This Is Love Family Activity Magnet 6 Family Devotions to Accompany the This Is Love Family Activity Magnet Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved. Acts 15:11 Enclosed are six FREE, reproducible devotions, written to accompany the This Is Love Family Activity Magnet. Each of the six symbols on the magnet pieces has a matching devotional outline. You may make as many copies of the devotions as you like for use in your own school, church, or organization. Here are some ways to use the devotions... Distribute copies in Sunday school, as part of worship time in your Christian day school, as part of devotional time in a midweek club or class, or during the Sunday morning children s sermon. Give one This Is Love Family Activity Magnet and a copy of all six devotions to families six weeks before Easter. Encourage grown-ups to use one devotion each week as they prepare to celebrate Easter. Families could also use them one per day during the six days before Easter. Host a Mom s Day Out, Easter Egg Hunt, or other community event. Use the devotions to tell the story of Jesus victory to all the children who attend. Then give each family one of the This Is Love Family Activity Magnet kits and a set of devotions to take home. In whatever ways you choose to use these materials and the This Is Love Family Activity Magnet, we pray that many individuals and families will be drawn closer to their Savior, Jesus, as they use them. May our Lord continue to bless all the work you do for his people! 2018 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale. The Scripture quotation is from the King James Version of the Bible.
Week 1 Over the next six weeks, as we prepare to celebrate Jesus victory over sin and death, we will think about six key words. Each is related to what Jesus did for us and to how we can, in turn, respond. This week s word is humility. Humility is not a trait highly prized in our society, but it is of immense value in God s eyes. True humility does not involve seeing oneself as just a lowly worm. Rather, truly humble people spend very little time thinking about themselves at all. Instead, they focus on ways to encourage and help those around them. We can be second because Jesus put us first! Ask your child about why and how we can be second and about the picture on the magnet piece the children received today. Through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved. Acts 15:11 2018 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale. The Scripture quotation is from the King James Version of the Bible. Week 2 As we think about the enormous love God showed in sending Jesus to be our Savior, we are focusing on six specific words related to Christ s suffering, death, and resurrection. Today s word is repentance. Repentance is more than feeling sorry. Repentance includes a U-turn, a change of mind and heart that leads to a change in words and actions. Repentance is a U-turn! As you drive in the weeks ahead, challenge everyone in the car look for U-turn signs. Each time you see one, take turns naming one specific thing you want to do or stop doing because Jesus love and forgiveness are creating repentance in your hearts. Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 4:17 2018 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale. The Scripture quotation is from the King James Version of the Bible.
Week 3 Jesus died for us and rose again. This is not just a fact of history; it is a life-changing truth that kindles true joy in our hearts! The word joy is the word on which the children focused today. As you review at home, ask a question like this: Is Jesus dying on the cross sad or joyful? Underscore the idea that Jesus died because of our sins sad! But it is also joyful because our sins are now gone, erased, washed away. We will live forever with Jesus in the home he is preparing for us. If your family includes older children, consider reading Acts 3:1 10. Together, act out the joy of the man who was healed. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross. Hebrews 12:2 2018 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale. The Scripture quotation is from the King James Version of the Bible. Week 4 Humility. Repentance. Joy. These concepts weave their way through the Bible s accounts of Jesus suffering and death for us. Another key concept is that of sacrifice. Our Lord s death on Calvary s cross was the reality behind all the many sacrifices offered by God s people throughout the Old Testament. Seeing Jesus awe-full sacrifice for us, the early believers lived lives of selflessness (Acts 4:32 33). Talk with your family about something you might sacrifice this week. You might, for example, skip pizza night and send the money you save to a local food bank. Or plan to wear last year s Easter clothes and buy new shoes for a family in a homeless shelter. Whatever you do, remember to do it in joy and love for Jesus, not from a sense of obligation. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 2018 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale. The Scripture quotation is from the King James Version of the Bible.
