Peter’s Denial of Jesus (Luke 22:61) At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” Luke 22:61 KJVAnd the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. DevotionalHas anyone ever called you “chicken” because you didn’t want to do something? What would you do if soldiers showed up to kidnap your best friend? Would you stay or run and hide so the soldiers wouldn’t take you, too? After Jesus was arrested, Peter faced this very dilemma. Open your Bible and read Luke 22:54-62 to see what happened. Peter was the only one of Jesus’ disciples who dared to leave the boat and walk on water! Peter had a big heart and a big mouth, which often got him in trouble. I’m a lot like Peter. I, too, am one to jump before I think. More than one experiment has gone awry (which means wrong) because I didn’t take the time to ponder (which means think). Mostly, though, Peter’s leaping to action because he trusted Jesus was a good thing. And yet Peter and I have something else in common too—something not so fizztastic. This one kid in my class, Max, was good at art—he could sculpt anything out of clay, and he made the best comic strips. They were so funny! One time my friends were making fun of one of Max’s projects. I heard a voice in my head telling me this wasn’t right, but I did nothing. Then one of my friends tripped Max as he walked by. His clay sculpture fell and shattered into a gazillion pieces. A screw twisted in my stomach, and the voice inside me said this wasn’t right. Yet again, I didn’t listen—I said nothing. Finally, as Max began to cry over the destruction of his masterpiece, my friends started to laugh and point. And though my stomach churned and the voice sounded louder, I still did nothing. I just followed my friends as they walked down the hall and gave each other high-fives. I heard Max’s whimpers behind me. That night in my room, I began to cry as I tried to pray. I realized how wrong I’d been. I hadn’t acted as God had created me to act—in fact, like Peter, I’d denied Jesus three times. “I tell you the truth, Peter--this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me” (Matthew 26:34). Three times the Spirit of God had prompted me to act, and I’d ignored him three times. I knew what I had to do, so the next day, I sought out (which means looked for) Max. He turned away as I approached, embarrassed. But I tapped him on the shoulder and said, “Max, I am very sorry.” I told him I was a Christian but hadn’t acted like one. And that I was sorry for not standing up for him. Instead of being angry or blowing me off, Max surprised me. He quoted my favorite Bible verse, Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Max smiled. “I forgive you.” Relief washed over me, and that was a turning point in my life. It wasn’t as though I never sinned again, but I knew that if I did, the best thing I could do was face the one I had wronged and apologize. And, you know, Peter changed too after Jesus forgave him. Peter became a man of action once again. This time, he would be sure his actions weren’t based on his ideas but on God’s. “Strengthen your brothers,” Jesus told him. So that’s what Peter did. He became one of the most outstanding, fizztastic leaders of Christ's followers, with his weakness turning to marvelous strength. His story gave me hope then, and it gives me hope today. Is there someone in your life you’ve been unkind to? Or have you stood by while others were unkind to that person? Pray for God to allow you to seek forgiveness from them and perhaps even to become friends. Prayer TimeAs a family, take a moment to pray for each other by name—that each of you would have the strength and courage to stand strong in your faith, even in the face of adversity (which means a challenge). Discussion QuestionsThink of a time you disobeyed Jesus and later asked for His forgiveness. How did it feel to be forgiven by Him? Is there anything you need to ask forgiveness for right now? Click the button above to conduct a fizztastic experiment connected to this devotional. Devotional Featured in Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop: 52 Fizztastically Fun Experiments and Devotions for Families
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Devotionals are a great way to engage your kids with the Bible as well as character-building traits. They allow kids to explore topics they may be experiencing at school or at home, and unpack them through an outside viewpoint. While connecting kids back to sound Biblical principles these devotionals go one step further in engaging your kids in exciting ways. Several of the devotionals on this list provide active ways for kids to experience and engage with their faith. All of these devotionals are sure to draw your kids closer to God and away from the screen. Below you’ll find a must-have selection of ten (plus one) devotionals sure to engage your kids with their faith. Faith and Science with Dr. Fizzlebop: 52 Fizztastically Fun Experiments and Devotions for Families
Edge of the Galaxy: 30 Faith-Filled Adventures
Made to Create with All My Heart and Soul: 60 Worship-through-Art Devotions for Girls
Fruit Full: 100 Family Experiences for Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit
God Is in Nature!: A Kids Devotional About His Awesome Creations
The Wonder of Creation: 100 More Devotions About God and Science (Indescribable Kids)
The Action Bible Anytime Devotions: 90 Ways to Help Kids Connect with God Anytime, Anywhere (Action Bible Series)
90 Devotions for Kids (Adventures in Odyssey Books)
Roar Like a Lion: 90 Devotions to a Courageous Faith
Seekers: An Interactive Family Adventure in Following Jesus
Devotions for Super Average Kids
Tell me about your favorite kids' devotionals in the comments below! |
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