Day 1
Faith Fact
God wants me to take action.
Faith Verse
Philippians 3:14
"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us."
Question of the Day:
How can you control your anger?
Read:
James 1:19–21
What makes you really angry? Think about that for moment. What happens when you get angry? Do you say things and do things that are hurtful to others or that you regret later? Most likely, you answered yes. Anger can be a dangerous emotion if you don’t know how to keep it under control.
Does that mean you can never get angry? Absolutely not! Anger is a normal and natural emotion to feel, but the way we react and handle our anger is what’s important. So, how can we control our anger? James 1:19 gives us some good ideas. It says, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” Those first two actions would help us a lot with the last one. If we listen to others more and think before we speak, we can keep our anger under control. Often, we let our anger get the best of us. We are quick to speak and act without thinking about how our words and actions will affect the people around us.
God wants us to produce “righteousness” which means He wants us to do the right things. Learning to allow Him to help us control our anger will help us produce the righteousness He wants from us.
Think about it:
Question 1. What are the three things James tells us to do in James 1:19?
Answer 1. “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19)
Question 2. What does not produce the righteousness God desires?
Answer 2. Human anger (James 1:20)
Question 3. What should we get rid of?
Answer 3. All filth and evil in our lives (James 1:21)
Question 4. What should we humbly accept?
Answer 4. The word God has planted in our hearts (James 1:21)
Question 5. What does the word that God planted in our hearts have the power to do?
Answer 5. Save our souls (James 1:21)
Talk about it:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•What are three things that can make you angry?
•How do you usually react when you get angry?
•What is something you regret saying or doing when you were angry?
•How can you control your anger in the future?
Pray about it:
God, thank You for understanding my emotions, even when I get angry. Help me to control my anger and think before I speak. Amen.
God wants me to take action.
Faith Verse
Philippians 3:14
"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us."
Question of the Day:
How can you control your anger?
Read:
James 1:19–21
What makes you really angry? Think about that for moment. What happens when you get angry? Do you say things and do things that are hurtful to others or that you regret later? Most likely, you answered yes. Anger can be a dangerous emotion if you don’t know how to keep it under control.
Does that mean you can never get angry? Absolutely not! Anger is a normal and natural emotion to feel, but the way we react and handle our anger is what’s important. So, how can we control our anger? James 1:19 gives us some good ideas. It says, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” Those first two actions would help us a lot with the last one. If we listen to others more and think before we speak, we can keep our anger under control. Often, we let our anger get the best of us. We are quick to speak and act without thinking about how our words and actions will affect the people around us.
God wants us to produce “righteousness” which means He wants us to do the right things. Learning to allow Him to help us control our anger will help us produce the righteousness He wants from us.
Think about it:
Question 1. What are the three things James tells us to do in James 1:19?
Answer 1. “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” (James 1:19)
Question 2. What does not produce the righteousness God desires?
Answer 2. Human anger (James 1:20)
Question 3. What should we get rid of?
Answer 3. All filth and evil in our lives (James 1:21)
Question 4. What should we humbly accept?
Answer 4. The word God has planted in our hearts (James 1:21)
Question 5. What does the word that God planted in our hearts have the power to do?
Answer 5. Save our souls (James 1:21)
Talk about it:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•What are three things that can make you angry?
•How do you usually react when you get angry?
•What is something you regret saying or doing when you were angry?
•How can you control your anger in the future?
Pray about it:
God, thank You for understanding my emotions, even when I get angry. Help me to control my anger and think before I speak. Amen.
Day 2
Faith Fact
God wants me to take action.
Faith Verse
Philippians 3:14
"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us."
Question of the Day:
How can you put God's Word into action?
Read:
James 1:22–27
Go find the closest mirror in your house. Now, spend five seconds staring at yourself and your family in the mirror. Ready? 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and stop. Close your eyes and see how many details about yourself and your family you can remember.
When you are done sharing the details you remember, open your eyes and take a full minute to stare at yourself and your family in the mirror again. Use a timer or clock so you know when it’s been a minute. Stop and close your eyes again. Now, see how many details you are able to remember. Were you able to remember more details after staring into the mirror for a minute? Probably your answer was yes!
James used the example of just glancing in the mirror instead of looking carefully into it. He says that when we listen to or read God’s Word and don’t obey it, it’s like glancing in the mirror for a few seconds. We forget most of what we saw. It’s not enough to just read the Bible and then do whatever you want. God wants us to listen to His Word and do what it says. God will bless us when we put His Word into action.
Think about it:
Question 1. What does James say that we must do to keep from fooling ourselves?
Answer 1. “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.” (James 1:22)
Question 2. What does James say it is like when we listen to the Word and don’t obey it?
Answer 2. “It is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.” (James 1:23–24)
Question 3. What should we look carefully into?
