Weekly Family Devotional
Philippians: Defiant Joy
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Read Together
Philippians 1:21 (ESV)
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Talk About It
Paul was facing a really scary situation—he was in prison and didn’t know if he would live or die. But instead of being afraid, Paul trusted God completely. He knew that if he stayed alive, he could help others learn about Jesus, and if he died, he would get to be with Jesus in heaven. For Paul, either way was a win! That’s because Paul’s joy didn’t come from how comfortable or easy his life was. His joy came from knowing Jesus and trusting God’s plan.
Paul teaches us to keep our eyes on Jesus, not on our problems. When things feel out of control, we can remember that God is always faithful and will work everything out for our good. Like Paul, we are called to choose God’s way, even when it means putting others first. Trusting God brings real joy because He never changes and always keeps His promises! Will you trust God and let Him fill your heart with His joy, no matter what?
For Parents to Explain
God, thank You that we can trust You no matter what happens. Help us keep our eyes on Jesus and find joy in Your faithfulness every day. Amen.
Family Activities
Trust Walk (Real-Life Application)
- Pair up—one person blindfolded, the other leading gently.
- Have the leader guide the blindfolded partner safely through a simple obstacle course in your home.
- Switch roles!
- Afterward, talk about how trusting your leader is like trusting God.
Promise Art (Creative Reflection)
- Each person chooses a favorite promise from the Bible (parents can help!).
- Draw a picture that shows what God’s promise means to you.
- Share your art with the family and talk about why you can trust God.
- Display your pictures somewhere special.
Family Prayer
Now, ask God to help you trust Him in something that’s hard or scary right now. Take turns sharing your prayers together.