Day 1
Faith Fact
I will hold tight to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"Be on guard. Stand firm In the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love."
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Read:
What are God's promises that we can declare in our storms?
Acts 27:1, 7–11
Like most heroes of faith in the Bible, Paul knew that following Jesus sometimes led straight into a storm. Paul was already in a rough spot. He was a prisoner on his way to stand trial in Rome before Caesar, the emperor. Paul knew this was where God was leading him. On his way to trial, Paul saw that continuing the journey meant serious danger. It was the wrong time of the year to be sailing. Paul warned the ship’s officers that there was trouble ahead. Shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to their lives was ahead if they kept going. The officer in charge of the ship did not listen, so off they went. Sure enough, a storm hit, and everyone was afraid. But Paul stood before them and proclaimed that trust and courage in the Lord would protect them. He declared that God had promised safety for them even though they would be shipwrecked.
Sometimes we see trials and danger ahead, and sometimes we don’t. We don’t expect someone to get sick, hurt, or die. Problems and challenges come. Friendships are broken. A pet dies. We may lose things important to us. These are all storms of life that we don’t want to go through. But, we can declare God’s promises instead of giving in to fear or despair! We may not always know exactly what will happen, but we do know that God is good. He is faithful and has promised He would never leave us. When Paul saw the storm around him, He trusted in God more than what he knew the storm could do. Storms will happen in our life, and that is for sure. But what gets us through the challenge is holding tight to God’s promises. We can always trust Jesus to lead us through the storm!
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for being with me during the storms of life. I know that these storms only make my faith stronger because I can test Your promises and find that they are true. Remind me of Your promises and words daily. Help me to hold tight to You. Increase my faith—especially when things are uncertain and hard. I love You, Jesus! Amen.
I will hold tight to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"Be on guard. Stand firm In the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love."
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Read:
What are God's promises that we can declare in our storms?
Acts 27:1, 7–11
Like most heroes of faith in the Bible, Paul knew that following Jesus sometimes led straight into a storm. Paul was already in a rough spot. He was a prisoner on his way to stand trial in Rome before Caesar, the emperor. Paul knew this was where God was leading him. On his way to trial, Paul saw that continuing the journey meant serious danger. It was the wrong time of the year to be sailing. Paul warned the ship’s officers that there was trouble ahead. Shipwreck, loss of cargo, and danger to their lives was ahead if they kept going. The officer in charge of the ship did not listen, so off they went. Sure enough, a storm hit, and everyone was afraid. But Paul stood before them and proclaimed that trust and courage in the Lord would protect them. He declared that God had promised safety for them even though they would be shipwrecked.
Sometimes we see trials and danger ahead, and sometimes we don’t. We don’t expect someone to get sick, hurt, or die. Problems and challenges come. Friendships are broken. A pet dies. We may lose things important to us. These are all storms of life that we don’t want to go through. But, we can declare God’s promises instead of giving in to fear or despair! We may not always know exactly what will happen, but we do know that God is good. He is faithful and has promised He would never leave us. When Paul saw the storm around him, He trusted in God more than what he knew the storm could do. Storms will happen in our life, and that is for sure. But what gets us through the challenge is holding tight to God’s promises. We can always trust Jesus to lead us through the storm!
Talk About It:
- Question 1. Why was Paul on the ship?
Answer 1. He was a prisoner on the way to Rome to appear before Caesar. (Acts 27:1) - Question 2. Why do you think the officer in charge of the prisoners listened to the ship’s captain instead of Paul?
Answer 2. Answers will vary. - Question 3. How do you know Paul trusted God in the storm?
Answer 3. Answers will vary. - Question 4. What are some storm sin your life in which you can trust God?
Answer 4. Answers will vary. - Question 5. What are God’s promises that we can declare in our storms?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for being with me during the storms of life. I know that these storms only make my faith stronger because I can test Your promises and find that they are true. Remind me of Your promises and words daily. Help me to hold tight to You. Increase my faith—especially when things are uncertain and hard. I love You, Jesus! Amen.
