WELS Family Devotion

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260717fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 [Jesus said] “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. Matthew 13:3-8 Seeds Everywhere! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Imagine your family gave you a packet of flower seeds and said, “Don’t waste these!” You would probably be careful, right? You’d plant them in good dirt. You wouldn’t throw them onto the driveway. You wouldn’t toss them into a pile of rocks. You definitely wouldn’t scatter them into a patch of weeds. That would be silly! But in Jesus’ story, that’s exactly what the farmer does. He throws seed everywhere. Some lands on the path. Some lands on rocky ground. Some lands among thorns. Some lands on good soil. At first, it almost seems like the farmer is being careless. But Jesus is teaching us something important. In this parable, the seed is God’s Word—the good news about Jesus. And the farmer is God. God doesn’t keep his Word locked away or only share it with a few people. He spreads it everywhere. Some people hear God’s Word and ignore it. Some people get excited about it for a little while but then drift away. Some people let other things become more important than Jesus. But some people hear God’s Word, trust in Jesus, and their faith grows strong. That’s the good soil. And when God’s Word grows in someone’s heart, amazing things happen: Faith grows. Lives change. People learn about Jesus. Others hear the gospel too. Just think, one little seed can produce a huge harvest! This parable teaches us how we should share God’s Word. Sometimes we wait for the “perfect” moment. Sometimes we’re afraid someone won’t listen. Sometimes we think, “What if they don’t care?” But Jesus tells us to keep planting. Keep inviting. Keep sharing. Keep talking about Jesus. We don’t have to figure out which hearts are good soil, and which aren’t. That’s God’s job. Our job is simply to scatter the seed. And because God’s Word is powerful, we know it is never wasted. The farmer in Jesus’ story wasn’t careless. He was generous. And God is generous too. He keeps planting his Word in our hearts and in the hearts of others because he wants many people to know the love and forgiveness found in Jesus. So don’t be afraid to share God’s Word. You never know when God is growing a harvest that is bigger than you can imagine! Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for planting your Word in our hearts. Let your Word root deeply in us so that we may bear fruit for your kingdom. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Where did some of the farmer’s seed land? What does the seed represent in Jesus’ story? What happened to the seed that landed on good soil? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why do you think the farmer scattered seed everywhere instead of only putting it in the good soil? What does this story teach us about our job and God’s job when we share the gospel? Questions for Middle School and Above The farmer kept scattering seed even though he knew some would not grow. What does that teach us about God’s love for people and about the way Christians should share the gospel? Have you ever invited someone to church, Sunday school, or vacation Bible school? What happened? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260715fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 Corinthians 3:5-11 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 The First Button In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever gotten dressed in the dark? Maybe you started buttoning your shirt and everything seemed fine at first. But when you got to the last button, something looked funny. One side was higher than the other! You turn on a light and discover the problem. The very first button was in the wrong hole. Because the first button was wrong, every other button ended up wrong too. One little mistake at the beginning changed everything at the end. Paul was dealing with a problem at the church in Corinth. Some people were arguing about which teacher was most important. Was it Paul, who started the church? Was it Apollos, who helped teach the people afterward? Paul reminded them that they were all working together for God. One person planted the seed. Another person watered it. But God was the one making it grow. Then Paul shared something even more important. Every Christian is building on the exact same foundation: Jesus Christ. A foundation is the part of a building that everything else sits on. If the foundation cracks, the whole building is in trouble. But if the foundation is strong, the building can stand firm. Jesus is the strong foundation for the church. Jesus is also the strong foundation for our family. Sometimes it’s easy to build our lives on other things. We might think, “I’ll be happy if I make the team.” Or “Everything will be okay if I get a good grade.” Or “I need everyone to like me.” Those things aren’t bad. Sports, school, and friendships are gifts from God. But they make terrible foundations. What happens if you don’t make the team? What happens if you get a bad grade? What happens if a friend says something hurtful? If those things are your foundation, your whole life can start to feel shaky like it’s going to crash down! Our foundation is already laid for us in Jesus. That means your value doesn’t depend on how well you play, how smart you are, or what other people think about you. Your value comes from Jesus. When Jesus died and rose again, he forgave every sin. He made you part of God’s family. He promised to love you forever. When our family prays together, reads God’s Word together, and reminds each other about God’s forgiveness, we are building on a rock-solid foundation. It’s a “first-button” issue: When Jesus is our foundation, we know how the rest of our story lines up. No matter what difficult days come, Jesus will hold us up now until he invites us to our forever home in heaven. Now THAT’S a really good ending! Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for being our strong foundation. When we are tempted to build our lives on sports, grades, popularity, or other things, remind us that you are what matters most. Help our family stay close to you through your Word and prayer. Thank you for loving us, forgiving us, and holding us up every day. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What happened when the first button was put in the wrong hole? Who does Paul say is the foundation of the church? Questions for Elementary Age Children What are some things kids your age sometimes think are the most important things in life? Why can sports, grades, friends, or hobbies make us happy but still be poor foundations? Questions for Middle School and Above Imagine two families. One builds everything around success and achievements. The other builds everything around Jesus. What differences might you notice when both families go through a difficult time? Look at the practical examples mentioned at the end: praying together, reading God’s Word, and reminding each other of forgiveness. Which of these do you think our family is doing well, and which one could we work on to make our foundation stronger? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260713fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Isaiah 55:6-11 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11 God’s Word Always Works In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever planted a seed? Maybe it was a bean seed in a cup at school or a flower seed in a garden. What would happen if that seed never got any water? It would stay dry. It wouldn’t grow. But when it rains or someone waters it, something amazing happens. Little roots begin to grow. A tiny plant pushes up through the dirt. Before long, there are leaves, flowers, or even food to eat. A science teacher might call this part of the water cycle. Water goes up into the clouds and then comes back down as rain or snow. You don’t have to remember any big science words to know something important: God sends water, and water does what God wants it to do. Rain helps flowers bloom. Water helps crops grow. Animals need water to live. People need water to drink. God sends water for a reason, and it does its job. God says his Word works the same way. When God’s Word is shared, read, taught, or preached, it always does something. Sometimes God’s Word helps someone believe in Jesus. Sometimes God’s Word helps a Christian grow stronger in faith. Sometimes God’s Word shows a person that they are doing something wrong and need God’s forgiveness. Sometimes people don’t want to listen to God’s Word at all. But no matter what happens, God’s Word is never wasted. God promises that his Word will always do exactly what he wants it to do. That means we can tell people about Jesus without being afraid. We don’t have to wonder, “Will this matter?” We don’t have to think, “Maybe sharing Jesus is a waste of time.” God says it isn’t. His Word is living and active. His Word is powerful. His Word works. And God’s Word doesn’t leave us empty either. Because of Jesus, we are forgiven. Because of Jesus, heaven is our home. Because of Jesus, we have peace with God. Since God has filled our hearts with joy, peace, and hope, we can gladly share that same good news with others. Who knows? God can use his powerful Word to fill their hearts too! Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, thank you for giving us your powerful Word that always accomplishes your good purpose. May we trust its power to create and strengthen faith in us and those with whom we share it. Bless everyone who hears your Word, and through your Holy Spirit bring many people to trust in their Savior. Amen The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What happens to plants when they get the rain and water they need? What does God say his Word always does? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why do you think God compares his Word to rain and snow? Have you ever told someone about Jesus or invited someone to church? What was that like? Questions for Middle School and Above If someone doesn’t want to listen when we talk about Jesus, does that mean God’s Word failed? Why not? God promises that his Word will always accomplish his purpose. How does that promise help us be brave when we share our faith with others? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260710fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 11:25-30 [Jesus said] “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (EHV) The Best Kind of Rest In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. There is no animal that purposely delays sleep. Whether it is a giraffe needing 2 hours of sleep or a cat needing 20, no animal will go out of its way to not rest. People, however, are quite different. Despite knowing the dangers associated with lack of sleep and rest we humans continue to work too long and rest too little. We stay up watching shows, playing video games, scrolling on a device, or trying to finish one more thing before bed. The God who made us knows that we need rest. But Jesus came to give us more than a good night’s sleep. He doesn’t give us one more thing to do, another homework assignment, or one more project to finish. Instead, Jesus invites us to himself so that he can give us rest. Certainly, Jesus gives us an example of rest. Even the Son of God would take time to sleep, to pray, and to spend time in God’s Word. But the most important rest Jesus gives is for your soul. He gives you rest when he says that your sins are forgiven. You don’t have to carry around the burden of guilt and the wrong things you’ve done. Jesus took the sins off your back, carried them to the cross himself, and took their punishment away. Because of him, you are God’s child and Jesus’ friend—forever! Jesus gives you rest as he cares for you even now directing all things for your eternal good. Your life does not consist of you having to be smart enough to figure it all out or to outhustle everyone around you. You can be confident that good things await you because God is directing everything for your sake. Finally, Jesus will give you the greatest rest you will ever know as he is in heaven preparing a place for you to be with him forever. The gentle and humble Savior has promised a place with him forever. In a world where we so often fail to rest, our Jesus gives us exactly the rest we need. Prayer: Father in heaven, our souls are not at rest until they rest in you. Give us the rest Jesus offers to us. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Who does Jesus invite to come to him in these verses? What kinds of things can make people feel tired, worried, or burdened? Questions for Elementary Age Children How does Jesus describe the rest he gives? Jesus says he is “gentle and humble.” Why is it comforting to know that Jesus is kind and patient with us? Questions for Middle School and Above What are some things kids your age worry about? How can Jesus help you with those worries? The devotion says that you don’t have to have all the answers because God is caring for you. When is it hard to trust God instead of worrying? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260708fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Romans 7:15-25 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:24-25a (ESV) Jesus Does What I Can’t In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. At seven years old, on the way home from church, Matt sat in the back seat of the car and proudly announced to his parents that he wasn’t going to sin anymore. Both of his parents chuckled, and his dad told him that he hoped he was right. Matt’s promise was short-lived. After arriving home, he didn’t like what his mom made for lunch and complained about it. Shortly after lunch, he and his brother had to go to timeout for fighting over Legos. Then before bed, he got in trouble again for sneaking cookies after he brushed his teeth. Matt really did mean it when he told his parents he wasn’t going to sin anymore. But by the end of the day, he had already broken his promise several times! Have you ever told yourself that you weren’t going to sin anymore only to find yourself still doing wrong things? Maybe you promised not to argue with your brother or sister. Maybe you said you would stop complaining or always obey your parents right away. But sometimes we still do the wrong thing, even when we don’t want to. That happened to the apostle Paul too. He loved God and wanted to do what was right. But he still struggled with sin. That is why he cried out, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24). Notice what Paul does not ask. He doesn’t ask, “How can I try harder?” or “What rules can I follow to fix myself?” He asks, “Who will rescue me?” Paul knew he needed more than self-control. He needed a Savior. A deliverer. And then Paul gives the answer: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25). Your peace with God does not depend on you finally getting it right. It depends entirely on Jesus who already got it right for you. The harder you try to save yourself, the more tired you become. The more you trust Jesus, the more rest you find. Jesus does what we can’t. True rest begins when you reach the end of yourself and find Christ waiting there. So, rest in Jesus! Prayer: Lord Jesus, we confess that the good we want to do, we so often fail to do. Forgive us for trying to rely on our own strength. Thank you, that getting to heaven doesn’t depend on what we do for you, but on what you have already done for us. Give us true peace, knowing that we are safe in your loving hands. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children In the Bible verse, Paul asks who will rescue him from his mistakes, and then he says, “Thanks be to God through . . .” Who is the Savior Paul is thanking? Have you ever tried really hard to be good (like sharing your toys or listening right away) but still made a mistake? How does it feel to know that Jesus always forgives you and loves you anyway? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why couldn’t Paul save himself from his sin? Paul didn’t ask for a checklist of rules to fix himself but instead asked who would rescue him. Why is looking to a person (Jesus) better than just trying to follow a checklist of rules when we mess up? Questions for Middle School and Above True or False: We are both a sinner and a saint at the same time. Sometimes Christians keep struggling with the same sins. How does knowing that Jesus has already forgiven you help you avoid giving up or feeling hopeless? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260706fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Exodus 33:12-23 And the LORD said, “Behold, there is a place by me where you shall stand on the rock, and while my glory passes by I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and I will cover you with my hand until I have passed by. Exodus 33:21-22 (ESV) Safe in Jesus’ Hands In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Whether it is a scary part in a movie or a loud dog at the park, young children will often reach for their parents’ hand. They want to know if their mom and dad are still there and if they are safe. Their parents’ hand lets them know that wherever they are going they don’t need to be afraid. Someone stronger is there to protect them. The burden of leadership must have been exhausting for Moses. Every day he helped lead hundreds of thousands of people through the wilderness. The people often complained about food, water, and even about Moses himself. One time, a golden calf seemed more attractive to worship than even God himself! Moses must have been tired, discouraged, and overwhelmed. God had promised Moses, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14). But Moses wanted even more reassurance. He cried out, “Please, show me your glory” (Exodus 33:18). God answered Moses’ request, but in a special way. No sinful person can look directly at all of God’s holy glory and live. So, the Lord placed Moses in the cleft of a rock—a safe hiding place—and covered him with his own hand as his glory passed by. Moses found rest not by escaping his work, but by being safely hidden in the care of God Almighty. Moses learned that God’s glory isn’t just a burning fire of judgment. God’s glory is also his mercy and kindness. He is slow to anger and full of faithful love. Like Moses, we also pray to a gracious God that the Rock of ages would hide us as well. We don’t need to hide in a rocky outcropping like Moses did, but we do need Jesus. Jesus keeps us safe in his grace and gives us true rest. In Jesus, God’s glory is seen as his saving grace. Jesus stretched out his nailed-scarred hands on the cross. Now those same loving hands watch over you and everywhere you go. Wherever you go, Jesus goes with you. Hidden in Christ, your sins are forgiven, your burdens are carried, and your soul is granted eternal rest. God’s hand is on you, and you are safe with him! Prayer: Lord God, heavenly Father, when we feel worried, scared, or tired, remind us that Jesus is our safe place. Hide us in the shelter of our rock, Jesus Christ. Thank you for revealing your glory to us through your Word and sacraments. Thank you for forgiving our sins and giving us peace and rest. In Jesus’ name, Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Where did God hide Moses to keep him safe while his glory passed by? Jesus is like that “safe rock” for us. When are times that you feel scared, worried, or nervous? How does it help to know that Jesus is always with you? Questions for Elementary Age Children Moses had a very big job leading God’s people through the wilderness. What are some things that can make kids feel tired, frustrated, or overwhelmed? Why couldn’t Moses look directly at God’s holy glory? How does God show us his grace and love today without scaring us? Questions for Middle School and Above The devotion says that Jesus is our safe rock. What do you think that means? How does God’s Word in Holy Baptism and Holy Communion “safely hide” us when we face doubts or guilt? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260703fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 10:34-42 [Jesus said] “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Matthew 10:37-40,42 Who Is Number One? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. It is an uncomfortable situation. You are with your friends. All of a sudden your time together has turned from harmless fun to harmful wrong. Here are some examples: Everyone else seems fine with messing with a neighbor’s lawn decorations and stealing them, but what are you going to do? Or maybe you are home with your older siblings, and they want to watch a certain movie or play a video game that the folks have said no to. What do you do? Or maybe everyone in class is laughing at someone, and you know it isn’t kind. What do you do? Sometimes, following Jesus means making difficult, uncomfortable and unpopular choices. In today’s reading, Jesus says something that sounds truly frightening: He says he didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword. These are shocking words from the Prince of Peace. Jesus isn’t talking about hurting people with a real sword. He means that following him can sometimes cause disagreements because not everyone believes the same things about God. But we know this is sometimes part of our lives as Christians. Jesus is talking about how following him can sometimes cause “sharp” disagreements, even with people we love, like our family or best friends. He wants us to know that being his disciple means he is “Number One” in our lives—even ahead of our close relationships, favorite hobbies, our sports teams, or our own plans. Jesus is to be “Number One” in our lives. All the time. In everything. This sounds like a big job, doesn’t it? The truth is, we aren’t very good at putting Jesus first. Certainly not all the time. Sometimes peer pressure gets the better of us. Too often, we just want peace, so we go along with what we know is wrong. But here is the good news: Jesus put you first. Every time. Without fail. Jesus left the perfect peace in heaven and went to the pain and suffering on the cross for you to take away every sin and every time you choose peace over him. Because Jesus loves you perfectly, he gives you the Holy Spirit to help you stand up for what is right. Now, in faith, we see this in a new light. Jesus tells us, when you put others first—when you help a friend, share your lunch, or tell someone about Jesus—he says it’s like you are doing those things for him! Even something as small as giving a cup of cold water to someone who is thirsty is a big deal to God. Sometimes we think only big things matter. Jesus reminds us that small acts of love matter too. Live in faith and in the love of the one who put you first; and because Jesus put you first, you can put him first too. Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you put me first and died for my sins. Help me to put you first in my life, even when it’s hard or when my friends don’t understand. Give me a heart that is ready to serve others with kindness. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Jesus says even a simple cup of cold water can make a difference. Why do small acts of kindness matter so much to God? Can you think of a small act of kindness someone showed you? How did it make you feel? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why is it sometimes hard to put Jesus first when everyone around us is doing something different? Jesus says that whoever welcomes you, welcomes him. How does it make you feel to know that you represent Jesus to the world? Questions for Middle School and Above Jesus says, “Whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” How do we “lose our life” for Jesus in normal, everyday ways? If Jesus really is “Number One,” what is one thing our family could do this week to show that together? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260701fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. 1 Timothy 6:11-16 Ready, Set, Run! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. It is so simple. One of the first sports anyone plays. At the playground, in the backyard, over at the neighborhood park. “I’ll race you! Ready, set, go!” Some people, many adults, continue to play this game and are willing to pay money to race with hundreds and thousands of people for distances far longer than to the swing set or across the park. In any race of any distance, to win, you gotta run fast, keep your eyes on the goal and never give up—even when you’re tired. In his first letter to Timothy, the apostle Paul tells us to “flee” from things like greed and selfishness. The word “flee” means to run away as fast as you can. If you saw a skunk with its tail up or a swarm of angry bees coming your way, you probably wouldn’t walk away—you’d run! But Paul doesn’t just want us to run away from bad things; he wants us to run toward the good stuff. He tells us to pursue things like righteousness, godliness, and love. The word “pursue” means to chase after something. So, Paul is saying, “Run away from sin, and run toward the things God loves.” Sometimes, living as a Christian can feel like a long race. We know how hard it is to be kind and loving when someone seems to be mean to you. We know the struggle of remaining patient when we really want something right now. And these struggles are part of every day, far more than just a few times in our day. Paul calls this the “good fight of the faith.” It’s a fight because our sinful nature always wants us to go the wrong way or simply give up. But here is the best part: You are never running this race alone. God has promised to be with us to strengthen us and help us. We know how hard it can be to tell the truth when a lie seems easier. We know how hard it can be to share when we want something all for ourselves. When it comes to winning the prize, God has already given you the prize! Jesus’ resurrection means all our enemies have been defeated. He has won the victory over sin, death, and the devil. Because of him, your sins are forgiven, and you have the gift of eternal life. The victory is yours. Imagine entering a race and finding out that the prize already belongs to you before the race even starts. That’s what Jesus has done for us. We don’t run so that God will love us. We run because he already loves us and has already saved us. When you feel tired or distracted, look at Jesus. Remember his promises from favorite Bible passages. Remember the good news of great joy you heard in worship this last week. Jesus is the “King of kings and Lord of lords.” He gives you the strength to keep running, to keep loving others, and to keep “fighting the good fight” until the day we stand in victory with him in heaven. So today . . . Ready. Set. Run! Run away from sin and run toward Jesus! Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for winning the victory for me through Jesus. Help me to run away from things that hurt others and run toward the things that please you. Give me strength to continue fighting the good fight of faith today. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What does it mean “to flee” from something? What does it mean “to pursue” something? Questions for Elementary Age Children Paul calls living our faith a fight. Is it a fight against someone else or something else? Who or what are we fighting? Even in a large race usually only a few top finishers receive a prize. How does knowing Jesus has already won the prize make our days easier when things are hard? Questions for Middle School and Above Take some time to discuss the difference between righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Which is easiest to understand? Which one is hardest? King of kings and Lord of lords. The almighty God is on our side and he deeply loves us. How does this help us in the way we act in the constant fight of faith? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260629fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Exodus 32:15-29 He said to Aaron, “What did these people do to you, that you led them into such great sin?” “Do not be angry, my lord,” Aaron answered. “You know how prone these people are to evil. They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don’t know what has happened to him.’ So I told them, ‘Whoever has any gold jewelry, take it off.’ Then they gave me the gold, and I threw it into the fire, and out came this calf!” Moses saw that the people were running wild and that Aaron had let them get out of control and so become a laughingstock to their enemies. So he stood at the entrance to the camp and said, “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me.” And all the Levites rallied to him. Exodus 32:21-26 The World’s Worst Excuse In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever been caught doing something wrong and tried to come up with an excuse really fast? Maybe a broken lamp. A missing cookie. A messy bedroom. Sometimes when we know we did something wrong, we try to think of a reason why it wasn’t really our fault. Back when schoolwork was done in notebooks and worksheets, the excuse frequently made fun of was the silly, sad lie claiming, “My dog ate my homework.” Most people knew that excuse wasn’t true. But excuses aren’t just for homework. We all make excuses when we don’t want to admit we did something wrong. When we are young, we may not realize just how wrong our excuses sound. As we age, maybe we get a little wiser in the ways of this sinful world, but still our excuses all fall flat. Because we have a sinful nature, we face a lifetime of struggle with our natural tendency to excuse or minimize our sins. “It wasn’t me. She started it.” “Everybody else was doing it.” “I didn’t mean to.” How easily these excuses still come to us. Consider what took place in Exodus 32. Moses came down the mountain with two stone tablets engraved by God himself. On them were written the Ten Commandments. God told Moses what the children of Israel had done while he was meeting with God. The children of Israel had made a golden calf and worshipped it as if the idol had led them out of Egypt. That sin, like all our sin, is obvious to our all-knowing God. God had done so much for his people, so they would know he loved them and would protect them: the plagues, the Passover, the parting of the sea, a visible presence in cloud by day and fire by night. But still they built an idol and worshiped it. When caught in this sin, how does Aaron, the brother of Moses respond? He blamed others. He minimized the sin and came up with the sad, silly lie: “I threw it in the fire and out came this calf!” Can you imagine that? Aaron wanted Moses to believe that he tossed some gold into a fire and—poof!—a golden calf just appeared all by itself. It was a pretty ridiculous excuse. Moses knew from his own life how dangerous it is to make excuses and minimize sin. When the people sinned—and when we sin—God didn’t stop being their God. Instead of answering our excuses, God, in love, gave us the only answer for our sin. God used Moses to call them back. God had promised the people the perfect substitute who would shed his blood so God’s people would go free. Jesus came to be the only answer for our sin. He is our sinless sacrifice. We don’t need excuses, but honesty. Confess our sins and hear God’s forgiveness for us in Jesus. Share it and speak it to one another. No excuses, just honesty from our holy and loving God. Prayer: We thank you, dear God, for the gift of forgiveness we need today and every day. Give us the honesty to confess our sins to you who know them and the confidence to trust our forgiveness by your mercy and grace. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children When is the last time you heard the words, “I forgive you”? When is the last time you said the words, “I forgive you”? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why can it sometimes be hard to say, “I was wrong” or “I’m sorry”? What are some of the ways we are reminded of God’s forgiveness in our worship service? Is the fact that God knows all things about us sometimes scary, sometimes comforting, or both? Why? Questions for Middle School and Above Can you recall and talk about with the whole family when being honest and admitting fault right away would have been far better than making excuses? God had shown his love in vivid ways to the children of Israel. What are some of the ways you know God has shown his love to you that you can be sure of God’s forgiveness? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260626fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 10:5a,21-33 [Jesus said] Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:29-33 Safe in God’s Care In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Imagine you saw a job description that read something like this: WANTED: Someone willing to work long hours for little pay. You won’t see your family as much. Some people won’t like you. Some may even be angry with you. You might have to leave your home and travel to new places. Your job will never end. Would you want that job? That doesn’t sound very exciting, does it? It’s not so different from what Jesus told his disciples when he sent them out to tell others about him. Jesus wanted them to know that sharing God’s Word would not always be easy. And Jesus doesn’t just send pastors and missionaries. He sends all of us to tell others about him. Sometimes people don’t want to hear about Jesus. Sometimes they disagree with what God says. Sometimes they may even make fun of Christians. That happened to Jesus’ disciples. All of them suffered. Most of them gave their lives for their faith because they shared the good news about Jesus. But Jesus didn’t tell those things to scare them. He told them something better. Jesus said: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care” (verse 29). Sparrows are tiny birds. Most people barely notice them. But God notices every single one. “Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered” (verse 30). God knows everything about you. He knows your name. He knows your thoughts. He knows your joys and your fears. And because he loves you so much, Jesus says: “Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows” (verse 31). What a promise! When Jesus sends us to share our faith, he doesn’t send us alone. He walks beside us. He watches over us. He cares for us every day. So, imagine reading this instead: WANTED: Someone to see God’s love every day. You’ll walk side-by-side with a Savior who never leaves you. There will be challenges, but you never need to be afraid. God will care for you so closely that he even knows how many hairs are on your head. And one day you’ll live with him forever in heaven. You don’t have to imagine it. That’s exactly the life Jesus has given you. Prayer: Jesus, help me see the beautiful, challenging, wonderful, grace-filled life you’ve called me to, and let me speak your Word faithfully here until you bring me faithfully home to heaven. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Why do you think Jesus talked about sparrows? What does it mean that God knows even how many hairs are on your head? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why can you be brave when you talk about Jesus or share your faith? Who is someone you know that shares Jesus with others? Pray for them together. Questions for Middle School and Above Jesus says that following him can sometimes be hard. If nobody has ever given you a hard time because you’re a Christian, does that mean you aren’t sharing your faith well? Why or why not? What does Jesus promise to do for those who acknowledge him before others? (see verse 32) Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260624fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 2 Timothy 4:1-8 Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:2-4,7-8 Don’t Scratch the Itch! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. A man went to the doctor because his ear hurt badly. But the pain wasn’t even the worst part—the itching was! As the doctor examined him, he discovered something awful: there were bugs inside the man’s ear. While the man was sleeping, a fly had laid eggs there. That sounds disgusting, doesn’t it? But what made the problem even worse was this: every time the man scratched his itchy ear, he pushed the bugs farther inside. Scratching the itch only made the problem worse. When something itches, we really want to scratch it. But Paul says the same thing can happen with God’s Word. Paul wrote a letter to a young pastor named Timothy, warning him that people would someday have “itching ears.” Paul didn’t mean people’s ears would actually itch. He meant people would look for teachers and pastors who would tell them exactly what they wanted to hear. Maybe someone wants to hear that their sins are “not a big deal.” Maybe they want to hear that it doesn’t matter what you believe, as long as you believe something. Maybe they want someone to tell them they never need to forgive others or help hurting people. Paul says people sometimes look for “itch-scratchers”—teachers who make them feel good instead of telling them God’s truth. But scratching an itch doesn’t heal the problem. It only makes it worse. We all have “itches.” There are parts of God’s Word that are hard for us to hear. Sometimes God tells us to confess sins we don’t want to admit. Sometimes he tells us to forgive someone when we don’t want to. Sometimes he tells us to love people who are difficult to love. But God doesn’t want teachers who simply scratch our itchy ears. He gives us pastors, teachers, parents, and Christian friends who tell us the truth—even when it’s hard to hear. Why? Because God loves us too much to leave us trapped in sin. May God give us preachers, not “itch-scratchers!” May they rebuke us when we need it, so our sins don’t destroy our faith, and may they always point us to the great gift of salvation we have in Jesus. That truth may not scratch our itch—but it heals our hearts, opens our ears to truth, and someday, will place a crown of eternal life on our heads! Prayer: When my ears itch, O Lord, I want someone to scratch them. Instead, bless me with people who will tell me your true Word. Instead of scratching my itch, heal my heart. