Family Worship (May 11)
Gospel Movement
Being Faithful is Hard
Have you ever done the right thing, but still got treated badly? Maybe you told the truth and someone didn’t believe you. Or you tried to help, but someone got mad. That doesn’t feel fair, does it?
That’s exactly what happened to Paul in our story today. He obeyed God and tried to show love, but people still attacked him. Why? Because sometimes being faithful means we’ll suffer. That doesn’t mean we’re alone or doing something wrong.
In fact, that’s exactly what happened to Jesus. Jesus never sinned. He always did what was right. But He was hurt, hated, and even killed on a cross. He did that for us—so we could be forgiven and loved forever. When we suffer for doing what’s right, we remember that Jesus suffered too. And because He rose again, He gives us the strength and grace to keep going.
Being faithful is hard—but Jesus is with us.
Acts 21:30–33, NIV
The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple… While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops… The soldiers stopped the beating. The commander came up and arrested Paul and ordered him to be bound with two chains.
Discussion Questions
Activity: “Follow the Leader—Even When It’s Hard”
Instructions: Play a game of “Follow the Leader,” but add some silly or tricky parts—like hopping, crawling, or spinning. After the game, talk about how sometimes following Jesus is fun… but other times it’s hard.
Talk About It:
Remind your family: Jesus obeyed God all the way to the cross—for us. He understands our pain. And He gives us grace to keep following Him, even when it’s hard.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, Thank You that You were faithful even when it was hard. You suffered so that we could be forgiven and know God’s love. Help us remember that we don’t earn Your love by being brave—you already gave it to us as a gift. Give us courage to follow You and trust You, no matter what. We need Your grace every day. Amen.
Memory Work
New City Catechism
19. Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favor?
Yes, to satisfy his justice, God himself, out of mere mercy, reconciles us to himself and delivers us from sin and from the punishment for sin, by a Redeemer.
Memory Verse
Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
Have you ever done the right thing, but still got treated badly? Maybe you told the truth and someone didn’t believe you. Or you tried to help, but someone got mad. That doesn’t feel fair, does it?
That’s exactly what happened to Paul in our story today. He obeyed God and tried to show love, but people still attacked him. Why? Because sometimes being faithful means we’ll suffer. That doesn’t mean we’re alone or doing something wrong.
In fact, that’s exactly what happened to Jesus. Jesus never sinned. He always did what was right. But He was hurt, hated, and even killed on a cross. He did that for us—so we could be forgiven and loved forever. When we suffer for doing what’s right, we remember that Jesus suffered too. And because He rose again, He gives us the strength and grace to keep going.
Being faithful is hard—but Jesus is with us.
Acts 21:30–33, NIV
The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple… While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops… The soldiers stopped the beating. The commander came up and arrested Paul and ordered him to be bound with two chains.
Discussion Questions
- Did Paul do something wrong in this story? Why did people still hurt him?
- How does this remind us of what happened to Jesus?
- What does Jesus give us when doing the right thing is hard?
Activity: “Follow the Leader—Even When It’s Hard”
Instructions: Play a game of “Follow the Leader,” but add some silly or tricky parts—like hopping, crawling, or spinning. After the game, talk about how sometimes following Jesus is fun… but other times it’s hard.
Talk About It:
- What makes it hard to follow a leader?
- What makes it hard to follow Jesus sometimes?
- Who followed God perfectly, even when it meant suffering?
Remind your family: Jesus obeyed God all the way to the cross—for us. He understands our pain. And He gives us grace to keep following Him, even when it’s hard.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, Thank You that You were faithful even when it was hard. You suffered so that we could be forgiven and know God’s love. Help us remember that we don’t earn Your love by being brave—you already gave it to us as a gift. Give us courage to follow You and trust You, no matter what. We need Your grace every day. Amen.
Memory Work
New City Catechism
19. Is there any way to escape punishment and be brought back into God’s favor?
Yes, to satisfy his justice, God himself, out of mere mercy, reconciles us to himself and delivers us from sin and from the punishment for sin, by a Redeemer.
Memory Verse
Proverbs 30:5
Every word of God proves true; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
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