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https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260206fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 5:1-12 [Jesus said] “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11-12 Bad or Good? In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Devon was having a rough morning when he came down to breakfast. He hadn’t slept well because of all the thunder and lightning from the storms last night. And then his morning got worse when he looked out the window and saw his favorite tree lying in pieces on the ground. Devon was ready to cry until his dad said something surprising: it was a good thing the storm caused the tree to fall down. Devon didn’t understand how his dad could be glad about a tree falling down. What a mess! Yes, Devon’s dad explained, that was true. But the tree was old and rotted. It needed to be taken down because it could have easily fallen on the house or on power lines. Instead, the tree fell in a way that didn’t hurt anybody or cause any major damage. So, what looked like a bad thing to Devon was actually a good thing. Jesus taught his disciples lots of things during their three years together. Some of those things were surprising—like the Sermon on the Mount. In this special sermon, Jesus talked about people who are blessed (or happy). How surprising when Jesus identifies them as the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, and so on. He then says something even more surprising: that his followers are blessed when people insult them and mistreat them and tell lies about them because of him. Not only are they blessed when these things happen—they should even rejoice and be glad! Thankfully, Jesus also explains why his disciples should rejoice and be glad. Everything bad that might happen to them because they believed in Jesus was only temporary. Yes, life would be hard for them on this earth because they followed him, but that was only for a short time. They had something much better to look forward to—an eternity in heaven where they would receive their reward. You likely won’t be treated badly in the same way Jesus’ disciples were. But what if someone makes fun of you because you believe in Jesus? What if they say you spend too much time at church or that going to church is stupid? Even though it hurts when people are mean to you, remember this: you can rejoice and be glad, because someday you will see God face to face, and that will be your greatest reward! Prayer: Dear Jesus, it can be hard when people make fun of me for believing in you. Thank you for reminding me to be glad in those hard times and to look forward to my reward in heaven. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What did Jesus tell his disciples to do when people made fun of them for believing in him? What could Jesus’ disciples look forward to? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why can we rejoice and be glad even when people are making fun of us? Sometimes our reward in heaven seems so far away. Name one thing that helps remind you of heaven. Questions for Middle School and Above Matthew 5:1-12 is called “The Beatitudes” or series of “Blessings.” Read the whole section. Which “blessed are you” statement stands out the most to you? Why? When you endure something humiliating because of your faith, why is it important to remember your greater reward in heaven? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260204fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1:27 Striving to Be Foolish and Weak In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Foolish. Weak. What do you think of when you hear these words? Do you feel like you want to be foolish and weak, or would you rather be wise and strong? That’s a silly question, isn’t it? You go to school every day so that you can be wise instead of foolish. You eat healthy foods and get enough sleep so that you can be strong instead of weak. Who would want to be foolish or weak if they could be wise or strong? The apostle Paul gives us a surprising answer to that question. He says that God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise and the weak things of the world to shame the strong. Why? Why would God choose weak or foolish things when he could have something strong or wise instead? Does God actually want you to be foolish and weak? Yes . . . and no. God doesn’t want you to stop going to school so that you can be foolish. He doesn’t want you to eat junk food all day and stay up all night so that you can be weak. He does want you to remember where your strength and wisdom come from, though. Trying to be wise and strong on your own apart from God isn’t going to get you very far. Instead, that attitude will bring you to shame sooner or later. You’ll eventually run into a problem you can’t solve or a task you can’t tackle, a problem or a task where your own wisdom or strength just isn’t good enough. But when you turn to God for your wisdom and strength, you can be confident that he’s walking alongside of you and giving you everything you need to live a life of faith. Relying on God for your wisdom and strength might make you look weak and foolish to those around you. They might say that it doesn’t make sense to believe in God. Nothing could be further from the truth! Jesus must have looked foolish and weak to the world when he was hanging on the cross, but that’s how he saved us. So when you appear foolish and weak to the world, when you turn to God for your wisdom and strength, you’re doing exactly what God wants you to do. Without God, you have nothing. With him, you have everything! Prayer: Dear God, thank you for being my wisdom when I am foolish and my strength when I am weak. