Adult Mid-Week Devotion
God Speaks Through His Church
Ephesians 4:11-29

 

One Body, Many Parts! There’s no doubt if you’ve been in the church for any length of time, you have heard that familiar phrase.  That phrase comes from 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 which says – For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.

Paul was speaking about spiritual gifts and why they are given and how they are to be used in the church – the local body of believers. As we have been learning over the last month, God Speaks! That is an incredible reality, but not only does God speak, but He gives us all we need to fulfill that which He speaks about and calls us to do.

We have learned that God Speaks through the Bible, through His Holy Spirit, and through circumstances. God also speaks through His Church. In that same passage in 1 Corinthians 12, we read this truth in verse 18 – But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. He doesn’t stop with that truth though, He goes on to say in verses 19 & 20 – If they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body.

It appears that God really wants us to know that not only do we believe in Him, but we also belong to a family – a new family – His family. He has placed us in that body to be loved, nurtured, cared about, challenged, discipled, held accountable, and mentored. But, it’s important to note, that we are served by the body so that we can turn around and serve others in the same way.

Just like our family members communicate to us in our biological families, God uses other believers in the family of God to communicate His truths to us and to encourage us on our spiritual journey with Him. Whatever description you want to use – the body of believers, the local church, the family of God – God has given us a gift because He knew we would need others.

Take some time this week to read our lesson passage again found in Ephesians 4. As you meditate on these verses consider these questions:

1. Why is the local church where God has placed us so important?

2. How has God used other believers in your life to speak His truths to you?

3. How is the Lord using you to tell His truths, love, and encouragement to others?

4. Who do you need to tell this week how much you appreciate how they have invested in you spiritually?

Pray for your church this week and give God thanks for your church and those who minister to you weekly.

Preschool & Kids Family ​​Mid-Week Devotion
Elijah on Mount Carmel

Read 1 Kings 18:1-39

        God speaks and makes clear that He is the only God. Elijah was a prophet who obeyed God even when those around him followed the ways of the world. King Ahab worshipped false gods and led the people to do the same. Eljah challenged the people in this verse:

“Elijah came near the people and said, ‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people did not answer him a word.” 1 Kings 18:21

      Elijah was committed to the ways of God even when the people around him were following the wrong voice. We too have opportunities every day to hear God speak, obey Him and listen to His Voice. Elijah challenged the people to remember that the LORD is God and to follow Him. Remember from today’s story that in miraculous ways God proved that He is God.

       Play a game with your child of Marco Pollo around the house. After a round of regular Marco Polo, make it tougher. This round they must try to find you while they hold their ears, making them unable to hear while still closing their eyes trying to find you. After the second round ask these questions below.

Review Questions:

• How hard was it to find “Polo” while your ears were closed?
• Just like when we try to play the game without being able to hear, that is what life is like when we are not listening to God.
• God gives us His Word, and when we know Him as Savior, He speaks to us!
• Pray as a family together praising God that He is worthy of our worship.