Day 1
Faith Fact
I have a role to play.
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
Who can help you as you learn to follow Jesus and do what He wants you to do?
Luke 10:1–4
The seventy-two disciples had their mission from Jesus. Two by two, they were sent out ahead of Jesus to prepare for His arrival. So many people needed to hear about Jesus! How were the disciples going to reach all these people? The work ahead was going to be hard. They needed to trust God for their protection and needs. Many things could distract them from their mission. But they obeyed Jesus anyway. These disciples chose to go!
Imagine that you are on a life-or-death mission. The road ahead is long, and you have to get there quickly. You don’t have time to stop because the task is too important. This mission sounds tough! But, this is a lot like how Jesus tells us to be on our mission to share the good news about Him. The message of Jesus changes lives! When He tells us to go and tell others, we must choose to move forward in faith. When we join with others who love Jesus and work on the mission together, we become unstoppable!
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for choosing me to help carry out Your mission! I can’t wait to tell others all about You. I want them to know You too. Surround me with other followers of Jesus so we can work together and encourage each other. Let us share Your love boldly with others. Amen.
I have a role to play.
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
Who can help you as you learn to follow Jesus and do what He wants you to do?
Luke 10:1–4
The seventy-two disciples had their mission from Jesus. Two by two, they were sent out ahead of Jesus to prepare for His arrival. So many people needed to hear about Jesus! How were the disciples going to reach all these people? The work ahead was going to be hard. They needed to trust God for their protection and needs. Many things could distract them from their mission. But they obeyed Jesus anyway. These disciples chose to go!
Imagine that you are on a life-or-death mission. The road ahead is long, and you have to get there quickly. You don’t have time to stop because the task is too important. This mission sounds tough! But, this is a lot like how Jesus tells us to be on our mission to share the good news about Him. The message of Jesus changes lives! When He tells us to go and tell others, we must choose to move forward in faith. When we join with others who love Jesus and work on the mission together, we become unstoppable!
Talk About It:
- Question 1. Even though the harvest is great, what are there few of?
Answer 1. Workers (Luke 10:2) - Question 2. Why do you think Jesus told the seventy-two disciples not to take any money, a bag, or extra sandals?
Answer 2. Answers will vary - Question 3. How would you describe the mission Jesus gives us to tell others about Him?
Answer 3. Answers will vary. - Question 4. Why did Jesus have the disciples travel in pairs?
Answer 4. Answers will vary. - Question 5. Who can help you as you learn how to follow Jesus and do what He wants you to do?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for choosing me to help carry out Your mission! I can’t wait to tell others all about You. I want them to know You too. Surround me with other followers of Jesus so we can work together and encourage each other. Let us share Your love boldly with others. Amen.
Day 2
Faith Fact
I have a role to play.
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
How can you share Jesus' love with others when their answer is no?
Luke 10:10–16; Acts 13:48–52
Jesus wisely prepared His disciples about how to handle being rejected. Sometimes, people did not want to hear about the love of Jesus. Sometimes they did not just refuse Jesus, but they refused His disciples too. For the disciples, that could be a moment that hurt their feelings. When people said no to the disciples, they also said no to Jesus. Because of this, Jesus told the disciples to wipe the dust from their feet and keep going! In the world, not everyone is going to say yes to Jesus. Our purpose is to tell others the good news. Our role is how we do it—by writing a story, playing a sport, being a missionary, working in a store, whatever we choose to do. It is up to them to accept Jesus for themselves.
Being told no can hurt. We love Jesus so much that we want others to love Him too! Jesus gives us this reminder so that we will not give up. When others say no when we tell them about Jesus, they are not rejecting us. They are saying no to Him. Is it still worth it to tell others about Jesus? Absolutely! Even though someone may say no now, God is always working on that person’s heart. In time, we can have faith that their no will turn into a yes for Jesus as we continue to show them God’s love.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I pray that everyone I tell about Your love will learn to love You too. Help me to remember that my role is to share Your kindness with others. Help me think of creative and unique ways to share Your love. Help me to be a good friend to others so that they will want to be Your friend too! Amen.