Day 2
Faith Fact
I will hold tight to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"Be on guard. Stand firm In the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love."
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Read:
Why should you hold tight to Jesus in a storm?
Acts 27:20–26, 30–44
The storm continued to rage all around the prisoners and crew. They all were afraid as the storm continued. Some sailors decided to try to escape in lifeboats, but Paul told the commanding officer and the soldiers not to. People would die if those sailors left. God’s protection was for all of them on that boat.
Then Paul told everyone to eat. For two weeks, as the rain fell and the waves crashed, the crew had been so worried that they hadn’t eaten. They needed to eat, even in the face of this danger. After having a meal, they threw cargo overboard to make the ship lighter. What then? The following day, just as Paul had said, the shipwreck occurred. This was their chance to get out of the stormy waters. The ship ran into a shoal, which is a ridge of land underneath the water. The prisoners and crew held onto planks of wood and made it to shore—all 276 people. God kept His promise! Everyone on that boat survived, even with a shipwreck!
How could Paul encourage the people on the boat through the storm? First, he knew that everyone had to stay on the ship. When facing trials, we often try to figure it out on our own. Like the crew, we try to float away in lifeboats and solve our problems. But God says to stay in the middle of His promises and let Him protect you. Second, Paul knew everyone needed to stay healthy and nourished. At first no one ate, which made things worse for them. Taking care of our physical needs—good food, exercise, rest, and fun—can help us stay strong during a challenge. Finally, Paul knew they had to trust that God would provide a way to shore. The storm didn’t stop, but God made a way to escape it. He will always provide a way for you when you trust in Him!
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I will hold tight to You in my storms. When things seem to fall apart, or I don’t see an answer, I will trust You. Jesus, You are faithful to provide for me, and I can trust You with my life. You have said it, and I believe it! This is a promise I will stand on no matter what comes my way. Thank you for being so faithful! Amen.
I will hold tight to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"Be on guard. Stand firm In the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love."
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Read:
Why should you hold tight to Jesus in a storm?
Acts 27:20–26, 30–44
The storm continued to rage all around the prisoners and crew. They all were afraid as the storm continued. Some sailors decided to try to escape in lifeboats, but Paul told the commanding officer and the soldiers not to. People would die if those sailors left. God’s protection was for all of them on that boat.
Then Paul told everyone to eat. For two weeks, as the rain fell and the waves crashed, the crew had been so worried that they hadn’t eaten. They needed to eat, even in the face of this danger. After having a meal, they threw cargo overboard to make the ship lighter. What then? The following day, just as Paul had said, the shipwreck occurred. This was their chance to get out of the stormy waters. The ship ran into a shoal, which is a ridge of land underneath the water. The prisoners and crew held onto planks of wood and made it to shore—all 276 people. God kept His promise! Everyone on that boat survived, even with a shipwreck!
How could Paul encourage the people on the boat through the storm? First, he knew that everyone had to stay on the ship. When facing trials, we often try to figure it out on our own. Like the crew, we try to float away in lifeboats and solve our problems. But God says to stay in the middle of His promises and let Him protect you. Second, Paul knew everyone needed to stay healthy and nourished. At first no one ate, which made things worse for them. Taking care of our physical needs—good food, exercise, rest, and fun—can help us stay strong during a challenge. Finally, Paul knew they had to trust that God would provide a way to shore. The storm didn’t stop, but God made a way to escape it. He will always provide a way for you when you trust in Him!
Talk About It:
- Question 1. What did Paul tell the commanding officer and the soldiers to do?
Answer 1. Cut the ropes to the lifeboats and eat. (Acts 27:31–33) - Question 2. What do you think the crew thought about Paul’s advice?
Answer 2. Answers will vary. - Question 3. How can we stay strong in a storm?
Answer 3. Trust that God will protect us and take care of our physical needs. - Question 4. How did God keep His promises in this story?
