Devotion by Tina Miller Sermon by Ian Ferguson
May 11, 2025
Gather
three gift bags containing one of each of the following:
- A picture of Mom (and Grandma if you like)
- A power cord
- A Bible
Introduction
Prior to sitting down, have each child bring a favorite gift he/she has recently received. As you begin, let them say who gave them the gift and why they like it so much. Let them know that today we’re going to talk about some good gifts GOD has given.
Background
Today we’ll be looking at part of the last letter that the apostle Paul wrote. It was written from prison to his good friend Timothy, who might have been feeling a little discouraged.
Pray
Speak, O Lord, as we come to You
To receive the food of Your holy Word
Take Your truth, plant it deep in us
Shape and fashion us in Your likeness
That the light of Christ might be seen today
In our acts of love and our deeds of faith
Speak, O Lord, and fulfill in us
All Your purposes for Your glory
(© Thankyou Music, Thank You Music Ltd.)
Looking into the scripture passage
Paul encouraged Timothy by reminding him of some gifts he’d been given. Pay careful attention as we look at Paul’s letter so that you can hear what these gifts are.
Read: 2 Timothy 1:5 and 3:14-15
Open the first gift bag with the picture of Mom.
Ask: What did Paul remind Timothy about his faith? Who in his life told him about the Bible and about God? Timothy had been given the gift of a grandmother and mother who passed their faith down to him.
Read: 2 Timothy 1:6-7
Open the gift bag with the power cord
Ask: What gift did Paul say Timothy had received? Who had God given to help Timothy that was even better than his mom and grandmother? He had been given the Holy Spirit.
And what kind of Spirit is he?
He is a spirit of power and love and self-control (see Galatians 5:21-22). Even when Timothy was discouraged or experiencing difficulties in his life, the Holy Spirit was with him to help him remember truth and to act on it.
Do you know who else has the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit lives inside everyone who has received Jesus in faith and been adopted into God’s family by his grace.
Read: 2 Timothy 1:8-10
Ask: This one is a bit harder to see/hear? Did you catch what Paul said Timothy had received?
Open the gift bag with the Bible.
He had received something that neither your mom or dad can give you, the best gift of all! The gift of Jesus saving us—not because of anything we do, but by dying on the cross and coming back to life again.
We call this the “gospel,” the good news that Jesus paid for our sin so that if we believe in him we can have eternal life (which Paul called “immortality” in his words to Timothy). When you believe that Jesus died in YOUR place and ask God to forgive your sin, and follow Jesus as your Lord, you are given this gift.
Apply the passage
Activity 1 If you are doing this devotion with your children, they are like Timothy, receiving a heritage of faith from their parents! Talk about the people who influenced your own faith and others who are investing in your children (such as grandparents or Sunday School teachers or prayer champions). Write notes to these whom God has used to bless and grow you in knowing and following him.
Activity 2 Memorize Questions 36 and 37 from The New City Catechism about the Holy Spirit.
Memorize
By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.
2 Timothy 1:14
Practice the verse
Write the verse on a piece of paper. Put it in one of the gift bags. At dinner each night take it out of the bag and recite it.
Extra Stuff
Dig Deeper (for older kids and parents)
In verse 14 Paul commanded Timothy to “guard the good deposit” with the “help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us. How can you specifically guard sound Biblical teaching in your family and church?
Books to read (these can be borrowed from the Kidstuff table in the church foyer)
The New City Catechism
This is the Gospel (Kids Read Truth)