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Would you rather be foolish and weak or wise and strong? Who should you rely on for your strength and wisdom? Questions for Elementary Age Children Agree or disagree: God wants you to be foolish and weak. Why might you look foolish or weak to the world when you rely on God? Questions for Middle School and Above In Philippians 4:13, the apostle Paul says, “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” Explain what he means. How can you live during your time on this earth so that your life will truly be finished at its end? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260202fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:11-13 Seek the LORD, all you humble people of the earth who have carried out his commands. Seek righteousness. Seek humility. Zephaniah 2:3 (EHV) Give Thanks for the Little Things In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. What’s something you’re really good at? Maybe it’s a sport where you’ve helped your team win trophies and championships. Maybe it’s a musical instrument where you’ve played a really hard piece perfectly at a recital. Maybe you’re good at school and can solve hard problems. When you’re good at something, you naturally want to tell someone about it. You want your friends and family members to come watch your game or concert or listen to what you’re learning in school. It’s fun when people compliment you on something you’re good at, when they give you recognition and praise. There’s nothing wrong with being proud of things you’re good at and accomplishments you’ve worked hard to achieve. But in today’s reading, the prophet Zephaniah reminds us that there’s something else we should be good at. He says to be a humble person and “seek humility.” It means not bragging about things you’re good at. But when you’re good at something, you naturally want to share that with people! So how can you be both proud and humble at the same time? If you rely on yourself, you can’t. If you think you’re really good at something just because you worked hard and practiced, you can’t. But if you remember where your abilities came from, if you remember who made you good at something in the first place, then you can be both proud and humble. You are special to God. He made you just the way he wanted you to be and gave you exactly the gifts and talents he wanted you to have. Without God, you wouldn’t be good at anything. So when you remember you’re only good at something because of God, when you remember to say thank you for your successes, when you get your strength from God rather than from the things you’re good at, then you’re being humble and proud at the same time. Thank God for what you’re good at. Thank him when you do something well. Remember that all your abilities come from him, and then you’ll be both proud and humble. Prayer: Dear God, thank you for the special gifts and abilities you gave me. Remind me to always give you thanks for all the things you equip me to do well. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What’s something that you’re really good at? Who gave you the gifts to be good at it? Questions for Elementary Age Children What does it mean to be humble? How can you be both proud and humble at the same time? Questions for Middle School and Above Agree or disagree: It’s wrong to appreciate recognition and praise when you do something well. When you do something well, what is something you can say or do to show people around you that you’re thankful to God for your success? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260130fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 4:12-23 Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. Matthew 4:23 (EHV) The Good News of Epiphany In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Each year has its own seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. Which is your favorite? Each church year has its own seasons, too. We just finished the Christmas season, where we celebrate Jesus’ birth. Now we’re in the Epiphany season (say it like this: ee-PIH-fuh-nee). Epiphany is an old word. It means “to show” or “to be made known.” It can also mean a big “aha!” moment—when something suddenly makes sense. People long ago used it to talk about the moment one of their gods appeared. That helps us understand the church season of Epiphany. During Epiphany, God shows us who Jesus really is. Jesus is not just a baby in a manger. He is God’s Son, sent to save the world. The Bible tells us that Jesus traveled through Galilee, just like the prophet Isaiah said he would hundreds of years earlier. He taught in synagogues (that’s like a Jewish church). And what did Jesus teach? He taught “the good news of the kingdom.” That means God loves sinners, forgives them, and welcomes them into his family. Anyone who is sorry for their sin and trusts in Jesus belongs to God’s kingdom. Jesus didn’t just say these things—he showed them. He healed sick people. He made blind people see and hurting people well again. The Bible says he healed “every disease and sickness.” Only God can do that. So Jesus clearly showed who he was. And yet . . . some people still did not believe him. They saw the miracles. They heard his