Back to School time always comes with a bit of extra craziness. This 2020 back to school season will be no different! Use this devotional to pick a few times during the first days of school to focus on how to step forward in faith like many of our heroes from the Bible.
A few hints:
Find a time during your day when your family can do this together (i.e. breakfast, dinner, before bedtime).
Read from a bible translation that meets your family’s needs. We recommend a story bible for kids under 2nd grade, the NIRV (New International Reader’s Version) translation for kids in 2nd-6th grade, and the NIV or NRSV for youth and adults. BibleGateway.com has lots of options available.
Find supplemental materials (like a video or song to go with your blessing time) online at www.popluther.org/backtoschool2020.
1 Be Like Noah: Do What’s Right!
Isn’t it easy to focus on what is going wrong in our world today? As an adult, I know that when I turn on the news or open my computer, I can feel like I’m drowning in bad news. Teens are not sheltered from bad news – in fact, you can see it all over social media and in lunchrooms, buses, and more. As a kid, you can probably make a list some of the things your classmates or siblings have done wrong. Noah’s life was the same. Things in the world had been turned upside down by sin (people choosing to do what separated them from God). God was sad about this mess and needed to find some hope. He looked all over, and one person stood out: Noah. Noah made God smile. In fact, God would use Noah to turn the world around. In our schools, teams, clubs, families – we can be like Noah – choosing to do what’s right and lead with faith.
SHARE • Talk about your highs and lows for the day. • What was one good thing that happened today? What could have been better?
READ • Scripture reference: Genesis 6:5-22 • Key Verses: Genesis 6:8-9 “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. This is the account of Noah and his family. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked faithfully with God.”
2 talk • What did you notice about hos Noah lived his life? • What is one way you can live like Noah?
pray Use your own prayer or use this one:
Good and gracious God, help me to follow you and be like Noah - especially when it feels easy to blend in. Help me stand out by doing what is right. Thank you for our highs and help us with our lows. Amen.
blessing • Listen to one of these songs together: “The Arky Arky Song” (kids) or “Divisionary: Do the Right Thing” (youth) as you close your devotion time. Links to playlists and YouTube videos can be found on www.popluther.org/backtoschool2020. • Hug, high five, or mark the cross on one another’s forehead as you remind each other “God loves you and so do I.”
3 Be Like joseph: Step forward through struggle
Sometimes life can be pretty tough. There are days when it seems like there are more lows than highs, and we all experience different kinds of struggles. Some struggles are small like stubbing your toe, or forgetting your homework, while some are much bigger like the loss of a loved one, or having a friend move away. It is normal to feel overwhelmed with some of the difficulties we face. Joseph was no stranger to trouble. Joseph’s life started out pretty great – his father had a special love for him, and he was very talented. However, he was sometimes braggy and his brothers became so mad at him that they wanted him gone. His brothers sold him into slavery, and he was separated from his family and off to Egypt. God did not abandon Joseph during these struggles. More and more things happened to Joseph and he eventually had to learn to depend on God. He soon realized God uses our gifts for good – even when we are going through hard times. God also can be a comfort during hard times and good things can come from terrible situations.
SHARE • Talk about your highs and lows for the day. • What was one good thing that happened today? What could have been better?
READ • Scripture reference: Genesis 37-50 • Key Verses: Genesis 45:4-5 “Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not 4 be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”
talk • Have you ever felt all alone and forgotten by God? Talk about that time. • When have you felt comforted by God during hard times? • How can you be like Joseph and stand up to struggles during hard times?
pray Use your own prayer or use this one:
Dear God, Even though we can feel stuck right now and stuck in times of lows, remind us that you are with us. Thanks for giving us bright spots in our lives when we can feel your presence. Amen.
blessing • Listen to one of these songs together: “Go, Go, Go Joseph” from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, or “Stand In Your Love” by Josh Baldwin as you close your devotion time. Links to playlists and YouTube videos can be found on www.popluther.org/backtoschool2020. • Hug, high five, or mark the cross on one another’s forehead as you remind each other “God will be with you during good times and bad.”
5 Be Like miriam: Celebrate with joy!
Have you been waiting for something to go right? For some very good news? Miriam was in that situation. Her whole life she had been leading with courage and boldness even though life was difficult. The Israelites had been under Egyptian rule and had lived through several plagues (They were really gross! Read more in Exodus 7-12.) and they were seeking freedom and rest in the Promised Land (where Moses was leading them). It was at this time that the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and the waters closed behind them and drowned the Egyptian army who was after them. Miriam and Moses celebrated with the first recorded song in scripture (Exodus 15) and Miriam danced with joy! While it’s hard to put ourselves in this story, I think that most of us can remember a time when we were so joyful, we couldn’t keep still. We are all called to look for places where God has done amazing things in our lives that make us want to dance and sing!
SHARE • Talk about your highs and lows for the day. • What was one good thing that happened today? What could have been better?