Week 5 When we have good news, we want to tell everyone we know! After Jesus had risen from the dead and ascended into heaven, the disciples just kept talking about it. When they were beaten, thrown in dungeons, and sternly warned to stop, they didn t. They couldn t! In the cross of Christ, guilt is gone. Death is defeated. Joy bubbles up in hearts freed by the truth. Still today, Jesus disciples can t help but share the good news! That s why today s word is witness. Witnesses tell what they know. Note the prison bars on today s magnet piece and talk about the determination Christian witnesses for centuries have shown. Then brainstorm a way you can, together, be witnesses of Jesus death and resurrection. Take Easter cookies to a neighbor. Invite friends to church on Resurrection Sunday. Hang an Easter flag. We are witnesses. Acts 3:15 2018 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale. The Scripture quotation is from the King James Version of the Bible. Week 6 Humility. Repentance. Joy. Sacrifice. Witness. Service. During the six weeks leading up to Resurrection Sunday, we have thought more deeply about what these words mean for our lives of faith. Consider reviewing each one during this week Holy Week as together you remember and rest in the forgiveness and new life Jesus gives you. Consider also eating together at a sit-down restaurant. Notice what your server does and says. Then talk about Jesus, the Son of God, who served us by dying and rising again for us. Now our sins are washed away. We have peace with God. We can serve others with joy. By his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:11 2018 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale. The Scripture quotation is from the King James Version of the Bible.
Devotion 1: Humility Getting Started Plan a way to distribute the magnets, one set for each family. If you have a large group, enlist a helper or two. Assemble a magnet of your own so the children will understand what their own assembled magnet will look like after they collect all the pieces. Bookmark Acts 15:11 in the Bible you will use. Print enough copies of this week s Faith Talk @ Home to send home with each family or child. Introduction Welcome! I m so glad you are here today! As we get started, I have a few questions for you. To answer, you will hold up one finger if you are first. If you are second, hold up two fingers. Ready? All your friends are on the playground, deciding what to play. Are you thinking about what you want to play? Or about what your friends want to play? Are you first? Or are you second? Mom is making dinner. You are playing a video game and have unlocked a higher level than ever! Mom says, Come, help me unload the dishwasher. Do you think first about what you want to do? Or about what Mom wants? Are you first? Or are you second? Continued 2 Pullout Reproducible Page * * * This Is Love Family Activity Devotions * * * Pullout Reproducible Page
Other kids in your class are saying mean things about a new student. She is standing all by herself. If you walk over and say hi, others may say mean things to you, too. So do you think of yourself first or about the new kid? Are you first? Or are you second? Getting to the Heart Those were hard questions, weren t they? Most times, we want to be first. We want to be first in line, first to choose, first to play. Being first is fun, and it s not always wrong. It s fun to be first sometimes. But as we grow closer to Jesus, we learn that Jesus put us first. And we learn that by putting others first, we grow more like Jesus. We learn that letting others be first brings us joy. When did Jesus put you first? (Let volunteers answer.) Those are all good answers! This time of year, especially, Christians help each other remember the biggest, best, most awesome way Jesus put us first by suffering and dying for us. Jesus let himself be punished for our sins in our place. He suffered and died for all the selfish things we have done, all the mean things we have said, and all the unkind things we have thought. Jesus is our Savior. In love, he put us first. There is a word for that: humility. Can you say that with me? (Repeat the word several times together.) Jesus showed humility in putting us first, suffering and dying for us. Jesus did not stay dead, though. He rose from the dead and will never die again. (Hold up two fingers in a V.) What letter is this? Yes, number 2 is also V for Victory. Jesus died and rose again in victory! One day, he will come again. He will take everyone who believes in him to live with him with the family of God in heaven. He is getting that home ready for you right now! He is still putting you first! The Bible says this. (Read Acts 15:11, perhaps from a children s Bible.) Because Jesus put us first, we can be second. We can act in humility and kindness toward others: We can let others decide what game to play. We can help Mom or Dad or Grandpa, even if we would rather keep on playing a video game. We can stand up for that new kid or that kid others like to tease. In humility, Jesus put us first, dying and rising again in victory for us. So in humility, we can put others first; we can be second and victorious. (Hold