words. But they still said no. Before we wonder how they could do that, we should think about ourselves. You believe in Jesus. You know who he is. But sometimes we don’t act like it. Jesus told people the good news everywhere he went—but sometimes we stay quiet about our faith. Jesus helped people who were hurting—but sometimes we don’t want to help when it’s inconvenient. When that happens, we deny Jesus with our actions. So here’s the big question: Will Jesus deny us? No! That’s the good news of Epiphany. Jesus, the Son of God, appeared to forgive sinners—people like us. If you trust in him, you are forgiven. Now God gives you a special job: May people who see you have their own “epiphany.” May they see Jesus’ love, kindness, and forgiveness shining through you. Prayer: Lord, thank you for sending your Son to appear to us. May we be a mirror that reflects his love and forgiveness. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Why are you happy that Jesus came to earth? If you could talk to Jesus face-to-face, what would you want to say to him? Questions for Elementary Age Children What does epiphany mean? (Try explaining it in your own words.) What are some ways Jesus showed that he is the Son of God? (Think about miracles, teaching, forgiveness, resurrection.) Questions for Middle School and Above Why do you think some people still rejected Jesus, even after seeing miracles? Why is it important for the church to celebrate the Epiphany? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260128fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: 1 John 2:3-11 The one who says, “I know him,” but does not keep his commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. The one who loves his brother remains in the light, and nothing causes him to stumble. 1 John 2:4,10 (EHV) The One Who Loves His Brother In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Imagine saying to a police officer, “I know you! I like you!” But then you grab his hat and run away laughing. Imagine saying to a teacher, “I know you! You’re the best!” But then you cheat on a test in her classroom. Imagine saying to your brother or sister, “I love you!” But then you punch them in the arm or say something mean. People would say, “That doesn’t make sense.” You can say you love someone a hundred times, but if your actions don’t match your words, people won’t believe you. That’s what the apostle John was teaching when he wrote, “The one who says, ‘I know him,’ but does not keep his commands is a liar.” John was talking about Jesus. If someone says they know and love Jesus but never listens to him or never tries to do what he says, their words don’t match their actions. That can feel a little scary. Have you always listened to Jesus? Have you always been loving? Kind? Obedient? John also writes, “The one who loves his brother remains in the light.” So think about today: Were you kind to your brother or sister—or did you say something mean? Did you listen to your parents and teachers—or argue and complain? Did you treat classmates and friends with love—or ignore them or hurt their feelings? These questions help us do something important called repentance. Repentance means admitting we have sinned and being sorry about it. But repentance doesn’t stop there. Repentance means taking that sin and sadness to Jesus. And here’s the best part: Jesus forgives. Always. Jesus is the one who perfectly loved his brothers and sisters—us! He showed that love by going to the cross and taking the punishment for our sins. Because Jesus loves you and forgives you, you really do know him. And because you know him, you want to listen to him. That’s what it means to be “the one who loves his brother” and “remains in the light.” God forgives you. Jesus is with you. And one day, he will raise you to live forever. That’s why, even when we mess up and stumble in sin, don’t stay stuck—keep walking in the light! Prayer: Lord, as you first loved us, inspire us to love one another. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children When is it hardest to love your brother, sister, or parents? (What usually causes arguments or hurt feelings?) How did Jesus show that he loves you? (Think about the cross, forgiveness, and promises.) Questions for Elementary Age Children What does it mean to “know Jesus”? (Is it just knowing facts—or trusting and following him?) What are some ways you can show others that you know Jesus? (At home, school, or with friends.) Questions for Middle School and Above What is repentance? (Try to explain it in your own words.) Why do we need repentance every day—even when we’re believers? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260126fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Isaiah 8:19–9:4 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. For those living in the land of the shadow of death, the light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 (EHV) A Great Light In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. “Can you leave the door open just a little bit?” a two-year-old asks at bedtime. Mom smiles and leaves the hallway light on. A thin line of light sneaks into the room. Suddenly, the darkness doesn’t feel so scary anymore. The shadows don’t look like monsters. The child feels safe, happy, and thankful. Soon, she falls asleep. Darkness and light can do powerful things. Darkness makes it hard to see and makes our imaginations run wild. Light helps us see what’s really there. Darkness hides