Answer 4. Answers will vary. - Question 5. Why should you hold tight to Jesus in a storm?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, I will hold tight to You in my storms. When things seem to fall apart, or I don’t see an answer, I will trust You. Jesus, You are faithful to provide for me, and I can trust You with my life. You have said it, and I believe it! This is a promise I will stand on no matter what comes my way. Thank you for being so faithful! Amen.
Day 3
Faith Fact
I will hold tight to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"Be on guard. Stand firm In the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love."
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Read:
How can we actively trust God in our home?
Psalm 91 (Want to read the story about Paul? Acts 27:1, 7–11, 20–26, 30–44)
Psalm 91 makes it clear that when we trust and love the Lord, He will keep us safe and protected. Does this mean we will never have trouble? No. We can see in Paul’s life that we can have difficult and uncertain circumstances sometimes. We often want to solve the problem and get out of the storm. Remember, the sailors tried to escape and figure it out without God! However, instead of looking for a way out, we need to look to God. Psalm 91 tells us to trust in Him and love Him, and He will keep us safe. That’s a promise for all of us!
How can we then actively live in God’s promises? Reading aloud promises, like those found in Psalm 91, can reinforce our trust in the Lord. Every day, whether in a storm or not, we can turn to God first. We can spend time in His Word and pray for His daily strength, protection, and guidance. When other people go through difficult times, we can remember God’s promises and pray for them! Most of all, we need to hold tight to what God says. The enemy comes to try to take away our faith in God, so we must keep on believing, declaring, and taking in the Word of God. Remember, the way to see that God’s promises are true is to see them tested through storms. Let every trial be an opportunity to trust God more!
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear God, I declare Your promises to be true! Just like the author of Psalm 91, I say, “You alone are my refuge, my place of safety; You are my God, and I trust You!” I know You will rescue me, cover me, shelter me, and protect me. I will not fear any evil or any storm. You are always with me! Thank You, God, that I can rest and trust in this promise all the days of my life! Amen.
I will hold tight to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"Be on guard. Stand firm In the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love."
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Read:
How can we actively trust God in our home?
Psalm 91 (Want to read the story about Paul? Acts 27:1, 7–11, 20–26, 30–44)
Psalm 91 makes it clear that when we trust and love the Lord, He will keep us safe and protected. Does this mean we will never have trouble? No. We can see in Paul’s life that we can have difficult and uncertain circumstances sometimes. We often want to solve the problem and get out of the storm. Remember, the sailors tried to escape and figure it out without God! However, instead of looking for a way out, we need to look to God. Psalm 91 tells us to trust in Him and love Him, and He will keep us safe. That’s a promise for all of us!
How can we then actively live in God’s promises? Reading aloud promises, like those found in Psalm 91, can reinforce our trust in the Lord. Every day, whether in a storm or not, we can turn to God first. We can spend time in His Word and pray for His daily strength, protection, and guidance. When other people go through difficult times, we can remember God’s promises and pray for them! Most of all, we need to hold tight to what God says. The enemy comes to try to take away our faith in God, so we must keep on believing, declaring, and taking in the Word of God. Remember, the way to see that God’s promises are true is to see them tested through storms. Let every trial be an opportunity to trust God more!
Talk About It:
- Question 1. What did the author of this psalm declare about God in verses 2 and 3?
Answer 1. He provides safety, rescue, and protection. (Psalm 91:2–3) - Question 2. Which of these promises in Psalm 91 speaks to you? Why?
Answer 2. Answers will vary. - Question 3. Who can you encourage with these promises today?
Answer 3. Answers will vary. - Question 4. What makes all of these promises ours?
Answer 4. Loving God and trusting in His name (Psalm 91:14)
Prayer:
Dear God, I declare Your promises to be true! Just like the author of Psalm 91, I say, “You alone are my refuge, my place of safety; You are my God, and I trust You!” I know You will rescue me, cover me, shelter me, and protect me. I will not fear any evil or any storm. You are always with me! Thank You, God, that I can rest and trust in this promise all the days of my life! Amen.