up a two-fingered V.) Taking It Home As we get ready for Easter, we are going to talk together about what Jesus did for us in suffering and dying for us. Each week, I am going to give you a new piece of this magnet puzzle. Each piece has a picture on it to remind you of what we talk about. Six weeks from now, you will have six pieces and a whole cross. Today s piece reminds us of today s word. What is that word? Yes, humility. Let s pray: Dear Jesus, in humility, you put us first. You suffered, died, and rose again for us! Thank you so much, dear Jesus! Teach us to put others first. Teach us to find joy in being second. We love you, Jesus. Amen. 2018 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale. Pullout Reproducible Page * * * This Is Love Family Activity Devotions * * * Pullout Reproducible Page 3
Devotion 2: Repentance Getting Started Print enough copies of the Faith Talk @ Home for this week to send home with each family or child. Make a poster with a large U-turn symbol on it. (You can find multiple examples and patterns online.) Bookmark Acts 2:38 39 in your Bible. Introduction Thank you for coming today. I m so glad you are here! (Hold up the poster you made.) This is a sign your parents might see as they drive. Who knows what it means? (Let volunteers comment.) Yes, it s a U-turn sign. What s a U-turn? (Again, let volunteers comment.) When we make a U-turn, we go in just the opposite direction. If we re driving east, we make a U-turn to go west. If we re driving north, we make a U-turn to go... (let the children finish the sentence with south. ) Getting to the Heart The Bible tells about 3000 people who made a U-turn 3000 people all at once! It happened after Jesus had risen from the dead and gone back to heaven. It happened on the day called Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit came to fill and empower all the believers. Continued 4 Pullout Reproducible Page * * * This Is Love Family Activity Devotions * * * Pullout Reproducible Page
That day, the people of Jerusalem heard a mighty, rushing wind a sound as loud as a tornado or a hurricane. Except, the wind was not blowing! Everyone rushed to the building where the believers were gathered to see where the sound was coming from. When Peter and the disciples saw the crowd, they began to tell them about what Jesus had done. Peter said, Jesus was God s prophet. He was the Messiah, the promised Savior. But you and your leaders did not believe that. You killed him! But God raised him from the dead in victory! The people thought about Peter s words. The Holy Spirit worked in the people s hearts so that 3000 of them believed what Peter was telling them and they were afraid! We killed the Savior! they thought. (I would be afraid, too; wouldn t you!?) So they asked, What can we do? Peter answered this way. (Read Acts 2:38 39.) Peter told the people to make a U-turn, to stop going on in their unbelief. He told them to believe in Jesus and trust him for forgiveness. They were going in one direction; now they were to go in another. There s a word for that: repentance. Say that word with me. (Repeat it several times together.) You don t drive a car yet, but do you ever need to make a U-turn? When? (Invite volunteers to give examples.) Yes, when God says one thing, and we do something else instead. When that happens, we need to make a U-turn. We need God s gift of repentance. We can say, Dear Jesus, I m going in a wrong direction. Please forgive me. Help me turn around. Help me do what pleases you instead. Have you ever said something like that? (Invite volunteers to share; if no one does, be ready with an example from your own life.) Do you know what? Jesus always hears prayers like that! He always forgives when we ask him to, because he died on the cross and rose again to make repentance possible. I m so glad Jesus loves us so much, aren t you?! Taking It Home Repentance is like a U-turn. When we repent, we turn around and go in the opposite direction. When we say, I m sorry. Please forgive me, Lord, he always does! This magnet piece can remind you of that. Take it home with you. Then come back next week so you can get the third piece of our puzzle! Let s pray: Dear Jesus, remind us of your love for us, especially when we are going in the wrong direction. Help us repent, turn around, and trust you to forgive us. Thank you, Lord Jesus! Amen. 2018 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale. Pullout Reproducible Page * * * This Is Love Family Activity Devotions * * * Pullout Reproducible Page 5