I have a role to play.
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
How can you share Jesus' love with others when their answer is no?
Luke 10:10–16; Acts 13:48–52
Jesus wisely prepared His disciples about how to handle being rejected. Sometimes, people did not want to hear about the love of Jesus. Sometimes they did not just refuse Jesus, but they refused His disciples too. For the disciples, that could be a moment that hurt their feelings. When people said no to the disciples, they also said no to Jesus. Because of this, Jesus told the disciples to wipe the dust from their feet and keep going! In the world, not everyone is going to say yes to Jesus. Our purpose is to tell others the good news. Our role is how we do it—by writing a story, playing a sport, being a missionary, working in a store, whatever we choose to do. It is up to them to accept Jesus for themselves.
Being told no can hurt. We love Jesus so much that we want others to love Him too! Jesus gives us this reminder so that we will not give up. When others say no when we tell them about Jesus, they are not rejecting us. They are saying no to Him. Is it still worth it to tell others about Jesus? Absolutely! Even though someone may say no now, God is always working on that person’s heart. In time, we can have faith that their no will turn into a yes for Jesus as we continue to show them God’s love.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. If you share Jesus’ love with someone and they say no, who are they saying no to?
Answer 1. Jesus (Luke 10:16) - Question 2. How do you feel when you share Jesus’ love with others?
Answer 2. Answers will vary. - Question 3. What should we do when those we tell about Jesus say no?
Answer 3. Answers will vary. - Question 4. What has it been like for you when you have told others about Jesus?
Answer 4. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I pray that everyone I tell about Your love will learn to love You too. Help me to remember that my role is to share Your kindness with others. Help me think of creative and unique ways to share Your love. Help me to be a good friend to others so that they will want to be Your friend too! Amen.
Day 3
Faith Fact
I have a role to play.
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
What does it mean when Jesus gave the disciples "authority over all the power of the enemy"?
Luke 10:17–20
The disciples came back from their mission, and they were excited! They had likely seen some amazing things when they spoke the name of Jesus. The disciples now had confidence. They had been faithful in this role. Jesus had given the disciples authority over the power of the enemy, the devil, and they had acted on that. They could walk into danger and be safe. More people could hear about Jesus because the disciples were walking in authority!
What does having authority mean? Think of a talent you have—something you are good at doing. You can confidently join in when you walk into a room and someone talks about that. Why? Because you have the authority to do so. A doctor has authority in a hospital. A pastor has authority in a church. A teacher has authority in a classroom. They know what they are doing. They have experience. They are an authority!
Followers of Jesus can walk in authority as well. Our authority as Christians comes from Jesus. We know Him and have experienced His love and power. We know that Jesus saves, heals, and sets people free from sin. So, we can tell others about Jesus with authority because we know who He is.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, because of You I can have authority in You. Wow! This means I can confidently do what You say. I can boldly tell others about You. Help me to remember this in every opportunity I have to share the good news. Help me to grow in authority as I see You working through me. You are so good to me. My role will always be to serve You! Amen.
I have a role to play.
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
What does it mean when Jesus gave the disciples "authority over all the power of the enemy"?
Luke 10:17–20
The disciples came back from their mission, and they were excited! They had likely seen some amazing things when they spoke the name of Jesus. The disciples now had confidence. They had been faithful in this role. Jesus had given the disciples authority over the power of the enemy, the devil, and they had acted on that. They could walk into danger and be safe. More people could hear about Jesus because the disciples were walking in authority!
What does having authority mean? Think of a talent you have—something you are good at doing. You can confidently join in when you walk into a room and someone talks about that. Why? Because you have the authority to do so. A doctor has authority in a hospital. A pastor has authority in a church. A teacher has authority in a classroom. They know what they are doing. They have experience. They are an authority!
