Family Devotion Day 21: God’s love shines through families

Read

1 John 4:11-12 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Learn

In the story of God’s Creation, family was the last and best thing that God made!

God made Adam and Eve and said they were “very good”. God married Adam and Eve to show the world the faithful love between Jesus and His people. Jesus is like the Bridegroom and the people in His Church are His Bride.

A family is designed by God to be a safe place for children to experience God’s love through the parents. It is also the place where children learn how to care for their family and for other people.

But not all families are like this. Some families quarrel often. How do we love one another so that other people can see God?

The Bible says God showed His love by sending His Son to die for our sins so that we may have everlasting life. Did you notice God gave His Son? Love starts with giving, not taking.

Can you let go of what you want and give in during a quarrel? It is difficult, but Jesus came so that you can learn to love like Him.

So let’s love our parents, brothers and sisters in the family so that the world can see the love of our heavenly Father.

/ Discuss

Why do you think God chose families to show His love?
What is God telling you to give up so that you can give in to your parents, brothers or sisters? How can you follow Jesus as an example to love your family?
Do you have friends who are having trouble with their families? How can you pray for them or help them?

/ Pray

Pray for your parents. Pray that God will make their marriage strong. Pray for God’s wisdom for your mother and father to know how to love each other and their children.
Pray that God will show you how to love your family in ways that matter to them. For example, have you said thank you to your parents for cooking dinner? Or helped your brother or sister when they needed help?
If there is anyone in your family who does not know God, pray that they will turn to Jesus.