Devotion 3: Joy Getting Started Print enough copies of the Faith Talk @ Home for this week to send home with each family or child. Collect six pictures three happy, two sad, and one of Jesus on the cross. The happy pictures might include things like a puppy, a birthday cake, or a group of children leaving school on the last day. The sad pictures could include things like a pouty child, a sick person in a hospital bed, or a traffic accident. Bookmark Acts 3:8 in your Bible. Introduction I m so glad you are here today! It s always a happy day when you come to God s house! Today we will look at some pictures. I want to put them in two groups. One group is the joy group, one group is the sad group. (Show your first picture.) Which group should I put this picture in? What clues tell you that? (Show your next picture.) Which group should I put this picture in? What clues tell you that? (Continue showing pictures and discussing. Save the picture of Jesus on the cross for last.) Getting to the Heart It was pretty easy to tell that the [puppy] goes in our joy group, wasn t it? It was easy to tell that [the very sick person] belongs in the sad group, wasn t it? But this next picture is harder. (Show the picture of Jesus on the cross.) Which group should I put this picture in? (Listen to the children s answers and to the clues they name, but don t make a decision right away.) Continued 6 Pullout Reproducible Page * * * This Is Love Family Activity Devotions * * * Pullout Reproducible Page
Who is this man? What is happening in this picture? Yes, it is Jesus, our Savior. He is being punished on the cross. Later that day, he would die. Usually when someone is punished, he or she has done something wrong. Did Jesus do anything wrong? No, he did not. Jesus never, ever disobeyed God. Jesus never, ever broke any of God s laws, his Commandments. Jesus never, ever sinned. So why is Jesus being punished? For whose sins is he dying? Yes! He is dying for all those times we lie. Jesus is dying for those times we could pray, but we do something else instead. Jesus is dying for those times we say mean things about our teachers or friends. Jesus is dying for that fit we threw last night when Mom said, Eat your broccoli, but we didn t want to. What do you think? Does this picture belong in my sad group? Or in my joy group? (Let the children volunteer, but don t make a decision right away.) This picture is very sad. When we think of the fact that Jesus was punished not for his own sins, but for ours we feel sad. That sad feeling is sorrow. It makes us want to change, to obey God, to be kind and loving people. But there s something else to say about this picture. Because Jesus suffered, because he let himself be punished in our place, we are forgiven. Our sins are ALL erased. They are washed away, gone forever and ever and ever! To prove that, God raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus did not stay dead. He came alive and walked out of the tomb on the first Easter morning. Now what do you think? Does this picture belong in my sad group? Or in my joy group? (Let the children respond.) I think it belongs in BOTH groups, don t you? But maybe it fits better in the joy group. Taking It Home Today s word is joy. When I think about Jesus forgiving my sins and rising again, I feel a little bit like a man that Jesus friends Peter and John healed in Jesus name a few weeks after the first Easter. The man had never walked, not in his whole life! God worked through Peter and John to heal the man. The Bible tells us that the man stood up and began to walk! He was healed he didn t need his crutches anymore and he praised God! Today s magnet piece can remind us of the joy we have because of God s forgiveness and love in Jesus. (Give everyone today s magnet piece, which illustrates the happy, healed man.) Let s pray: Dear Jesus, we are so sad for our sins and the pain you bore because of them. We jump for joy, though, when we remember you have forgiven us. We are God s children! Thank you SO MUCH, Jesus! Amen. 2018 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale. Pullout Reproducible Page * * * This Is Love Family Activity Devotions * * * Pullout Reproducible Page 7
Devotion 4: Sacrifice Getting Started Print enough copies of the Faith Talk @ Home for this week to send home with each family or child. Place a new toy and an obviously old toy in an opaque bag, like a grocery sack. If possible, choose items that both girls and boys would like. Bookmark Acts 4:32 37 in your Bible. Introduction I m so glad you came today! Jesus is always happy when you come to learn his Word, and I am, too! Today, I have a story to tell you. It s about someone your age named Drew. Drew s class decided to collect toys for children at the homeless shelter. All the way home that day, Drew was very quiet. What do you suppose Drew was thinking about? (Let the children speculate.) When Drew got home, Mom noticed right away. What s wrong, Drew? she asked. Why are you so quiet? Do you want a snack? Drew didn t answer. He just shook his head no and went to his room. He closed the door and opened the chest where he kept his toys. One by one, Drew took the toys out. He looked each one over carefully, then shook his head and put it down on the floor. Before long, the whole floor was covered with toys! Finally, Drew got to the bottom of the toy box. There, he saw one last toy. (Take the used, battered toy out of your bag and show it to the children.) Continued 8 Pullout Reproducible Page * * * This Is Love Family Activity Devotions * * * Pullout Reproducible Page
