--- title: "Cults and the Occult" author: "Pastor Jeff Wickwire" url: "https://books.hardwired.org/23/cults-and-the-occult" --- Family Devotion 1: Discernment Detectives Time: During dinner Activity: After dinner, play a game called "Discernment Detectives." Each family member takes turns sharing a scenario (real or imaginary) where they had to decide if something was right or wrong. Discuss how they made their decision and what helped them discern the truth. Scripture: Matthew 7:15 - "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." Discussion: Talk about how Jesus wants us to be careful and wise. Ask, "How can we know if something is true or not?" Encourage kids to think about how reading the Bible and praying can help them make good choices. Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to ask questions and express their thoughts. Affirm their efforts to think critically and remind them that it's okay to ask for help when they're unsure. Family Devotion 2: Building on the Rock Time: During a car ride Activity: As you drive, look for different types of buildings and talk about what makes them strong. Discuss how a strong foundation is important for buildings and for our faith. Scripture: Matthew 7:24 - "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock." Discussion: Ask, "What does it mean to build our lives on Jesus?" Talk about how reading the Bible and praying are like building a strong foundation for our lives. Parenting Tip: Use everyday moments to connect spiritual truths to real-life examples. Encourage your kids to see God in the world around them. Family Devotion 3: Fruit Inspectors Time: While preparing a meal or snack Activity: As you prepare fruit for a snack, talk about how we can tell if fruit is good or bad. Relate this to how we can tell if someone is teaching the truth by the "fruit" or results of their actions. Scripture: Matthew 7:16 - "By their fruit, you will recognize them." Discussion: Ask, "What kind of 'fruit' do you think Jesus wants us to have in our lives?" Discuss how kindness, love, and honesty are good fruits that show we are following Jesus. Parenting Tip: Encourage your kids to think about their actions and how they reflect their faith. Praise them for showing good "fruit" in their daily lives. Family Devotion 4: The Armor of God Time: Before bedtime Activity: Talk about the "Armor of God" and how it helps us stand strong in our faith. Have each child pretend to put on each piece of armor as you describe it. Scripture: Ephesians 6:11 - "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." Discussion: Ask, "Why do you think it's important to have God's armor?" Discuss how each piece helps us stay strong and make good choices. Parenting Tip: Make this a fun and interactive time. Encourage your kids to use their imagination and think about how God protects and guides them. Family Devotion 5: Light in the Darkness Time: During a family walk in the evening Activity: As you walk, talk about how light helps us see in the dark. Relate this to how Jesus is the light that helps us see the truth. Scripture: Psalm 119:105 - "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Discussion: Ask, "How does Jesus help us see the right way to go?" Discuss how reading the Bible and praying can guide us in making good choices. Parenting Tip: Use the natural setting to illustrate spiritual truths. Encourage your kids to think about how they can be a light to others by showing kindness and love. Family Devotion 1: The Power of Truth Theme: Understanding Truth in Jesus Time: During dinner or breakfast Activity: Truth Hunt Instructions:Read John 14:6: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" Discussion: Ask the kids what they think it means that Jesus is the truth. How can knowing Jesus help us understand what is true in the world? Activity: Go on a "Truth Hunt" around the house. Find objects that remind you of Jesus (e.g., a light bulb for Jesus being the light of the world). Share why each object reminds you of Him. Prayer: Thank Jesus for being the truth and ask Him to help you see and understand His truth every day.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to express their thoughts freely. Affirm their ideas and gently guide them to see how Jesus is central to understanding truth. Family Devotion 2: Standing Firm in Faith Theme: Standing Firm in Faith Time: During a car ride or walk Activity: Faith Journey Instructions:Read Matthew 24:13: "But the one who stands firm to the end will be saved." Discussion: Talk about what it means to stand firm in faith. Ask the kids if they’ve ever had to stand up for something they believe in. Activity: As you travel, point out different landmarks or signs. Relate each one to a part of your faith journey (e.g., a stop sign could represent stopping to pray). Prayer: Ask God to help you stand firm in your faith, no matter what challenges you face.Parenting Tip: Use everyday moments to connect faith to real life. Encourage kids to share their experiences and listen actively. Family Devotion 3: The Gospel's Power Theme: The Power of the Gospel Time: Before bedtime Activity: Storytime with a Twist Instructions:Read Romans 1:16: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes." Discussion: Ask the kids what they think the gospel is and why it’s powerful. Activity: Share a simple story of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Let the kids act it out or draw a picture of the story. Prayer: Thank God for the gospel and its power to change lives.Parenting Tip: Keep the story simple and engaging. Encourage creativity and let the kids take the lead in retelling the story. Family Devotion 4: Recognizing Deception Theme: Recognizing Deception Time: While cleaning up or organizing Activity: Truth vs. Lies Instructions:Read 1 John 4:1: "Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God." Discussion: Talk about how sometimes things can seem true but aren’t. How can we know what’s true? Activity: As you clean, sort items into two piles: "Truth" and "Lies." Use examples like "Jesus loves you" (Truth) vs. "You’re not good enough" (Lie). Prayer: Ask God to help you see the truth and avoid deception.Parenting Tip: Use this time to teach discernment. Encourage kids to ask questions and think critically about what they hear. Family Devotion 5: Jesus, Our Guide Theme: Jesus as Our Guide Time: During a family meal Activity: Map It Out Instructions:Read Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Discussion: Discuss how Jesus and the Bible guide us in life. What does it mean for His word to be a light? Activity: Draw a simple map of your day. Mark where you can see Jesus guiding you (e.g., at school, during playtime). Prayer: Thank Jesus for guiding you and ask Him to help you follow His path.