Answer 3. The perfect law that sets you free (James 1:25)
Question 4. What are the two things James says in this passage about fooling yourself?
Answer 4. If you listen to God’s Word and don’t do what it says, and if you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue. (James 1:22, 26)
Question 5. What is pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father?
Answer 5. “Caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” (James 1:27)
Talk about it:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•How many mirrors can you find in our house?
•What is something you have read or heard from the Bible and ignored?
•How can you put God’s Word into action this week?
Pray about It
God, thank You for giving us Your Word to help us and show us how to live. Help me to put the verses I read and hear in Your Word into action in my life. Amen.
God wants me to take action.
Faith Verse
Philippians 3:14
"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us."
Question of the Day:
How can you put God's Word into action?
Read:
James 1:22–27
Go find the closest mirror in your house. Now, spend five seconds staring at yourself and your family in the mirror. Ready? 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and stop. Close your eyes and see how many details about yourself and your family you can remember.
When you are done sharing the details you remember, open your eyes and take a full minute to stare at yourself and your family in the mirror again. Use a timer or clock so you know when it’s been a minute. Stop and close your eyes again. Now, see how many details you are able to remember. Were you able to remember more details after staring into the mirror for a minute? Probably your answer was yes!
James used the example of just glancing in the mirror instead of looking carefully into it. He says that when we listen to or read God’s Word and don’t obey it, it’s like glancing in the mirror for a few seconds. We forget most of what we saw. It’s not enough to just read the Bible and then do whatever you want. God wants us to listen to His Word and do what it says. God will bless us when we put His Word into action.
Think about it:
Question 1. What does James say that we must do to keep from fooling ourselves?
Answer 1. “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says.” (James 1:22)
Question 2. What does James say it is like when we listen to the Word and don’t obey it?
Answer 2. “It is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.” (James 1:23–24)
Question 3. What should we look carefully into?
Answer 3. The perfect law that sets you free (James 1:25)
Question 4. What are the two things James says in this passage about fooling yourself?
Answer 4. If you listen to God’s Word and don’t do what it says, and if you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue. (James 1:22, 26)
Question 5. What is pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father?
Answer 5. “Caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.” (James 1:27)
Talk about it:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•How many mirrors can you find in our house?
•What is something you have read or heard from the Bible and ignored?
•How can you put God’s Word into action this week?
Pray about It
God, thank You for giving us Your Word to help us and show us how to live. Help me to put the verses I read and hear in Your Word into action in my life. Amen.
Day 3
Faith Fact
God wants me to take action.
Faith Verse
Philippians 3:14
"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us."
Question of the Day:
How can you show your faith to others?
Read:
James 2:14–17
Have you ever tried to hide the fact that you are a Christian? It’s okay to be honest about it. Having faith in God is one thing, but it takes a lot of courage to show your faith to others. Faith is when we completely believe and trust in God. And James reminds us that faith that is unseen is pretty useless. Think about it. If you believe in God, but never tell anyone about Him, what is the point of your faith?
James wrote that faith by itself isn’t enough. Wait, what? You might be thinking, I thought all I had to do was believe in Jesus, ask Him to forgive my sins, and I’m saved. That is true, but if you really believe in Jesus and put your faith in Him, your actions should show that to others. If you receive a new life in God, your life should look different to those around you. Your friends who aren’t Christians should be able to see and hear a difference in your life compared to their lives.
Our goal and mission should always be to share our faith with others. We have to put our faith into action to share it with our friends.
Think about it:
Question 1. What is faith?
Answer 1. Faith is belief and complete trust in God.
Question 2. Why is faith that is unseen useless?
Answer 2. If we have received new life in God, our faith should be seen by others in the way that we live.
Question 3. How should we show our faith to others?
Answer 3. By our actions (James 2:14)
Question 4. What should we do to help someone who has no food or clothing?
Answer 4. Give them some food and clothing. (James 2:15–16)
Talk about it:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•Share a time when you didn’t want to tell people you were a Christian. What happened?
•Do you think it is easy to show others your faith? Why or why not?
•How can you show your faith to others through your actions?
Pray about it:
God, thank You for telling us to put our faith into action. Help me to have the courage to show my faith to others even if I’m the only one who believes in You. Amen.
God wants me to take action.
Faith Verse
Philippians 3:14
"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us."
Question of the Day:
How can you show your faith to others?
Read:
James 2:14–17
Have you ever tried to hide the fact that you are a Christian? It’s okay to be honest about it. Having faith in God is one thing, but it takes a lot of courage to show your faith to others. Faith is when we completely believe and trust in God. And James reminds us that faith that is unseen is pretty useless. Think about it. If you believe in God, but never tell anyone about Him, what is the point of your faith?
