AIO Team - 90 Devotions for Kids in Matthew. Life-Changing Values from the Book of Matthew

90 Devotions for Kids, Volume 2

2014 Focus on the Family

ISBN: 978-1-58997-677-1

A Focus on the Family book published by

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. All Scripture quotations marked ( NI R V ) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Readers Version, NIrV Copyright 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. www.zondervan.com. Scripture quotations marked ( NKJV ) are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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Editor: Marianne Hering

Cover design by Jacqueline L. Nuez

Cover illustration and interior illustrations of characters by Gary Locke

Interior design by Lexie Rhodes

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ISBN 978-1-62405-434-1 (ePub); ISBN 978-1-62405-435-8 (Kindle); ISBN 978-1-62405-433-4 (Apple)

Build: 2014-02-04 14:29:48

How to Use These Devotions

W elcome to the 90 Devotions for Kids from the book of Matthew. Im excited to be going through the life of Jesus with you for the next three months.

This book takes you through the entire book of Matthew. There are only a handful of verses that we skipped, and the devotionals go pretty much in the same order as the biblical text. If you are younger than age nine, I recommend that you go through this devotional with your parents. There are some difficult verses to understand, and your parents will probably do a fantastic job explaining them to you. If you decide to do the lessons without your parents, make sure you write down any questions you might have and ask someone later. I wouldnt want you to go too long with a question on your mind.

Its very important that you read the Scripture passage before you go through each devotional. Every day makes a reference to the Bible reading, and so the devotional by itself may not make sense without it. One of your goals in reading this book is to begin the habit of reading your Bible every day, if youre not already. Studying the Word of God daily is a key to growing in your relationship with Jesus.

Hopefully this book will be helpful in giving you the big picture about Jesus life. Sometimes we know random stories and verses, but its also beneficial to learn about the entire life of Jesus, in order, from His beautiful birth to His roller-coaster ministry to His agonizing death to His glorious resurrection. (Oops! I gave away the ending!) By the end of these ninety days, I hope you can learn to appreciate our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, even more.

John Avery Whittaker

Devo 1

One Messy Family Tree

Read Matthew 1:117.

W ally Haggler wants to do what is right. But sometimes he thinks he cant, because his family is full of convicted criminals. In the Adventures in Odyssey episode The Green Ring Conspiracy, Part I (album 53), Wally learns that even though he cant control the actions of his relatives, he can choose to take charge of his life and do good things.

Wally isnt the only one with a family full of unsavory and shady characters. Even Jesus had some shady characters in His family. Todays Scripture passage contains a record of Jesus ancestors. Its more than a list of funny names that are difficult to pronounce. God put that list in the Bible because He wanted to show us something important about Jesus ancestors.

All the people on that list played a part in many Old Testament stories. Some of these people were heroes, and some were disappointments. Some were good and honorable. Others were known for lying, cheating, disobeying God, and even committing murder.

It makes you wonder why God would want His perfect Son to come from a family tree with rotten branches. Wouldnt God want Jesus family to be filled with perfect people who were known for doing wonderful things?

But thats not the way God works. He uses imperfect people to carry out His purposes in the world. He also brings good from bad situations. Jesus came in all His goodness and glory to bring hope to a messy world starting with a messy manger in a messy stable.

Jesus lineage shows us that God can do amazing things, no matter what. He can use far-from-perfect people to make His perfect plans come about.

Loquacious Learning with Eugene

One of Jesus most well-known ancestors was King David. He was known for being a courageous man who loved God. (Remember the story about David and Goliath in the Bible? David used a slingshot and the power of God to kill the disreputable Philistine.) David was even called a man after [Gods] own heart (1 Samuel 13:14). And yet this same man plotted the murder of a loyal soldier named Uriah so he could marry Uriahs wife! That isnt exactly the kind of behavior youd expect from a king who said he followed God, is it? But God forgave David when he repented of his sins. Davids life is a beautiful example of how God can bring good from our mistakes if we ask His forgiveness.

Daily Challenge

Ask your parents to tell you stories about your grandparents or even your great-grandparents. Talk about what you can learn from the wise choices and mistakes your relatives have made.