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Devoted

Week of: March 1, 2026

Family Devotional Guide

This Week's Sermon

“Habits of Belonging: Walking with God and His People”

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for inviting us to belong to You and to Your church. As we gather now, quiet our hearts and our minds. Help us listen to Your voice, understand Your Word, and be willing to grow new habits that help us love You and love others. Be with us as we talk, think, and pray together. Amen.

Scripture Reading

Hebrews 10:24–25 (NIV)

Context

Hebrews was written to Christians who were under pressure and discouragement. Many were Jewish believers who had trusted in Jesus but were now tempted to:
  • Drift back to old ways of worship (the temple, sacrifices, etc.), or
  • Pull away from the church community because following Jesus was costly.
In Hebrews 10, the writer has just explained that Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is once for all—far better than the old sacrifices. Because of Jesus, believers now:
  • Have confidence to come into God’s presence (10:19–22)
  • Have their hearts cleansed and their sins forgiven (10:17–18)
On the basis of this, Hebrews gives three “let us” responses (10:22–25):
  1. Let us draw near to God (v. 22) – devotion.
  2. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess (v. 23) – perseverance.
  3. Let us consider how we may spur one another on (vv. 24–25) – fellowship.
Verses 24–25 focus on this third response: how believers are to treat one another in community

Exposition

  • “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…”
    • “Let us consider” means think carefully, be intentional. Loving community doesn’t happen by accident; we’re told to plan how to help each other grow.
    • “Spur one another on” is a strong word—like stirring up, provoking, or nudging. The idea is not nagging, but motivating and inspiring one another.
    • The target is “love and good deeds.” In other words, the goal of Christian community is not just hanging out, but helping each other become people who love well and do good in the world.
  • “…not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing…”
    • Some believers had started to stop gathering with the church, likely because of hardship, fear, or distraction.
    • The writer calls this a habit—it’s something they were starting to do regularly. Just as good habits form us, neglecting fellowship also forms us, in the wrong direction.
    • The command implies that meeting together is essential, not optional, for a healthy Christian life. We can’t fully grow into people of “love and good deeds” in isolation.
  • “…but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
    • The positive alternative to giving up meeting is “encouraging one another.”
    • Encouragement here means strengthening each other’s faith, reminding one another of God’s promises, and helping one another keep going.
    • “The Day” refers to the future day when Jesus returns and God completes His work in the world. As that Day gets closer, life may get harder and more confusing—so we need one another even more, not less.

Discussion Questions

You can choose a few questions based on your family's ages.
  1. According to the sermon, what is Jesus trying to form in us through the church? (Hint: people who love… whom?)
  2. The pastor said, “Habits don’t earn God’s love; they train us to love.”
  3. What’s the difference between trying to earn love and being trained to love?
  4. Think about the “balance bike” picture.
    • What does it feel like to be new at something, like a toddler learning to ride?
    • How is that like learning new spiritual habits (prayer, Bible, church, community group)?
  5. Why is spending regular time with Jesus (devotion) so important?
  6. What can happen in our hearts when we slow down with Him each day?
  7. Why is meeting with God’s people (fellowship—Sundays and smaller groups) important?
  8. What happens to “coals” (or people) that stay together? What happens when they’re alone?
  9. The pastor said our phones and busyness can pull us away from God and people.
  10. What are some things that tend to distract our family from time with Jesus or church?
  11. Which feels easier for you right now:
    • Spending time alone with Jesus each day, or
    • Showing up regularly with God’s people (church/community)?
    • Why?
  12. What is one small “baby step” habit each of us could start this week to love God or others better?