things; light shows the truth. That’s why the child wanted light, it helped her feel safe. That’s what the prophet Isaiah said about God’s people long ago. He said they were “walking in darkness.” He didn’t mean the sun disappeared. He meant their lives felt scary and confusing. They were afraid of a powerful enemy called Assyria, who had attacked them. They felt lost—like trying to walk on a path at night with no flashlight. They wanted to follow God, but they kept wandering off. Isaiah called this “living in the shadow of death,” because without light, things don’t grow—they die. We have darkness in our lives too. We can be afraid of things like getting in trouble, being left out, failing a test, or letting someone down. We want to follow God and do what’s right—but we mess up. That’s called sin. Sin separates us from God and leads to death. But Isaiah gives us amazing news: “A light has dawned.” People who walked in darkness have seen a great light! This light scares away monsters. This light forgives sins. This light defeats death. Who is that light? Jesus tells us: “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). When Jesus was born in Bethlehem, he was like a bright star shining into a dark world. When Jesus died on the cross, he took the darkness of your sins onto himself. When Jesus rose from the dead, he chased away the shadow of death forever. So the next time the dark feels scary, remember this promise: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Jesus is your light—and he is always with you. Prayer: Lord, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105). Help us walk according to it. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What are some things that make you scared of the dark? How does Jesus make you feel safe? Questions for Elementary Age Children How is sin like darkness? How is Jesus like light? Questions for Middle School and Above What did the prophet mean when he said that people “were walking in darkness”? When Jesus says, “I am the light of the world,” what is he promising us? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260123fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 1:29-41 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 It’s Good to Point! In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Parents teach their children many important lessons. One lesson kids often hear early on is: “It’s not nice to point.” Pointing can be rude. It can hurt someone’s feelings. So parents remind kids to keep their fingers to themselves. But here’s something interesting. Sometimes pointing is actually a very good thing. Think about babies and toddlers. Before they can talk, what do they do? They point! They point to toys. They point to snacks. They point to things they want you to see. Pointing means, “Look at this—it’s important!” In today’s Bible lesson, God was very happy with two people who pointed. The first was John the Baptist. Whenever John saw Jesus, he wanted everyone to notice him. So he said loudly and excitedly: “Look! The Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” John wasn’t being rude. He was helping people see their Savior. Another person who pointed was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. Andrew didn’t use his finger either—but he used his words. He ran to Peter and said: “We have found the Messiah!” Both John and Andrew pointed people to Jesus—and God praised them for it. Now think about this question together: Who pointed you to the Lamb of God? Was it your parents—when they brought you to be baptized, brought you to church, or prayed with you at home? Was it a teacher? A pastor? A grandparent? A friend? Christians love to point to Jesus because only good things happen when people look to him. Jesus loves when people point to him! That’s important, because sometimes we forget to look at Jesus. We rush away from the dinner table without stopping to thank Jesus. We let sports, screens, or homework take over time we could spend with God’s Word and prayer. We let scary or sad things make us forget that Jesus is always with us. When that happens, God lovingly sends people to point us back to Jesus again. And Jesus doesn’t get tired of that. He keeps forgiving. He keeps loving. He keeps staying with us. Now here’s the exciting part: You can be a pointer too. You can be a modern-day John the Baptist. You can be a 21st-century Andrew. You can point your parents, your friends, your classmates, and your teammates to Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away their sins too. Yes, sometimes pointing can be rude. But pointing to Jesus is loving. Pointing to Jesus is helpful. Pointing to Jesus helps people know they have a Savior. Prayer: Dear God, you pointed me to my Savior through many different people. Give me opportunities to point others to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away all sin. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Why do parents usually tell kids not to point? Why is pointing to Jesus different? Who has helped point you to Jesus? (Parents, teachers, pastors, friends?) Questions for Elementary Age Children What is one Bible story you really like listening to or talking about? Why do you like that one? If a friend wondered, “Does God really forgive me?” what Bible story could you share? Questions for Middle School and Above What would you do if you pointed someone to Jesus, but they didn’t believe right away? (Who could you pray for? What could you keep doing?) What makes you feel nervous about talking about Jesus? What could help calm those nerves? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260121fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Colossians 2:6-15 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. Colossians 2:9-10a Victory Through a Substitute In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Right before the school talent show started, Connor developed a bad cough. No matter what he tried, he couldn’t stop coughing. There was no way Connor could sing his song on stage. No performance meant no chance to win the prize. But something amazing happened. Connor’s brother, Grayson, stepped in. He looked a lot like Connor. He wore Connor’s clothes. He sang Connor’s song. Everyone thought, “Wow, Connor did a great job!” The performance won first place. And when it was time to get the award, Grayson gave all the credit to Connor—even though Connor hadn’t sung a single note! That’s called a substitute—someone taking another person’s place. That kind of switch only worked because Grayson was human and looked like Connor. When it comes to the prize of heaven, something similar—but much bigger—happened. Jesus became one of us so he could take our place. Yes, Jesus is God. But he also became fully human. That’s what the apostle Paul means when he writes, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness” (Colossians 2:9-10a). Jesus didn’t stop being God—but he also became a real human being. The Bible is clear what we humans have earned because of our sins. We have earned suffering, pain, and death. God made that clear to Adam and Eve—and he explained it to us too. For sin to be forgiven, someone had to pay the price. That price was death. And it had to be paid by a human who had never sinned. That’s a problem—because none of us are perfect. We couldn’t make a perfect sacrifice. So God made one for us. God sent his own Son. Jesus became human so he could: Live a perfect life Follow God’s law completely Suffer and die in our place That’s what it means when we call Jesus the Lamb of God. He didn’t just show us who God is. He took our place and paid our debt as someone who was innocent. What you and I couldn’t do, God did for us. What you and I don’t deserve, God declared that it is ours. Jesus, the Lamb of God, looked like us. He had a body. He got hungry and tired. He felt sad. He felt pain. In everything, he stepped in for us, just like Grayson did for Connor—but on a much greater scale. What we lost because of sin, God gave back to us completely through Jesus. Now that’s victory—through a substitute! Prayer: Dear God, thank you for sending a substitute to die on the cross instead of us. Help us to praise you for this wonderful gift with our thoughts, words, and actions. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Because Jesus was human just like you, what are some things he experienced that you experience too? (Being tired? Hungry? Sad? Happy?) How does it make you feel to know that Jesus did everything needed so you can go to heaven? Questions for Elementary Age Children Why did Jesus have to be both true man and true God? (What could he do as God? What could he do as a human?) What are you most excited about when you think about heaven—the reward Jesus won for you? Questions for Middle School and Above While he lived on earth, Jesus was true God. Can you think of times when he didn’t use his full power? (When he was tired? When he suffered? When he died?) Why couldn’t God just say, “I’ll forget about everyone’s sins”? (What does this teach us about God’s justice and love?) Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260119fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Isaiah 49:1-6 “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” Isaiah 49:6 One Sacrifice for All In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine living in the desert. Day after day, hundreds of thousands of families walked through the wilderness to a huge tent called the tabernacle. Can you picture it? Sand under their feet. Sun in the sky. Animals bleating and people talking. Families didn’t come empty-handed. They brought animals—sheep, goats, and bulls—because God had given them a special rule. When someone sinned, an animal was sacrificed to show that sin is serious and that forgiveness costs something. One kind of sacrifice was called the guilt offering. One person would bring one ram to take away one sin. Just one. Now let’s think together. How many sins do you think one person commits in a week? More than one? Probably! Now imagine hundreds of thousands of people sinning every day. That would be piles and piles of animals. The sacrifices would never stop. That’s what makes Jesus as the Lamb of God so wonderful and so powerful. Listen again to what God promised through the prophet Isaiah: “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob . . . I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6). God was saying: “It’s not enough for Jesus to save just one group of people. Jesus will be the Savior for everyone.” It would have been incredible if Jesus had died only for the Jewish people. That would be one sacrifice for millions of people. But God said, “I have something even bigger in mind.” Jesus’ death on the cross was one sacrifice for the whole world. People who lived long, long ago—sins forgiven. People living right now—sins forgiven. People who haven’t even been born yet—sins forgiven. One sacrifice. For everyone. Seeing animals sacrificed would not have been fun. Seeing Jesus die on the cross was sad and scary. But because of that cross, God now looks at you and adores you. He doesn’t see your ugly sins anymore. Not the ones you remember. Not even the ones you forgot. Jesus, the Lamb of God, took them all away. And now God calls you his precious treasure. Prayer: Dear Lamb of God, thank you for your perfect sacrifice on the cross to take away the world’s sins. Help us to share the wonders of your sacrifice with the world. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What part of this story surprised you the most? (The animals? One sin at a time? Jesus forgiving everyone?) We call the day Jesus died “Good Friday.” Why do you think something sad can also be called good? How does it make you feel to know that Jesus died for your sins? (Happy? Thankful? A little sad? Relieved?) Questions for Elementary Age Children Can you think of someone who might not know that Jesus loves them and forgives them? What would you say to the person you just mentioned? Questions for Middle School and Above Why don’t we need to sacrifice animals anymore as part of our worship? When you’re at church, what are some things you see that remind you of Jesus’ sacrifice? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260116fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 3:13-17 “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 Anointed and Appointed In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. When Jesus was baptized, something amazing happened. The Holy Spirit came down on Jesus like a dove, and God the Father spoke from heaven. God said, “This is my Son, whom I love. I am very pleased with him.” That’s a big moment! God was showing everyone that Jesus is special. Jesus is God’s chosen Savior. There is no guessing here. God tells us clearly who Jesus is. But there is a question we might ask: Why did Jesus get baptized? Jesus never sinned. He didn’t need his sins washed away like we do. So why did he do it? Jesus answered that question himself. He said it was right to be baptized “to do everything God wants done.” That means Jesus was obeying God perfectly—for us. A long time ago, kings were chosen by having oil poured on their heads. That was called being anointed. Jesus wasn’t anointed with oil. He was anointed with the Holy Spirit. At his baptism, God was saying, “This is the one I have chosen.” God tells people to be baptized. So Jesus obeyed that command too. He obeyed every rule perfectly—so we don’t have to. Jesus lived a perfect life for us, and one day he would give that life on the cross. And God would be pleased again. Here’s the amazing part for us: Because of Jesus, baptism is special for us too. Baptism is not just a symbol. It is something God does. In baptism, God forgives sins. He gives new life. He makes us part of his family. When you were baptized, God chose you. He made you his child. He anointed and appointed you too. That means you belong to him and get to live for him. Just like God said about Jesus, he also says about you: “This is my child, whom I love. With this child, I am pleased.” Prayer: Dear Holy Spirit, thank you for bringing us to faith in Jesus through the precious waters of baptism. Help our family remember our baptisms and live as people who belong to you, and the Father, and the Son. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Do you know when you were baptized? (Parents can help tell the story!) What is one fun or special way your family could remember your baptism each year? (Cake? Prayer? Candle? Story time?) Questions for Elementary Age Children When is your baptism date? What is one thing that was the same about Jesus’ baptism and your baptism? (God’s name, water, God’s promises) Questions for Middle School and Above What does God give you in baptism? (Forgiveness, new life, God’s family) Because you are baptized, what is one loving (or spiritual) thing you can do this week? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260114fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Acts 10:34-38 [You know] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. Acts 10:38 Jesus Was No Flop In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Adults like to argue about sports players. They talk about who they think will be the best player ever. Sometimes they get really excited about a player and say, “This one will be amazing!” But later, that player doesn’t do very well. When that happens, people say the player was a “flop.” That means they didn’t turn out the way people hoped. Now let’s think about Jesus. Long before Jesus was born, God talked about him in the Bible. People heard that he would be powerful and that he would help others. God chose him and anointed him at his baptism. Everyone expected great things from him. And Jesus did amazing things! He healed sick people. He helped people who were hurting. He was kind to everyone. But then something confusing happened. Jesus died on a cross. He let people hurt him. At first, that might make someone wonder, “Did Jesus fail?” But Jesus was not a flop. The apostle Peter reminds us what really happened. He said that God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and power. Jesus went around doing good and healing people because God was with him (Acts 10:38). Jesus’ miracles were like big signs pointing to who he really is—God’s Son and our Savior. The good things Jesus did weren’t only miracles. They were also the loving words he spoke. And the most important words he spoke were on the cross: “It is finished!” That means Jesus finished saving us. His death paid for our sins. His death broke the devil’s power. And just like God promised, Jesus rose from the dead. Jesus didn’t fail. He won. God knew exactly what he was doing. Jesus was never a flop. He is God’s chosen Savior—and our forever champion. Prayer: Dear Jesus, we praise you for fulfilling all that Scripture said you would do. Guide us safely home to your side in heaven, where we will see you, our champion, face to face. