Day 1
Faith Fact
I will help others.
Faith Verse
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2
Read:
What are you asking Jesus for?
Matthew 20:20–23
Have you ever used your parents to pass on a message for you? Maybe you were too nervous to ask a question yourself, so you had them ask. James and John may have used their mother in a similar way. She asked for something from Jesus for them. They wanted to receive a high honor in His kingdom. But did they even know what following Jesus would require of them?
It’s funny to think that James and John thought they could handle this suffering when they didn’t seem to even have the courage to ask Jesus the question on their own. Jesus didn’t correct them for their question, but He did make it clear that following Him would involve great suffering for those two.
It’s possible that we might go through hard times for following Jesus, too. And like James and John later did, our trust in Jesus can help us make it through whatever problems come our way. Rather than asking for fancy titles or positions, let’s ask Him to help us follow Him no matter the cost.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help us not to desire applause or praise, but to focus on serving You. Amen.
I will help others.
Faith Verse
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2
Read:
What are you asking Jesus for?
Matthew 20:20–23
Have you ever used your parents to pass on a message for you? Maybe you were too nervous to ask a question yourself, so you had them ask. James and John may have used their mother in a similar way. She asked for something from Jesus for them. They wanted to receive a high honor in His kingdom. But did they even know what following Jesus would require of them?
It’s funny to think that James and John thought they could handle this suffering when they didn’t seem to even have the courage to ask Jesus the question on their own. Jesus didn’t correct them for their question, but He did make it clear that following Him would involve great suffering for those two.
It’s possible that we might go through hard times for following Jesus, too. And like James and John later did, our trust in Jesus can help us make it through whatever problems come our way. Rather than asking for fancy titles or positions, let’s ask Him to help us follow Him no matter the cost.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. Who made the request to Jesus for James and John to sit beside Him in heaven?
Answer 1. Their mother (Matthew 20:20) - Question 2. Why do you think James and John’s mother asked the question?
Answer 2. Answers will vary. - Question 3. Why do you think Jesus asked if they were ready to suffer like He would?
Answer 3. Answers will vary. - Question 4. Who did Jesus say would decide which people would sit in those seats of honor?
Answer 4. God the Father (Matthew 20:23) - Question 5. Think about the things you have prayed for recently. Were your requests more like or unlike James and John’s request?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help us not to desire applause or praise, but to focus on serving You. Amen.
Day 2
Faith Fact
I will help others.
Faith Verse
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2
Read:
Is it wrong to want to be a leader?
Matthew 20:24–28
Do you know what you want to be when you get older? Some people have smaller ambitions, but others want to be a big leader. Is it wrong to want a position of leadership? Jesus didn’t say it was wrong to want those things, but He made it clear that if we want to lead then we must serve people.
When we ask to lead in God’s kingdom, we are really asking to be a servant. Many people in the world want to lead so they can rule over people, but God wants us to help people. That means we can all be leaders if we choose to help others. So is it wrong to want to be a leader? Only if you don’t want to be a servant.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help us to be focused on following Your example by serving others. Amen.
I will help others.
Faith Verse
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2
Read:
Is it wrong to want to be a leader?
Matthew 20:24–28
Do you know what you want to be when you get older? Some people have smaller ambitions, but others want to be a big leader. Is it wrong to want a position of leadership? Jesus didn’t say it was wrong to want those things, but He made it clear that if we want to lead then we must serve people.
When we ask to lead in God’s kingdom, we are really asking to be a servant. Many people in the world want to lead so they can rule over people, but God wants us to help people. That means we can all be leaders if we choose to help others. So is it wrong to want to be a leader? Only if you don’t want to be a servant.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. What did Jesus say would be different among the disciples?
Answer 1. “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.” (Matthew 20:26) - Question 2. What two things did Jesus say He came to do in verse 28?
Answer 2. “To serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28) - Question 3. What are some things that bad leaders do?
Answer 3. Answers will vary. - Question 4. What are some ways we can be leaders in God’s kingdom?
Answer 4. Answers will vary. - Question 5. Is it wrong to want to be a leader?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help us to be focused on following Your example by serving others. Amen.