Day 4
Faith Fact
I will hold tight to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"Be on guard. Stand firm In the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love."
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Read:
What are some areas that you need God's help to be strong and courageous?
Deuteronomy 31:1–8
The Israelites had wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Now, the time had come to step into what God had promised. The land that God had promised to give especially to them was now within their reach. Walking into this fantastic new adventure was what they had dreamed about for years, but taking this promise would not be easy. There were still battles to fight. There were still storms on the way. But the Israelites had the promises that God had given them. God told them several times to be strong and courageous. He reminded them repeatedly that He would not fail or abandon them. They knew that victory was theirs with promises like these on their side! All they had to do was to trust God to do what He said He would do.
Sometimes, we need to hear things many times for them to stick. Maybe a parent has told you to do something several times before you do it—like taking out the trash or cleaning your room. Sometimes, a teacher needs to explain something more than once before you feel confident with it. Guess what? Taking a while to catch on to something is normal and natural. Often, we won’t be confident the first time, but with repetition, we’ll begin to be strong and courageous in completing our instructions.
The Israelites had to hear certain messages from God repeatedly to reinforce them. You can know that God will always remind You that He is faithful to do what He promises. Let’s keep declaring and speaking His promises so we can walk into the amazing plans God has for us!
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear God, as I live out all of the amazing plans You have for me, thank You that I can be strong and courageous. Lord, I declare that I walk in Your promises. You are with me wherever I go. You go before me! God, I trust You wherever You lead. I will follow You with my whole heart and hold tight to You. God, thank You that You have created me to do great things for You. Give me the boldness to step out in faith and watch You do what You promised. Wow! You are so good! Amen.
I will hold tight to Jesus.
Faith Verse
"Be on guard. Stand firm In the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. And do everything with love."
1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Read:
What are some areas that you need God's help to be strong and courageous?
Deuteronomy 31:1–8
The Israelites had wandered in the wilderness for forty years. Now, the time had come to step into what God had promised. The land that God had promised to give especially to them was now within their reach. Walking into this fantastic new adventure was what they had dreamed about for years, but taking this promise would not be easy. There were still battles to fight. There were still storms on the way. But the Israelites had the promises that God had given them. God told them several times to be strong and courageous. He reminded them repeatedly that He would not fail or abandon them. They knew that victory was theirs with promises like these on their side! All they had to do was to trust God to do what He said He would do.
Sometimes, we need to hear things many times for them to stick. Maybe a parent has told you to do something several times before you do it—like taking out the trash or cleaning your room. Sometimes, a teacher needs to explain something more than once before you feel confident with it. Guess what? Taking a while to catch on to something is normal and natural. Often, we won’t be confident the first time, but with repetition, we’ll begin to be strong and courageous in completing our instructions.
The Israelites had to hear certain messages from God repeatedly to reinforce them. You can know that God will always remind You that He is faithful to do what He promises. Let’s keep declaring and speaking His promises so we can walk into the amazing plans God has for us!
Talk About It:
- Question 1. Where were the Israelite people about to go?
Answer 1. Across the Jordan River into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 31:3) - Question 2. What did God promise to do ahead of the Israelites?
Answer 2. God would cross over ahead, and He would destroy the nations in their way. (Deuteronomy 31:3–4) - Question 3. What were God’s promises to His people in these verses?
Answer 3. He would go ahead of them, and He would never fail or abandon them. (Deuteronomy 31:6)" - Question 4. Why do we need to keep declaring God’s promises continually?
Answer 4. Answers will vary. - Question 5. What are some areas that you need God’s help so you can be strong and courageous?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Dear God, as I live out all of the amazing plans You have for me, thank You that I can be strong and courageous. Lord, I declare that I walk in Your promises. You are with me wherever I go. You go before me! God, I trust You wherever You lead. I will follow You with my whole heart and hold tight to You. God, thank You that You have created me to do great things for You. Give me the boldness to step out in faith and watch You do what You promised. Wow! You are so good! Amen.