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What is one miracle Jesus did that you remember? Why do you think that miracle is so cool or important? Questions for Elementary Age Children Can you think of a time when something didn’t turn out the way you hoped? How did that make you feel? Can you name a way Jesus helped you or your family—maybe by keeping you safe, giving you help, or bringing you comfort? Questions for Middle School and Above Can you name one Old Testament promise God made in the Bible that Jesus kept? (Parents can help with examples like being born in Bethlehem or rising from the dead.) Imagine you were there when Jesus died on the cross. What might have confused or worried you that Jesus was a flop? What would you say now to remind yourself that Jesus was really winning? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260112fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Isaiah 42:1-7 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations.” Isaiah 42:1 God’s Handpicked Champion In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Cameron walked onto the playground, excited for field day kickball. As a team captain, he got to pick his team. He looked around and thought, “Who runs fast? Who kicks hard? Who catches the ball?” He wanted the very best team. But picking was hard. What if he chose the wrong person? Cameron kept wondering, “Did I pick the right teammate?” Only time would tell. Waiting a few months can feel long. Now imagine waiting 700 years! That’s longer than your great-great-great-great-grandparents ago. That’s a really, really long time. If we had to choose a champion 700 years ahead of time, we would get nervous and change our minds. But God is different. The prophet Isaiah wrote these words 700 years before Jesus was born: “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight.” God was saying, “This is the one I choose.” God didn’t guess. He didn’t worry. He already knew the perfect champion. God had been talking about this champion for a very long time. He promised Adam and Eve a Savior. He promised Abraham a Savior. He promised through Isaiah. And then he sent his Son, Jesus. Jesus is God’s forever choice. His name “Christ” means “the Chosen (Anointed) One.” Jesus did what no one else could do. He obeyed God perfectly. He died on the cross for our sins. And he rose from the dead. That means Jesus defeated sin, the devil, and death—for us! God picked the perfect champion, so we never have to wonder if we are safe. God’s choice is good. And Jesus is our champion. Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, thank you for sending your Son to be our champion over sin, Satan, and death. Lead us to keep on trusting in him alone for our salvation. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children How many champions did God need to pick to save us from our sins? What did Jesus do to become the champion over sin and the devil? Questions for Elementary Age Children Was God ever worried that Jesus wouldn’t win? Why or why not? Why did God wait thousands of years to send our Savior from sin if he already knew who the Savior would be? (Hint: Galatians 4:4-5) Questions for Middle School and Above Why is it good that God chose Jesus instead of letting us choose? Can you think of times in the Old Testament when God reminded his people that he was going to send a Savior. Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260109fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Matthew 2:1-12 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem. and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. Matthew 2:1-2,9-12 The Light Worth Worshiping In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. In the last two devotions, we learned an important truth: Jesus came for everyone—people from every place, family, and nation. This wasn’t a surprise to God. It was his plan all along! God had promised it long before through his prophets. At Christmas, God showed this truth in a special way. Wise men from the East followed a star to find Jesus. These wise men were not from Israel. They didn’t grow up going to the temple or celebrating Jewish festivals. They weren’t part of the group people expected to meet the Savior first. And yet—God invited them too. Somehow, they learned about a promise of a coming “King of the Jews.” Maybe they heard it from God’s people who once lived far from home. However they learned about it, they knew the star meant something important. So they traveled a long way—just to meet Jesus. When they found him, they worshiped him in special ways. They worshiped Jesus by going where he was. They followed the star until it stopped right over the place Jesus was staying. They worshiped Jesus by bowing down. Even though Jesus was still very young, they knew he was greater than they were. They worshiped Jesus by giving gifts. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh were valuable and costly—but Jesus was worth it. You know this same light. Someone has told you the good news about Jesus and what he has done for you. So what does worship look like for you? Like the wise men, you can worship Jesus by going where he promises to be. Each week, you have the chance to gather at church with other believers. Being there shows that Jesus matters to you. You worship Jesus when you confess your sins and trust his forgiveness. That’s you saying, “Jesus, you are my Savior.” You can also worship Jesus by giving gifts. Sometimes that means offerings at church. But you can also give him: The gift of your time—reading the Bible and praying. The gift of your service—helping your parents, siblings, teachers, and neighbors. The gift of your words—speaking kindly and sharing Jesus’ love. All of these acts of worship show something important. They show that Jesus is the light of your salvation. They show that he is a top priority in your life. And they shine like a bright light for others to see—so they, too, can come to worship Jesus, the Light of the World! Prayer: Dear Jesus, through the star and the wise men, you showed that you are the Savior for everyone. Fill our hearts with joy and help us worship you with our whole lives—with our hearts, our time, and our strength. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What is your favorite part of worship at church and why? Sometimes parts of worship are confusing. What’s one thing you’ve wondered about during a church service? (Remember to ask your pastor next time!) Questions for Elementary Age Children What are some things that can make it hard to worship Jesus regularly? (Think: busy schedules, distractions, tiredness.) What is one simple way you can remind yourself this week that Jesus is worth worshiping? Questions for Middle School and Above When you earn or receive money, how can you decide what it means to give generously to God? God has given each of you special gifts. Name one ability or trait God has given you. How can you use it to serve others and honor Jesus this week? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260107fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: Ephesian 3:2-12 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 3:2-6 The MYSTERIOUS Light In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever read a mystery book—or watched a mystery show—where you’re trying to guess what’s going to happen next? You look for clues. You make predictions. You keep thinking, “I wonder how this will end?” That kind of mystery keeps you guessing right up to the very end. But when God talks about a “mystery,” he means something very different. God’s mysteries are not puzzles you have to solve. They aren’t only for super-smart people. They don’t depend on you finding the right clues. And they aren’t secrets God wants to hide from you. God’s mystery is actually GOOD news meant to be shared. God’s mystery is the light of Jesus. Jesus came not just for one group of people, but for everyone—people from every country, language, and family. Jesus came to shine God’s truth like a bright light so everyone could see it. This truth is called a mystery because we could never figure it out on our own. The Holy Spirit shows it to us and helps us believe it. Because you trust in Jesus, you get to see amazing things in his light! In the mysterious light of Christ: You see that God loves sinners and gives them grace—even when they mess up. You see that Jesus washes away sin and gives eternal life. You see that God keeps his promises and has a place in heaven for you. You see why the Bible matters—God uses it to grow your faith and teach you how to live. You see that you can talk to God anytime and ask for forgiveness, help, or strength because of Jesus. That’s a LOT to see—and it’s all because of Jesus’ light! And here’s the best part: None of these gifts come from being extra good, extra smart, or extra strong. They are gifts from God—the Creator of everything—freely given to you. God doesn’t want your life to feel like a confusing mystery book. He wants you to know that you are loved. He wants you to know where you are going—heaven! And he wants to guide you with his wisdom every day until you get there. That’s why the Bible is so important. Keep reading it. Keep listening to it. God uses it to fill you with the “riches of Christ” and to help you grow wiser and stronger in faith. Prayer: Lord, thank you for bringing us into your family through the glorious mystery of Jesus. May we be true servants of this gospel and shine your light so others can see your love too. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children Because you know Jesus’ light, you can pray to God. What’s the number one thing you would like to pray for today? Who are some people you can pray for right now—at school, at home, or in your family? Questions for Elementary Age Children Long ago, many people thought God’s promises were only for one group. Why do you think it was surprising that Jesus came for everyone? What did Jesus do to show that God’s love is for all people? Questions for Middle School and Above What are some simple ways you can keep learning more about “the unsearchable riches of Christ”? How does knowing the “riches of Christ” (Jesus loves and forgives you) make it easier to talk to God when you mess up or feel worried? Download Family Devotions     Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.