Week 9: Jesus Opens Minds and Hearts

Editor’s Note: Every Friday from now until Easter, we’re bringing you a series of family devotions from Barbara Reaoch who is passionate about getting the Word into the hearts and homes of families like yours. Peruse this week’s content here, and then scroll down to the bottom to download your free, printable pdf of these devos, as well as any you may have missed. We’re looking forward to getting the Word into our homes with you! —Laura Elliott, Managing Editor

WEEK 9: Jesus Opens Minds and Hearts

READ: Luke 24:33–43

What did Jesus want his friends to know? Jesus wanted His friends to know He had truly risen from the dead. His friend Cleopas and even Peter had seen Jesus. Then Jesus came right into the room with them all. Jesus didn’t expect them to believe a fairytale. Jesus gave them enough proof to believe. He showed them His real body—He even ate fish! Now they knew that all Jesus had told them was true. We, too, can believe Jesus. He has the power to do everything He said. Jesus has the power to forgive sin, just as He said.

TALK ABOUT IT

What did Jesus want His friends to know?
How can we know Jesus is really alive?
Have you believed Jesus really lived, really died and really rose from the dead?

DAY 2

READ: Luke 24:44–45

How did Jesus’ friends finally know the Truth about Him? Jesus opened their minds so they could know the Truth. Jesus had told them He must die and be raised to life. Jesus gave them proof that He was alive. But they had not yet believed. Jesus’ friends could not understand until Jesus opened their minds and hearts. We might read the Bible. We can even memorize Bible verses. But sin closes the door of our minds and hearts to God. When Jesus opens our minds and hearts, we believe what the Bible teaches about Him.

TALK ABOUT IT

How did Jesus’ friends finally know the Truth about Him?
Why do we not understand and believe the Truth of the Bible on our own?
When have you asked Jesus to help you believe the Truth of who He is and what He has done for you?

DAY 3

READ: Luke 24:46–49

What did Jesus tell his friends next? Jesus told them to go and tell people everywhere that God can forgive their sin. As people hear that Jesus died for them and rose again, God opens hearts to believe. People turn from loving only themselves to loving Jesus who loved them first. Repentance means that as we turn to come to Jesus, we turn away from our sin. Sin holds our minds in fear, but Jesus fills our hearts with peace. Jesus promised to help His friends tell others about Him. God’s children tell others about Jesus with His help.

TALK ABOUT IT

Why did Jesus tell his friends to go and tell people about Him?
What does repentance mean?
Have you told a friend about Jesus? Did you ask Jesus for help?

PRAY: Jesus, please open my mind and heart to believe the Truth about You. I admit that I love myself way too much. I realize now that You are the one worth loving with my whole heart. Help me see who You want me to reach out to and talk with about You.

DAY 4

WHO IS GOD? GOD IS THE CREATOR

God created everything out of nothing (Gen. 1:1). God the Father through the Son and with the Spirit created all things (Col. 1:15–16). On the seventh day, when God completed creation, He rested (Gen. 2:1–3). The seventh day—Sabbath—was a time for God’s friends to rest and enjoy His friendship (Ex. 20:8–11). Adam and Eve sinned and gave up God’s friendship for themselves and for us all. Sin closes the door of our minds and hearts to God (2 Cor. 4:4). Jesus’ friends could not understand until Jesus opened their minds and hearts (Eph. 1:17–21). We might read the Bible. We can even memorize Bible verses. But nothing we do can create friendship with God (Gen. 3:21–24). Only through Jesus can God forgive us. Jesus, the Creator King, died on the Cross and rose again so we might believe Him and be God’s friends (Titus 3:5–6). Jesus, the Creator of the Sabbath and all things, says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest”(Matt. 11:28).

ACTIVITY: To be in awe of something means we are amazed and filled with wonder. The more we learn about God—who He is—the more we will be in awe of Him. List all the attributes of God you’ve learned in the Luke lessons. Discuss what you remember about who God is. Write a letter to God to say how you feel when you think about who He is.

MEMORY VERSE: Luke 24:44–45 [Jesus] said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.