Family Fun Icebreaker: What is love to you?
Topic 2 Question: Who is in God’s Community?
Today’s Big Idea: Mary’s Devoted Heart
God’s community is full of people who give of themselves and serve others lovingly. One of the main distinctions of being a member of God’s community is having a heart devoted to God. Each person loves the Lord and enjoys spending time alone with Him. Spend time reading John 12:1
7. This is the story of Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, whose devoted heart caused her to do an amazing act of kindness and service to Jesus. She anointed His feet with a valuable perfume and wiped His feet with her hair; this was an act of devotion. Some people were annoyed with Mary’s kindness to Jesus, but Jesus defended her. His point was that there is plenty to do to serve others, and it can dominate your time and resources, but the time that you spend with Him is precious. Value that time.
Talk with God: Read the scripture aloud.
Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and
anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped his feet with her hair; and
the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
John 12:3 (NISB)
Walk with God: Read aloud and discuss.
The first command is to love the Lord with all your heart (Matthew 22:37); this means your whole heart is devoted to Him. He is to be more honored and cherished in your world than anything else. When your heart is devoted to a person, you think of him or her, and you want to spend your time with him or her. When you love the Lord with all of your heart, you think positively about Him and enjoy spending time with Him. If you don’t feel that you know God very well, spend time in His Word. The Bible is written for you to learn about Him, His character, and His ways. The words are inspired by Him and reflect His heart (2 Timothy 3:16). Spend time talking with Him in prayer, too. Life with God is an ongoing conversation. Your love for Him will grow. God shares that you are able to love at all because He first loved you (1 John 4:19). Interesting circle, isn’t it?
Discuss with your family: What are some of the things that you have enjoyed learning about God? Do you feel that you know God well enough to love Him with all your heart? Like Mary, do you think that you would give up something of value to you if it benefited Jesus? What would help your heart feel more devotion to Him?
Prayer suggestion: Pray for God to help your heart be devoted to Him.
I will be praying for you!
Stacy
Stacy A. Davis, Author
Sky Ranch Family Devotionals
© 2013 Stacy A. Davis, Inc. All rights reserved.
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