Game Changers: Devotions for Families Who Play Different (Age 8-12)ნიმუში

Standing Out

Ready: Genesis 5-9

Set:

The story of Noah’s ark is about faith and perseverance. Humans had become so completely evil that it was hard to find even one good man. But Noah found favor in God’s eyes. God asked Noah to build an ark that would house his family and a male and female of all the creatures on earth. The strange thing about this instruction is that there had never been rain recorded at the time. So, Noah was asked to build a huge ship for the flooding rain that was to come, even though neither he nor anyone else had ever even seen rain. Also, this ship would be so big that he would have to work on building it for 125 years.

Imagine you are in Noah’s shoes. God taps you on the shoulder and asks you to show up every day for 125 years to build something surrounded by dry land that only has use on the sea. Incredible!

Fast forward in Noah’s story. The rain does come. The earth was flooded; God used Noah’s ark to save the animals and humans. When He finally opened the door, God made a promise to Noah. God put a rainbow in the clouds to remind us of His promise to never destroy the earth with a flood again.

There may be times when God calls us to do things that will cause us to stand out from the people around us. Sometimes, following God means looking different than our friends or teammates. Even though the people around him made fun of him and could have caused him to doubt, Noah trusted God and followed His Word. Because of his obedience, his family and all those animals were saved. We know the same God who was faithful to Noah. He will be faithful to His Word in our lives as well. We can trust that He knows what is best for us and wants what is best for us. His way has always been the best way, and we can trust Him no matter what people around us may say.

Go:

1. Noah displayed a great deal of trust when he was asked to build the ark. Besides the actual construction of the boat, in what ways did he live out his trust in God?
2. Name three people in your life to whom you would give an immediate “yes” if they asked you to do something. Why would you give those people your trust?
3. Give an example of how you do or do not trust your coaches when they ask you to do something.

Workout:

James 1:12; Romans 5:3-5; Proverbs 3:5-7

Overtime:

“Grow my trust in You. Help me to hear Your leading and give me the courage to obey even if it means I will stand out. In Jesus’s name, amen.”