far longer than to the swing set or across the park. In any race of any distance, to win, you gotta run fast, keep your eyes on the goal and never give up—even when you're tired. In his first letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul tells us to “flee” from things like greed and selfishness. The word “flee” means to run away as fast as you can. If you saw a skunk with its tail up or a swarm of angry bees coming your way, you probably wouldn’t walk away—you’d run! But Paul doesn’t just want us to run away from bad things; he wants us to run toward the good stuff. He tells us to pursue things like righteousness, godliness, and love. The word “pursue” means to chase after something. So, Paul is saying, “Run away from sin, and run toward the things God loves.” Sometimes, living as a Christian can feel like a long race. We know how hard it is to be kind and loving when someone seems to be mean to you. We know the struggle of remaining patient when we really want something right now. And these struggles are part of every day, far more than just a few times in our day. Paul calls this the “good fight of the faith.” It's a fight because our sinful nature always wants us to go the wrong way or simply give up. But here is the best part: You are never running this race alone. God has promised to be with us to strengthen us and help us. We know how hard it can be to tell the truth when a lie seems easier. We know how hard it can be to share when we want something all for ourselves. When it comes to winning the prize, God has already given you the prize! Jesus' resurrection means all our enemies have been defeated. He has won the victory over sin, death, and the devil. Because of him, your sins are forgiven, and you have the gift of eternal life. The victory is yours. Imagine entering a race and finding out that the prize already belongs to you before the race even starts. That’s what Jesus has done for us. We don’t run so that God will love us. We run because he already loves us and has already saved us. When you feel tired or distracted, look at Jesus. Remember his promises from favorite Bible passages. Remember the good news of great joy you heard in worship this last week. Jesus is the “King of kings and Lord of lords.” He gives you the strength to keep running, to keep loving others, and to keep “fighting the good fight” until the day we stand in victory with him in heaven. So today . . . Ready. Set. Run! Run away from sin and run toward Jesus! Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for winning the victory for me through Jesus. Help me to run away from things that hurt others and run toward the things that please you. Give me strength to continue fighting the good fight of faith today. 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 does it mean “to flee” from something? What does it mean “to pursue” something? Questions for Elementary Age Children Paul calls living our faith a fight. Is it a fight against someone else or something else? Who or what are we fighting? Even in a large race usually only a few top finishers receive a prize. How does knowing Jesus has already won the prize make our days easier when things are hard? Questions for Middle School and Above Take some time to discuss the difference between righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Which is easiest to understand? Which one is hardest? King of kings and Lord of lords. The almighty God is on our side and he deeply loves us. How does this help us in the way we act in the constant fight of faith? 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/20260629fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Exodus 32:15-29 He said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?” “Do not be angry, my lord,” Aaron answered. “You know how prone these people are to evil. They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him.' So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.' Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him. Exodus 32:21-26 The World's Worst Excuse In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever been caught doing something wrong and tried to come up with an excuse really fast? Maybe a broken lamp. A missing cookie. A messy bedroom. Sometimes when we know we did something wrong, we try to think of a reason why it wasn’t really our fault. Back when schoolwork was done in notebooks and worksheets, the excuse frequently made fun of was the silly, sad lie claiming, “My dog ate my homework.” Most people knew that excuse wasn’t true. But excuses aren’t just for homework. We all make excuses when we don’t want to admit we did something wrong. When we are young, we may not realize just how wrong our excuses sound. As we age, maybe we get a little wiser in the ways of this sinful world, but still our excuses all fall flat. Because we have a sinful nature, we face a lifetime of struggle with our natural tendency to excuse or minimize our sins. “It wasn't me. She started it.” “Everybody else was doing it.” “I didn't mean to.” How easily these excuses still come to us. Consider what took place in Exodus 32. Moses came down the mountain with two stone tablets engraved