In our family devotions, we desire to deepen our children’s understanding of God in a way that connects with their hearts and shapes their lives. Studying the Bible through a “God-sized lens” will help us understand who God is and how He acts in our world. This approach will also change how our children view themselves, their blessings, and their purpose.
Sharing the Bible through a “God-sized” lens is not difficult. In our family devotions, we can consistently frame every story with these truths:
-God is the main character of every story.
-God is always at work to make Himself known.
-God blesses His people for a greater purpose that includes others.
Bible Story
Jesus took His disciples to the region of the Gerasenes where many Gentiles lived. There, they encountered a demon-possessed man living among the tombs, isolated from his family and community. Multiple demons caused him to fly into uncontrollable rages and injure himself. Jesus cast out the demons, leaving the man calm and in his right mind.
Longing to follow Jesus, the man begged to journey with Him. But Jesus said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (v. 19) Jesus did not heal this man because of his race or religious background, but out of mercy. Jesus desired for this story of God’s mercy to spread to other Gentiles-the family, friends, and local community of the healed man.
Bible: Read Mark 5:1-20 with your family. Then do this activity together.
Family Activity
You will need: paper for drawing; crayons, colored pencils, or markers
Give each child a piece of paper. Have them fold the paper in half to make two columns. Label one column “Without Jesus” and the other column “With Jesus”. As a family, discuss how the demon-possessed man changed after Jesus healed him (his home, dress, behavior, emotions, and interactions with other people). Invite your children to draw before and after pictures of the man and his surroundings. Use their pictures to talk about the complete transformation that Jesus brings.
Use a “God-sized” lens in this family devotion. How did Jesus’ refusal to let the healed man join Him demonstrate God’s mercy to others who did not yet know Him? Pray that as unreached people come to know Jesus, they will be bold in sharing what God has done for them with others.
Learn More
For a year’s worth of family devotions that focus on God’s blessing and purpose, download One Big Story.
Help you children engage with God’s Word in an ongoing way using the Bible App for Kids. Download this free app and parent discussion guide.
