Knowing Jesus: John 20 (Daily Devo)
Yesterday at our home group we read this week’s chapter, John 20, in our Bible Study time with the kids. It was important for us because we get to see Jesus after his resurrection. We have been in this “Knowing Jesus” series as a Gospel Family community for the whole book of John and now we see Jesus has risen from the dead and is engaging and interacting with his disciples.
Our catechism question this week asks us the question: What else does Christ’s death redeem? I really hope you are trying to teach your children these questions!! They are so ripe for good conversations throughout the week.
Answer: Christ’s death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as he powerfully directs all things for his own glory and creation’s good (www.newcitycatechism.org). As Paul said himself,
‘if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.”
What an amazing truth that our lives (the good and the bad) are not in vain if we live them by faith.
This last week, in our local church community, we have been walking through some very difficult times. But a life lived by faith is not in vain and that’s only because Christ was raised from the dead. That was the beginning of redeeming and renewing ALL THINGS!
Not some things, but all things.
We are about to close out this series next week with the last Chapter of John, but as the story comes full circle I pray that we walk by faith in the truth and power of the gospel. It is true, it is real, and Jesus proved that by rising from the dead.
Your life, my life...every experience we walk through by faith..is not in vain; it is only the beginning.
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 20:1-10
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism)
- Q26: What else does Christ’s death redeem?
- A: Christ’s death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as he powerfully directs all things for his own glory and creation’s good.
READ:
[1] Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. [2] So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” [3] So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. [4] Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. [5] And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. [6] Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, [7] and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. [8] Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; [9] for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. [10] Then the disciples went back to their homes. - John 20:1-10 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: What details from this account stand out to you? Why?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Thank you Jesus that you fulfilled the scripture and raised from the dead proving you are the Christ.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 2: John 20:11-18
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism)
- Q26: What else does Christ’s death redeem?
- A: Christ’s death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as he powerfully directs all things for his own glory and creation’s good.
READ:
[11] But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. [12] And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. [13] They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” [14] Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. [15] Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.” [16] Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher). [17] Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” [18] Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord”—and that he had said these things to her. - John 20:11-18 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Why does Jesus add the subtle detail “..and your Father..and your God?”
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Jesus, you are our teacher. Teach us, by your Spirit to know you more.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
DAY 3: John 20:19-23
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism)
- Q26: What else does Christ’s death redeem?
- A: Christ’s death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as he powerfully directs all things for his own glory and creation’s good.
READ:
[19] On the evening of that day, the first day of the week, the doors being locked where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” [20] When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. [21] Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” [22] And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” - John 20:19-23 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Where is Jesus ‘sending’ the disciples? What kind of power has he given them?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Father, you have sent us into the world. Show us what you want us, as a family, to do for your kingdom and your purpose.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 4: John 20:24-29
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism)
- Q26: What else does Christ’s death redeem?
- A: Christ’s death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as he powerfully directs all things for his own glory and creation’s good.
READ:
[24] Now Thomas, one of the Twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. [25] So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”
[26] Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” [27] Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” [28] Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” [29] Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” - John 20:24-29 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Why are those who have not seen the risen Lord more blessed than those (like Thomas) who have?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Thank you Jesus for the faith that has been given to me. Help me to trust you even though I have never seen you face to face.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
Day 5: John 20:30-31
Weekly Catechism: (newcitycatechism)
- Q26: What else does Christ’s death redeem?
- A: Christ’s death is the beginning of the redemption and renewal of every part of fallen creation, as he powerfully directs all things for his own glory and creation’s good.
READ:
[30] Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; [31] but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. - John 20:30-31 (ESV)
Teach/Talk: Talk about what you observe from this passage. What stands out to you? What can we learn?
- Suggested Question: Why was this book, the book of John, written?
PRAY:
Pray through the text and for your family’s specific needs.
- Suggested Prayer: Thank you for the book of John that helps us to know you Jesus and believe in your gospel.
SING:
Play or sing a family favorite worship song, hymn, or kids church song.