Followers of Jesus can walk in authority as well. Our authority as Christians comes from Jesus. We know Him and have experienced His love and power. We know that Jesus saves, heals, and sets people free from sin. So, we can tell others about Jesus with authority because we know who He is.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. How did the disciples feel when they came back?
Answer 1. Joyful (Luke 10:17) - Question 2. Why did the disciples go on their mission with authority?
Answer 2. Because Jesus had given them authority (Luke 10:19) - Question 3. Where does our authority come from?
Answer 3. Jesus - Question 4. What are things that the disciples could do when they walked in authority?
Answer 4. The demons obeyed them, evil spirits obeyed them. (Luke 10:17, 19) Answers will vary. - Question 5. What does it mean when Jesus gave the disciples “authority over all the power of the enemy”?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, because of You I can have authority in You. Wow! This means I can confidently do what You say. I can boldly tell others about You. Help me to remember this in every opportunity I have to share the good news. Help me to grow in authority as I see You working through me. You are so good to me. My role will always be to serve You! Amen.
Day 4
Faith Fact
I have a role to play.
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
How is God calling you to go and share the good news?
Acts 22:17–21
Paul, the person God is speaking to in these verses, was a hero of faith. He chose to go and tell others about Jesus. Paul was different from some Early Church leaders. He didn‘t preach just to people like him. God told him to go to people in other places, too! Paul was a Jew, and God sent him to people who weren’t Jewish—the Gentiles. Paul’s call meant the good news was for everyone! Paul became a missionary. A missionary is someone who is sent to a different place or people group to share the good news about Jesus. Jesus sent Paul on a mission. Paul had a role to play. Paul chose to say yes. Because of this, people all over the world now know Jesus!
Over two thousand years later, millions of people now know Jesus because Paul chose to go. In the same way, God is calling you to the missions field He has for you. It could be your neighbor next door. It could be your friends at school. It could be people in your city or another country! The good news of Jesus is not just for you. The good news is for you to share with others. Always remember that you have a role to play. People’s lives can be transformed when you choose to obey Jesus and go!
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I am so thankful that Paul chose to go and share the gospel. Help me open my eyes and heart to the missions field around me. I choose to go wherever You send me. As I journey with You and love You more each day, help me know the role I need to play. I love You, Jesus! Thank You for calling me to go. Amen.
I have a role to play.
Faith Verse
"Again He said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21
Read:
How is God calling you to go and share the good news?
Acts 22:17–21
Paul, the person God is speaking to in these verses, was a hero of faith. He chose to go and tell others about Jesus. Paul was different from some Early Church leaders. He didn‘t preach just to people like him. God told him to go to people in other places, too! Paul was a Jew, and God sent him to people who weren’t Jewish—the Gentiles. Paul’s call meant the good news was for everyone! Paul became a missionary. A missionary is someone who is sent to a different place or people group to share the good news about Jesus. Jesus sent Paul on a mission. Paul had a role to play. Paul chose to say yes. Because of this, people all over the world now know Jesus!
Over two thousand years later, millions of people now know Jesus because Paul chose to go. In the same way, God is calling you to the missions field He has for you. It could be your neighbor next door. It could be your friends at school. It could be people in your city or another country! The good news of Jesus is not just for you. The good news is for you to share with others. Always remember that you have a role to play. People’s lives can be transformed when you choose to obey Jesus and go!
Talk About It:
- Question 1. To whom did Jesus send Paul?
Answer 1. To the Gentiles (Acts 22:21) - Question 2. What does it mean to be a missionary?
Answer 2. A missionary is someone who is sent to a different place or people group to share the good news about Jesus. - Question 3. Why was it so important that Paul went to the Gentiles?
Answer 3. Answers will vary. - Question 4. Who needs to hear the good news about Jesus?
Answer 4. Everyone - Question 5. How is God calling you to go and share the good news?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I am so thankful that Paul chose to go and share the gospel. Help me open my eyes and heart to the missions field around me. I choose to go wherever You send me. As I journey with You and love You more each day, help me know the role I need to play. I love You, Jesus! Thank You for calling me to go. Amen.