Abide | Midyear Prayer and Fasting (Family Devotional)Sample

The Word of God Is Like Fire

CONNECT

As a safety precaution, make sure that the kids are at a safe distance for the activity.

Have an adult boil water in a kettle or covered pot. As it begins to boil, observe it and share your thoughts about what is happening. (For example, the lid starts to rattle, steam comes out, water is bubbling, etc.)

The heat or fire causes the molecules in the water to start moving and become gas. That is what usually happens when heat or fire is applied. Things get stirred up.

In people, when we usually say someone is on fire, it is like the person is excited or passionate about something.

READ THE WORD

This was what the prophet Jeremiah felt in Jeremiah 20:9:

If I say, “I will not mention him, or speak any more in his name,” there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot. Jeremiah 20:9

Jeremiah was called by God to be a prophet. He experienced much rejection when he delivered the message of God to people. Even when he was deeply hurt, he faithfully served as God’s messenger to spread His word to people. He did this because God’s word was in him. No matter how much he was rejected by people, he could not contain God’s word in his heart. He just had to tell others about it. Sometimes being the bearer of news that people do not want to hear is hard, but Jeremiah continued to obey God.

The same thing happened to Jesus’ disciples after He appeared to them on the road to Emmaus:

They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?” And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem. And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread. Luke 24:32–35

For those people who have encountered Jesus, they cannot contain the good news to themselves. They have to share it with other people. That is the power of God’s word! It cannot be hidden. And when we have it in us, it will compel us to let people know God's amazing love for them. And who knows? That may be the exact message they need to hear!

HUDDLE

Parent to Kids

4–6 years old

• Was there a time you were so excited to share some good news to your friends that you couldn’t wait any longer to tell them? Share your experience.

7–12 years old

• Do you find it hard to keep good news to yourself? Why or why not?

Kids to Parents

• Why is it important to tell others about the gospel?
• How has God’s word changed your heart?

God’s word has the power to change lives. The more we deposit it in our hearts, the more we will feel that it is not something we can just keep to ourselves!

Do you feel this fire burning in you? Ask the Holy Spirit to ignite your heart and give you the passion to tell others about God.

PRAY

Dear God, thank You for reminding us that Your word is powerful and true, and we should be willing to be used by You in order to deliver Your word to people. Help us to always abide in You. May Your word be in our hearts like a fire shut up in our bones. Give us courage and strength to share Your word with love and boldness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

DISCOVER

Did you know that the prophet Jeremiah was one of the youngest prophets in the Bible?

Jeremiah 1:4–8 says:

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” “Alas, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. Jeremiah 1:4–8 (NIV)

God can speak to us, no matter how young or old we are. The question is: are you listening to Him?