by God himself. On them were written the Ten Commandments. God told Moses what the children of Israel had done while he was meeting with God. The children of Israel had made a golden calf and worshipped it as if the idol had led them out of Egypt. That sin, like all our sin, is obvious to our all-knowing God. God had done so much for his people, so they would know he loved them and would protect them: the plagues, the Passover, the parting of the sea, a visible presence in cloud by day and fire by night. But still they built an idol and worshiped it. When caught in this sin, how does Aaron, the brother of Moses respond? He blamed others. He minimized the sin and came up with the sad, silly lie: “I threw it in the fire and out came this calf!” Can you imagine that? Aaron wanted Moses to believe that he tossed some gold into a fire and—poof!—a golden calf just appeared all by itself. It was a pretty ridiculous excuse. Moses knew from his own life how dangerous it is to make excuses and minimize sin. When the people sinned—and when we sin—God didn’t stop being their God. Instead of answering our excuses, God, in love, gave us the only answer for our sin. God used Moses to call them back. God had promised the people the perfect substitute who would shed his blood so God's people would go free. Jesus came to be the only answer for our sin. He is our sinless sacrifice. We don't need excuses, but honesty. Confess our sins and hear God's forgiveness for us in Jesus. Share it and speak it to one another. No excuses, just honesty from our holy and loving God. Prayer: We thank you, dear God, for the gift of forgiveness we need today and every day. Give us the honesty to confess our sins to you who know them and the confidence to trust our forgiveness by your mercy 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 When is the last time you heard the words, “I forgive you”? When is the last time you said the words, “I forgive you”? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why can it sometimes be hard to say, “I was wrong” or “I’m sorry”? What are some of the ways we are reminded of God's forgiveness in our worship service? Is the fact that God knows all things about us sometimes scary, sometimes comforting, or both? Why? Questions for Middle School and Above Can you recall and talk about with the whole family when being honest and admitting fault right away would have been far better than making excuses? God had shown his love in vivid ways to the children of Israel. What are some of the ways you know God has shown his love to you that you can be sure of God's forgiveness? 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/20260626fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 10:5a,21-33 [Jesus said] Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:29-33 Safe in God's Care In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Imagine you saw a job description that read something like this: WANTED: Someone willing to work long hours for little pay. You won't see your family as much. Some people won't like you. Some may even be angry with you. You might have to leave your home and travel to new places. Your job will never end. Would you want that job? That doesn't sound very exciting, does it? It's not so different from what Jesus told his disciples when he sent them out to tell others about him. Jesus wanted them to know that sharing God’s Word would not always be easy. And Jesus doesn’t just send pastors and missionaries. He sends all of us to tell others about him. Sometimes people don’t want to hear about Jesus. Sometimes they disagree with what God says. Sometimes they may even make fun of Christians. That happened to Jesus' disciples. All of them suffered. Most of them gave their lives for their faith because they shared the good news about Jesus. But Jesus didn’t tell those things to scare them. He told them something better. Jesus said: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care” (verse 29). Sparrows are tiny birds. Most people barely notice them. But God notices every single one. “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (verse 30). God knows everything about you. He knows your name. He knows your thoughts. He knows your joys and your fears. And because he loves you so much, Jesus says: “Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (verse 31). What a promise! When Jesus sends us to share our faith, he doesn’t send us alone. He walks beside us. He watches over us. He cares for us every day. So, imagine reading this instead: WANTED: Someone to see God’s love every day. You’ll walk side-by-side with a Savior who never leaves you. There will be challenges, but you never need to be afraid. God will care for you so closely that he even knows how many hairs are on your head. And one day you’ll live with him forever in heaven. You don’t have to imagine it. That’s exactly the life Jesus has given you. Prayer: Jesus, help me see the beautiful, challenging, wonderful, grace-filled life you've called me to, and let me speak your Word faithfully here until you bring me faithfully home to 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 Why do you think Jesus talked about sparrows? What does it mean that God knows even how many hairs are on your head? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why can you be brave when you talk about Jesus or share your faith? Who is someone you know that shares Jesus with others? Pray for them together. Questions for Middle School and Above Jesus says that following him can sometimes be hard. If nobody has ever given you a hard time because you’re a Christian, does that mean you aren’t sharing your faith well? Why or why not? What does Jesus promise to do for those who acknowledge him before others? (see verse 32) 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/20260624fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:2-4,7-8 Don't Scratch the Itch! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. A man went to the doctor because his ear hurt badly. But the pain wasn't even the worst part—the itching was! As the doctor examined him, he discovered something awful: there were bugs inside the man's ear. While the man was sleeping, a fly had laid eggs there. That sounds disgusting, doesn't it? But what made the problem even worse was this: every time the man scratched his itchy ear, he pushed the bugs farther inside. Scratching the itch only made the problem worse. When something itches, we really want to scratch it. But Paul says the same thing can happen with God's Word. Paul wrote a letter to a young pastor named Timothy, warning him that people would someday have “itching ears.” Paul didn't mean people's ears would actually itch. He meant people would look for teachers and pastors who would tell them exactly what they wanted to hear. Maybe someone wants to hear that their sins are “not a big deal.” Maybe they want to hear that it doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you believe something. Maybe they want someone to tell them they never need to forgive others or help hurting people. Paul says people sometimes look for “itch-scratchers”—teachers who make them feel good instead of telling them God's truth. But scratching an itch doesn't heal the problem. It only makes it worse. We all have “itches.” There are parts of God's Word that are hard for us to hear. Sometimes God tells us to confess sins we don't want to admit. Sometimes he tells us to forgive someone when we don't want to. Sometimes he tells us to love people who are difficult to love. But God doesn't want teachers who simply scratch our itchy ears. He gives us pastors, teachers, parents, and Christian friends who tell us the truth—even when it's hard to hear. Why? Because God loves us too much to leave us trapped in sin. May God give us preachers, not “itch-scratchers!” May they rebuke us when we need it, so our sins don't destroy our faith, and may they always point us to the great gift of salvation we have in Jesus. That truth may not scratch our itch—but it heals our hearts, opens our ears to truth, and someday, will place a crown of eternal life on our heads! Prayer: When my ears itch, O Lord, I want someone to scratch them. Instead, bless me with people who will tell me your true Word. Instead of scratching my itch, heal my heart. 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 In today's devotion, a man's ear was hurting horribly. Why did scratching make the problem worse? Paul talked about “itching ears.” What do you think that means? Questions for Elementary Age Children God says people won't “put up with sound doctrine.” That means they don't want to hear what God really says. Why do people sometimes want teachers to tell them only what they want to hear? Paul said a “crown of righteousness” was waiting for him. What wonderful gift was Paul talking about? Questions for Middle School and Above What are some things God says in the Bible that can be hard for us to hear? When we look for a church, what is the MOST important thing we should look for? 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/20260622fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Jeremiah 20:7-13 If I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked. Jeremiah 20:7-13 (selected verses) When God's Word Burns Inside You In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever had good news that you wanted to tell, but you weren't allowed to yet? Maybe you knew about a surprise party or that your mom was going to have another baby, but you were told, “Don't tell anyone yet!” When you have news that's so exciting like that, it's hard to keep it in. You just want to burst out! That's a little like what happened to the prophet Jeremiah. God gave him a message to share with God's people. Part of the message warned them about their sins. But it also included the promise of God's love and forgiveness. Jeremiah said that he tried not to speak God's Word, it felt like a burning fire inside him. It was hard to keep it in! But there was a problem. People didn't always like hearing God's message. When Jeremiah warned people about their sins, they became angry with him. They even hated him and tried to hurt him. Can you imagine how hard that must have been? It hurt Jeremiah when he didn't speak God's Word, but it also hurt him when he did. You probably