The Gospel Project Family Devotion-Week of 2/23-3/1, 2014

Volume 6 Adult/Kids Connections
Unit 18, Session 5: Ezekiel Told About a Future Hope
Ezekiel 37

Christ Connection: God showed Ezekiel a valley of dry bones. The dry bones remind us what we are like when we sin. God had a plan for people who sin. Because Jesus came to earth, died, and was raised to life, He has the power to give us eternal life.

Adult Connection Point: Colossians 1:15-20 teaches us the centrality of Jesus the Messiah to the gospel. Everything was made by Him and for Him, everything is held together in Him, and He will ultimately reconcile everything. 

The gospel is more than just information. It is good news. It is the story of a God who loves the work of His hands and has provided everything needed to redeem and restore it. When we care for creation, manage possessions wisely, and demonstrate care and concern for others, we are mirroring the heart of God 
who loves us and loves His world. 

Ask yourselves: What opportunities do we have to show the love of Christ? 

Exercising compassion toward those who do not know Christ is an expression of Godʼs love. Through that expression they may come to know the God who so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to die for our sins. 

Family Devotion: 
Materials: picture of the human skeletal system, cotton swabs or toothpicks

Place the cotton swabs on the floor or table and display the picture of the skeletal system. Use cotton swabs or toothpicks to create a skeleton. Encourage all family members to participate on at least one part of the skeleton.

Recall the vision Ezekiel had of the valley of bones. Ask: “What words did God tell Ezekiel to speak to the dry bones?” God did not want His people to stay in this foreign nation. He did not want them to remain hopeless. Rather, He wanted His people to know that even though they were dead in their sin, they did not have to stay that way. The situation looked hopeless in this foreign land, but God had not forgotten them. He desired for them to obey Him so He could once again be with them.

 In the same way God desires for us to live in relationship with Him. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die. Then God brought Him back to life forever. We too can live forever with God when we receive Jesus into our lives. When we do, Godʼs presence will remain with us forever.

Think of family members, neighbors, or friends who do not know Jesus. Pray, asking God to reveal Himself to them so they too may have eternal life.