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to see Jesus in everyday moments. Celebrate their insights and remind them that Jesus is always with them. Family Devotion 1: "God’s Guidance is Our Compass" Time: Dinner Time Activity: During dinner, have each family member share one decision they made today. Discuss how they made that decision and if they thought about what God would want them to do. Discussion Points:Explain that God wants to guide us in our decisions, just like a compass helps us find our way. Read Proverbs 3:5-6 together: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."Prayer: Ask God to help each family member seek His guidance in their daily decisions. Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to think about how they can ask God for help in small decisions, like being kind to a friend or choosing to do their homework. Family Devotion 2: "The Power of God’s Word" Time: Bedtime Activity: Before bed, gather around and have each child pick a favorite Bible story. Discuss what they like about it and what it teaches them about God. Discussion Points:Emphasize that God’s Word is powerful and helps us know Him better. Read Psalm 119:105: "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."Prayer: Thank God for His Word and ask Him to help the family understand it better. Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to think of the Bible as a special book that guides us and helps us grow closer to God. Family Devotion 3: "Avoiding Counterfeit Connections" Time: During a Car Ride Activity: While driving, play a game where you name different things and the kids guess if they are real or fake (e.g., a unicorn, a dollar bill, etc.). Discussion Points:Explain that just like some things are fake, there are fake ways to connect with God, like horoscopes or Ouija boards. Read Deuteronomy 18:10-12, which warns against these practices.Prayer: Ask God to help the family recognize and avoid things that are not from Him. Parenting Tip: Use this time to reinforce the importance of seeking God’s truth and avoiding things that pretend to be spiritual but aren’t. Family Devotion 4: "The Armor of God" Time: Morning Routine Activity: As everyone gets dressed in the morning, talk about putting on the "Armor of God" to protect us throughout the day. Discussion Points:Explain that just like we wear clothes to protect us, God gives us spiritual armor to protect us from bad things. Read Ephesians 6:11: "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes."Prayer: Ask God to help each family member put on His armor every day. Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to think about how they can use God’s armor, like truth and faith, in their daily activities. Family Devotion 5: "God’s Love is Enough" Time: Family Cleaning Time Activity: While cleaning, talk about how God’s love cleans our hearts and makes us new. Discussion Points:Explain that just like we clean our house, God’s love cleans our hearts from sin. Read 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."Prayer: Thank God for His love and forgiveness, and ask Him to help the family live in a way that pleases Him. Parenting Tip: Use this time to remind kids that God’s love is always there, no matter what, and it’s enough to make us clean and new. Family Devotion 1: "The Armor of God" Time to Implement: During dinner or breakfast. Activity: Discuss the concept of spiritual armor. Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-18 Devotion:Read the Scripture: Have a family member read Ephesians 6:10-18 aloud. Discussion: Ask the kids what they think each piece of armor represents (e.g., helmet of salvation, shield of faith). Application: Discuss how knowing the Bible helps us stand strong against things that aren't true. Prayer: Pray together, asking God to help each family member put on the full armor of God every day.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to think of real-life situations where they might need to use their "armor." Family Devotion 2: "Spot the Truth" Time to Implement: During a car ride or while doing chores. Activity: Play a game of "Truth or Not." Scripture: John 14:6 Devotion:Read the Scripture: Have a family member read John 14:6 aloud. Game: Take turns saying statements, and others guess if they are true or not. Include some Bible truths. Discussion: Talk about how Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and how knowing Him helps us spot what's true. Prayer: Pray for wisdom to recognize truth in everyday life.Parenting Tip: Use simple examples that are age-appropriate and encourage kids to ask questions. Family Devotion 3: "Guard Your Heart" Time to Implement: Before bedtime. Activity: Heart Check. Scripture: Proverbs 4:23 Devotion:Read the Scripture: Have a family member read Proverbs 4:23 aloud. Discussion: Talk about what it means to "guard your heart" and why it's important. Activity: Ask each child to share one thing they can do to guard their heart this week. Prayer: Pray for God’s help in guarding your hearts and minds.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to think about their daily activities and how they can make choices that honor God. Family Devotion 4: "The Power of Words" Time to Implement: During snack time or a break. Activity: Word Power. Scripture: Proverbs 18:21 Devotion:Read the Scripture: Have a family member read Proverbs 18:21 aloud. Discussion: Talk about how words can build up or tear down. Activity: Share examples of kind words and how they make us feel. Prayer: Pray for the ability to use words that encourage and build others up.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to think of a kind word or compliment they can give to someone each day. Family Devotion 5: "Light in the Darkness" Time to Implement: During a family walk or outdoor time. Activity: Light Hunt. Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16 Devotion:Read the Scripture: Have a family member read Matthew 5:14-16 aloud. Activity: Look for sources of light around you (e.g., streetlights, stars) and discuss how they help us see. Discussion: Talk about how we can be lights in the world by showing Jesus' love. Prayer: Pray for opportunities to be a light in your community.Parenting Tip: Encourage kids to think of one way they can be a light to someone in their life this week.