can! Because God shared his Word with you. You know that sins separate us from God, and when you see people you love who don't believe in God or are living in sinful ways, you care about them and want them to know Jesus. And more than that, you love to tell people about God's grace and forgiveness. Sometimes it feels hard to keep that good news inside! But maybe you've experienced something else too. Maybe you told someone what God says about sin or told them about Jesus—and they didn't believe you. Maybe they laughed, rolled their eyes, or didn't want to listen. That hurts too. Jeremiah didn't find a way to make it stop hurting. Instead, he remembered that his Savior was with him. That gave him courage to speak—and it gave him comfort when speaking God's Word brought him pain. Jesus is with you, too, and has placed his promises in your heart. He promises to help you speak with courage, kindness, and love. So, don't hold his promises in! Prayer: Lord, thank you for putting your Word in my heart. Help me also keep your Word on my mouth, so that others can hear what you've done. Give me courage to speak your Word truthfully, and grant that other people believe. 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 a time you had exciting news that was really hard to keep secret? People were mad at Jeremiah for sharing God's Word. Has someone ever been mad at you for telling them about what God says? Questions for Elementary Age Children Jeremiah said God's Word felt like a fire burning inside him. Why do you think he described it that way? Pick a pastor, teacher, or other church leader who shares God's Word—even when it's hard. Pray for them. Questions for Middle School and Above Jeremiah felt hurt whether he stayed quiet or spoke up. Why do you think he still kept sharing God's message? What comfort gave Jeremiah courage at the end of the reading? And how does it help you when the truth of God's Word is hard to hear or to share? 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/20260619fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 9:35–10:8 [Jesus] said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.' Matthew 9:35–10:8 (selected verses) You Matter More Than You Think In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Quick: How many of the twelve apostles can you name? Maybe you remembered Peter, John, or Matthew. But what about Thaddaeus? Or Simon the Zealot? Did you know there were actually two disciples named James and two named Simon? Don't worry if you can't remember all their names. Most people can't! That might seem surprising because the disciples were Jesus' closest followers. The Bible doesn't actually tell us much about them. There's a reason for that. The Bible isn't about them; it's about Jesus and the salvation that he was bringing into the world. But that does NOT mean those disciples were unimportant. Jesus taught them, traveled with them, and gave them two incredible jobs to do. First, Jesus told them to PRAY for more workers to share God's Word. Jesus said there were many people ready to hear about him—like a huge field ready for harvest. So, Jesus told his disciples to “beg” God to send more workers into the field. Then right after Jesus told them to pray for workers, Jesus sent THEM out to be the workers! Those disciples traveled all over the world telling people about Jesus. Some went to faraway countries (Italy, Africa, India). Some faced danger. Some were laughed at or hurt because they believed in Jesus. But they kept sharing the good news anyway. And even though most people today don't know much about those disciples, billions of people know about Jesus because of them. That teaches us something important: You do not have to be famous to matter. Maybe someday people won't remember your name hundreds of years from now. That's okay. God can still use you in wonderful ways right now. Here are your two incredible jobs: First, you can pray for missionaries, pastors, teachers, and Christians who share Jesus with others. And you can also be part of the answer to your own prayer when you tell someone about Jesus yourself. Second, every time you show kindness, invite someone to church, tell a friend about Jesus, or remind someone that God loves them, God is using YOU too. Prayer: Heavenly Father, I believe that you love the world and want all people to believe in Jesus. Please send more people out to share that message. And Father, give me a chance to be the answer to that prayer as you give me opportunities to share my faith, too. 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 Which disciples of Jesus can you remember? What important job did Jesus give his disciples? Questions for Elementary Age Children Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful.” What do you think he meant by that? Who is someone God has used to teach you about Jesus? Questions for Middle School and Above Why is it encouraging to know that you don't have to be famous to matter to God? Jesus told the disciples to pray for workers and then sent them out to work. What lesson does that teach 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/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.