SRC, Week 6: Time Travel Devotional (Finale!)

Other Summer Reading Challenge posts: Introduction,

Week One: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. 

Week Two: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional. 

Week Three: off

Week Four: 1) Kids. 2) Teens, 3) Devotional.

Week Five: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional.

Week Six: 1) Kids, 2) Teens, 3) Devotional.

TIME TRAVEL DEVOTIONAL #5:  Jesus, the Time-Redeemer

Memory Verse

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ–by grace you have been saved–and raised us up with him and seated us together with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. –Ephesians 2:4-7

Bible Reading: Ephesians 3-4

Read-Aloud Introduction

Activity prop: Retrieve your time capsule and set it before the kids…but no opening just yet!

Welcome to the future!  Remember at the beginning of the summer, when we set out as time travelers? Do you remember when we packed this time capsule?  Can you remember what’s inside?

At the beginning of the summer, we read part of Ephesians.  That’s where God told us about an inheritance he’s prepared for us. Remember what “inheritance” means?  It’s a treasure that’s yours, but you often have to wait to get it.

This time capsule is kind of like that.  We knew it was ours.  We knew it was waiting for us.  But we couldn’t have it right away.  That is kind of like our inheritance in Christ.  He has bought us a treasure.  Do you know how big that treasure is?  It’s actually the whole world–and not just this broken, sad world.  He’s going to give us a new, perfect, happy, wonderful world.  And more importantly, we will be with Him forever.

Just like this time capsule, though, God has told us we’ll have to wait to get all those treasures.  Day by day, He will give us what we need until we finally inherit all that is ours in Christ.  And if we really believe He has great things waiting for us, we will be filled with hope no matter what happens.  And that’s really what the rest of Ephesians is about: if we know He loves us and has a treasure waiting for us, we will be able to live in a way that pleases Him and not just ourselves.

As you open your time capsule today, think about how God has used time to bless you this summer. How has he kept you safe and shown you His love?  Ask God to help you trust Him each day as you time travel to the end of history and our full inheritance in Christ.

How has God worked through this devotional in your family?  Any insights you’d like to share?  Thanks so much for joining us!  And don’t forget to check back next week to let us know if your kids completed the challenge (read 3 of the 5 books) and earn a chance to win the $100 Amazon gift card!