Day 3
Faith Fact
I will help others.
Faith Verse
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2
Read:
How should we help others?
Isaiah 58:6–10
Have you ever given away something that was important to you? It can be hard to make sacrifices to help others. Isaiah was writing these verses about seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth. Isaiah encouraged the people living in Israel to show their love and devotion to God by helping those in need. Everything he was telling them to do would involve some kind of sacrifice for them, but Isaiah was telling them to do it for God.
Following Jesus means we put the needs of others before ourself. It can be difficult to make sacrifices to help others, but we know that God will always take care of us. Isaiah listed ways we can help others, but that is just the beginning. There are so many ways that God can use us to help others in need.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help us to put the needs of others above our own needs and wants. Amen.
I will help others.
Faith Verse
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2
Read:
How should we help others?
Isaiah 58:6–10
Have you ever given away something that was important to you? It can be hard to make sacrifices to help others. Isaiah was writing these verses about seven hundred years before Jesus’ birth. Isaiah encouraged the people living in Israel to show their love and devotion to God by helping those in need. Everything he was telling them to do would involve some kind of sacrifice for them, but Isaiah was telling them to do it for God.
Following Jesus means we put the needs of others before ourself. It can be difficult to make sacrifices to help others, but we know that God will always take care of us. Isaiah listed ways we can help others, but that is just the beginning. There are so many ways that God can use us to help others in need.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. What are some of the things Isaiah said for the people to do?
Answer 1. Free those who were in prison for the wrong reason, make the work easier for those who worked for them, share their food with the hungry, etc. (Isaiah 58:6–7) - Question 2. How did Isaiah say God would answer when those who helped others called on Him?
Answer 2. “Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I am here,’ he will quickly reply.” (Isaiah 58:9) - Question 3. Have you ever given up something to help others?
Answer 3. Answers will vary. - Question 4. Why do you think we should help others?
Answer 4. Answers will vary. - Question 5. How can you help someone this week?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, help us to put the needs of others above our own needs and wants. Amen.
Day 4
Faith Fact
I will help others.
Faith Verse
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2
Read:
How should we use our time?
Galatians 5:13–15
Imagine what you would do if you had a whole day free to do whatever you wanted. We could all think of some fun ways to spend that time. You might think of some ways to treat yourself. Paul wrote to the church in Galatia to remind them that the freedom they have in Jesus should not be used to do things that are wrong. He knew that we should use our freedom in Jesus to serve and show love to others.
It’s not bad to treat ourself on occasion. But God wants us to use our time in a way that we are blessing and serving others. When we are tempted to use our time on the wrong things, we should think about these verses. Then we should ask ourself if there is anything we could do to love and serve others instead.
Talk About It:
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for the freedom we have that You have provided. Help us to use our time to serve others. Amen.
I will help others.
Faith Verse
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Romans 12:2
Read:
How should we use our time?
Galatians 5:13–15
Imagine what you would do if you had a whole day free to do whatever you wanted. We could all think of some fun ways to spend that time. You might think of some ways to treat yourself. Paul wrote to the church in Galatia to remind them that the freedom they have in Jesus should not be used to do things that are wrong. He knew that we should use our freedom in Jesus to serve and show love to others.
It’s not bad to treat ourself on occasion. But God wants us to use our time in a way that we are blessing and serving others. When we are tempted to use our time on the wrong things, we should think about these verses. Then we should ask ourself if there is anything we could do to love and serve others instead.
Talk About It:
- Question 1. What does Paul tell us not to do?
Answer 1. “Don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature.” (Galatians 5:13) - Question 2. How does Paul say the law can be summed up?
Answer 2. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Galatians 5:14) - Question 3. Why do you think Paul called the Christians “my brothers and sisters”?
Answer 3. Answers will vary. - Question 4. What are some ways that you have seen people waste their time?
Answer 4. Answers will vary. - Question 5. How should we use our time?
Answer 5. Answers will vary.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank You for the freedom we have that You have provided. Help us to use our time to serve others. Amen.