READ • Scripture reference: Exodus 15 • Key Verses: Exodus 15:19-21 “When the horses of Pharaoh with his chariots and his chariot drivers went into the sea, the Lord brought back the waters of the sea upon them; but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. Then the prophet Miriam, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her 6 with tambourines and with dancing. And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously; horse and rider he has thrown into the sea.”
talk • What did you notice about how Miriam celebrated freedom from Pharaoh? • How do you celebrate the big things God has done in your life?
pray Use your own prayer or use this one:
Hey God! Wow! Help me find reasons to celebrate what you have done in our lives with song and dance. We thank you for our highs and we ask for your help with our lows. Let us find reasons to dance for joy with you this week. Amen.
blessing • Listen to one of these songs together: “Every Move I Make” (dance along) or “Dance Like Miriam” by Ari Lesser as you close your devotion time. Links to playlists and YouTube videos can be found on www.popluther.org/backtoschool2020. • Hug, high five, or mark the cross on one another’s forehead as you remind each other “You are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image.”
7 Be Like joshua: Lead by example
Joshua was Moses’ right-hand-man during the 40 years they wandered in the wilderness. Because he trusted God, he became the leader who led the people into the Promised Land. Sometimes we think of leaders as people with great ideas who jump to the front and blaze a new path. Joshua certainly did some of that. However, the reason Joshua is remembered as a great leader of the Israelites is because he listened to God and obediently followed. Because of this strength, the people trusted him and wanted to do what he did. Sometimes, we follow people for the wrong reasons, but when we follow those who are doing right, we all experience the benefits. Let us all commit to finding someone whose life is worth imitating in the right ways.
SHARE • Talk about your highs and lows for the day. • What was one good thing that happened today? What could have been better?
READ • Scripture reference: Joshua 24:14-18 • Key Verses: Joshua 24:15b “As for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
8 talk • In what ways do you choose to serve the Lord? • When you think about leaders you admire, what characteristics come to mind? • Who are some of the people you follow in their live of faith? Who might be some of the people who look to you as a leader?
pray Use your own prayer or use this one:
Holy Lord, Help me to follow you like Joshua did. Help me to look to those who are following God’s ways. Show me where I can serve you. Thank you for the times when life is good and help us through those times when life seems hard. Amen.
blessing • Listen to one of these songs together: “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho” (kids) or “The Reason” by Travis Cottrell as you close your devotion time. Links to playlists and YouTube videos can be found on www.popluther.org/backtoschool2020. • Hug, high five, or mark the cross on one another’s forehead as you remind each other “God bless you as you follow in God’s footsteps!”
9 Be Like jeremiah: Rise up!
As kids and teens, it’s easy to feel like you’re spending a lot of time waiting. Waiting to be tall enough to ride the new roller coaster, waiting for the next birthday, waiting to get your license, or waiting your turn. Jeremiah was a boy when God called him to serve as a prophet. God knew that great leaders come in all sorts of different packages (age, ability, race, gender, and many other ways). We can get caught up in what makes us wait or we can live today the best way we know how. God uses us to do big things in the world, and we can all rise up to God’s call.
SHARE • Talk about your highs and lows for the day. • What was one good thing that happened today? What could have been better?
READ • Scripture reference: Jeremiah 1:4-10 • Key Verses: Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
talk • What is something you didn’t feel like you could do but you did anyway and felt proud after completing? • How does it feel to know that God knows you and loves you before you’re even born?
10 pray Use your own prayer or use this one:
God, sometimes we feel not good enough. Remind us that you have gifted us with many talents and abilities to serve you. Thank you for our highs and lows. Help us to listen for your call in our lives. Amen.
blessing • Listen to one of these songs together: “I’m Good” by the Mowgli’s (kids) or “Rise Up” by Andra Day as you close your devotion time. Links to playlists and YouTube videos can be found on www.popluther.org/backtoschool2020. • Hug, high five, or mark the cross on one another’s forehead as you remind each other “You are God’s beloved and I love you, too!”
11 Be Like daniel: Keep the faith
Especially during chaotic times, it can be hard to focus. For example, when I am driving in a new place and there is lots of traffic, I can get stressed looking at all of the billboards, seeing new road signs, and paying attention to the distractions. I find myself needing to return to the very basics of driving. I ask the people the in the car to help me pay attention, I turn down the radio, and I keep my eyes forward with my destination as my goal. The same thing happened to Daniel. Daniel was an important person in Jerusalem. When the people of his land were being held captive in Babylon, he also had the opportunity to become distracted and choose to worship a false god. When he refused because he was strong in his faith, it made the people in charge mad. They threw him in a pit with lions. God sent an angel to protect him. Daniel focused on worshiping God and God kept Daniel safe. May we all keep the faith when times get tough.
SHARE • Talk about your highs and lows for the day. • What was one good thing that happened today? What could have been better?
READ • Scripture reference: Daniel 6 • Key Verses: Daniel 6:22 “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” 12 talk • What are some of the distractions in our day to day life that keep up from focusing on God? • Talk about a time when you did what was right, even though others disagreed with you?
pray Use your own prayer or use this one:
Living God, Thank you for helping me keep the faith in you when life gets busy. Remind me of your presence in my life through the wonderful blessings you’ve given me. Thank you for the good things and help me look for you even when times are bad. Strengthen my trust in you and help me follow you. Amen.
blessing • Listen to one of these songs together: “At a Time Like This” (LOMO camp song) or “One Thing Remains” by Passions as you close your devotion time. Links to playlists and YouTube videos can be found on www.popluther.org/backtoschool2020. • Hug, high five, or mark the cross on one another’s forehead as you remind each other “Keep the faith. God is with you!”
Have a great school year!
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