52 Weeks with Jesus for Kids: A Devotional
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About this ebook
Meet the One Who Changed Everything
You've heard the name "Jesus" a bunch of times. Your parents and other grown-ups have talked about Him. And some of your friends have too. You've read about Him in your Bible. But deep down you don't really know who Jesus is.
Now you don't have to feel left out anymore! This book shows you how much Jesus loves you and what it looks like to follow Him. Each week you'll encounter exciting stories, surprising ideas, and a prayer you can pray whenever you want. Throughout the year, you'll learn that Jesus is...
- The Good Shepherd: He helps you find your way.
- The King of all kings: You are part of His royal family.
- The Bread of Life: He is tasty food for your soul.
- The light of the world: No need to be afraid of the dark anymore!
As you discover these truths, Jesus will become more than a name you hear in church. He'll become one of your best friends!
James Merritt
James Merritt (PhD) is a pastor, author, past president of the Southern Baptist Convention, and host of the Touching Lives television program, seen nationwide and in 122 countries. As a national voice on faith and leadership, Merritt has been interviewed by Time, Fox News, MSNBC, and 60 Minutes. He resides with his family outside Atlanta, Georgia.
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52 Weeks with Jesus for Kids - James Merritt
day.
1
We Are Family!
But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.
—John 1:12
If you’re like a lot of people, your favorite holiday is Christmas. There’s so much to love about that season, especially celebrating the birth of Jesus with family and friends.
On December 25, we remember that day thousands of years ago when Jesus was born. And while every child’s birth is a very special event, the birth of Jesus was not your typical birth. People had been looking forward to it for more than four thousand years. That’s a long time to be expecting a baby!
Have you ever made a family tree? A family tree lists your parents, your grandparents, your great-grandparents, and all your relatives as far back as you can find them. The very beginning of the New Testament lists the names of everyone in Jesus’s family tree. Way back at the beginning of time, God made a promise that He would one day send a king who would be the Savior of the world.
God doesn’t do anything randomly. He always had a plan and a purpose for Jesus, and He always has a plan and a purpose for us.
If you’ve accepted Jesus into your heart, you’re also a part of God’s family. Jesus’s family tree is your family tree! No matter who your family is and no matter how much of your family tree you can draw, God is happy to welcome you into His family. You’re an important branch on His tree, and He has an amazing plan for your life.
Being a part of the family of God is so awesome that we don’t have to wait until December 25 to celebrate. We can celebrate being a part of His family every day of the year!
Jesus, thank You that I am part of Your family and that I can celebrate You every day of the year!
Take This with You
God’s family tree is the best place to be.
2
God Loves Misfits
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.
—Ephesians 2:4-5
You might think someone as amazing as Jesus would have come from a line of rich and famous people who totally followed God and never did anything wrong, but that’s actually not true at all. Some of the people in Jesus’s family tree were poor. Others were thought of as different or strange. Some were big-time sinners. You can even add wicked kings to the bunch. The truth is, Jesus came from a long line of misfits!
Your family doesn’t have a lot of money? No problem! Jesus Himself was born in a stable, the son of a carpenter, not a prince who was born in a palace. You’re not the most popular person in your class? That’s just fine! Jesus wasn’t very popular with His own people. Your best friend isn’t speaking to you? Not to worry! Jesus knew what it was like to have a best friend turn on Him.
Want to know something really crazy? Jesus was a misfit. Totally telling the truth here! No, He didn’t sin. But He did His own thing. He didn’t act the way people expected Him to act. He didn’t hang out with the people others expected Him to hang out with. He may not have even looked the way people expected Him to look. The people were expecting a powerful king, not some carpenter-turned-teacher who was leading around a sketchy group of followers. You might even call Him the misfit Messiah.
That’s good news for us! You can be exactly who you are, and God will love you. You don’t have to look perfect. You don’t have to act perfect. You don’t have to be perfect at all. You just have to believe that Jesus—who was perfect—was the Son of God and that He died for your sins (your imperfections). That’s all that matters to Him!
Jesus, thank You for Your love and grace. Thank You that I don’t have to be perfect and that You love me and accept me just the way I am.
Take This with You
Even though I’m not perfect, God still loves me.
3
You Are Royalty!
The LORD will hold you in his hand for all to see—a splendid crown in the hand of God.
—Isaiah 62:3
Have you ever dreamed of living in a castle and having an entire kingdom to call your own? It would be fun to be royalty, wouldn’t it?
Actually, you probably are royalty! People who study the history of families have figured out that every person on earth is no doubt descended from one royal person or another. You are royalty and don’t even know it! I bet you had no idea you have the blood of some king or queen flowing through your veins.
What’s even better, if you believe in Jesus and are a part of His family, you’re part of the greatest royal family ever. You’re descended not just from any old king but from the King of kings.
It’s pretty amazing to realize you’re part of the royal family of God, isn’t it? And, even better, you can personally know the King himself. Jesus tells us, I love you. I want to be your Savior. I want to save you from your sins. You are important to My heart.