Summer of Joy – Week 13

Josh WannerSummer of Joy

Week Thirteen: The Joy of Weakness
Chapter 16 of A Little Book on Joy
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Introduction to Week Thirteen

Welcome to Redeemer’s Summer of Joy and to our theme for week thirteen: The Joy of Weakness.

Jesus teaches us the joy of humility this week. When the disciples ask him if the number to be saved will be many or few, Jesus explains that door is “narrow” rather than wide. He says that many who are first will be last, and the last first.

This week we look at the reality that true joy comes not for the one who thinks he deserves it. True joy comes to the last and lowliest of this world – those who cling to Jesus by faith – no matter how insignificant they may seem. This is a hard teaching for the world to accept, but followers of Jesus recognize that true joy is found not in their own strength, but rather in weakness!

How to Use This Resource

Choose three days of the week to spend time with God using this resource. You can pick up each week’s printed copy at church or find it online at growsharecare.org/joy.

Each day’s devotion includes seven parts. Some are designed more for adults, and others for kids. Items marked with an asterisk* are primarily for families with kids.

Here are the seven parts included in each devotion:

  1. Read: Passages to look over in the Bible or a book
  2. Remember: A weekly verse to memorize
  3. Consider: Questions to think about and discuss
  4. Act: A suggested response to the day’s topic
  5. Discuss: Discussion-starters for the family
  6. Relate: A fun activity for the family
  7. Close: A closing prayer or hymn

May our Lord fill your summer with His joy!

Week Thirteen Reading
Day One: My Weakness; God’s Power
Read

Read Isaiah 66:18-23.

Remember

(Jesus said) “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it”– John 11:4.

Consider
  1. Read Is. 66:18, and Ps. 139:1-4. How well does God know you? Does He understand how weak you are?
  2. What do the final phrases of verses 18 and 19 say? How does one lead to the other? How do you think God’s power contributes to His glory?
  3. How is verse 18 fulfilled in Acts 2:1-11? When will verse 22 be fulfilled (see Rev. 21:1)? Does God do His work in these verses through our strength or His?
Apply

Think of a time you depended on God’s power to see you through. In what way are Paul’s words true: “When I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:10)?

Discuss*
  1. What’s one of the most amazing things you ever saw? Have you told your friends about it?
  2. What do you think are some amazing things about God? Have you told friends about those?
Relate*

Can you lift yourself up in the air? Try it. What if you ask an adult to help? How high can they lift you? Talk about how God’s power can help you when you need it.

Close

Ask God to help you rely on His strength, not yours.

Day Two: My Weakness; God’s Peace
Read

Read Hebrews 12:4-24.

Remember

(Jesus said) “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it”– John 11:4.

Consider
  1. In Hebrews 12:6, who does God say He disciplines? According to v. 11, what does God’s righteousness give us in our relationship with Him?
  2. Because we have peace with God, what can we strive for with others (v. 14)? According to the first part of v. 15, what is the goal of that striving?
  3. What feeling comes across when you read vs. 18-21? How is the feeling of vs. 22-24 different? How did Jesus pay for our peace (v. 24)?
Apply

Consider: The power of God is amazing, but if He was not also loving, where would that power leave you?

Discuss*
  1. What’s easier – being nice to someone others are being mean to, or being mean along with the others?
  2. What did Jesus do to give you peace with God? Was that easy for Him? Why did He do it?
Relate*

For one day, keep track of how many nice things you do for other people. Can you do more the next day?

Close

Thank Jesus for sacrificing His life to give you peace. Offer your life to be used by Him.

Day Three:  My Weakness; God’s Presence
Read

Read Luke 13:22-30.

Remember

(Jesus said) “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it”– John 11:4.

Consider
  1. According to Luke 13:26-27, is it possible to be seen “eating with Jesus” without actually knowing Jesus? How might people be confused about that today?
  2. In vs. 29-30, who will eat with Jesus in paradise?
Apply

What does it mean to be one of the “last” who will be first? How’s that relate to our topic, Joy in Weakness?

Discuss*

What’s your favorite restaurant? Why do you think Jesus sometimes describes heaven like a big banquet?

Relate*

Grab a broom handle and play a game of Limbo. Talk about how hard it would be to squeeze into heaven without Jesus to welcome you in.

Close

Praise God that through Jesus, He knows and loves you.

The topics and weekly readings are from A Little Book on Joy: The Secret of Living a Good News Life in a Bad News World, by Matthew C. Harrison, published 2011 by Concordia Publishing House.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible® (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bible, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.