Reflection

  • For Young Children: 
    • Explain simply:
      • God loves spending time with you, just like Mommy or Daddy loves time with you.
      • When we pray, sing, or listen to a Bible story, we are sitting with Jesus.
      • When we come to church and see our church friends, we are like little coals in a big fire. Together we shine brighter and warmer.
    • Ask:
      • When do you like to talk to Jesus—morning, bedtime, or another time?
      • Who at church helps you feel loved and happy to be there?
    • Encourage:
      “Even a little bit of time with Jesus each day is like taking a little ride on your balance bike. The more you do it, the easier and more fun it becomes.”
  • For Older Children: 
    • Explain:
      • Habits are things we do over and over—like brushing our teeth or doing homework.
      • The pastor said our brains and hearts are shaped by what we do repeatedly, not just by what we intend to do.
      • Spiritual habits—like reading the Bible, praying, going to church, and being in a small group—don’t make God love us more. They help us love God and people more.
    • Ask:
      • What is one habit you already have that helps you know God better?
      • What is one habit you have that might be pulling you away from God or people?
      • What might change about you over time if you practiced spending a little time with Jesus almost every day?
    • Encourage:
      “Think of each habit like a vote for the kind of person you are becoming. Every time you choose to open your Bible, talk to God, or show up at church, you’re choosing to become a person who loves God and others more deeply.”
  • For Teens: 
    • Explain:
      • The sermon connected science and faith: habits literally reshape our brains and our sense of identity.
      • “Every habit is a vote for the kind of person you want to be.” That’s true spiritually too.
      • Two major habits highlighted:
        1. Devotion – walking with God daily (silence, Scripture, prayer, worship).
        2. Fellowship – walking with God’s people weekly (Sunday worship, community groups, friendships).
    • Reflect:
      • Who are you becoming, based on your current habits (phone use, entertainment, friendships, spiritual practices)?
      • Which spiritual habit feels like a “balance bike” for you—new, wobbly, maybe a little embarrassing? Which one feels like riding a full bike with pedals?
      • The pastor said the Northwest (and many places) treat church casually—maybe once or twice a month, even among “strong” Christians.
        How do you feel about that? Does it challenge you? Annoy you? Seem normal?
      • If you truly believed God meets you and transforms you when you’re alone with Him and when you’re with His people, how might that change your weekly schedule?
    • Encourage:
      “You have real agency. You’re not stuck. You don’t have to wait for a spiritual ‘feeling’ to become more like Jesus. Small, repeated choices—5 minutes with Jesus, choosing church over convenience, investing in real Christian friendships—will form you into a person who can love God, people, and the world more deeply.”

Activity

“Balance Bikes and Burning Coals”
Goal: Show that small, repeated habits (like a balance bike) and staying together (like coals) help us grow in love for God and people.
Materials
  • A small bike or scooter or a picture of a balance bike (anything with the idea of learning to ride)
  • A bunch of small objects to represent “coals” (scrunched-up pieces of paper, coins, Lego bricks, or small stones)
  • A clear space on the floor or a table
Step 1: The “Balance Bike” Part
  1. Show the bike/scooter or picture.
    • Ask: “How does a little kid learn to ride? Are they perfect the first time?”
    • Let younger kids briefly sit on the bike or pretend to “scoot.”
  2. Explain:
    • “This is like starting a spiritual habit. At first, it feels awkward. We may ‘fall off’ or forget. That’s okay. God is not mad; He’s a loving Father cheering us on.”
  3. Ask each family member:
    • “What is one small habit with Jesus you could start this week, like a little ride on the balance bike?”
      (Examples: 5 minutes of Bible reading, saying thank-you to God at bedtime, one worship song in the morning, praying at 3:20 p.m. with Ephesians 3:20.)
Write these down on a sheet of paper or in a shared note.
Step 2: The “Coals Together” Part
  1. Spread the “coals” (paper balls / Legos / coins) far apart on the floor or table.
    • Explain: “Each piece is like a person. When we’re all scattered, we’re like coals not touching—hard to stay ‘hot’ in our faith.”
  2. Now gather all the pieces into a tight pile in the middle.
    • Explain: “When coals are together, they share heat. That’s what happens when we gather at church, in a community group, or with Christian friends—our love for God and each other grows hotter and stronger.”
  3. Ask:
    • “What are ways our family can ‘pile together’ like this during the week?”
      (Ideas: regular Sunday worship, one family devotional night, inviting someone from church for lunch, joining or starting a small group, sitting together at church and staying a little longer to talk.)
  4. As a simple “family commitment,” let everyone pick up one of the “coals” and say out loud one way they want to stay connected to God’s people this month.

Action Step Prayer

“Lord Jesus, thank You that You love us first and that we don’t have to earn Your love. Thank You for giving us habits that help us grow—like spending time with You and meeting with Your people. Please show each of us one small step we can take this week: a few minutes each day to be with You, and a real choice to show up with Your people. Give us courage to start, even if we feel like wobbly toddlers on a balance bike. Help us not to stay scattered like lonely coals, but to come together so our love for You and others can burn bright. Holy Spirit, remind us during the week and give us the strength to follow through. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Takeaway

Jesus is forming us into people who truly love God, one another, and the world.
We grow into those people not by good intentions, but by simple, repeated habits: walking with God daily and walking with God’s people weekly.

Closing Prayer

“Father God, thank You for being with our family as we listened, talked, and planned together. Thank You that wherever we go this week—home, school, work, or church—You are with us. Help us remember that every small habit is a step toward becoming people who love like Jesus. Remind us to slow down to be with You, and to keep showing up with Your people, even when we’re busy or distracted. Protect our hearts from shame and discouragement. When we stumble or forget, gently pick us up and put us back on the ‘balance bike’ again. Fill our home with Your presence, Your peace, and Your love throughout this week. We entrust ourselves to You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”