Day 1
Faith Fact
I can always listen to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"If you seek me you will find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:13
Read:
How can we know who Jesus is?
John 3:1–10
Nicodemus was a Jewish religious leader. They studied the Scriptures a lot. Many of them were waiting for the promised Messiah to come. But Jesus came to earth in a way that wasn’t expected. So many people didn’t understand who Jesus was. They didn’t know that Jesus was the promised Messiah. He was offering a way for us to be closer to God.
When Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, he asked questions. He called Jesus rabbi, which means teacher, because he wanted to learn from Jesus. He wanted to know the truth and understand who Jesus was. Jesus was patient with Nicodemus and took the time to explain many things and help him understand. Jesus does the same with us. When we take the time to talk to Jesus and study the Bible for ourself, Jesus comes close to us. He helps us understand who He is and how to live a godly life.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You that I have the chance to know You. Help me to listen to You and better understand Your truths. Amen.
I can always listen to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"If you seek me you will find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:13
Read:
How can we know who Jesus is?
John 3:1–10
Nicodemus was a Jewish religious leader. They studied the Scriptures a lot. Many of them were waiting for the promised Messiah to come. But Jesus came to earth in a way that wasn’t expected. So many people didn’t understand who Jesus was. They didn’t know that Jesus was the promised Messiah. He was offering a way for us to be closer to God.
When Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, he asked questions. He called Jesus rabbi, which means teacher, because he wanted to learn from Jesus. He wanted to know the truth and understand who Jesus was. Jesus was patient with Nicodemus and took the time to explain many things and help him understand. Jesus does the same with us. When we take the time to talk to Jesus and study the Bible for ourself, Jesus comes close to us. He helps us understand who He is and how to live a godly life.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. What did Nicodemus do for people?
- Answer 1. He was a Jewish religious leader so he studied and taught the Scriptures. (John 3:1)
- Question 2. What did Nicodemus call Jesus?
- Answer 2. Rabbi which means teacher (John 3:2)
- Question 3. Why do you think Nicodemus went to see Jesus at night?
- Answer 3. Answers will vary.
- Question 4. How is Jesus patient with us when we are trying to obey Him?
- Answer 4. When we make mistakes, we can always come to Jesus. He will forgive us when we ask. He helps us understand more about who He is and how to live for Him.
- Question 5. How can we know who Jesus is?
- Answer 5. We can spend time with Him by reading the Bible, praying, and worshipping with others. We can learn from our church leaders and teachers and our family.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You that I have the chance to know You. Help me to listen to You and better understand Your truths. Amen.
Day 2
Faith Fact
I can always listen to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"If you seek me you will find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:13
Read:
What happens when you keep on seeking God?
Jeremiah 29:12–13; Matthew 7:7–11
Have you ever been in a room with the door shut because you wanted to be alone, and then someone knocked on the door wanting to come in? They may have knocked and knocked and wouldn’t give up until you finally opened the door. This is what today’s Bible verses say it’s like to seek God seriously! He isn’t hiding and can always be found. But we must keep on seeking Him sometimes in order to receive from Him. The Bible says when we knock, the door will be opened to us. That means when we seek God, we will find Him!
When Nicodemus talked with Jesus, he listened carefully so he could understand what Jesus was saying (John 3:4–10, 16). He continued to ask questions, and he didn’t give up! There is so much to know about Jesus that we will never fully understand while we are here on the earth. But when we seek Jesus—when we keep knocking on that door—we can know Jesus a little more each day!
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Jesus, I want to know You. Help me not to let anything get in the way of learning more about who You are. I want to grow in my relationship with You. Amen.
I can always listen to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"If you seek me you will find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:13
Read:
What happens when you keep on seeking God?
Jeremiah 29:12–13; Matthew 7:7–11
Have you ever been in a room with the door shut because you wanted to be alone, and then someone knocked on the door wanting to come in? They may have knocked and knocked and wouldn’t give up until you finally opened the door. This is what today’s Bible verses say it’s like to seek God seriously! He isn’t hiding and can always be found. But we must keep on seeking Him sometimes in order to receive from Him. The Bible says when we knock, the door will be opened to us. That means when we seek God, we will find Him!
When Nicodemus talked with Jesus, he listened carefully so he could understand what Jesus was saying (John 3:4–10, 16). He continued to ask questions, and he didn’t give up! There is so much to know about Jesus that we will never fully understand while we are here on the earth. But when we seek Jesus—when we keep knocking on that door—we can know Jesus a little more each day!
Talk About It:
- Question 1. How does our Faith Verse, Jeremiah 29:13, describe how we should look for God?
- Answer 1. Wholeheartedly, or with all our heart (Jeremiah 29:13)
- Question 2. How do we know Nicodemus was really listening to Jesus?
- Answer 2. He asked questions and he waited on Jesus to answer.
- Question 3. How can we keep seeking God?
- Answer 3. Spend time with Him by praying, reading and studying the Bible, and asking questions.
- Question 4. If we believe the Bible that says God can be found when we seek Him, why don’t we seek Him and listen to Him?
- Answer 4. Answers will vary.
- Question 5. What happens when we keep on seeking God?
- Answer 5. We will find Him. (Jeremiah 29:13)
Prayer:
Jesus, I want to know You. Help me not to let anything get in the way of learning more about who You are. I want to grow in my relationship with You. Amen.
