Knowing Jesus: John 18 (Daily Devo)
Do you struggle to have a consistent “family worship”? Do you struggle gathering your family for some sort of “family worship?” I find that a lot of us do. I find that I do.
But are you like Bruce? “Who’s Bruce?” you say?
Well, maybe you should watch this video first.
Last year we took a Family Devo poll of a number of trusted families we knew. We asked very simply questions about family devotions.
One of the questions that stood out to me was…
MY OWN STORY
I was in the 50% for a long time. More like in the 20% of families that have zero family devotions. And this was even after having our first son Nathan. This was even more true in my childhood (but I’ll talk about that later).
When I became a father I dove head first into learning as much as I could about family discipleship. I started asking a ton of questions. I would ask our friends at church questions like..
- What does your family devotional life look like?
- How are you teaching your kids the scriptures?
- What are you guys, as a family, doing that might be helpful for me to consider?
- What verses have guided you in how you lead your family?
I felt like these were not very complicated questions. I thought I would get straightforward answers. But most of the many conversations I had over the years, with my friends and family (most in church leadership or on staff), I didn’t get very good answers.
Here are some of the most common responses I heard..
- “We have committed to raising our kids up in the church and making it a priority for them to go.”
- “My wife and I don’t do a lot together, we have our own walks with God, and we talk about that, but we don’t really read the Bible or study anything together.”
There were many other similar responses, and I do want to say that I did get a lot of very good answers and helpful things from some men in my life at the time, but the majority of the answers I got were variations of the ones above.
Why?
OUR PARENTS GENERATION
I believe a lot of this trend comes a lot from the way we were raised.
Most of the people I talk to, including myself, can not point to their parents as the primary ones that discipled them. And that’s not because their parents were unbelievers. Most had believing parents. It’s just that their fundamental belief was that the church would play that primary role. For me personally, we would attend church a million times a week, but did we gather as a family to read the Bible? Rarely if ever.
THE PROFESSIONAL CHURCH
The second thing that seems to have contributed to this is that, as a whole, ministry has become very professionalized. Meaning that, as a parent, you second guess yourself in your leadership.
You think,
- “Is there a right curriculum to use?”
- “Do I have the proper education to teach my children? Like don’t I need a bible degree or something?”
And so because we are unsure, and it is unclear, we don’t start. The resistance within us stops us before we even take a step.
Some people are saying that up to 70% of the youth that grew up in the church, are leaving the faith by their freshman year of college. Could it be that God’s design was for the family to take full responsibility in training up the next generation to know and love God? It’s actually always been that. It seems to me that somewhere along the way we got off track.
TODAY?
So let’ get back on track. Why not today tell your family, “Hey, let’s sit down as a family and read a verse or paragraph from the Bible and then pray.” It doesn’t have to be formal and cold and boring. Just try to make it natural. Don’t be legalistic about it or put the emphasis in the wrong place, but what about starting today?
This could change the trajectory of your family and your future family(Psalm 78).
Josh Walker (@joshdwalker) is the co-founder and owner of One Fifty Media House, a Houston, TX based Audio and Video Design Team. 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.
Day 1: John 18:1-12
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q24: Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die?
- A: Since death is the punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By his substitutionary atoning death, he alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and everlasting life. (bolded text are for younger children)
READ:
[1] When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. [2] Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. [3] So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. [4] Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” [5] They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. [6] When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. [7] So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” [8] Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” [9] This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” [10] Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. (The servant's name was Malchus.) [11] So Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” [12] So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. - John 18:1-12 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: If Jesus knows what would happen to him, why does he do it?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Jesus, you knew what would happen to you and you did it anyway. Thank you for following the plan you had to take away our sins.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church sing.
Day 2: John 16:13-18
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q24: Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die?
- A: Since death is the punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By his substitutionary atoning death, he alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and everlasting life. (bolded text are for younger children)
READ:
[13] First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. [14] It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.
[15] Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, [16] but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. [17] The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man's disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” [18] Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself. - John 18:13-18 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Do you remember why Caiaphas advised the Jews to let Jesus die?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Thank God that he oversees all of the events of history.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
DAY 3: John 18:19-27
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q24: Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die?
- A: Since death is the punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By his substitutionary atoning death, he alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and everlasting life. (bolded text are for younger children)
READ:
[19] The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. [20] Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. [21] Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” [22] When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” [23] Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” [24] Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.
[25] Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” [26] One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” [27] Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed. - John 18:19-27 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Why does Peter deny knowing Jesus?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Like Peter, we have all denied your love for us God. Thank you for calling us to yourself and restoring what we have made wrong.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 4: John 18:28-40
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism.com)
- Q24: Why was it necessary for Christ, the Redeemer, to die?
- A: Since death is the punishment for sin, Christ died willingly in our place to deliver us from the power and penalty of sin and bring us back to God. By his substitutionary atoning death, he alone redeems us from hell and gains for us forgiveness of sin, righteousness, and everlasting life. (bolded text are for younger children)
READ:
[28] Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor's headquarters. It was early morning. They themselves did not enter the governor's headquarters, so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. [29] So Pilate went outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” 30 They answered him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have delivered him over to you.” [31] Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him by your own law.” The Jews said to him, “It is not lawful for us to put anyone to death.” [32] This was to fulfill the word that Jesus had spoken to show by what kind of death he was going to die.
[33] So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” [34] Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” [35] Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” [36] Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” [37] Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world— to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” [38] Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”
After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him. [39] But you have a custom that I should release one man for you at the Passover. So do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” [40] They cried out again, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber. - John 18:28-40 (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 his purpose for coming into the world is?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Jesus you came to bear witness to the truth. Help us, as a family, live lives that bear witness to the truth of the gospel.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