James wrote that faith by itself isn’t enough. Wait, what? You might be thinking, I thought all I had to do was believe in Jesus, ask Him to forgive my sins, and I’m saved. That is true, but if you really believe in Jesus and put your faith in Him, your actions should show that to others. If you receive a new life in God, your life should look different to those around you. Your friends who aren’t Christians should be able to see and hear a difference in your life compared to their lives.
Our goal and mission should always be to share our faith with others. We have to put our faith into action to share it with our friends.
Think about it:
Question 1. What is faith?
Answer 1. Faith is belief and complete trust in God.
Question 2. Why is faith that is unseen useless?
Answer 2. If we have received new life in God, our faith should be seen by others in the way that we live.
Question 3. How should we show our faith to others?
Answer 3. By our actions (James 2:14)
Question 4. What should we do to help someone who has no food or clothing?
Answer 4. Give them some food and clothing. (James 2:15–16)
Talk about it:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•Share a time when you didn’t want to tell people you were a Christian. What happened?
•Do you think it is easy to show others your faith? Why or why not?
•How can you show your faith to others through your actions?
Pray about it:
God, thank You for telling us to put our faith into action. Help me to have the courage to show my faith to others even if I’m the only one who believes in You. Amen.
Day 4
Faith Fact
God wants me to take action.
Faith Verse
Philippians 3:14
"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us."
Question of the Day:
Who is an example of faith in your life?
Read:
James 2:18–26; Ephesians 6:16
Maybe you have known Jesus your whole life, or maybe you haven’t been a follower of Jesus for very long. Either way, you probably know someone you look up to as a spiritual leader in your life. It might be a pastor, a leader at church, or a parent or grandparent. Maybe you can think of someone in your life who is further along in their faith journey you can look up to and learn from.
James mentioned several people from the Old Testament who were great examples of putting their faith into action. He wrote about how Abraham was willing to give up his only son. He mentioned Rahab risking her life to hide the Israelite men who were scouting out the land. Those were big acts of faith! The Bible is full of other examples of people following God and putting their faith into action. Spend some time each day reading your Bible and write down the people you read about who put their faith into action.
Think about it:
Question 1. In the Christian armor, what is the shield?
Answer 1. Faith (Ephesians 6:16)
Question 2. What should Christians use to protect themselves from Satan’s flaming arrows?
Answer 2. The shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16)
Question 3. How did James say he would show people his faith?
Answer 3. By his good deeds (James 2:18)
Question 4. What did James say faith without good deeds is?
Answer 4. Useless (James 2:20)
Question 5. Who are the two examples of putting faith into action in this passage of Scripture?
Answer 5. Abraham and Rahab (James 2:21–25)
Talk about it:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•Who are three examples of faith in your life?
•Why do you look to those people as examples of faith?
•Who can you be an example of faith for?
•How can you be an example of faith for others?
Pray about It
God, thank You for giving us so many examples of faith to learn from in the Bible. Please help me to be an example for others by showing my faith in everything I do. Amen.
God wants me to take action.
Faith Verse
Philippians 3:14
"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus is calling us."
Question of the Day:
Who is an example of faith in your life?
Read:
James 2:18–26; Ephesians 6:16
Maybe you have known Jesus your whole life, or maybe you haven’t been a follower of Jesus for very long. Either way, you probably know someone you look up to as a spiritual leader in your life. It might be a pastor, a leader at church, or a parent or grandparent. Maybe you can think of someone in your life who is further along in their faith journey you can look up to and learn from.
James mentioned several people from the Old Testament who were great examples of putting their faith into action. He wrote about how Abraham was willing to give up his only son. He mentioned Rahab risking her life to hide the Israelite men who were scouting out the land. Those were big acts of faith! The Bible is full of other examples of people following God and putting their faith into action. Spend some time each day reading your Bible and write down the people you read about who put their faith into action.
Think about it:
Question 1. In the Christian armor, what is the shield?
Answer 1. Faith (Ephesians 6:16)
Question 2. What should Christians use to protect themselves from Satan’s flaming arrows?
Answer 2. The shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16)
Question 3. How did James say he would show people his faith?
Answer 3. By his good deeds (James 2:18)
Question 4. What did James say faith without good deeds is?
Answer 4. Useless (James 2:20)
Question 5. Who are the two examples of putting faith into action in this passage of Scripture?
Answer 5. Abraham and Rahab (James 2:21–25)
Talk about it:
•What did today’s devotion make you think about?
•Who are three examples of faith in your life?
•Why do you look to those people as examples of faith?
•Who can you be an example of faith for?
•How can you be an example of faith for others?
Pray about It
God, thank You for giving us so many examples of faith to learn from in the Bible. Please help me to be an example for others by showing my faith in everything I do. Amen.