Weekly Family Devotional
The Line
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Read Together
Isaiah 53:5 (ESV)
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.
Talk About It
Have you ever broken a rule and needed to be punished, but instead, someone else took your place and said, “I’ll take the punishment for them”? That’s what Jesus did for us! This verse tells the story of how Jesus suffered because of our sins—the wrong things we do. “Transgressions” and “iniquities” are big words for sin. Jesus was pierced, crushed, and punished, but He had done nothing wrong! He let Himself be treated this way to bring us peace with God. Imagine someone stepping in to block a ball that was about to hurt you—Jesus stepped in between us and punishment. In the Old Testament, lambs were sacrificed to deal with people's sin, but this verse says Jesus was the perfect Lamb of God. He took every bit of our hurt and guilt on Himself. That means we don’t have to carry the weight of our sin anymore! We are healed—made right with God—because of Jesus. When you think of Christmas, remember it’s not just about a baby in a manger, but about Jesus coming to take your place so you can be forgiven and know God for real.
For Parents to Explain
Dear God, thank You for loving us so much that You sent Jesus to take our place and forgive us. Help us trust in Him and remember Your amazing love. Amen.
Family Activities
Forgiveness Chain
- Cut strips of paper in different colors.
- Each person writes (or draws) something wrong they’ve done on a strip.
- Lay all strips together and pray, thanking Jesus for taking our place and forgiving us.
- Staple or tape the strips into a connected chain and hang it up as a reminder: Jesus’ forgiveness links us to God!
Storytime Swap
- Read the story of someone stepping in to save or help a friend, or make up your own as a family.
- Talk about how that reminds you of Jesus taking your place.
- Everyone can act out the story or show their own superhero moves!
- Finish by saying: “Jesus is the greatest rescuer of all.”
Family Prayer
Let each person thank Jesus for taking their place and ask Him to help them accept His forgiveness this week.