This last Friday we had our first Gospel Family mini-conference of 2016. It was really encouraging for me to hear Jonathan teach on the gospel and the family and getting to interact with real people, dealing with real life, was a blessing. I’m confident that the Lord used our time together to strengthen his church.

OUR WORLD: REAL NEEDS

During the Q & A session, at the end of our time on Saturday, a man took the mic and told a story about his young teenage daughter. He said she was ‘propositioned’ in the locker rooms at her school.

The girl told this to her father and he treated it in a very gospel centered way.

What stood out to me, when he was sharing this story, was that leading our families is a serious calling. Our world is in serious need. We aren’t playing games when it comes to discipleship. Our families are always being discipled somewhere.

The answer (I believe) is not to run away from these situations but to raise up families that know (just like my friend did!) how to handle these types of situations in a gospel-centered way.

I pray this week as you continue to lead your family (whether you are using our simple devotionals or not) that you would know the depths of responsibility that God has given to you. That what we teach our children (young and old) is extremely important because of the time that we live in. And that’s not to feel like a burden or pressure, because we know that Jesus gives us the strength we need to do what he has called us to do.

God has entrusted to us families. We must lead them. We must disciple them with the gospel. With that in mind we turn this week to John 10. May God do some amazing things in your family this week.

Day 1: John 10:1-11

Weekly Catechism: (NewCityCatechsim.org)

• Q16: What is sin?
• A: Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, rebelling against him by living without reference to him, not being or doing what he requires in his law - resulting in our death and the disintegration of all creation. (bolded words are for younger children)

READ:

[1] “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. [2] But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. [3] To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. [4] When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. [5] A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” [6] This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. - John 10:1-6 ESV

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

Suggested Question: Why is it important know Jesus as a shepherd and us (believers) as sheep?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Thank God that he is your shepherd and that he leads you. Ask him help you trust his guidance in your life, especially during seasons of uncertainty or questioning.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

Day 2:  John 10:7-18

Weekly Catechism: (NewCityCatechsim.org)

• Q16: What is sin?
• A: Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, rebelling against him by living without reference to him, not being or doing what he requires in his law - resulting in our death and the disintegration of all creation. (bolded words are for younger children)

READ:

[7] So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. [8] All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. [9] I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. [11] I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. [12] He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. [13] He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. [14] I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, [15] just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. [16] And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. [17] For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. [18] No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”- John 10:7-18 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question: The shepherd (Jesus) not only leads us, but what has he done for us?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Thank Jesus for being the shepherd that leads you into life. Ask him to protect you against believing the lies of the enemy who is close at hand.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

DAY 3: John 10:21-30

Weekly Catechism: (NewCityCatechsim.org)

• Q16: What is sin?
• A: Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, rebelling against him by living without reference to him, not being or doing what he requires in his law - resulting in our death and the disintegration of all creation. (bolded words are for younger children)

READ:

[19] There was again a division among the Jews because of these words. [20] Many of them said, “He has a demon, and is insane; why listen to him?” [21] Others said, “These are not the words of one who is oppressed by a demon. Can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”   - John 10:19-21 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question: Why do people get confused or offended by Jesus?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Thank God that you know his voice and he knows your name. Ask him to save your family and friends that might be confused or offended about Jesus.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

Day 4: John 10:22-30

Weekly Catechism: (NewCityCatechsim.org)

• Q16: What is sin?
• A: Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, rebelling against him by living without reference to him, not being or doing what he requires in his law - resulting in our death and the disintegration of all creation. (bolded words are for younger children)

READ:

[22] At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, [23] and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. [24] So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” [25] Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me, [26] but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. [27] My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. [28] I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. [29] My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. [30] I and the Father are one.” - John 10:22-30 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question:  What does Jesus say that the sheep do when they are truly his sheep?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Thank God that he gives eternal life to the sheep (us) that do not deserve that. Ask to hear his voice more clearly than you ever have before today.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

Day 5: John 10:31-42 (ESV)

Weekly Catechism: (NewCityCatechsim.org)

• Q16: What is sin?
• A: Sin is rejecting or ignoring God in the world he created, rebelling against him by living without reference to him, not being or doing what he requires in his law - resulting in our death and the disintegration of all creation. (bolded words are for younger children)

READ:

[31] The Jews picked up stones again to stone him. [32] Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you going to stone me?” [33] The Jews answered him, “It is not for a good work that we are going to stone you but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” [34] Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I said, you are gods’? [35] If he called them gods to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be broken—[36] do you say of him whom the Father consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? [37] If I am not doing the works of my Father, then do not believe me; [38] but if I do them, even though you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” [39] Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.

[40] He went away again across the Jordan to the place where John had been baptizing at first, and there he remained. [41] And many came to him. And they said, “John did no sign, but everything that John said about this man was true.” [42] And many believed in him there. - John 10:31-42 (ESV)

Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?

• Suggested Question: What is the specific reason the Jews wanting to stone Jesus?

PRAY:

Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.

• Suggested Prayer: Thank god for the good works he has done and still does. Thank him that it is his good pleasure to do the will of the Father. Ask him give you more opportunities to be involved in what he is doing all around the world.

SING:

Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.

Josh Walker: Director of Family Devotions & Media: He is the writer and author of music products such as Family Devo, Grammar Time and Hymns For Selena. He is married to Angela and has two beautiful children: Nathan and Charity Joy.

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