Today’s Reading:
Read 1 Thessalonians
Think of a friend who might need some encouragement today. Take some time to write a letter or make a card that lets that friend know you are thinking about them. Encouraging a friend in need is a special way to share God’s love. Paul encourages his friends by writing letters to them as well!
Paul and Silas planted a new church in Thessalonica. (Acts 17:1-9) The believers in Thessalonica were excited to share the message of the good news of the gospel with those around them. Unfortunately, the some of the Jewish leaders became jealous and there were fights and riots. Paul and Silas had to leave Thessalonica. They were sad to leave. However, the church at Thessalonica continued serving God and telling others about Jesus. Paul was encouraged by that news, so he wrote the church a letter (1 Thessalonians) to let them know he was pleased.
Paul’s letter encouraged the church to endure! That’s a big word that means keep going even if it’s hard. The church was still facing challenges, but Paul wanted to encourage them to keep sharing the good news of the gospel, just as they had been doing. Paul also shared a challenge for the church to continue to grow in their faith. He reminded them to live a life that was consistent with the teaching of Jesus with a commitment to loving others and serving them. Paul also reminded them of the hope they could have in the fact that Jesus was going to return some day! And when Jesus returned, the struggling and the sadness would be finished.
Application/Prayer:
Spend some time as a family praying for the friend you made your card or letter for today. Ask God to be with that friend. Ask God to help you know how to be the best friend you can be to that friend today. You can encourage others just like Paul did!
November Memory Verse:
“The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.”
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:
November memory verse coloring sheet
November Fill-in the blank activity