Today’s Reading:
Read Romans 9-12
Play a game as a family today called “Good Gift/Bad Gift.” Choose one family member and begin describing a gift you would give that person. Be creative and either describe a gift that would fit perfectly or be silly and describe a gift that is completely opposite of what the person would want. Allow your family to decide if the gift you are describing would be a good gift or a bad gift for the family member. (For instance, if someone in your family loves football, describe a gift that is all about baseball! That would be a bad gift because it would not match what the family member really loves!)
Paul’s letter to the Romans shared that he had a good gift for everyone- the good news of the gospel! He reminded the Jews who were descendants of Abraham of God’s promise that Abraham would be the father of many nations. He reminded the people of the words of Hosea and Isaiah – prophets who pointed to the truth that Jesus was coming for everyone- not just the Jews.
Paul also explained how anyone could receive the gift of salvation.
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.’” (Romans 10:9-10)
Paul had a good gift to share with the Romans. That good gift was a good gift for us today as well!
Application/Prayer:
Is there anyone in your life who needs to receive the gift of good news? You have the good news of the Gospel that you can share with them! Ask God to give you the courage to tell someone about Jesus this week. Thank Him for the gift of good news. It’s not just a good gift, it’s the best gift!
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