Day 2: The Challenge of Holiness

CONNECT

What does a home look like?

• On a sheet of paper, parents will draw a simple floor plan of their home.
• Have each family member write down in each room the feelings they experience while in that room (joy, peace, happiness, etc.)
• Kids can also draw stuff in each room using pencils or crayons.
• Once done, parents will explain that all the written experiences are what defines their home.

READ THE WORD

Once you were not a people. But now you are the people of God. Once you had not received mercy. But now you have received mercy. Dear friends, you are outsiders and those who wander in this world. So I’m asking you not to give in to your sinful desires. They fight against your soul. 1 Peter 2:10–11

We originally belonged to this world, following its ways and giving in to our sinful desires. We were not part of God’s people. However, because of God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, we have become part of God’s people, His very own family. Our home is with God.

As God’s people, we are now described as outsiders and wanderers in this world. While we may live on this earth right now, we are just passing through. One day, we will be in our eternal home with God.

Knowing this truth, we should not live as the world does. While we are here on earth with everything in it calling out to us, we are not to give in to the world’s ways and follow sinful desires. Until Christ returns, we must live as redeemed and holy people in a fallen world.

HUDDLE

Parents to Kids

2–6 years old

• Name some things that last forever. Why do you think so?

7–12 years old

• What area of your life do you struggle to live with holiness? What are some of the things that hinder you from obeying God?

Kids to Parents

• How can we live according to God’s call when there are so many temptations around us?

Living set apart for God while living in this world is not easy. It is a daily battle that each of us face. But God grants us grace and mercy to say no to sin, to reject worldly desires, and to live with holiness as He called us to. He has given us His word to renew our minds and to guide us. He has blessed us with a spiritual community to help strengthen and encourage us. Most importantly, He has given us the Holy Spirit to be with us always and to empower us to live holy.

PRAY

Dear God, thank You for Your holiness and for Your call for us to live holy lives. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, help us to have the courage to reject our sinful desires and all the temptations that come from this world. Give us wisdom to make the right choices so that we can live in holiness. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

DISCOVER

Here are some benefits of living a holy life:

1. We become able to live out God’s purposes for us. (2 Timothy 2:20–26)
2. When others see the holiness of God in us, it causes them to glorify Him. (1 Peter 2:9–12)
3. We please God and produce fruit. (Ephesians 5:1–17)

Source

Howard, Kathy. “5 Benefits of Living a Holy Life." KathyHoward: Unshakeable Faith for Life. July 19, 2021.