Today’s Reading:
Read Ephesians 1-4
Let’s make another list today! Think of everything that has happened in your family over the last 12 months. Make a list of all the things that God has blessed you with! Think beyond the things you may have been given. Blessings don’t have to be things we receive. Consider new friendships or new opportunities. Taking the time to make a list of our blessings means considering all that God has done for us!
In Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he lists a lot of spiritual blessings that believers have received. Ephesians 1:3 says that God “has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.” Paul reminded the Ephesians that God chose them and that he sent Jesus to provide redemption and forgiveness. Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, Paul told the Ephesians they were then adopted as sons. Paul’s letter also reminded the Ephesians that all that Jesus did was for EVERYONE- the Jews and the Gentiles.
Ephesians 2:8-10 reminded the Ephesians that they were saved by faith through grace- as a gift from God. The good news is that this same news for the Ephesians is true for us today! Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we have access to God, and we are no longer separated from Him!
Ephesians 3:20-21 says, “Now to him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us- to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, Amen.” Paul reminded the Ephesians that God gave them the spiritual blessings and they should be thankful for them.
Application/Prayer:
As a family, spend some time in prayer today thanking God for the many ways He has blessed each of you. Be specific!
December Memory Verse:
I have treasured your word in my heart so that I may not sin against you.
Using the daily reading prompts from George H. Guthrie’s Read the Bible for Life, here’s how to use this devotional:
- Bring your Bible! Your kids need to see that everything you are reading to them or learning about comes from an actual Bible!
- Each day starts with a reading prompt. Read the selection as a family. If your kids are readers, encourage them to read along with you.
- After you’ve read the passage, read the short devotional thought that goes along with each passage.
- Prayer and application are important any time we read God’s word! After each devotional, there is a challenge to help apply what your family has read that day.
- There is a reading for six days of the week. The last reading of the week is a Gospel Conversation Prompt to help you connect the reading from the week with God’s plan for salvation.
Other Resources:
December memory verse coloring sheet