This was the toy Drew picked up. He smiled and went out to ask Mom for a sack to put it in. And for a snack. What do you suppose Drew will do with this toy? (Let a volunteer respond.) Yes, that s what I think, too. I think that s the toy Drew will take to donate to the toy drive. Why do you suppose Drew chose that toy? (Let the children speculate. Maybe because it s battered. Maybe because he has outgrown it, and he likes playing with his other toys more.) Getting to the Heart Now I want to read a very short story from the Bible to you. But don t forget about Drew. We will come back to him in a minute. The story I am going to read happened just after Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose again, just after he went back to heaven. More and more people believed in Jesus as the Savior. Thousands of people! Now, here s what the Bible says about those people. (Read Acts 4:32 33, if possible from a children s Bible.) What would it have been like to live among those believers? (Let several volunteers comment.) Everyone shared. Everyone loved Jesus. All the people loved one another. God blessed them all with love and forgiveness. How happy it must have been! (Take the new toy out of the bag and hold both toys.) Let s say one of the children in Jerusalem had both of these toys. Which of them do you think he or she would have shared? Maybe both? What made these people willing to share? Yes! It was Jesus love! They remembered Jesus had died for them and that he rose again. They remembered that Jesus was their kind, good Savior and their forever Friend! And they had learned that sharing made them happier by far than selfishness all because of Jesus. So if you could talk to Drew, what would you want to tell him? (Listen to volunteers responses, guiding them toward the truths you have shared with them.) Taking It Home Today s word is sacrifice. Jesus gave up his life on the cross for us. He sacrificed himself. Because he did that, the first believers sacrificed their belongings, sharing everything they owned with each other, even all their money! The open hands on today s magnet piece can remind you of that. Now, because Jesus sacrificed himself for us, we can share. We can love unselfishly. Let s pray: Dear Jesus, forgive us for the times we ve been selfish. Thank you for sacrificing yourself for us and for making us God s forgiven children. Fill our hearts with your love for others. Amen. 2018 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale. Pullout Reproducible Page * * * This Is Love Family Activity Devotions * * * Pullout Reproducible Page 9
Devotion 5: Witness Getting Started Print enough copies of the Faith Talk @ Home for this week to send home with each family or child. Bookmark Acts 12:1 18 in your Bible. Introduction It s so good to see everyone here today! I m so glad you came to learn more about Jesus love for you! Today, I need you to use your imaginations. Imagine a friend said this to you, It s my birthday! What would you say? (Let volunteers comment.) Suppose your friend also said, I m having a party! I want you to come! What would you say? (Let volunteers comment.) Now, suppose your friend said, Bring other kids along. Anyone you want! What would you do? How many friends would you invite? (Let volunteers comment.) Getting to the Heart Today s word is witness. When we witness, we tell what we know about Jesus. The first believers were witnesses to everything Jesus said and did for us. They told other people who told other people who told other people who witnessed to other people and so on until finally, someone witnessed to us. Here are some of the most important things we know about Jesus because of their witness: Continued 10 Pullout Reproducible Page * * * This Is Love Family Activity Devotions * * * Pullout Reproducible Page
Jesus died for us. He rose again. God gives us the gifts of repentance and faith in Jesus. When he does that, we can do a U-turn; we can turn from our sins and believe in the Savior. In humility, Jesus put us first! He is in heaven right now, preparing a home for us. Jesus is our forever Friend and Savior. Listen to the story I am going to read. See if you can decide who the witnesses in this story are. Remember, witnesses tell what they know. (Read Acts 12:1 18, preferably from a children s Bible.) How exciting! So which people in this story told what they knew? (Let volunteers comment.) Rhoda heard Peter knocking, didn t she? Who believed her? (At first, no one.) Still, Rhoda kept on telling. Finally, the grownups went to unlock the door. In an important way, Rhoda was a witness. She told what she knew. Why was Peter in jail in the first place? Yes, because he was witnessing about Jesus. Did Herod believe Peter? No. Did the guards who arrested Peter believe him? No. But Peter kept on telling what he knew. He kept on witnessing. Rhoda was just a little girl, but she told what she knew. You are just kids like Rhoda. But you can tell what you know about Jesus. What do you know about Jesus? (Let volunteers comment.) Whether people believe you or not, you can keep on witnessing. Jesus will help you do that. Taking It Home When we witness, we tell what we know about Jesus. The picture on today s magnet piece reminds us of that. What do you see on this piece? Yes, jail bars. Peter kept on witnessing and witnessing. Finally, Jesus enemies got so angry, they put Peter in jail. But that did not stop Peter. Jesus will give us faith and courage to keep on witnessing, too. Let s pray about that. Let s pray: Dear Jesus, you died for us and rose again. You are our kind, good Savior. Someday, we will celebrate your love in the joy of heaven, joy that will never, ever end! Help us invite as many people as we can to join us in that celebration. Give us the courage and faith we need. We love you, Jesus! Amen. 2018 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale. Pullout Reproducible Page * * * This Is Love Family Activity Devotions * * * Pullout Reproducible Page 11
