Ephesians Who Do You Think You Are? Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Open 01 - Introduction To Ephesians - Who Do You Think You Are? 2014 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: Who Are We in Christ?

Theme: Understanding our identity in Christ

Suggested Time: Dinner time

Activity: Identity Cards

Instructions:Discussion Starter: Begin by asking, "Who do you think you are?" Share that as Christians, our identity is found in Christ.

Activity: Give each child a piece of paper and some crayons or markers. Ask them to draw or write words that describe who they are in Christ (e.g., loved, chosen, forgiven).

Bible Verse: Read Ephesians 1:3-4 together. Discuss how God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

Prayer: Thank God for making us His children and for the blessings we have in Christ.Parenting Tip: Encourage each child to share their identity card and affirm their understanding of being in Christ.

Family Devotion 2: The Armor of God

Theme: Spiritual warfare and protection

Suggested Time: Before bedtime

Activity: Armor of God Dress-Up

Instructions:Discussion Starter: Talk about how Paul warned the Ephesians about spi

Open 02 - God Has A Plan! 2014 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: God Has a Plan

Theme: Understanding God's Plan

Time: Dinner time or during a car ride

Activity: "God's Plan Puzzle"

Instructions:Discussion Starter: Begin by asking, "What do you think it means when we say 'God has a plan'?" Allow each child to share their thoughts.

Activity: Give each child a piece of paper and some crayons or markers. Ask them to draw a picture of something they think is part of God's plan for their life. It could be something they enjoy doing, a place they love, or a person they care about.

Discussion: Once everyone has shared their drawings, explain that just like a puzzle, each piece of our life fits into God's bigger plan. We may not always see the whole picture, but God does.

Prayer: Close with a prayer, thanking God for His plan and asking for trust in His guidance.Parenting Tip: Encourage your children by affirming their ideas and creativity. Remind them that God’s plan is good and that He loves them very much.

Family Devotion 2: In Christ

Open 03 - Signed, Sealed, And Delivered! 2014 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Theme: Understanding Our Identity in Christ

Activity/Time: Dinner Time Discussion

Scripture: Ephesians 1:13-14

Devotion:Introduction: Begin by asking, "Have you ever received a special letter or package in the mail? How did it feel?" Explain that just like a letter is signed, sealed, and delivered, we are signed by Jesus, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and delivered to God.

Discussion: Read Ephesians 1:13-14 together. Explain that when we believe in Jesus, we are marked with the Holy Spirit, which means we belong to God.

Activity: Have each family member draw a picture of a letter with their name on it. Inside, write or draw what it means to belong to God (e.g., loved, protected, chosen).

Prayer: Thank God for marking us with His Holy Spirit and for the assurance that we belong to Him.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to share their drawings and thoughts. Affirm their understanding and remind them of their special identity in Christ.

Family Devotion

Open 04 - Once Dead, Now Alive! 2014 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: Reflecting Jesus' Light

Theme: Reflecting Christ's Glory

Activity Time: During dinner or snack time

Supplies Needed: A flashlight or a small mirror

Devotion:Introduction: Begin by turning off the lights and turning on a flashlight or using a mirror to reflect light. Explain how just like the flashlight or mirror reflects light, we are called to reflect Jesus' light to others.

Discussion: Ask the kids, "How can we show Jesus' love to our friends and family?" Encourage them to share simple ways they can be kind and helpful.

Bible Verse: Share Matthew 5:16, "Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help each family member reflect His love and light to others.Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to think of one specific way they can reflect Jesus' light this week and share it with the family.

Family Devotion 2: Grace and Mercy

Theme: Understanding Grace and Mercy

Act

Open 05 - Do You Want To Know A Secret? 2014 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: Breaking Down Walls

Theme: Jesus breaks down walls of separation.

Activity: During dinner, use building blocks or small boxes to create a wall in the middle of the table. Discuss how Jesus breaks down walls between us and God, and between each other.

Discussion Questions:What are some walls that might separate us from others?

How can we show love and kindness to break down those walls?Prayer: Thank Jesus for breaking down walls and ask Him to help us love others.

Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to think of ways they can be peacemakers at school or with friends.

Family Devotion 2: Access to God

Theme: We have access to God through Jesus.

Activity: During a car ride, talk about how we can talk to God anytime, just like we can call a friend or family member.

Discussion Questions:How does it feel to know we can talk to God anytime?

What are some things you would like to talk to God about?Prayer: Pray together, thanking God for always being there to listen.

