Today’s Reading:
Read Nehemiah 5-7
Doing the right thing is not always easy, is it? Parents, share about a time when you made the right choice even though it was difficult to do. Spend some time talking about how following God is always right even though it may not always be easy.
Nehemiah followed God’s plan and returned to Jerusalem to help rebuild the wall. While he was there, he realized that the leaders were not treating the people fairly. Nehemiah was brave and spoke up about the way the people were being treated. He did the right thing. Unfortunately, some of the leaders did not like what Nehemiah said and they started to say things about him that were not true. Even though Nehemiah was following God’s plan, he was still treated unfairly.
Nehemiah’s plan to rebuild the wall was successful, even though it wasn’t easy. The Israelites who left and were in exile could return.
Application/Prayer:
It doesn’t seem fair that the people treated Nehemiah unkindly, does it? It is a good reminder for us that doing the right thing does not always mean we won’t face challenges. Nehemiah did not quit. He finished the task God had called him to do, even though it wasn’t easy. Ask God to give you that kind of courage– the courage to follow through on what He has called you to do, even if it’s hard!
September Memory Verse:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; in all your ways know him,and he will make your paths straight.”
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:
September memory verse coloring sheet