Devotion 6: Service Getting Started Print enough copies of the Faith Talk @ Home for this week to send home with each family or child. (Optional: Have a bowl and towel to display.) Bookmark Acts 16:22 40 in your Bible. Introduction I m so glad to see you today. Today is a special day because you are here to learn God s Word. It s a special week, too, for another reason. Who knows what week this is? Yes, it s the week Christians call Holy Week. The word holy means set apart or saved for a very special purpose. This is the week when Christians take time to think about Jesus suffering and dying for our sins and rising again for us. Today s word is service. As we think about that word, I would like you to remember a time you and your family went to a very fancy, grown-up restaurant. Has anyone ever done that? If you have, then maybe you remember someone coming to your table after you sat down. That person probably said something like this, Hi! My name is Nathan. I ll be your server this evening. What may I bring you to drink? What did Nathan or whoever mean by saying, I ll be your server? What do servers do? (Let volunteers comment. Draw them out so all the children have a full picture.) Continued 12 Pullout Reproducible Page * * * This Is Love Family Activity Devotions * * * Pullout Reproducible Page
Getting to the Heart This is Holy Week and today s word is service. I want us to think about how Jesus served us. How did he do that? Jesus didn t bring glasses of water or plates of lasagna to our table! No, what did he do? (Let volunteers comment. Again, draw them out so all the children have a full picture in mind.) (Show the bowl and towel.) I brought these things along to remind us of what Jesus did for his friends the night before he died. Who remembers? (Let the children comment.) In that land, people wore sandals and the streets were dusty. When you went to visit in a friend s house, a servant would take off your sandals and wash your feet. It was kind of icky, smelly work, and only the lowliest servant would do it. The night before Jesus died, there was no servant in the upper room. So Jesus took a bowl and a towel. In humility and love, Jesus did the servant s work. The next day, Jesus would do even more important work for his disciples and for us. He would die on the cross so our sins could be forgiven. Jesus friends watched. They prayed and thought. The Holy Spirit worked faith in their hearts. They believed Jesus was the Savior. After Jesus rose from the dead and went back to heaven, those disciples became witnesses. They told what they knew. And they did what they had seen Jesus doing. One day, Paul and Silas, believers in Jesus, were witnessing about his love in a town called Philippi. The authorities there didn t love Jesus. They beat Paul and Silas, hurting them terribly. They put them in a deep, dark, stinky jail. But do you know what Paul and Silas did? They started singing Jesus songs. What Jesus songs do you like to sing? (Accept a few suggestions.) At midnight they were STILL singing! Then, an earthquake shook the whole prison. All the doors flew open! Paul and Silas could have escaped, but they didn t. They stayed where they were and witnessed to the keeper of the jail about Jesus! Here s part of what they told him. (Read Acts 16:31 32, preferably from a children s Bible.) Do you know what the jailer did then? (Read Acts 16:33 34.) Just like Jesus, the jailer used a bowl and towel with some water to serve Jesus disciples. The jailer became a believer. Then, right away, he became a server! Taking It Home As we have been getting ready for Resurrection Sunday, we have talked about six important words: Humility. Repentance. Joy. Sacrifice. Witness. Service. (As you say each word, point to the corresponding magnet piece.) Which of these words means most to you? Why? (Let volunteers comment. As time and the children s attention spans will allow, ask additional questions to draw out the key ideas.) Today s word is service and our last magnet piece has a bowl and towel on it. As you take it home, why don t you look for a way to be a server just like Jesus! Let s pray: Dear Jesus, in humility and love, you suffered and died for us. Give us true repentance so that we turn from sin. Give us true joy in you and in your sacrifice for us. Help us witness to you in what we say and in how we serve. We love you, Lord Jesus! Amen. 2018 CTA, Inc. Permission to make photocopies or reproduce by any other mechanical or electronic means is granted and is intended for use within a church or other Christian organization, but not for resale. Pullout Reproducible Page * * * This Is Love Family Activity Devotions * * * Pullout Reproducible Page 13