Parenti

Open 06 - Exceeding, Abundantly, Above 2014 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: God’s Abundant Love

Theme: Understanding God’s Love

Activity Time: Dinner Time

Devotion:Opening Question: Ask your kids, "What is something you love a lot? Why do you love it?"

Bible Verse: Read Ephesians 3:18-19 together: "I pray that you may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge."

Discussion: Explain that God’s love is bigger than anything we can imagine. It’s wider, longer, higher, and deeper than anything we know. Ask, "How do you think God shows His love to us?"

Activity: Have each family member draw a picture of something that reminds them of God’s love. Share and discuss each drawing.

Prayer: Thank God for His amazing love and ask Him to help you understand it more each day.Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to express their thoughts freely. There are no wrong answers when discussing God’s love.

Family Devotion 2: Boldness in Praye

Open 07 - Three Important Commands 2014 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: God's Inexhaustible Resources

Theme: God's limitless power and resources

Activity Time: Dinner time

Supplies Needed: A piece of paper and a pen

Devotion:Introduction: Begin by asking, "What does it mean when something is inexhaustible?" Explain that it means it never runs out, like God's love and power.

Scripture Reading: Read Ephesians 3:20 together: "Now to him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."

Discussion: Ask each child to share one thing they think is impossible. Then discuss how nothing is impossible for God.

Activity: On the paper, write down a big prayer request or dream for each family member. Pray together, asking God to help you believe in His power to do the impossible.

Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to think big and trust God with their dreams. Remind them that God loves to do more than we can imagine.Family Devotion 2: Unity in the Family

Theme: Unity and working

Open 08 - God's Five-Fold Gift To The Church 2014 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: The Seed of Purpose

Theme: You are a sown seed with a purpose.

Activity: During dinner, discuss the idea of seeds and how they grow. Ask each child to think about a seed they’ve planted or seen grow.

Discussion Questions:What do you think God has planted in you that can grow and help others?

How can you use your gifts to make a difference in the world?Prayer: Thank God for the unique gifts He has given each of us and ask for His help in using them to bless others.

Parenting Tip: Encourage each child to share their thoughts and affirm their unique gifts and potential.

Family Devotion 2: The Fivefold Ministry

Theme: Understanding the roles in the church.

Activity: During a car ride, play a game where each child picks a role (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, teacher) and acts it out or describes what they think it means.

Discussion Questions:Which role do you think you would enjoy and why?

How can we support each other in our different roles?Prayer: Pray for

Open 09 - Christ's Purpose For The Christian 2014 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: Discovering Your Purpose

Time: Dinner Time

Scripture: Ephesians 2:10 - "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Activity: During dinner, ask each family member to share one thing they enjoy doing or are good at. Discuss how these talents and interests might be part of God’s purpose for them.

Discussion Questions:What do you think it means to have a purpose from God?

How can we use our talents to help others and serve God?Parenting Tip: Encourage each child by affirming their unique gifts and talents. Remind them that God has a special plan for each of them.

Family Devotion 2: The Body of Christ

Time: After School Snack Time

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12 - "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ."

Activity: Use a simple puzzle or draw a picture together. As you work, talk about how each piece or part is important to complete th

Open 10 - Grieve Not The Holy Spirit With Blithering, Blathering, Bitterness, And Brawling 2014 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: "Dressing in Jesus"

Theme: Putting on the new self in Christ

Activity Time: During breakfast or dinner

Devotion:Read Together: Ephesians 4:22-24 - "Put off your old self... and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."

Discussion: Ask the kids what it means to "put on" something. How do we put on clothes every day? Explain that just like we put on clothes, we can choose to put on good behaviors and attitudes that reflect Jesus.

Activity: Have each child share one "Jesus-like" quality they want to put on today (e.g., kindness, patience). Encourage them to think of a way they can show this quality during the day.

Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help each family member "put on" Jesus today.Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids by sharing a quality you see in them that reflects Jesus. This affirmation can boost their confidence in living out their faith.

Family Devotion 2: "The Power of Words"

Theme: Speaking truth in love

Acti

Open 11 - Money, Sex, And Greed 2014 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: Imitating God in Love

Time: Dinner Time

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-2

Activity: During dinner, ask each family member to share one way they can show love to someone else this week. Encourage them to think of simple acts of kindness, like helping a sibling or saying something nice to a friend.

Discussion: Explain that just like we imitate our parents, we are called to imitate God by showing love to others. Discuss how Jesus showed love and how we can follow His example.

Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help each family member show love and kindness in their daily lives.

Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids by sharing examples of how you see them already showing love. This will motivate them to continue imitating God.

