Luke 18:15-17 Children and Blessing and Heaven
Format for Your Devotions
Instructions: Do not read my example devotion until you have completed your own devotional time in the scriptures. Reading my thoughts first may limit your own understanding. Let the Holy Spirit speak to you alone before looking to see what anyone else has to say, whether it is me, a Bible commentary, or a friend. Let God speak to you before you let another person speak to you. I have provided a format, but modify it to fit your needs. For example, I usually combine my application and prayer together talking to God about the application to my own life. You can go through this devotion process mentally, speaking out loud, or in writing as you wish. Don’t worry if you are not following this process exactly. Sometimes, I add extra information and sometimes I emphasize one part more than others. However, you should always think about what you learn about God from this passage.
Step 1: Pray–Ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance first of all and that God may reveal the lessons that He wants you to have that day. Request that God protect you from Satan’s distractions (and the devil will try to distract you whether it is pinching the baby or putting you to sleep). Ask to see God more clearly as you read and think about the passage.
Step 2: Read the passage–Read to get an overview of the information first. Then start looking at specific parts after the first reading. You may read a larger or smaller section than I have here because you do not have to follow my organization at all.
Step 3: Understand the passage–You can summarize, ask and answer your own questions about the passage, visualize the story, analyze the characters, and relate this passage to other scriptures and personal experiences.
Step 4: What does this reveal about God?–What do you learn about the Father, Son, and/or Holy Spirit from this passage?
Step 5: Apply this to your own life.
Step 6: Prayer
My Example Devotion: October 20, 2018 Luke 18:15-17
Note: In the devotion examples, I leave my questions and thought processes in the text because I am trying to demonstrate that a devotional time is a dialogue with God about what you are reading from His word. As such, any questions or ideas that you have should be explored by talking it out with God. These example devotions are not my attempts to teach you what the meaning of a particular scripture is. They are an attempt to teach you the process of devotions, which is a combination of prayer and Bible study where you explore ideas with God as you read His word.
Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”
(Understanding the Text / Revelation) What happened when Jesus touched the infants? This was not for healing but for blessing. What happened when Jesus blessed a child? Was there some power from the laying on of His hands or was it simply like getting an autograph to remember something by? Jesus wanted the children to continue coming. Was that for the children’s sake, the mothers’ sake, or just because Jesus enjoyed the babies?
(Understanding the Text / Application) The disciples thought that the other religious activities that were being done were more important than the babies who would not remember it anyway, so they tried to stop the activity. They did not think about the fact that Jesus could have stopped the activity Himself if He had wanted to. I need to be very careful when I judge an activity as useless for religious purposes. I could be right, but I also could be wrong in my assessment. In addition, the manner in which I make my opinion known is important. I need to ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
(Understanding the Text / Revelation of God) Then Jesus gave a profound lesson about the kingdom of heaven. In heaven they are like children. How? I would say that they are trusting of each other rather than cynical. They are open to new experiences and willing to learn new skills and ideas. They know that they don’t know everything, but they don’t let that hold them back from entering into an activity. They are open and friendly never doubting their Father will protect them from all harm.
(Prayer) I have to receive the Holy Spirit’s leading like a trusting child. I need to trust You to want what’s best and to give me good experiences in life. I know that I know little, so I need to trust You to guide me to complete the new tasks set before me. I need to play with joy with You. I need to be open and not cynical. I need to never doubt that You will protect me and help me grow.