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children In today’s devotion, a man’s ear was hurting horribly. Why did scratching make the problem worse? Paul talked about “itching ears.” What do you think that means? Questions for Elementary Age Children God says people won’t “put up with sound doctrine.” That means they don’t want to hear what God really says. Why do people sometimes want teachers to tell them only what they want to hear? Paul said a “crown of righteousness” was waiting for him. What wonderful gift was Paul talking about? Questions for Middle School and Above What are some things God says in the Bible that can be hard for us to hear? When we look for a church, what is the MOST important thing we should look for? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260622fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Jeremiah 20:7-13 If I say, “I will not mention his word or speak anymore in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot. But the LORD is with me like a mighty warrior; He rescues the life of the needy from the hands of the wicked. Jeremiah 20:7-13 (selected verses) When God’s Word Burns Inside You In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever had good news that you wanted to tell, but you weren’t allowed to yet? Maybe you knew about a surprise party or that your mom was going to have another baby, but you were told, “Don’t tell anyone yet!” When you have news that’s so exciting like that, it’s hard to keep it in. You just want to burst out! That’s a little like what happened to the prophet Jeremiah. God gave him a message to share with God’s people. Part of the message warned them about their sins. But it also included the promise of God’s love and forgiveness. Jeremiah said that he tried not to speak God’s Word, it felt like a burning fire inside him. It was hard to keep it in! But there was a problem. People didn’t always like hearing God’s message. When Jeremiah warned people about their sins, they became angry with him. They even hated him and tried to hurt him. Can you imagine how hard that must have been? It hurt Jeremiah when he didn’t speak God’s Word, but it also hurt him when he did. You probably can! Because God shared his Word with you. You know that sins separate us from God, and when you see people you love who don’t believe in God or are living in sinful ways, you care about them and want them to know Jesus. And more than that, you love to tell people about God’s grace and forgiveness. Sometimes it feels hard to keep that good news inside! But maybe you’ve experienced something else too. Maybe you told someone what God says about sin or told them about Jesus—and they didn’t believe you. Maybe they laughed, rolled their eyes, or didn’t want to listen. That hurts too. Jeremiah didn’t find a way to make it stop hurting. Instead, he remembered that his Savior was with him. That gave him courage to speak—and it gave him comfort when speaking God’s Word brought him pain. Jesus is with you, too, and has placed his promises in your heart. He promises to help you speak with courage, kindness, and love. So, don’t hold his promises in! Prayer: Lord, thank you for putting your Word in my heart. Help me also keep your Word on my mouth, so that others can hear what you’ve done. Give me courage to speak your Word truthfully, and grant that other people believe. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What’s a time you had exciting news that was really hard to keep secret? People were mad at Jeremiah for sharing God’s Word. Has someone ever been mad at you for telling them about what God says? Questions for Elementary Age Children Jeremiah said God’s Word felt like a fire burning inside him. Why do you think he described it that way? Pick a pastor, teacher, or other church leader who shares God’s Word—even when it’s hard. Pray for them. Questions for Middle School and Above Jeremiah felt hurt whether he stayed quiet or spoke up. Why do you think he still kept sharing God’s message? What comfort gave Jeremiah courage at the end of the reading? And how does it help you when the truth of God’s Word is hard to hear or to share? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260619fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 9:35–10:8 [Jesus] said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him. These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Matthew 9:35–10:8 (selected verses) You Matter More Than You Think In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Quick: How many of the twelve apostles can you name? Maybe you remembered Peter, John, or Matthew. But what about Thaddaeus? Or Simon the Zealot? Did you know there were actually two disciples named James and two named Simon? Don’t worry if you can’t remember all their names. Most people can’t! That might seem surprising because the disciples were Jesus’ closest followers. The Bible doesn’t actually tell us much about them. There’s a reason for that. The Bible isn’t about them; it’s about Jesus and the salvation that he was bringing into the world. But that does NOT mean those disciples were unimportant. Jesus taught them, traveled with them, and gave them two incredible jobs to do. First, Jesus told them to PRAY for more workers to share God’s Word. Jesus said there were many people ready to hear about him—like a huge field ready for harvest. So, Jesus told his disciples to “beg” God to send more workers into the field. Then right after Jesus told them to pray for workers, Jesus sent THEM out to be the workers! Those disciples traveled all over the world telling people about Jesus. Some went to faraway countries (Italy, Africa, India). Some faced danger. Some were laughed at or hurt because they believed in Jesus. But they kept sharing the good news anyway. And even though most people today don’t know much about those disciples, billions of people know about Jesus because of them. That teaches us something important: You do not have to be famous to matter. Maybe someday people won’t remember your name hundreds of years from now. That’s okay. God can still use you in wonderful ways right now. Here are your two incredible jobs: First, you can pray for missionaries, pastors, teachers, and Christians who share Jesus with others. And you can also be part of the answer to your own prayer when you tell someone about Jesus yourself. Second, every time you show kindness, invite someone to church, tell a friend about Jesus, or remind someone that God loves them, God is using YOU too. Prayer: Heavenly Father, I believe that you love the world and want all people to believe in Jesus. Please send more people out to share that message. And Father, give me a chance to be the answer to that prayer as you give me opportunities to share my faith, too. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Which disciples of Jesus can you remember? What important job did Jesus give his disciples? Questions for Elementary Age Children Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful.” What do you think he meant by that? Who is someone God has used to teach you about Jesus? Questions for Middle School and Above Why is it encouraging to know that you don’t have to be famous to matter to God? Jesus told the disciples to pray for workers and then sent them out to work. What lesson does that teach us? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260617fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 Corinthians 4:1-7 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 What Makes a Good Pastor? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. John the Baptist ate bugs. Real bugs! The Bible says he ate locusts—kind of like giant grasshoppers—and wild honey. Elijah wore strange clothes. Instead of nice soft clothes, he wore a rough coat made from camel’s hair and a big leather belt. Moses stuttered. When God told Moses to speak to Pharaoh, Moses said, “I’m slow of speech and tongue.” That makes us wonder: What kind of person does God use to preach and teach his Word? People in the city of Corinth were wondering the same thing. Some people were starting to pick their “favorite pastors.” Maybe some liked the smartest preacher. Maybe others liked the funniest one. Maybe some liked the preacher who told great stories or spoke really loudly and confidently. People still do that today, don’t they? But Paul said the most important thing to look for in a pastor or teacher is this: Are they faithful to God’s Word? Of course, it’s wonderful when pastors and teachers are kind, interesting, funny, or good speakers. But the most important thing is that they teach what God says faithfully and truthfully. Why? Because God describes his message as a mystery. A mystery is something we could never figure out on our own. We need someone to reveal it to us. So God sends us pastors, preachers, teachers, elders and other leaders to share this message that we could never figure out unless God had told us. No one would ever guess on their own that God loves sinners so much that he sent Jesus to save them. We might think we have to earn God’s love by being good enough. But God reveals the wonderful truth: Jesus already did everything needed to save us. Forgiveness and heaven are gifts from God. And who does God use to share that message? Sometimes surprising people! People who eat bugs. People who aren’t fancy speakers. People who have weaknesses and sins. But when they faithfully teach God’s Word, they are exactly the kind of preachers and teachers God wants his people to have. Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for revealing the mystery of your love to me. Bless us with pastors and teachers and help them be faithful in their work. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What strange things did John the Baptist, Elijah, and Moses each have? Why do you think God sometimes uses surprising people to serve him? Questions for Elementary Age Children What are some things people sometimes care about too much when picking favorite leaders or pastors? According to Paul, what matters most about a preacher or teacher? Questions for Middle School and Above Why is the message of Jesus called a “mystery”? When people criticize us or we are upset at our leaders, why is it important to remember that God works through imperfect people? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260615fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Numbers 27:15-23 Moses said to the LORD, “May the LORD, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD instructed through Moses. Numbers 27:15-23 (selected verses) Who Takes Care of God’s People? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. When a family has a new baby, mom and dad start thinking about a really important question: “Who would take care of our child if something happened to us?” That can be a hard thing to think about. Parents might talk about grandparents, aunts, uncles, or close friends. They think carefully about who loves their children, who will protect them, who will help them, and who will keep teaching them about Jesus. Parents spend lots of time praying about it because they love their children so much. Moses thought about something like that too. For 40 years, Moses had helped take care of God’s people, the Israelites. He led them through the hot wilderness, helped settle arguments, prayed for them, warned them when they sinned, and reminded them again and again about God’s promises. In many ways, Moses cared for the people like a shepherd cares for sheep. But now Moses knew he would not be going into the Promised Land with them. Because of a sin from earlier in his life, God told Moses that Joshua would become the new leader instead. Moses would soon go home to heaven. So Moses prayed to God. He didn’t want God’s people to be left all alone without someone to guide them. He asked God to give the Israelites a faithful leader. God chose Joshua. Joshua would lead the people into the Promised Land. But Joshua wasn’t perfect either. Moses wasn’t perfect. None of God’s leaders are perfect. And that’s important for us to remember. God still gives us leaders today—parents, teachers, pastors, principals, coaches, and others. Sometimes those leaders make mistakes because they are sinners too. But God still works through them to care for us, teach us his Word, and point us to Jesus. The best leaders are not the ones who are perfect. The best leaders are the ones who keep leading people back to Jesus. And the greatest leader of all is Jesus, our Good Shepherd, who never sins, never fails us, and promises to lead us safely all the way to our heavenly home. Prayer: Almighty God, you lead us through this life to our true Promised Land—our home in heaven. Our parents, our pastors and teachers, and all of our other leaders aren’t perfect. But as they lead us, help them guide us by your Word and your perfect love. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Why do parents carefully think about who would take care of their children? Why did Moses ask God to give the people a new leader? Questions for Elementary Age Children Moses said the people needed a “shepherd.” What does a shepherd do for sheep? How are leaders like shepherds? Who is the only perfect leader we have? What makes Jesus different from every other leader? Questions for Middle School and Above Sometimes we don’t like having leaders over us. But why is the thought of being without a leader a little scary? Moses sinned, but God still used him for many years. What does that teach us about the kinds of people God works through? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260612fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 9:9-13 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9 Used to Be In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever been stuck with a nickname or remembered for something embarrassing? Maybe you were the kid who spilled milk in the lunchroom, forgot your lines in a program, or got in trouble at school. Sometimes people remember our mistakes for a long time. That’s kind of what happened to Matthew. Before Matthew followed Jesus, he was a tax collector. That meant he collected money for the Roman government. Most Jewish people did not like tax collectors at all. They thought tax collectors were greedy, unfair, and friends with the enemy. Some tax collectors even cheated people and kept extra money for themselves. So most people probably stayed away from Matthew. They may have whispered about him or pointed at him when he walked by. But then Jesus did something amazing. Jesus walked right up to Matthew and said, “Follow me.” Can you imagine how shocked the crowd must have been? “Wait . . . Jesus wants HIM to follow?” But Jesus saw more than Matthew’s old job or past mistakes. Jesus saw someone he loved. Jesus forgave Matthew and gave him a new life. Matthew became one of Jesus’ disciples and even wrote one of the books of the Bible! Did you know that Jesus does the same for you? That might sound silly, you’re not a tax collector. But you aren’t always perfect either. We can be selfish, rude, grumpy, lazy, or mean. Maybe there are times when people remember us for bad choices we made. But Jesus doesn’t only see your mistakes. Jesus says to you too, “Follow me.” Because of Jesus, your sins are forgiven. You are not just “the kid who messed up.” That’s what you used to be—You are God’s child. Jesus makes you a new creation and helps you grow to live for him every day. And just like Matthew, you get to tell other people about Jesus too! Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for calling me to follow you and making me your new creation. Give me the strength to live according to this new life you’ve given me. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Who did Jesus call to follow him? What job did Matthew have before he followed Jesus? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why didn’t people like tax collectors? Why do you think people were surprised that Jesus talked to Matthew? Questions for Middle School and Above Keep reading the rest of Matthew’s story (verses 10-13). Where did Jesus go next? How does Jesus treat people differently than the world does? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260610fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 1 Timothy 1:15 Worst and Best In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever done something wrong and wished you could go back and change it? Maybe you hurt someone’s feelings, disobeyed your parents, lied about something, or got angry at a friend. Sometimes those memories can make you cringe inside when you remember them, right? The apostle Paul knew that feeling too. Before he became a Christian, he did terrible things. He hurt Christians. He even went from house to house to capture believers. He threw some into prison. He tried to stop people from believing in Jesus. Paul felt awful about the sins he had committed. That’s why in today’s Bible verse he says, “I am the worst of sinners.” Here’s what is surprising: Paul wasn’t the only sinner. All people sin—even you and me. We are all the “worst of sinners.” Any sin, no matter how big or small it feels, separates us from God. Any sin, no matter how many or how few people it affects, condemns us to hell. Any sin is the worst of sins, and that makes all of us the worst of sinners. That’s the bad news—but here comes the good news! Paul says, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). That means Jesus came for people who mess up. Jesus came for people who sin. Jesus came for Paul. Jesus came for you too! On the cross, Jesus became the “worst of sinners” for every mean word. Every selfish choice. Every lie. Every bad attitude. Everything that makes you cringe. He became the worst in order to give you his best—the righteousness of God. Paul calls this “a trustworthy saying.” That means it is completely true and something we can always believe. So, when you remember the worst thing you’ve ever done and it makes you feel the worst, don’t forget this: Jesus forgives you. The cross reminds you that God doesn’t remember your worst, but the best of Jesus. Through Jesus, we are forgiven, dearly loved children of God—and there’s nothing better than that! Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for loving me even when I’m at my worst. Thank you for forgiving all my wrong choices. Help me remember every day that I am your forgiven child. Help me share this trustworthy saying with someone who needs it as much as I do. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What does the apostle Paul call himself in today’s Bible verse? Who else is the worst of sinners? (Hint: me) Questions for Elementary Age Children Why do even “small” sins matter to God? Why is it hard to admit when we’ve done wrong? Questions for Middle School and Above The apostle Paul also uses the phrase “This is a trustworthy saying” in Titus 3:3-8. How are those verses related to the trustworthy saying in today’s Bible passage? How would you answer someone who says, “You haven’t murdered anybody or stolen anything, so you aren’t really the worst of sinners”? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260608fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Exodus 3:1-15 But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you.” Exodus 3:11-12 God’s Biggest Promise: “I Will Be with You.” In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. You might not know the name Theodore Geisel, but you probably know him by another name—Dr. Seuss! He wrote fun books like The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. Millions and millions of people have read his books. Some of them have even been made into movies. But did you know that Dr. Seuss was told “no” many times before anyone would print his first book? Publisher after publisher rejected it. Dr. Seuss felt like giving up. He thought maybe his book wasn’t good enough. But then something amazing happened. An old friend helped him get the book published. Dr. Seuss needed help! In today’s Bible story, we hear about someone else who needed help—Moses. After he ran away from Egypt for the murder of an Egyptian who was hurting someone else, God knew where Moses was and what he wanted Moses to do. God spoke to Moses from a burning bush and gave him a huge job to do. God wanted Moses to go back to Egypt and tell Pharaoh to let God’s people go free. But Moses was scared. Very scared. Moses thought, “Why would Pharaoh listen to me?” Moses didn’t think he was brave enough, important enough, or good enough to do the job. He even hoped God would pick someone else! But God made Moses a really big promise. God said, “I will be with you.” That meant Moses would never be alone. God would help him speak. God would protect him. God would give him the strength he needed. Here’s the best part: God gives the same promise to you! Sometimes you might feel scared too—like Moses. You might think, “I can’t do this!” But God says, “I am with you—promise!” Even when life feels hard or scary, Jesus promises to stay by your side. He gives you courage, help, and strength every day. That’s a really big promise! Prayer: Dear God, thank you for always being with me. Give me everything I need to carry out the tasks you give me to do. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Who does God talk to in today’s Bible story? What special promise did God make to Moses? Questions for Elementary Age Children What big job did God want Moses to do? Why do you think Moses felt scared? What are some things that make you nervous sometimes? Questions for Middle School and Above How did God help Moses later in his life? Can you think of a time when God helped you or your family? What is one way you can remember this week that God is always with you? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260605fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 28:16-20 [Jesus said] “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 If Jesus Says “Go!” What Would You Tell People to Know?? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Ellie ran home from school with a huge smile on her face. “Mom! Mom! I finally get it!” she shouted. All week long, Ellie had been confused in math class. The numbers and problems just didn’t make sense. But today her teacher explained it in a new way, and suddenly it clicked! Ellie finished every problem correctly. Her teacher even told her, “Great job, Ellie!” But Ellie was excited for another reason too. Her friend Josie had been struggling with the same math lesson. Ellie could not wait to help her friend understand it too. And you’re especially learning how to obey Jesus and behave like he wants his children to behave. When you learn something exciting, what do you usually want to do? You want to share it! That’s exactly what Jesus wants us to do with the good news about him. At church, Sunday school, and family devotions, you are learning amazing things about Jesus: Jesus loves you. Jesus died for your sins. Jesus rose again. Jesus is always with you. Jesus is preparing heaven for you. Those are the best truths anyone could ever learn! Sometimes learning God’s Word can be hard. Like math. We do not always understand right away, and sometimes we forget to obey Jesus. But the more we hear Bible stories and learn about Jesus, the bigger our faith grows and the better we get (understand) what he wants of us as we live surrounded by other people. In today’s Bible verses, Jesus tells his followers to teach other people about him too. That might sound scary sometimes, but it can also be exciting! You do not need to know everything about the Bible. You can simply share what YOU know about Jesus. So, what do you know about Jesus? Think of all the things you’ve learned about Jesus (he loves me, he forgives me, he is always with me). Pick one of those things to share with someone. The best part? Jesus promises you are never alone when you talk about him! Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for teaching me lots of things about you in the Bible. Give me the words to teach these things to other people who need to learn about them too. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What’s one thing you know about Jesus? Who could you tell about Jesus this week? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why do you think Ellie wanted to help her friend? Why can it sometimes feel scary to talk about Jesus? Questions for Middle School and Above Why is the message about Jesus more important than learning math or school subjects? What Bible story or truth about Jesus would you most want a friend to know? Why? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260603fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 2 Corinthians 13:11-14 May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14 Three Important Words In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Close your eyes and see this picture in your head: the worship service is almost over. Your pastor is standing in front with his arms raised. What does he say next? Today’s Bible verse might sound familiar. It’s called the “apostolic blessing.” These are the final words the apostle Paul wrote to a Christian church a long time ago in Corinth. Pastors still use these words in church today because they remind us of God’s blessing. Paul uses three really important words in this blessing. Let’s listen for them: Grace. Love. Fellowship. First up is the word grace—the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Why is grace so important? The Bible says, “It is by grace we have been saved” (Ephesians 2:8). Grace means God gives us love and forgiveness even though we do not deserve it. Think about it: Do we always obey perfectly? No! We sin every day. But Jesus still came to save us. He died on the cross and rose again for us. That is grace! It is a free gift from Jesus. But why would he want to do that? We get the answer in the second word: love. It’s a very special love. So the Bible uses a special word for it. It’s called agape (ah-GAH-pay). Can you say it? (ah-GAH-pay). God’s love is bigger and stronger than any love we know. God loves us all the time—not just when we are good, but even when we mess up. That is amazing love! Because of God’s agape—there’s nothing we can do to make him stop loving us. The third word is fellowship. Fellowship means belonging together as God’s family. You belong in your family. You also have a church family. When we worship together, pray together, sing together, help each other, or learn about Jesus together, we are enjoying fellowship. Someday, when you get old enough, you can take Holy Communion together! Why? Because that’s what Jesus wanted us to do—together. God did not want us to be alone. He gave himself for us. And he gives us Christian friends, families, teachers, pastors, and church families to encourage us in faith. The next time you hear your pastor say these words at church, listen carefully. Instead of thinking, “Yeah, church is over!” think about three wonderful gifts God is giving you: grace, love, and fellowship. Those are three words worth remembering! Prayer: Dear God, may your grace and love and fellowship always be with us. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What are the three important words from today’s Bible verse? Which of these three words is your favorite? Why? Questions for Elementary Age Children The third word is fellowship. What does that mean? Why is it good for you to worship and pray together? Questions for Middle School and Above What is one way your family can grow in fellowship together? When have you felt especially loved by God or by your church family? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260601fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Genesis 1:1–2:3 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. Genesis 1:1-3 “When Three = One” In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever counted to three? One . . . two . . . three! Now here’s a tricky question: Can three ever equal one? That sounds impossible, right? Three and one are different numbers! But with God, something amazing is true. God is three persons in one God. We call this the Trinity or the triune God. “Triune” means “three in one.” The three persons are: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus), and God the Holy Spirit. Sometimes people try to explain the Trinity with pictures, like an apple with three parts (peel, fruit, seed) or a clover with three leaves. Those examples can help a little bit, but God is still much greater than anything we can compare him to. Even grown-ups cannot fully understand everything about God! But even if we can’t understand it perfectly, we can still believe it because the Bible teaches it. We can actually see the Trinity in the very first verse of the Bible! God the Father created the world. God the Holy Spirit was hovering over the waters. And when God said, “Let there be light,” Jesus was there too! How do we know? In the New Testament, the Bible calls Jesus “the Word.” The Bible says that through Jesus, all things were made. That means Jesus was there at creation too! Think about how powerful God is. He made the whole world out of nothing! He made the stars, oceans, animals, trees, and people. And this same powerful God still cares for you today. God the Father gives you what you need each day. Jesus, God the Son, died and rose to save you from sin. God the Holy Spirit works faith in your heart through God’s Word. The Trinity can seem hard to understand, but here’s a triune truth: The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit loves us completely and will care for us always. Prayer: Dear God, thank you for using your power to create the whole world. Use the power in my life to always keep me close to you. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What does the word “triune” mean? Who are the three persons of the triune God? Questions for Elementary Age Children Where do we see each of the three persons of the Trinity at creation? Why do you think it is hard for people to understand the Trinity? Questions for Middle School and Above Even if we cannot fully understand God, why can we still trust him? How does each person of the Trinity help and care for us? Bonus Question: Can you think of another Bible story where we see the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together? (Hint: Think about Jesus’ baptism!) Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260529fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 7:37-39 On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and called out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! As the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from deep within the person who believes in me. John 7:37-38 (EHV) Drink Deeply In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever been SUPER thirsty after running outside, playing sports, or being out on a hot day? Nothing sounds better than a big, cold drink of water! When our bodies are thirsty, we need water to help us feel strong and healthy again. In our Bible reading today, Jesus said, “Come to me and drink.” Jesus was not talking about regular water in a cup or bottle. He was using a picture to teach something even more important. Jesus was talking about the things our souls need most—his love, forgiveness, peace, and eternal life. When you don’t drink enough water, your body suffers. You can get a headache; you can feel weak, tired, dizzy, or sick. Water is necessary for life. The same thing can happen to our souls. When we forget about Jesus or stay away from his Word, we can become spiritually weak. We may worry more, become angry more easily, forget God’s promises, or give in to temptation. Sometimes people even start to think they do not need Jesus at all. But we do need him every day! We do need Jesus. We need his love, his forgiveness, and for him to live with us! That is why Jesus lovingly invites everyone to come to him and “drink deeply.” We are filled with Jesus’ living water when we hear and read God’s Word, remember our Baptism, go to church, and learn about his promises. The Holy Spirit uses these gifts to refresh our hearts and strengthen our faith. Jesus does more than simply help us. His love also flows through us to other people. Think about a tiny stream that grows into a huge river, like the Mississippi River. Over 2,350 miles long, that small stream becomes something powerful that helps millions of people. In a similar way, the Holy Spirit quietly begins his work in you. As you are filled with the living water, it flows out of you to others. God uses you to make an impact on others that only he fully knows. In the same way, the Holy Spirit quietly works in us. As Jesus fills us with his love and forgiveness, that love begins to flow out to others. Maybe through your kindness, encouragement, prayers, sharing, or helping, God is using YOU to make a difference in someone’s life. Even if we cannot always see it, God can. Remember Jesus’ invitation: “Come to me and drink.” Jesus gives the living water that lasts forever. Prayer: Dear Jesus, at times we forget to go to you for what we really need. Forgive us and send your Holy Spirit to us that we are filled with the living water you give us. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What do you like to drink when you are really thirsty? Who gives us what we need for our bodies and souls? Questions for Elementary Age Children What did Jesus mean when he said, “Come to me and drink”? What are some ways God fills us with “living water”? Questions for Middle School and Above Discuss a time in your life when you became “thirsty” and needed to be filled with Jesus’ living water. How did God use that time to help you turn to him? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260527fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 Corinthians 12:3-11 There are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of ministries, and yet the same Lord. There are various kinds of activity, but the same God, who produces all of them in everyone. Each person is given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (EHV) Behind the Scenes In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever watched a school play, concert, or sports game? Everyone sees the big performance at the end. But a LOT of work happens before anyone steps on stage or onto the field! People practice lines, build sets, set up lights, make costumes, and help everything run smoothly. Most of that work happens “behind the scenes,” where nobody sees it. Our Bible reading today reminds us that the Holy Spirit also does “behind-the-scenes” work. Before Jesus went back to heaven, he promised to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples. On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came and gave them courage and special gifts so they could tell people about Jesus. The Holy Spirit has come to us too! The first and greatest thing he did was bring us to faith in Jesus. The Holy Spirit still works in us today by giving each Christian special gifts to help other people and serve God. Some gifts are easy to notice. A pastor preaching, a teacher teaching, or a musician singing in church are gifts we can often see. But other gifts happen quietly. Maybe someone cheers up a sad friend, helps a neighbor, prays for someone, shares, listens kindly, or writes an encouraging note. Those are gifts from God too! They help grow and strengthen his church. Sometimes we may wish we had someone else’s gifts. Maybe you wish you could sing better, speak better, or do something another person can do. But God made each person special. The Holy Spirit gives different gifts to different people because he knows exactly what his church needs. Instead of being jealous, we can thank God for the gifts he gives other people AND thank him for the gifts he has given us. With these gifts from the Holy Spirit, every believer is equipped and empowered to be witnesses of Christ in a world that needs him. Just like we can’t see what’s going on behind the scenes of a play, we can’t always see the Holy Spirit working. Yet we know he is because Jesus promised it. We have the same God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—who is preserving his church. All by his grace for the common good of God’s people. Even though we cannot see the Holy Spirit with our eyes, we know he is working because Jesus promised he would. The Holy Spirit is still working “behind the scenes”! Prayer: Father in heaven, forgive us for the times we are jealous of the gifts of others. Dear Jesus, thank you for your sacrifice on the cross that covers me with your grace. Dear Holy Spirit, help me joyfully use the gifts you give me as you work for the good of God’s people. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What is one gift or talent God has given you? How can you use your gifts to help someone this week? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why do you think God gives different gifts to different people? What are some gifts people use at church that others may not notice? Questions for Middle School and Above Why is it wrong to be jealous of someone else’s gifts? Go around the room and name one gift or strength you see in each family member. Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260525fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Acts 2:1-21 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the rushing of a violent wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw divided tongues that were like fire resting on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, since the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak fluently. Acts 2:1-4 (EHV) Pentecost Miracles In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. When missionaries travel to different countries far away to spread God’s Word, they often need to learn a new language. That can be really hard! Imagine trying to learn to speak Chinese, Spanish, or Swahili! It takes lots of time, practice, and patience. Have you ever tried to learn words from another language? Was it easy or hard? Being able to speak another language is a special gift from God. Long ago, an amazing miracle happened in the city of Jerusalem. People from different nations and languages gathered for a celebration of the spring harvest and to give offerings to the Lord. Suddenly, something incredible happened! The Bible says there was a sound like a powerful rushing wind that came from heaven, and what looked like little flames of fire rested on the believers in the house. These were miraculous signs from God. Something spectacular was about to happen! Then the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus’ followers just as Jesus promised. Immediately—without classes, homework, or studying—they could speak different languages. The people visiting Jerusalem from all different nations could hear and understand God’s Word in their own language. Can you imagine hearing someone talk but not understanding a single word? That would make it hard to learn about Jesus. But God wanted everyone there to hear the good news clearly. And that’s the work of the Holy Spirit! He gave the disciples the miracle of speaking many languages. Because of this miracle, thousands of people heard about Jesus that day. About 3,000 people believed in Jesus and became part of God’s family. Wow! That was a huge miracle of faith. God still works today! Maybe we don’t suddenly speak new languages like the disciples did, but God still helps missionaries, pastors, teachers, parents, and YOU share his Word with others. Most importantly, the Holy Spirit has worked the miracle of faith in your heart too. Every time someone learns about Jesus and believes in him, that is a miracle from God! Prayer: O Lord God of all nations, send your Holy Spirit to work in us that our faith is strengthened and help us speak your Word faithfully and boldly. Work in the hearts of others so they believe in you. In Jesus’ name. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What amazing sound did the disciples hear on Pentecost? What miracle helped people understand God’s Word? Questions for Elementary Age Children Who gave the disciples power to speak different languages? What helps you be bold to speak God’s Word to others? Questions for Middle School and Above How does the Holy Spirit help Christians today? Why is faith in Jesus the greatest miracle of all? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260522fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 17:1-11a After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:1-3 God Is Glorified! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Jesus prayed these words to his Father right before he was arrested and put on the cross. Jesus wasn’t only thinking about himself even though he knew he was about to suffer. He was thinking about his friends, his followers, and you! He was thinking about every person in the whole world. Jesus knew that by dying on the cross, he would take away all our sins. Jesus wanted people to see how amazing God’s love really is. Jesus asked his Father to glorify him. “Glorify” means to give honor, praise, and attention. Jesus gave glory to his Father by doing the job God sent him to do—saving sinners. Even a Roman soldier standing near the cross said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!” When you hear the word “glory”, you might think of something bright and amazing—like a sky full of heavenly angels or shining stars, a colorful sunset, or fireworks lighting up the night. God’s glory is even greater! It shows us how powerful, loving, and wonderful God is. But here’s something surprising: The writer of the book of Hebrews in the Bible tells us about Jesus, “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus showed God’s glory while suffering on the cross. That doesn’t seem glorious at first. Usually, people want glory by being famous, winning awards, or getting lots of attention. We like people to notice us and tell us how great we are. But Jesus showed true glory by loving others and saving them. His greatest honor was to save us. Sometimes we want all the “glory” for ourselves. Maybe we want to be the best player, get the highest grade, or hear everyone clap for us. Our sinful nature loves to be the center of attention! When that happens, we can ask God to forgive us and help us remember that every good thing comes from him. Through our faith in Jesus, we pray that we give glory, honor and respect to God in what we say and do. But the story didn’t end at the cross! Jesus rose from the dead on Easter morning. Now THAT was glorious! Glory filled the earth in a risen Savior! God is glorified! Jesus lives; we too will live. A crown of glory waits for us in heaven. Now THAT will be glorious! Prayer: Dear Jesus, we know that at times we do not give you the glory and honor you deserve. Forgive us. Help our lives be a reflection of you until you call us to our eternal home where perfect glory awaits. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Before Jesus died on the cross, who was he thinking about? (Hint: not himself) Why is that amazing? What is one thing you can do this week at home or school that shows God’s love? Questions for Elementary Age Children What does the word “glory” mean? Can you think of something beautiful or amazing that reminds you of God’s glory? How did Jesus bring glory to his Father by dying on the cross? How can you give glory to God? Questions for Middle School and Above When are you tempted to make everything “all about me”? What could you do instead? Discuss: How can being kind, helpful, or brave, especially during hard times, give glory to God? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260520fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 Peter 4:12-17; 5:6-11 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 1 Peter 5:7,10 Weakness = Strength In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Do you have a sidewalk in front of your home? How about a driveway or a road—what’s it made of? If you live in a city or town, there likely is a lot of concrete. Concrete is made of water, powder and really small rocks. What happens when you squeeze them together and let them dry? The pressure makes things stronger. That might sound a little backwards—but it’s true! Think about sand at the beach. Dry sand slips right through your fingers. It’s soft and crumbly. But add a little water and pack it down tight . . . and now you can build a sandcastle! The sand gets stronger when it is pressed together. That’s kind of how God works in our lives too. Sometimes life feels hard. Sometimes we feel scared. Sometimes we feel weak. Maybe you’ve had a day when you felt nervous, sad, sick, or worried. Maybe something felt too hard, and you didn’t know what to do. The Bible says something surprising: “When I am weak, then I am strong.” That sounds upside down, doesn’t it? How can being weak make someone strong? It’s because when we feel weak, we remember we need Jesus. And that is where real strength comes from. When we are worried, Jesus says, “Bring it to me.” When we are afraid, Jesus says, “I am with you.” When we feel weak, Jesus says, “I will help you.” Jesus may not always make the hard things go away right away. But he does promise something even better: he will be with us and give us strength. God says in the Bible, “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak” (Isaiah 40:29). That means when you feel tired, scared, or overwhelmed, God is not far away. He is close. He is helping. He is making you stronger in him. So, when life feels heavy, don’t think, “God must be far away.” Instead, think, “God is helping me right now.” When you feel weak, Jesus is strong for you. When you feel worried, Jesus listens to you. When you feel afraid, Jesus stays with you. And one day, Jesus will bring you to heaven, where nothing is scary, nothing hurts, and nothing ever goes wrong again. Until then, when you feel weak, remember this: “Jesus loves me . . . I am weak. But he is strong.” Prayer: Dear Jesus, when I feel weak, worried or afraid, please help me remember that you are near me and making me strong in you. Keep me focused on heaven as I endure my earthly troubles. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Have you ever had a day when you felt scared, worried, or weak? What happened? What does Jesus want us to do when we are worried? Questions for Elementary Age Children What does it mean that Jesus is strong for us when we feel weak? Why do you think hard times can help us trust Jesus more? Questions for Middle School and Above Can you think of a time when something hard helped you grow stronger? What are some things that help you remember Jesus when you feel afraid? (Prayer? A Bible verse? A song? Talking to Mom or Dad?) Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260518fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Acts 1:12-26 [Peter said] “Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles. Acts 1:21-22,26 See It! Hear It! Believe It! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever heard someone say, “I’ll believe it when I see it!”? Maybe you’ve even said it yourself! That usually means, “I’m not sure that’s true unless I can see it with my own eyes.” And that makes sense! It’s easier to believe something when you see it happen. But what if you didn’t see it yourself? Then it really helps to hear from someone who did see it—someone called an eyewitness. An eyewitness is a person who was really there and saw what happened. Eyewitnesses help us know what is true. And that is one reason God gave us Jesus’ disciples. They were there. They saw Jesus. They heard Jesus. They walked with Jesus. They watched Jesus teach people. They saw him heal sick people. They saw him do miracles. They saw him die on the cross. And best of all—they saw him alive again! Jesus rose from the dead, and his disciples were eyewitnesses. They could tell everyone, “It’s true! Jesus is alive!” One of the disciples, Judas, turned against Jesus and was no longer with them. So the disciples chose another man, named Matthias, to take his place. Why did that matter? Because Matthias also needed to be someone who had seen Jesus and could tell the true story. He would be another eyewitness who could say, “I saw Jesus too!” That was important because the disciples had a big job: tell the world about Jesus. And that is still the big job today. We were not there to see Jesus with our own eyes. But we can still believe in him because God gave us eyewitnesses in the Bible. They saw what Jesus did, and God had them write it down for us. So now we can hear it . . . and believe it . . . and share it too. Jesus is alive! And because Jesus lives, we will live with him forever too! Prayer: O Lord God, thank you for providing eyewitnesses to write the greatest events in all of history so that we can read and hear it. Help me always to believe it by faith and share the hope I have in you. In Jesus’ name, amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What is the best and most amazing true story ever told? Why? What is an eyewitness? Why is an eyewitness important? Questions for Elementary Age Children Have you ever believed someone because they said, “I saw it!”? What happened? Why was it important that Matthias had seen Jesus too? Questions for Middle School and Above Why are eyewitness accounts important? How can you be a witness for Jesus? (Hint: You may not have seen Jesus with your eyes, but you can still tell others what you know is true about him!) Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260515fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Luke 24:44-53 When he [Jesus] had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God. Luke 24:50-53 Celebrate Ascension: “Mission Accomplished!” In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. There are lots of holidays we celebrate every year. And each one has something special about it. On Mother’s Day, we celebrate moms. Maybe you make breakfast, draw a card, or give flowers. On Memorial Day, we remember people who served our country. On the Fourth of July, we celebrate with cookouts and fireworks. Every holiday has its own special reason to celebrate. That’s true for church holidays too. At Christmas, we celebrate that Jesus came into the world to be our Savior. At Easter, we celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead and won the victory over sin, death, and the devil. And there is another important church holiday many people forget about: Ascension. Ascension happens 40 days after Easter. That was the day Jesus went up into heaven in front of his disciples. That might sound strange at first. Why would we celebrate Jesus leaving? Because Jesus wasn’t leaving his work unfinished. He was showing that everything he came to do was done. Jesus came to live for you. Jesus came to die for you. Jesus came to rise for you. And when Jesus went up into heaven, it showed that his saving work was complete. Mission accomplished. That is a reason to celebrate. So how do we celebrate Ascension? We celebrate with God’s Word, because the Bible shows us the full picture of what Jesus has done. We celebrate by telling others about Jesus, because he sends us to share the good news. We celebrate with joyful worship, because Jesus’ victory is our victory and he’s coming back to take us to heaven where he will be King now and forever. Ascension is a day to celebrate Jesus the risen King. And that means Ascension is worth celebrating every day! Prayer: Living Christ, Ascended Lord, we thank you for completing the work of our salvation and giving us a great reason to celebrate your Ascension. Strengthen our faith in your Ascension promises, that every day might be a celebration of you until you come back to take us home. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What is your favorite holiday? Why? What do we celebrate on the holiday called Ascension? Questions for Elementary Age Children When Jesus first told his disciples he was leaving, they were sad. Why do you think they felt sad? After Jesus actually ascended into heaven, the disciples were joyful. What had changed? Why were they happy now? Questions for Middle School and Above On Easter evening, the disciples were hiding behind locked doors (John 20:19). What were they doing after Jesus’ Ascension instead? What does that show had changed in them? Our devotion talked about three ways to celebrate Ascension: with God’s Word, by telling others, and in joyful worship. What does each one mean? What is one simple way you can celebrate Ascension this week? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260513fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 14:15-21 [Jesus said] I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. John 14:18-19 Nobody an Orphan! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. “It’s the Hard-Knock Life.” That’s a song from the musical Annie. Annie is a little girl who lives in an orphanage. She sings that life is hard because she has “no folks to speak of”—no mom or dad to take care of her. An orphan is a child without parents to care for them. That can feel lonely, scary, and sad. Who tucks you in at night? Who helps when you’re sick? Who gives hugs when you’re hurting? Children need someone to love them and care for them. That’s why Jesus gave his disciples a very special promise. On the night before Jesus died, he told his disciples he was going away. He was going to suffer, die, rise again, and later return to his Father in heaven. Imagine how the disciples must have felt hearing that. They had walked with Jesus, listened to Jesus, and leaned on Jesus. Now it sounded like he was leaving. Life without Jesus probably felt scary. Maybe a little like being orphaned. But Jesus gave them this promise: “I will not leave you as orphans” (John 14:18). Jesus knew life in this world would still be hard. The devil is a roaring lion looking to devour us. A sin-broken world wants to bring us down. The enemy is even inside us—our sinful nature—looking for every opportunity to betray us. On our own we don’t stand a chance against any one of these enemies. But Jesus says you are not alone. You are not on your own. You are not forgotten. You are not an orphan. Jesus may not be standing next to us where we can see him, but he is still with us. He promises to be with his people always. And he sends the Holy Spirit to help us, comfort us, and keep us close to him. The Holy Spirit works through God’s Word. He works through Baptism. He works through Holy Communion. Through these gifts, Jesus is with you. He forgives you, comforts you, and reminds you that you belong to him. So when life feels lonely . . . when life feels scary . . . when you feel like no one understands . . . remember Jesus’ promise: “I will not leave you as orphans.” Prayer: Lord Jesus, we thank you that you have not left us as orphans in this hard and scary world. Keep us close to you in this life as we look forward to the day we will see you in eternal life. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What is an orphan? Why might being an orphan feel scary or sad? What are some good gifts God gives children through parents? What are some ways parents care for their children? Questions for Elementary Age Children How do you think Jesus’ disciples felt when Jesus said he was going away? Why might they have felt afraid or alone? What are some promises from God that help when life feels scary? Questions for Middle School and Above Sometimes the guilt or shame of our own sins make us feel like God will abandon us. What does God want us to do with our guilt and shame? What promises does he make when we are feeling this way? (Hint: 1 John 1:8–2:2) A Christian teacher (his name was Bernard of Clairvaux) long ago said, “The Word is the kiss of God on the lips of the soul.” What do you think that means? How does God’s Word show his love and comfort in today’s devotion? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260511fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 Peter 3:13-22 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. 1 Peter 3:15-18 Is “Good Suffering” a Good Thing? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. A long time ago, there was a brave Christian man named Polycarp (Polly-carp). His name may sound funny to us, but it means “full of fruit.” That was a great name for him because his life showed the fruit of faith—trusting Jesus, loving the truth, and staying strong. Polycarp learned about Jesus from the apostle John, one of Jesus’ disciples. Later, Polycarp became a church leader who helped people stay close to God’s true Word. He taught people about Jesus and stood up for what was true, even when it was hard. One day, Polycarp was arrested because he was a Christian. By then, he was an old man. The ruler told him, “If you say Caesar is lord instead of Jesus, I’ll let you go free.” But Polycarp would not do it. He would not pretend someone else was greater than Jesus. The ruler warned him again and again. He threatened him with wild animals and fire. But Polycarp answered with brave words Christians still remember today: “Eighty-six years I have served Christ, and he never did me any wrong. How can I speak against my King who saved me?” What made Polycarp so brave? It was Jesus. Polycarp knew that Jesus had suffered for him. Jesus suffered on the cross to take away his sins. Jesus died for him too. Jesus rose again for him. And Jesus had already made Polycarp his own in Baptism. That means Polycarp had hope. Hope is not just wishing something good might happen. Hope is trusting that Jesus keeps his promises. Because Jesus lives, Polycarp knew that even if he was killed for being a Christian, they could never take away his Savior. You may never face what Polycarp faced. No one may ever tell you to choose between Jesus and your life. But there may be times when someone laughs because you believe in Jesus. Someone may say church is dumb. Someone may make fun of what the Bible says. In those moments, it can feel hard to stand up for what you believe. But Jesus is still with you. The same Jesus who gave Polycarp courage gives you courage too. He has saved you. He has called you his own. He has washed you in Baptism. He gives you hope that lasts forever. So, when it is hard to follow Jesus, remember Polycarp. Remember what made him brave. Jesus was his King. Jesus was his Savior. And Jesus is yours too. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me and saving me. Thank you for dying on the cross and rising again for me. Thank you for making me your child in Baptism. When it is hard to follow you, make me brave. Help me trust you, love your truth, and gently tell others why Jesus is my hope. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Who was Polycarp? What made him brave? What is hope? How does Jesus give us hope? Questions for Elementary Age Children Today’s devotion said it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. Why is it worth it to do what is right, even when it’s hard? Have you ever had someone pick on you or make fun of you for being a Christian? How did that make you feel? How do the words we read today help you face that? Questions for Middle School and Above Think of catechism class. What do we mean when we talk about the humiliation and the exaltation of Christ? A confirmation tradition is that you confess your faith in front of a lot of people who are very supportive—family, friends, and fellow church members. What is one place—school, sports, friends, or online—where it can be hard to confess your faith? How can Jesus help you there? How will what you learned in catechism class and the encouragement of all those supportive people help you at that time? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260508fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 14:1-11 [Jesus said] “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:1-6 The WAY: Only Jesus Is the Way Who Brings You Home. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Did you know there used to be no GPS? GPS is what your phone or car uses to help you find your way when you’re lost. Before GPS, people used paper maps . . . and before that, they had to stop and ask, “Excuse me, how do I get there?” Sometimes dads especially didn’t like that part. They wanted to figure it out themselves—but eventually, they still had to ask for directions! On the night before Jesus died, he told his disciples something surprising: “I’m going away.” He meant he would soon die on the cross, rise from the dead, and go back to heaven. But he also told them something comforting: “I’m going to get a place ready for you in my Father’s house.” That means: Jesus was going to heaven to get it ready for them—and for us too. Then Jesus said: “You know the way to where I am going.” But Thomas was confused. He said: “Wait . . . we don’t even know where you’re going! How can we know the way?” That’s a great question. Truth is: You can’t find your own way to heaven. No map. No GPS. No human directions. So Jesus answered like this: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” What does that mean? It means Jesus is not just someone who shows the way—he IS the way. Other people say, “Do this and you can get to heaven.” But Jesus says, “I already did everything needed to get you there” He lived perfectly for you. He died for your sins. He rose from the dead. And because of Jesus, heaven is open to you. So when Jesus says: “No one comes to the Father except through me,” he is not trying to block people. He is saying, “I’m the only one who can bring you home safely.” Heaven is like your real home with God. And Jesus is the only way to get there. Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for being the only way to the Father in heaven, for going there to prepare a place for us in his house, and for promising to come back and take us to be there with you forever. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Choose someone in your family and ask them for “directions” to heaven. Describe one thing you are looking forward to in heaven. Questions for Elementary Age Children In your own words explain what it means that Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life.” Since Jesus is the only way to heaven, how do we stay close to Jesus? Questions for Middle School and Above What does it mean that there is only one way to heaven (exclusive), but that everyone is invited to come to Jesus (inclusive)? Why, therefore, is it so important to tell everybody about Jesus? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260506fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 Peter 2:4-10 As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 1 Peter 2:4-6 The CORNERSTONE: Only Jesus Is the Foundation That Never Fails You. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever seen fans at a game wearing paper bags on their heads? It looks funny—but it’s actually kind of sad. They do that when their team is losing a lot. They feel embarrassed, so they try to hide! Maybe you’ve never worn a paper bag . . . but have you ever NOT worn your team shirt because your team was losing? Or maybe instead of talking about how your team is doing right now, you say, “Well, we used to be really good!” It might have felt like that for the apostle Peter and other believers who were suffering grief “in all kinds of trials.” It means they were going through hard and scary times. It didn’t look like they were on the winning team at all. But listen to what Peter had to say about his “suffering team.” He doesn’t say, “Remember the good old days with Jesus.” He doesn’t say, “Just wait—someday Jesus will return and things will be better.” Instead, he says, “Look at what your life is built on right now. On Jesus—the living Stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone.” So, what’s a cornerstone? When people built buildings a long time ago, they started with one very important stone. It was the FIRST stone they put down. Every other stone had to line up with it. If that stone was strong and straight, the whole building would be strong, straight, and safe. Peter says Jesus is that stone. But not just any stone, a living Stone! That means: Jesus died and then came back to life! He is alive right now. And he is our Savior. Some people rejected Jesus back then. And some people still reject him today. But Peter gives an amazing promise: “The one who trusts in him will never be put to shame” (1 Peter 2:6). What does that mean? It means you don’t have to be embarrassed or afraid. You don’t have to hide. Why? Because if your life is built on Jesus, you are on the winning team—no matter what! No paper bags needed. Not now. Not ever. Because Jesus—your cornerstone—never loses. Prayer: Living Stone, thank you for building us on you. Teach us to trust in you and serve you even when times look tough, knowing that in you we will never be put to shame. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What did you learn about a cornerstone in today’s devotion? Why was the cornerstone so important when people built buildings long ago? Questions for Elementary Age Children How is Jesus like the cornerstone of our lives? Peter says a person who trusts in Jesus will not be “put to shame.” What does that mean? What has Jesus done with the things that make us feel ashamed? Questions for Middle School and Above Where do you see people ignoring or rejecting Jesus today? Has that ever made it harder for you to follow Jesus? How does this lesson help you feel stronger and more encouraged? Peter calls Christians a “holy priesthood.” What do you think that means? What are some ways you can serve God and thank him in your everyday life? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260504fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Acts 4:8-12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Acts 4:12 The NAME: Only Jesus Is the Name That Saves You. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. What’s in a name? Is a name just a word? A man named William Shakespeare (he lived a long, long time ago and wrote stories and plays) once said something like this: “A rose would smell just as sweet even if it had a different name.” In other words, he was saying, “Names don’t really matter that much.” Hmm . . . do you think that’s true? Let’s try something—when someone says your name, what do you do? You turn your head, right? You listen! Your name matters because it means YOU. Maybe it’s short. Maybe it’s long. Maybe people even have a nickname for you. Maybe your name will never be famous that people will ask you for your autograph—to sign your name on something of theirs. Think about your name. But your name isn’t just random letters. Your name helps people know you and call you. The people who love you? They love hearing your name—because it reminds them of YOU. But there is one name that is more important than any other name ever. One name that is more powerful than every other name put together. That name is . . . Jesus. Why is the name Jesus so special? Because of what he did. Jesus saved the whole world. He died on the cross. He took away sin. He rose from the dead. Without his name, even life loses meaning. He won life forever—for you. The Bible tells us about a time when Peter talked about Jesus’ name. Some leaders asked him, “How did you heal that man?” Peter didn’t hide it. He didn’t whisper. He said it loud and clear: “Jesus did it!” And then he said something really important: “There is no other name under heaven . . . by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:10,12). That means: Only Jesus can forgive sins. Only Jesus can open heaven. Only Jesus can make us God’s children. Best of all, God put his name on YOU. When did that happen? At your baptism. That’s when God said, “You belong to me.” So now when God hears your name . . . he smiles—because you are his. And when you hear the name Jesus . . . you can smile too—because he saved you! Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for living and dying and rising again for the salvation of the whole world. Thank you for sharing your saving name with us so that we are yours now and forever in heaven. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What do you like about your name? Do you have a nickname? Who calls you that? What does the name “Jesus” mean? (Look up or ask a family member to read Matthew 1:21). Why is Jesus’ name the best name ever? Questions for Elementary Age Children Which commandment talks about God’s name? (It’s the 2nd Commandment!) Can you try to say it? Even part of it? (For help, look in Luther’s Small Catechism.) Why do you think God wants us to use his name in a good way? (Like praying, thanking, and praising him?) Questions for Middle School and Above What’s the connection between someone’s name and their reputation? How does God’s reputation help us to use his name in a good way? When did God put his name on you? (Your baptism!) How does what happened that day still make a difference in your life now? (Look up Romans 6:1-14 for help!) Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260501fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 10:1-10 [Jesus said] “Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. John 10:1-4 Too Many Voices! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Imagine you are in a grocery store, and you are looking for one thing, peanut butter. Your favorite kind! But you can’t find it anywhere. You walk up and down the aisles . . . bread . . . cereal . . . cookies . . . but no peanut butter. Finally, you decide to go up to the checkout to see if any of the workers can help you. As soon as you ask where the peanut butter is, everyone starts talking at once: “Try aisle 3!” “No, aisle 7!” “It’s by the jelly!” “I saw it by the snacks!” Now you don’t know who to listen to! It’s so hard to figure out what they’re saying because they’re all talking at once. Then you see the manager, finally someone who really knows the store. If you just listen to what she says, you know you’ll find the peanut butter. During our lives here on earth, there are lots of voices telling us where to find happiness and our salvation. They point us in all kinds of directions: We may be pointed in the direction of money, because if we have enough, money will keep you safe and happy. Or, We may be encouraged to be popular and liked, because that way we will never be alone. Or, We may be tempted to want to be famous, because famous people are remembered and never forgotten. But those voices are like all the other people in the store guessing where the peanut butter is. There is only one voice that can tell us the way to salvation. That voice is our Shepherd, Jesus. We hear his voice in the Word of God. He is the only true way to salvation, and when we know his voice, we will run away from every other voice trying to lead us astray. Jesus says, “Listen to me. Follow me. I know the way.” We trust that our Savior will guide us to a life lived to the fullest. He calls us each by name and leads us in the way we should go. So when lots of voices are shouting in your ears, listen to one voice—Jesus. He always knows the way. Prayer: Good Shepherd, sometimes it is hard for me to listen only to you. Other things in my life can sound really good! Help me to listen to your voice, because I know you want to lead me to eternal life with you. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Have you ever looked for something at the grocery store? What was it? Did you find it? Why is it important to listen to Jesus’ voice instead of other voices? Questions for Elementary Age Children What might happen if sheep don’t listen to their shepherd? In what way is Jesus like the grocery store manager in today’s devotion? Questions for Middle School and Above What are things kids might trust instead of Jesus? (Google search, friends) Do those really keep you safe forever? Why do things like money or popularity make it so hard to listen to Jesus? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260429fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 Peter 2:19-25 If you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. 1 Peter 2:19-25 (selected verses) The Long Trip That’s Worth It! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Which sounds better to you: A super long 15-hour road trip with no snacks, no books, no movies, no stops, no friends . . . Or a 2-hour flight in first class with nice snacks and games, shows, and entertainment? Most people would probably pick the flight! But . . . what if the long car ride ended at a gorgeous resort with an amazing beach with soft sand, sunshine, and waves? And what if the short flight ended with you stuck in a dirty, smelly alley? More people may pick the road trip. Even though it would be long and difficult, you know that what is waiting at the end will be great. Christ lived a difficult life where people rejected and belittled him. People made fun of Jesus. They didn’t listen to him. They tried to trick him. They tried to mess him up at every turn. In the end, they beat him and killed him. But Christ endured all this for us: “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross.” Why? Because he knew at the end of it all, he would see us in heaven. And that was worth it for him. We are called by Christ to follow his example. He tells us that we might suffer for doing good, because the world hasn’t changed too much since he was here. Sometimes people still make fun of Christians. Sometimes doing the right thing is hard. There are still some people who even hate Jesus and what he taught. They try to trap believers and mess them up at every turn. But through it all, Jesus is like a shepherd saying, “Come this way! Follow me!” Following Jesus can sometimes feel like that superlong 15-hour road trip with no snacks or fun. Sometimes the road feels long. Sometimes things are hard. But we know where Jesus is taking us. He’s leading us somewhere far better than a beach, he’s leading us to heaven. And heaven will be better than anything we can imagine! Prayer: Jesus, our Good Shepherd, you endured many difficult things during your life on earth just so that we could be in heaven with you. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Jesus sets a good example for us. Who is someone you look up to? Who shows you how to do the right thing? What is something fun coming up that you can’t wait for? (birthday, trip, holiday) Questions for Elementary Age Children What is one hard or sad thing that happened to Jesus? What is something hard that might happen when you follow Jesus? (Someone laughs. Doing the right thing is hard.) Questions for Middle School and Above Did Jesus suffer because he did something wrong—or because he did something right? Why? (The reading talks about receiving a beating for doing wrong and suffering for doing good and enduring it.) When people insulted and were mean to Jesus, he wasn’t mean back. Why is that so impressive? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260427fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Acts 2:42-47 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. Acts 2:42-47 (selected verses) The Best Neighborhood Ever In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever wished you lived in the perfect neighborhood? One where everyone is kind . . . everyone shares . . . and nobody argues? For as long as history has been recorded, people have lived in groups. God made us to be with other people—not all by ourselves! It is nice to have neighbors. When you have neighbors, you have people to talk to, spend time with, and get to know. You have someone to watch out for, and you hope they’ll watch out for you too. But . . . does that always happen? Sometimes neighbors don’t like each other. Our sinful nature gets the best of us and instead of being kind and helpful, we can make other people feel left out and disliked. Sometimes people don’t share. Sometimes they argue. Sometimes they say unkind things. As great as a neighborhood sounds, it isn’t always perfect because of the sinful people within. In our reading for today, we hear about a group of believers who live and work together—and it sounds wonderful! It says they “were together and had everything in common.” That means they shared meals in their home and worshiped together. They enjoyed time together. Wow! Wouldn’t that be a fun group to be a part of? What do they know that we don’t? How did they figure it out? Turns out, we can have what they had. We have all we need in the words of our Good Shepherd. When we listen to the words of Jesus Christ in God’s Word, we hear his teachings. Our Good Shepherd teaches us how to live in harmony, and he gives us something in common with all believers of all time. That “something in common” is Jesus! When we live and work and pray with other people who put God first, we can spread his Word to even more people. One day in heaven, we will live in a perfect community—one with no sadness or sin, where we will all glorify God without end. No fighting. No hurt feelings. No sin. Just joy . . . forever. Together! Prayer: Oh, Good Shepherd, today we read about believers who were committed to serving you with each other. Help us to serve you and give us a community of believers to support and work with us. We look forward to the day when we will be with all believers in the perfect community of heaven. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Do you know any of your neighbors? Name as many as you can. What is one way for you to be a good neighbor? Questions for Elementary Age Children Can you think of a time when people from your church helped someone? What did they do? Do you have any friends or neighbors that also believe in God? Who are they and what do you like doing together? Questions for Middle School and Above Even if no one near you goes to your church, how can you still help others for Jesus? The believers in this reading probably did not agree on everything. What does it mean that they “were together and had everything in common”? What did they share together? Believe together? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260424fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Luke 24:13-35 Now that same day [Easter Day], two of [Jesus’ disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. As they approached the village to which they were going . . . they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:13-35 (selected verses) Nervous and Forgotten In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Today was a very exciting day, it was Jeremiah’s birthday! He got home from school, ready to open presents and tell his mom all about his day. But when he opened the door, no one was there. He ran into the living room. Still empty. He checked the kitchen. Still empty. Jeremiah started to feel nervous and a little forgotten. He went to his room to put away his backpack. But when he opened the door, he heard a loud, “SURPRISE!” His mom, dad, sister, and even some of his friends were waiting for him with presents and a birthday cake! Jeremiah realized he hadn’t been forgotten at all—he had been in for a wonderful surprise. In our Bible story today, two men were walking with Jesus but didn’t realize it was him. They felt nervous and forgotten. They had watched the Savior they loved die, and they didn’t understand God’s plan yet. They had lost hope, just like Jeremiah thought he had been forgotten when he walked through his empty house. Then Jesus revealed the surprise! He was alive again. Imagine how happy and excited they must have felt! Most of all, they had hope again. The man they thought was gone forever was actually alive. Sometimes we feel hopeless too. We make mistakes and sin every day. The world around us is broken. But there is a hope that never fails—Jesus walks with us every day, just like he walked with the men on the road. He restores our hope and reminds us that he is alive, and he will never leave us. Prayer: My living Savior, in a sinful world, it can feel easy to lose hope. Today I heard how you walked with two men who felt the same way. Restore to me the hope and the joy that come from knowing that you died and rose again for me. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Have you ever felt like no one noticed you? What happened? Who is always with you and never forgets you? Questions for Elementary Age Children Jeremiah felt nervous and forgotten. Has that ever happened to you? How did you feel, and what made it better? What did Jesus do to show the two men he was alive? Questions for Middle School and Above Jesus walked with them without them realizing it. Why might he have done that instead of appearing to them right away? What’s the difference between hoping to make the team or get a good grade and hoping in Jesus? Why can we trust his hope will never fail? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260422fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 Peter 1:17-21 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 1 Peter 1:17-19 An Expensive Purchase In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. A long time ago, in 1878, a wagon was carrying gold bars for a company. Thieves robbed it. The thieves stole all of the gold bars and hid them in a nearby cave so they could come back another time and retrieve them. However, before they could come back, another group of people found the gold hidden in the cave and buried it somewhere in the ground, because they recognized it as precious. That gold was worth a lot of money. The thieves probably thought they were rich! But they learned something important. Even gold doesn’t fix everything. Gold can be lost. It can be stolen. It can disappear. The thieves may have thought they had it all figured out—they had an immense amount of gold! But they learned the hard way that gold doesn’t mean their problems were gone. We might not use gold today, but many people know that money doesn’t stick around. It isn’t permanent. Money can be spent. Toys can break. Even very valuable things don’t last forever. Thank God that he didn’t purchase us with something that can be stolen or hidden. When we were sinful and far from God, God reached out and purchased us with the most valuable thing of all—“the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” He didn’t use something like gold or silver to buy his children back. He used something far more valuable. He used the blood of his perfect Son to redeem us forever! When we know that we have been bought by the blood of Christ, we can live our lives differently. Before we were bought, we did not have anything—worldly possessions can’t save us! But as children of God, we can live knowing we have a home that is waiting for us. We can live for God in eager expectation of our salvation. We belong to Jesus, and no one can take us away from him. Prayer: Dear God, help me to know that you bought me for a price. You love me more than I even know! I want to live for you every day until I am at home in heaven with you. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Does money last forever? What are some things that don’t last very long? God “purchased” us to be his children—how long will we belong to God? Questions for Elementary Age Children Did God use gold, silver, or money to buy us? What did he use instead? We were horrible sinners who didn’t want to be with God. Why did he want to buy us back then? Questions for Middle School and Above What is the most expensive thing you have ever bought? How does that compare to what God spent to buy us back? Was God’s price bigger or smaller? God had to buy us back. Who or what was he buying us back from? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260420fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Acts 2:14,32-41 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:14,32-41 (selected verses) A Big Mistake In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Lucas was riding in the car with his dad when the car started to shake violently. Warning lights came on all over the dashboard. He looked at the flashing lights and felt worried. His dad quickly pulled over, reached into the glove compartment to check the car’s instruction book. Lucas heard his dad mutter something about how the car’s computer and the engine stopped talking to each other and that he could not drive it anywhere. Now Lucas was scared: “Are we stuck? How will we get home? What would they do without their car?” Lucas watched as his dad called his uncle who lived nearby to come and take a look. It felt like forever, but finally his uncle arrived and opened the hood. As soon as his uncle looked under the hood, he laughed. It was an easy and simple fix—a hose had loosened and become detached. With one small click, the car was as good as new. “Whew!” Lucas sighed with relief. What seemed like a huge problem turned out to be something small. The people in our reading today felt awful when Peter confronted them with what they had done. They had crucified the Son of God. They realized they had made a very big mistake. But Peter wasn’t finished—he continued to tell them that God had made “the Jesus, whom [they] crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” God had taken the horrible thing they had done and made it into something wonderful. Peter tells them of a promise that comes to them because of Jesus’ death. They will receive the forgiveness of sins through Jesus Christ. Instead of only guilt, they received forgiveness. The best part of this reading for us, might be when we hear Peter say that this promise isn’t just for the people he is talking to. It’s for us too! It is for all believers of all time. Jesus’ crucifixion was a horrible and sinful event that God used for the good of his people. We have a true hope of forgiveness because of it. Because he lives, I know that I will live too in heaven with him one day. God turned the worst thing into the best news. Prayer: Heavenly Father, you used the death of your Son to give me life and forgiveness. I have a sure hope that I am a child of God and that I will be with you one day. Help me remember that you can bring good even from bad things. In Jesus’ name. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What is a mistake you made that someone helped you fix? Was it big or small? How did you feel afterward? Why did the people feel bad during our reading today? What had they done? Questions for Elementary Age Children What is something good that came from Jesus’ death (something bad)? Why is the story from the beginning of the devotion like the true story of Jesus’ death and resurrection? Questions for Middle School and Above What verse from the reading assures us that the promise of forgiveness is for everyone? Can you think of another “bad” thing that God could use for good? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260417fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 20:19-31 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:19,24-29 I’ll Believe It When I See It! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. “I’ll believe it when I see it!” Have you said that lately? Maybe someone told you something amazing and you weren’t sure it was true. Other people don’t always tell the truth. Sadly, people say things that they don’t mean. Sometimes, people lie to us. You can’t believe everything people say. We learn to say, “I’ll believe it when I see it!” Here’s the problem: Sometimes, we say those words to God. God isn’t like us people. God doesn’t lie. God doesn’t change his mind. God always tells the truth. Yet we sometimes treat God like he’s just another person. We don’t believe him. We say, “I’ll believe it when I see it!” That’s what Jesus’ disciple Thomas said after Jesus rose from the dead. It sounded too good to be true. Even though Jesus had told his disciples many times that he was going to rise from the dead, Thomas didn’t believe it. Even after his friends saw Jesus on Easter evening, Thomas still didn’t believe it. He said, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands . . . I will not believe” (John 20:25). In other words, “I’ll believe it when I see it!” So, Jesus did a wonderful thing for Thomas: He let Thomas see him. That next Sunday night, Jesus appeared to his disciples again, and this time he made sure that Thomas was with them. He let Thomas see the nail marks in his hands. He showed Thomas that it was really him. He was really alive! Finally, Thomas believed and said, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Thomas wasn’t doubting anymore—he believed! Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29). Blessed are those who don’t need to see to believe. That includes you! You can trust Jesus. When Jesus says something, it’s always true. Jesus promises that he is with us always. Is that true, even though we can’t see him? Yes! Jesus says that he has prepared special rooms for us in heaven. Is that true, even though we can’t see them? Yes! Jesus says that he has washed away all our sins. Is that true? Yes! Faith is believing in what we can’t see. We trust Jesus because he always keeps his promises. We don’t need to see it to believe it. We trust Jesus’ words! Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for gently taking away Thomas’ doubts about your resurrection. When we doubt too, use your Word to convince us that we don’t need to see it to believe it. Help us trust your promises every day. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What didn’t Thomas want to believe? What did Jesus do to take Thomas’ doubts away? Questions for Elementary Age Children Besides the examples in this devotion, what are two other promises God makes to us in the Bible that involve things we can’t see? (Jesus hears our prayers, heaven, angels, forgiveness, etc.) How can we know that those promises are true? Questions for Middle School and Above Reread Thomas’ confession: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28). What very important truth did Thomas confess about Jesus? Thomas is often known as “doubting Thomas” because of this one recorded moment. But based on this whole story, why isn’t that a very fair way to describe Thomas? What would be a better way to describe him? (Maybe: believing Thomas, trusting Thomas, or forgiven Thomas.) Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260415fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 Peter 1:3-9 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 A Living Hope In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Hope. Do you know what that word means? When you know your birthday is coming up, you hope for some great presents. If it’s a rainy day, you hope the sun will come out. If your friends or parents have been really busy lately, you hope they’ll have time to play with you soon. Hope is looking forward to something good. Hope is believing that something good is going to come in the future. Sometimes, that’s hard. It’s hard to have hope. Instead, we feel hopeless. Do you know what that’s like? Feeling hopeless is when it seems like everything goes wrong, like nothing ever goes right, like your life is never going to be good or happy. It can feel like nothing will get better. Are you feeling hopeful or hopeless today? (You can answer in your head right now.) There were some Christians in the Bible who were tempted to feel hopeless. Life had been hard for them. The worst part was that people were mistreating them because they were Christians. They wondered if there was any hope at all. Was there? Yes! How? Listen, “In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4). As hard as their lives were, those Christians had a “living hope,” a hope that kept on going and going and living and living no matter what. It didn’t run out. It didn’t disappear. Where did that hope come from? Jesus! The fact that Jesus rose from the dead meant that they could always have hope. Why? Because Jesus had given them something that could never perish, spoil, or fade. He had planned something really good for them that no one and nothing could ever take away. What was it? Heaven. Jesus’ resurrection gives us the living hope of heaven. Even when life is hard, you have a living hope: Jesus! Even when everyone seems against you, there is someone who is for you: Jesus! Even when this world makes you sad, you have something you can look forward to: Heaven with Jesus! No one can take that away from you. Easter gives us living hope in Jesus. Prayer: Dear Jesus, sometimes we feel hopeless. It can seem like everything is hard and bad and we don’t have anything to look forward to. That’s not true! Use the message of Easter to fill us with a living hope in you and your promise of heaven. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What is something that you hope for? What do you know about heaven? What do you think it will be like? Questions for Elementary Age Children What are two examples of things that can make kids feel hopeless? (bad day at school, fight with a friend, losing a game, feeling left out, etc.) Why does knowing that Jesus rose from the dead give you hope? Questions for Middle School and Above Explain in your own words what the word “hope” means. Can you give an example? What does it mean that the hope that comes from Jesus is a “living” hope? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260413fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Acts 2:14,22-32 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. Acts 2:14,22-24 Confident in Christ In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. On the night before Jesus died, Jesus’ disciple Peter did a bad thing. A really sad thing. Do you remember what he did? After Jesus was arrested and brought to trial at the high priest’s house, Peter followed along. He wanted to see what happened to Jesus. But people recognized Peter. Three different people said, “You’re one of Jesus’ disciples, aren’t you?” Do you remember what Peter said? He was scared. So he cried out, “No!” Peter denied Jesus three times. Isn’t that awful? Actually, we’ve all done that, haven’t we? Maybe there have been times at school when your classmates have done or said something wrong, and you’ve been afraid to let them know that you believe in Jesus. Maybe you stayed quiet when you could have said something kind. Maybe there have been times at your house when you’ve chosen not to go to church or read a Bible story because you think you have something more important to do. Just like Peter, it’s easy to deny Jesus. It’s easy to be quiet about Jesus. It’s easy to shake and shiver in our faith in Jesus. But something changed Peter. Just 50 days later, on the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up in front of thousands of people and boldly proclaimed his faith in Jesus. He wasn’t scared anymore. Isn’t that surprising? In just 50 days, Peter went from denying Jesus before a few people to boldly proclaiming his faith in Jesus before thousands of people. What changed? Peter explained: “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.” Seeing God raise Jesus to life on Easter changed Peter’s heart and life. Jesus’ resurrection took Peter’s doubts away, and when he received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, Peter was ready to stand up and let everyone know that Jesus is the Savior. Are you? You can be confident too. Seeing how Jesus was willing to die for you and was able to rise for you is meant to change your life. How can you be ashamed of your Savior who gave his life for you? How can you be afraid to follow your Savior who rose from the dead? You have a Savior who has even conquered death. He loves you! He is with you! He helps you be brave. Every day, you can be confident in Christ. Prayer: Dear Jesus, just like Peter when you were arrested, it’s easy for us to be ashamed of you and pretend we’re not followers of you. Forgive us! Instead, just like Peter on the day of Pentecost, use your resurrection and your Holy Spirit to make us confident in you. Help us be brave and talk about you. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What bad thing did Peter do on the night that Jesus was arrested? What good thing did Peter do on the day of Pentecost? (Was Peter talking to a few people or a lot of people?) Questions for Elementary Age Children How did Peter go from denying Jesus to proclaiming Jesus? What changed his heart? If you saw someone rise from the dead, how would that change your life? Questions for Middle School and Above Explain this statement: As you get older, it becomes easier to deny Jesus. Give three examples of situations in your life in which you can be confident in Christ. Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260410fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” Matthew 28:1-10 Do Not Be Afraid! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. What are you afraid of? There are lots of things that can make us scared. Maybe you’re afraid of spiders, snakes, or bugs. Maybe the dark or a big thunderstorm scares you. Or maybe you don’t like being home alone. Everyone has something that makes them afraid! One of the scariest things for people is death. Kids might not think about it much, but adults do. Death can feel very, very scary. Some parents worry the most about losing their kids. Of all the scary things in the world, death seems the scariest. That’s why Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were so sad as they went to Jesus’ tomb on Easter morning. They remembered how horrible it was to see Jesus die on the cross. They were scared and worried as they carried spices to his tomb. But when they got there, something amazing happened. Jesus wasn’t in the tomb! Instead, they saw an angel. Do you remember what the angel said first? “Do not be afraid” (Matthew 28:5). That must have been surprising! How could they not be afraid? Jesus had died! Then the angel shared the best news ever: “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:6). Can you imagine how happy the women must have been? They ran from the tomb, still a little afraid but filled with joy, when suddenly they saw someone. Who was it? Jesus! He said exactly what the angel had said, “Do not be afraid” (Matthew 28:10). Do you get the point? Do not be afraid! Not even of death. Jesus has power over death. That means death isn’t the end for everyone who believes in him. Just like Jesus rose from the dead, he will raise us too. For Christians, death is the day we get to be with Jesus forever in heaven. So do not be afraid! Prayer: Dear Jesus, there are a lot of scary things in life, including death. Thank you for rising from the dead and promising to raise everyone who believes in you. Help us not to be afraid, even of death. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What are some things that make you afraid? Why don’t you ever have to be afraid, even of death? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why do people sometimes think death is scarier than anything else? What hope does Jesus give us when we think about death? Questions for Middle School and Above Look up John 11:25-26. What promise does Jesus give about death? What could you say to your parents to help them not be afraid of death? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260408fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 I Saw It With My Own Eyes! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. “I saw it with my own eyes!” Have you ever said that to convince someone that you were telling the truth? It’s frustrating when people don’t believe us. Sometimes the best way to show someone the truth is to say, “I saw it with my own eyes! I know it’s true!” Did you know some people don’t believe that Jesus rose from the dead? They think that after Jesus died on the cross, he just stayed dead. They think it’s impossible for someone to come back to life. But God made sure we could be certain that Jesus really rose. Paul wrote in the Bible, “I saw it with my own eyes!” We can be sure Jesus rose from the dead because he appeared to many people to prove he was alive. First, Jesus appeared to Cephas—that’s another name for Peter. Then he appeared to his twelve disciples. Then he appeared to more than 500 people at the same time—wow! Then Jesus appeared to his brother James. And last of all, he appeared to Paul himself. Paul said, “I saw it with my own eyes!” Jesus wants you to be certain he is alive. It might sound impossible for someone to rise from the dead—but Jesus isn’t just anyone. Jesus is true God and true Man at the same time. With God’s power, Jesus can do anything—even rise from the dead! Jesus also wants you to know why his resurrection is so important. When he rose from the dead: He showed that all your sins are forgiven. He showed that there is life after death for everyone who believes in him. You will rise too and live with Jesus in heaven! He proved that God always keeps his promises. So don’t listen to people who say Jesus didn’t rise. He did! Paul says it best: “I saw it with my own eyes!” Prayer: Dear Jesus, it’s amazing to think you have the power to raise yourself from the dead. Help us never to doubt your resurrection, and one day raise our bodies too so that we can live with you in heaven. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What amazing thing did Jesus do on Easter morning? Why is it hard for some people to believe that Jesus rose from the dead? Questions for Elementary Age Children Who were some of the people Jesus appeared to after he rose from the dead? Why do you think Jesus appeared to so many people after he rose? Questions for Middle School and Above Why is Jesus’ resurrection so important to our faith as Christians? Many people like Peter and Paul were later killed for their faith in Jesus. How does that help prove they really did see Jesus alive? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260406fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion “In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me. I said, ‘I have been banished from your sight; yet I will look again toward your holy temple.’ The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head. To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit. “When my life was ebbing away, I remembered you, LORD, and my prayer rose to you, to your holy temple. “Those who cling to worthless idols turn away from God’s love for them. But I, with shouts of grateful praise, will sacrifice to you. What I have vowed I will make good. I will say, ‘Salvation comes from the LORD.’” Jonah 2:2-9 Saved by a Fish? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. God uses surprising things to save us. Have you noticed that? When a shepherd boy named David had to fight against a giant named Goliath, God used a stone and a sling to give David the victory. Not a sword. A stone and a sling! God uses surprising things to save us. Like a big fish. The prophet Jonah wasn’t facing a giant. He was facing a huge storm on a big sea. Jonah had been thrown from his ship and was sinking down, down, down into the waves. He was sure he was going to die, until God saved him. With what? A big fish! That fish swallowed Jonah, but he didn’t die. Jonah lived inside that big fish’s belly for three days and three nights. Jonah was saved by a fish! All of that led Jonah to say, “Salvation comes from the Lord” (Jonah 2:9). Here’s the most surprising part: Do you know why Jonah was sailing across the sea in the first place? He was running away from God. Is that a good idea? No! God had told Jonah to do something he didn’t want to do. Instead of listening to God, Jonah ran away from God. That’s how Jonah got in trouble. He had sinned against God. He didn’t deserve to be saved. But God still sent that big fish to rescue Jonah. Why? Because God still loved him, even though he didn’t deserve it. God forgave Jonah, even though he didn’t deserve it. God used those three days and three nights in the belly of a fish to save Jonah’s life. Just like God used three days and three nights in something else to save you. Someone else spent three days and three nights in a dark place. Do you know who? Jesus did! After he died on the cross for our sins, Jesus was in the dark tomb for three days and three nights. Just like God used that big fish to save Jonah, God used Jesus’ death and resurrection to save us. God uses surprising things to save us, doesn’t he? Like a fish. Like a tomb. Thank you, Jesus! Prayer: Dear Jesus, just like Jonah spent three days in a fish, you spent three days in the tomb to save us. Help us to never run away from you, but when we do, please save us by your grace. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What surprising creature did God use to save Jonah’s life? How long did Jonah spend inside that creature? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why was Jonah running away from God? Give an example of how you have tried to run away from God in your life too. Questions for Middle School and Above Look up Matthew 12:40. How did Jesus compare himself with Jonah? In addition to Jonah’s fish and Jesus’ tomb, describe another surprising thing that God has used to save his people. Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260403fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 19:17-30 Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:28-30 A Death Like No Other In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. When people are very sick or close to dying, their bodies usually become very weak. They might not be able to talk much or think clearly. But Jesus’ death was different. Even while Jesus was suffering on the cross, he knew exactly what was happening. He spoke clearly. He even made sure his mother would be taken care of. The Bible tells us that Jesus knew God’s promises in the Scriptures were coming true right at that moment. At one point Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” That showed he was truly human and really suffering. But it also happened so that God’s promises in the Bible would be fulfilled. Nothing that happened on Good Friday was an accident. Then something very important happened. After Jesus received a drink, he said three powerful words: “It is finished.” What was finished? Jesus was finishing the job God sent him to do. Jesus lived the perfect life we could never live. He never sinned—not even once. And on the cross he was paying for all the sins of the world. When he said, “It is finished,” it meant the work of saving us was complete. The Bible says Jesus then bowed his head and gave up his spirit. That means no one took Jesus’ life from him. Jesus chose to give his life for us. Jesus was not helpless. Even while he was suffering, he was still the powerful Son of God who loved us enough to save us. Why did Jesus do that? Because we could never save ourselves. Our sins separate us from God, and we cannot fix that problem by trying harder. So, Jesus did everything for us. He took our sins, paid the price for them, and finished the work of salvation completely. That means your sins are forgiven. You belong to Jesus. And because he finished the work, you never have to wonder if you are saved. Good Friday is a sad day because Jesus died. But it is also a wonderful day—because Jesus finished the work that saves us. Never before had dying been done with so much life, so much power, and so much love. Sin finished with Jesus—so it will never finish you. Prayer: Dear Jesus, on this day we confess that it was our sins that put you on the cross. We deserve nothing but punishment. Yet in your mercy, you endured hell in our place. We give thanks for the ultimate sacrifice you paid to buy us back and give us salvation. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What three words did Jesus say on the cross? What job was Jesus finishing when he said, “It is finished”? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why is it comforting to know Jesus did everything needed to save us? How was Jesus’ death different from how most people die? Questions for Middle School and Above When you feel guilty about something you did wrong, how can Jesus’ words “It is finished” help you remember you are forgiven? How does “It is finished” change the way we think about our works for God? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260401fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Exodus 24:1-11 Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, “We will do everything the LORD has said; we will obey.” Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words.” Exodus 24:7-8 God Wants to Be Close to You In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. A covenant is a very special promise. Today we’re going to hear about a promise God made because he wanted to be close to his people—and he wants to be close to you too. Long ago, God rescued his people, the Israelites, from slavery in Egypt. God did amazing things to help them. He sent plagues to make the Egyptians let them go. He opened the Red Sea so they could walk safely through it. Later, he even sent bread from heaven and birds for them to eat. God took care of them every day. But the people kept forgetting what God had done. They complained. They got scared. Sometimes they even doubted that God would help them. Even after all the miracles, they struggled to trust him. Still, God did something wonderful. He made a covenant—a special promise—with his people. God said, “I will be your God, and you will be my people.” To show how serious this promise was, sacrifices were made and blood was used to seal the covenant. It may sound strange to us, but in the Bible, blood showed that a promise was very serious and important. God was showing how much he wanted his people to belong to him. God even invited some of the leaders of Israel to come close to him, see his glory, and eat and drink in his presence. Imagine that! The Holy God welcoming people to be near him. That shows how much God loves his people. But sadly, the people kept breaking their promises. They disobeyed God and worshiped other gods. The old covenant depended on people obeying perfectly—and no one can do that. That’s why Holy Thursday is such an important night. On Holy Thursday, Jesus gave us a new covenant—a new promise from God. At the Last Supper, Jesus took bread and said, “This is my body.” Then he took the cup and said, “This is my blood.” Jesus knew we could never be perfect, so he came to be perfect for us. The blood of animals in the Old Testament could never truly take away sins. But Jesus’ blood can. When Jesus died on the cross, he paid for every sin—once and for all. Jesus said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, poured out for you.” Did you notice those words? “For you.” Jesus wants you to know his forgiveness is meant for you personally. In the Lord’s Supper, Jesus gives his body and blood with the bread and wine. It’s a wonderful gift where we can receive and be sure of his forgiveness. God wants us to know that he truly forgives us and brings us close to him. God still wants to be close to you today. Through Jesus, your sins are forgiven and you belong to him forever. Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for giving yourself for me. Thank you for your Holy Supper where I can taste and touch your forgiveness and grace. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children God helped his people, the Israelites, many times. Can you name two good things God does for you? What does Jesus give people in the Lord’s Supper? (A good opportunity to explain what we receive in the Lord’s Supper.) Questions for Elementary Age Children Why couldn’t the Old Covenant work if people had to obey perfectly? What makes Jesus’ New Covenant better? Questions for Middle School and Above What does the Exodus account teach us about the difference between God’s promises and human promises? Jesus says his body and blood are given “for you.” Why are those two words such comforting words when we feel guilty or sad about our sins? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260330fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the warhorses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. Zechariah 9:9-10 A King on a Donkey In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever watched a parade when an important person comes to town? Maybe people cheer, wave, and clap. Something like that happened when Jesus came to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday! Palm Sunday can feel a little confusing. During Lent we remember that Jesus suffered and died for our sins. That makes us feel sorry for our sins. But on Palm Sunday people were cheering and celebrating Jesus. They sang joyful songs and waved palm branches. Why would people celebrate if Jesus was going to die only a few days later? When Jesus came into Jerusalem, the crowd spread their coats on the road like a red carpet. They waved palm branches and shouted with joy. Those were things people did for a king! But many people thought Jesus came to be a powerful king who would beat their enemies and make their country strong again. They wanted help with their problems right away. They didn’t understand that Jesus came for something even more important. God had already told people what to do on that day. Through the prophet Zechariah he said, “Rejoice!” God wanted people to celebrate because his Son had come. That was wonderful news! Jesus is a righteous King. That means he is perfectly good and holy. We are not perfect—we sin. But that’s exactly why Jesus came. He came to save us from our sins. Now notice something surprising: Jesus did not ride a big war horse like a powerful king. He rode a donkey! That showed that Jesus came gently and humbly. He came to bring peace, not to fight a battle. There’s another interesting detail. Many donkeys have a dark stripe down their back and another across their shoulders, making the shape of a cross. It’s a quiet reminder of why Jesus came. Right in the middle of the Palm Sunday celebration, God reminds us that Jesus was on his way to the cross. Jesus went to the cross willingly. No one forced him. He did it because he loves you. He came to forgive your sins and give you eternal life. That’s why Palm Sunday is such a happy day. Our King came to save us! Let’s say the Palm Sunday words together: “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank you for willingly going to the cross for me. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What did Jesus ride into Jerusalem on? Why is that surprising for a king? What did Jesus really come to do for us? Questions for Elementary Age Children Some people thought Jesus came to defeat their enemies and fix their problems right away. Why is what Jesus actually did even better? What is one way you can say “Hosanna” (praise Jesus) this week—at home, at school, or with a friend? Questions for Middle School and Above Sometimes we want Jesus to fix things immediately. What can we remember about Jesus when life doesn’t go the way we expect? Why is it important that Jesus entered Jerusalem as a righteous King who came to suffer rather than to rule with power? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.