Family Devotion 2: Walking in Purity

Time: Bedtime

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4

Activity: Before bed, have a "purity check" where each child shares one thing they did that day to keep their heart and mind pure. It could be choosing not to watch s

Open 12 - Walking In The Light, Wisdom For The Home 2014 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: Walking in the Light

Time: During dinner or a family walk

Activity: "Flashlight Walk"

Instructions: After dinner, take a short walk around your neighborhood with flashlights. As you walk, discuss how the flashlight helps you see in the dark. Relate this to how God's word is a light for our path, guiding us in life.

Discussion Questions:How does God's word help us make good choices?

Can you think of a time when you needed guidance and found it in the Bible?Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to share their thoughts and experiences. Affirm their insights and relate them back to the importance of God's guidance.

Family Devotion 2: Redeeming the Time

Time: During breakfast or while getting ready for the day

Activity: "Time Treasure Hunt"

Instructions: Set a timer for 5 minutes and challenge the kids to find as many things in the house that remind them of God's blessings. Discuss how we can use our time to notice and appreciate God's gifts.

Discussion Questions:What are s

Open 13 - More Wisdom For The Home 2014 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: Trusting God with Our Family

Theme: Trusting God with our family members, just like Sarah trusted God with Abraham.

Activity Time: Dinner time

Devotion:Opening Question: Ask each family member to share one thing they trust God with in their life.

Bible Verse: Read 1 Peter 3:5-6 together. Discuss how Sarah trusted God with her husband, Abraham, even when things were uncertain.

Discussion: Talk about what it means to trust God with our family. How can we show trust in God when things don't go as planned?

Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help each family member trust Him more with their lives and with each other.Parenting Tip: Encourage open sharing by affirming each child's thoughts and feelings. Remind them that trusting God is a journey for everyone.

Family Devotion 2: Serving Each Other in Love

Theme: Serving each other as Jesus served the church.

Activity Time: During a family chore time, like cleaning up after dinner.

Devotion:Opening Question: What is o

Open 14 - More On Submission 2015 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: Honoring Authority

Theme: Honoring Parents and Authority

Time: Dinner Time

Activity: "Honor Jar"

Instructions:During dinner, place a jar in the center of the table.

Each family member shares one way they can honor their parents or another authority figure this week.

Write these on slips of paper and place them in the jar.Discussion Questions:Why is it important to honor our parents and authority figures?

How does honoring them honor God?Parenting Tip: Encourage open sharing and affirm each child's ideas. Remind them that honoring authority is a way to show love and respect.

Family Devotion 2: The Power of Obedience

Theme: Obedience to God and Parents

Time: After School Snack

Activity: "Simon Says with a Twist"

Instructions:Play a game of "Simon Says," but add a twist: after each round, discuss how listening and obeying can lead to good outcomes.

Share a Bible story where obedience led to blessings (e.g., Noah building the ark).Discussion Questions:How

Open 15 - Get Dressed In The Armor 2015 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: The Armor of God

Theme: Understanding the Armor of God

Activity Time: During dinner or breakfast

Devotion:Read Ephesians 6:10-11: "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes."

Discussion: Ask the kids what they think it means to be strong in the Lord. Discuss how God gives us special "armor" to help us stand strong.

Activity: Have each family member share one thing they think is a "piece of armor" they use in their life (e.g., prayer, kindness, reading the Bible).

Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help each family member put on His armor every day.Parenting Tip: Encourage each child to think of a real-life situation where they might need God's armor. Praise their ideas and relate them to everyday life.

Family Devotion 2: The Belt of Truth

Theme: The Importance of Truth

Activity Time: While driving or during a walk

Devotion:Read John 8:32: "Then you will know

Open 16 - Paul's Final Thoughts 2015 By Pastor Jeff Wickwire

Family Devotion 1: Boldness in Faith

Theme: Boldness in sharing our faith

Activity Time: During dinner

Supplies Needed: None

Devotion Outline:Opening Question: Ask each child, "What is something you are really good at and feel confident doing?"

Bible Verse: Read Ephesians 6:19-20, where Paul asks for boldness to share the gospel.

Discussion: Explain that just like Paul, we can ask God for boldness to share our faith. Discuss what it means to be bold for Jesus.

Activity: Go around the table and have each family member share one way they can be bold for Jesus this week, like inviting a friend to church or praying for someone.

Prayer: Pray together, asking God to give each family member boldness to share His love with others.Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids by sharing a time when you needed boldness and how God helped you.

Family Devotion 2: The Power of Prayer

Theme: Importance of prayer

Activity Time: Before bedtime

Supplies Needed: None

Devotion Outline:Opening Questio