Day 3
Faith Fact
I can always listen to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"If you seek me you will find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:13
Read:
How can we listen to Jesus in our everyday life?
John 3:16–21
Many times, when Jesus taught He talked about everyday things to help people understand. He did that when Nicodemus came to Him with questions.
Have you ever been afraid of the dark? When talking with Nicodemus, Jesus used dark and light to describe people. Darkness described people living in sin. Light described when people were willing to let the truth of Jesus change them. Then others could see Jesus in them.
When we listen to Jesus, He will show us the truth. He will give us a new spiritual life and change us. Then, when others look at us, they can see Jesus shine through us. When we search for Jesus, we can find things like light that can point us to the truths of Jesus too. These things can help us understand who He is!
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Jesus, I want to live in Your truth and Your light. Help me to always listen carefully and pay attention to the ways You are trying to teach me. Amen.
I can always listen to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"If you seek me you will find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:13
Read:
How can we listen to Jesus in our everyday life?
John 3:16–21
Many times, when Jesus taught He talked about everyday things to help people understand. He did that when Nicodemus came to Him with questions.
Have you ever been afraid of the dark? When talking with Nicodemus, Jesus used dark and light to describe people. Darkness described people living in sin. Light described when people were willing to let the truth of Jesus change them. Then others could see Jesus in them.
When we listen to Jesus, He will show us the truth. He will give us a new spiritual life and change us. Then, when others look at us, they can see Jesus shine through us. When we search for Jesus, we can find things like light that can point us to the truths of Jesus too. These things can help us understand who He is!
Talk About It:
- Question 1. What everyday things did Jesus use to teach Nicodemus?
- Answer 1. Light and darkness (John 3:19); light (John 3:21)
- Question 2. How does knowing God’s truth like coming into a room with the light on?
- Answer 2. God sent Jesus into the world to bring His light to all people. When we know Jesus, we are in God’s light. (John 3:19, 21)
- Question 3. What does John 3:16–17 tell us about God and Jesus?
- Answer 3. God showed loved to everyone by sending Jesus to save everyone who believes in Him.
- Question 4. How can people see the light of Jesus in us?
- Answer 4. If we know and follow Jesus, He will shine through our life by what we say and do. Answers will vary.
- Question 5. How can we listen to Jesus in our everyday life?
- Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Jesus, I want to live in Your truth and Your light. Help me to always listen carefully and pay attention to the ways You are trying to teach me. Amen.
Day 4
Faith Fact
I can always listen to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"If you seek me you will find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:13
Read:
How can YOU hear from Jesus?
Proverbs 2:1–6
If you knew that there was buried treasure nearby, what would you do? Would you ignore it and pretend that it wasn’t there? Would you say, “Maybe I’ll search for it tomorrow?” Of course not! You would go and dig for it right away. You would search for that treasure until you found it. Our Bible verses today talk about searching for understanding and wisdom like you would search for silver or hidden treasure.
Nicodemus had a heart to search for Jesus and to know truth. He did what he had to do to get to Jesus. He took the time to really listen to what Jesus was saying. It’s easy sometimes to get so caught up in the things that we have to do, that we miss what Jesus is trying to say to us. We don’t really listen carefully to Him. We hurry through our Bible reading time or just forget to do it all. But when we take time to get to know Jesus and listen to Him, we begin to hear His voice, the voice of truth, instead of all the other noises that fight for our attention.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Jesus, I want to always listen carefully to what You’re saying to me. Help me to look for You more than anything else. Amen.
I can always listen to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"If you seek me you will find me when you seek me with all your heart."
Jeremiah 29:13
Read:
How can YOU hear from Jesus?
Proverbs 2:1–6
If you knew that there was buried treasure nearby, what would you do? Would you ignore it and pretend that it wasn’t there? Would you say, “Maybe I’ll search for it tomorrow?” Of course not! You would go and dig for it right away. You would search for that treasure until you found it. Our Bible verses today talk about searching for understanding and wisdom like you would search for silver or hidden treasure.
Nicodemus had a heart to search for Jesus and to know truth. He did what he had to do to get to Jesus. He took the time to really listen to what Jesus was saying. It’s easy sometimes to get so caught up in the things that we have to do, that we miss what Jesus is trying to say to us. We don’t really listen carefully to Him. We hurry through our Bible reading time or just forget to do it all. But when we take time to get to know Jesus and listen to Him, we begin to hear His voice, the voice of truth, instead of all the other noises that fight for our attention.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. Our Bible verses compare seeking godly wisdom and understanding to what special things?
- Answer 1. Silver and hidden treasures (Proverbs 2:4)
- Question 2. What are things we can do to look for God’s wisdom?
- Answer 2. Listen to Him and treasure what He says (verse 1); tune your ears to wisdom and concentrate on understanding (verse 2); cry out for insight and ask for understanding (verse 3); search for Him (verse 4)
- Question 3. Why do you think Nicodemus asked Jesus so many questions?
- Answer 3. He was searching for truth. Answers will vary.
- Question 4. How can you listen to Jesus?
- Answer 4. Look for Him with all your heart by reading the Bible, talking to Him, listening to Bible teachers/pastors. Answers will vary.
- Question 5. What are some things you may need to listen to less or not at all so you can better listen to Jesus?
- Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Jesus, I want to always listen carefully to what You’re saying to me. Help me to look for You more than anything else. Amen.