Seventh-Day Devotional For Children: “Following Rules Isn’t Enough”

DAILY BREAD – DEVOTIONAL FOR CHILDREN

EASTERN NIGERIA UNION CONFERENCE CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES

Monday, November 20, 2023

Topic: Following rules isn’t enough.

So tell those people that they are wrong. You must be strict with them. Then they will become strong in the faith and stop accepting Jewish stories. And they will stop following the commands of others who do not accept the truth. To those who are pure, all things are pure. But to those who are full of sin and do not believe, nothing is pure. The thinking of those people has become evil and their knowledge of what is right has been ruined. They say they know God, but the evil things they do show that they do not accept God. They are terrible people, they refuse to obey, and they are useless for doing anything good. Titus 1:13-16

Religion can be a beautiful thing, but unfortunately, some people use it as a way to judge and condemn others. They believe that following a set of rules and regulations is the only way to be a good person and earn God’s favor. However, this is not what true faith is all about. In the Bible, we learn that it is not our actions or adherence to rules that make us good, but rather it is God’s grace and love that transforms us. We cannot earn our way into heaven or God’s favor by simply following a set of rules. Instead, we must open our hearts to God’s love and allow Him to change us from the inside out. Jesus himself showed us that being religious does not make us good. He spent time with sinners and outcasts, showing them love and compassion. He taught us to love our neighbors as ourselves and to treat others with kindness and respect. As followers of Jesus, we must strive to live out these teachings in our daily lives. We must show love and kindness to everyone we meet, regardless of their beliefs or actions. We must focus on God and allow His love to transform us into the people He created us to be.Let us pray that God will help us to be kind and loving to others, and that He will help us to focus on Him instead of just following rules.

Thought for Reflection
Have you ever done something that you thought was good, but deep down you were really doing it just for yourself?
What could you have done to make sure you were doing it for the right reasons and to help others?

Song
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost,
but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.

Prayer
Dear God, we come before you today asking for your help. Please help us to be kind and loving to others, just as you have shown us. Help us to focus on you and not just on following rules. Thank you for your love and grace, which transform us from the inside out. In Jesus name, Amen.