Meals with Jesus
Thank you for joining us as we journey through Lent using "Meals with Jesus" by Ed Drew. It is meant to be a short 10-15 minute devotion for the entire family. You will find in the Family link, a translation in Korean further down the page for our parents if needed.
LIKE TWO BUILDERS
Where are we going today?
Listening to Jesus will make our lives solid but only if we do what he says.
Ready? (optional)
Gather some basic building materials for two similar houses. Some Lego? Building blocks? Plastic cups? Deck of cards? Anything!
Open your Bible to Luke 6:46-49
Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, we want to love listening to Jesus. Please help us to listen and know your voice. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
Activity for families:
- Build two identical or very similar “houses” out of your building materials. Build one on a solid surface like the floor or a table. Build the other on a cushion. Be careful now-don’t let it fall over yet!
- If you can’t do this activity, ask this question: What would make a good foundation if you were building a house?
Say: Today, we’ll hear Jesus’ story about two builders to explain why it matters so much that we not only listen to him but also do as he says.
This week’s story
Yesterday, we looked at the story of Mary and Martha, seeing that listening to Jesus is the best thing to do. Today Jesus tells a parable showing the big difference between only listening to Jesus and also obeying Jesus.
- Look out for the difference between the two builders.
Luke 6:46-49
The Wise and Foolish Builders
46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
Questions for us all
- What is the difference between the two builders?
- How would you feel if you lived in each of these houses? How much would you care?
Questions for younger children (ages 3-8)
What happens to each house? (Shall we see what happens when the house we build on the cushion is given a wobble?)
What is the difference between the two ways the people listen to Jesus?
Questions for older children
- It shounds so simple: listen to Jesus; obey Jesus; your house stays up! But how do we listen to and obey Jesus on the school playground, in front of a screen on our laptop or iPad? If you’re not sure, who could you ask for help?
- As we look around at our friends’ lives, often they all look similar, just as the two houses in this parable look similar. Have you ever seen how someone who is obeying Jesus’ words is able to stand strong when others are in danger? If you haven’t, does that mean Jesus was wrong? (Jesus doesn’t tell us when the damage will happen. So it might happen at any day. Jesus did say that he came to give life to the full (John 10:10), so ignoring him must lead to a life that isn’t the most it could be. We might see the damage being done in our lives or others’ lives by ignoring Jesus’ teaching but it might not happen until Jesus returns to judge all people.)
Think/Share/Pray
*When do you find it hardest to obey Jesus? Is it when you are with a group of friends? Is it when you are playing sports? Is it with your family? Pray about those times, for help to obey Jesus. Or thank Jesus that his words are the best.
Got More Time?
The most tempting way to apply today’s passage is to wait for our children to make a bad decision and then jump into the debris shouting, “See? That is what happens when you listen to Jesus but don’t obey!” Instead, there are two better alternatives. First, search for the moment of obedience to Jesus’ words, and encourage your child that this is building on the rock. Second, search for the moment of disobedience, wait until the raised voices have passed, and then in the calm ask what obedience to Jesus’ words would have meant.Coach your child. Be on their side. Pray together. Congratulate them when they do better next time.
IN KOREAN
Where are we going today?
예수님의 말씀을 듣는 것은 우리 삶을 튼튼하게 해 주지만, 오직 말씀대로 행동할 때만 그렇답니다.
Ready? (optional)
집 두 채를 지을 수 있는 비슷한 재료들을 모아 보세요. 레고는 어떤가요? 쌓기 블록? 플라스틱 컵? 아니면 카드 한 벌? 무엇이든 괜찮아요!
Open your Bible to Luke 6:46-49
Pray: 사랑하는 하나님 아버지, 우리는 예수님의 말씀을 듣는 것을 사랑하고 싶어요. 우리가 하나님의 음성을 잘 듣고 알 수 있도록 도와주세요. 예수님의 이름으로 기도합니다. 아멘.
Activity for families:
- 준비한 재료로 똑같거나 아주 비슷한 '집' 두 채를 지어 보세요.
- 한 채는 바닥이나 테이블처럼 단단한 곳 위에 지으세요. 다른 한 채는 푹신한 쿠션 위에 지으세요.
- 조심하세요! 아직은 집이 쓰러지지 않게 잘 세워야 해요!
- 만약 이 활동을 할 수 없다면, 이 질문을 스스로에게 해 보세요: '진짜 집을 짓는다면, 어떤 것이 튼튼한 기초가 될 수 있을까요?
Say: 오늘 우리는 예수님이 들려주신 두 건축가 이야기를 들어볼 거예요. 왜 예수님의 말씀을 듣는 것뿐만 아니라, 그 말씀대로 행하는 것이 왜 그토록 중요한지 알게 될 거랍니다.
This week’s story
어제 우리는 마리아와 마르다의 이야기를 통해 예수님의 말씀을 듣는 것이 가장 중요하다는 것을 배웠습니다. 오늘은 예수님의 말씀을 듣기만 하는 것과 그 말씀에 순종하는 것 사이에 얼마나 큰 차이가 있는지를 보여주는 비유를 살펴보겠습니다.
두 건축자 사이에 어떤 차이점이 있는지 주의 깊게 살펴보세요.
Luke 10:38-42
두 종류의 사람들
46 너희는 어찌하여 내게 ‘주님, 주님.’ 하면서 내 말은 따르지 않느냐? 47 내게 와서 내 말을 듣고 따르는 사람이 어떤 사람인지 가르쳐 주겠다. 48 그런 사람은 집을 튼튼하게 짓는 사람과 같다. 그 사람은 땅을 깊이 파고 바위 위에 기초를 놓는다. 홍수가 나고 강물이 집을 덮쳐도 집은 흔들리지 않는다. 집을 튼튼하게 지었기 때문이다. 49 내 말을 듣기만 하고 따르지 않는 사람은, 기초도 놓지 않은 맨 땅에 집을 짓는 사람과 같다. 강물이 덮치면 집은 금방 무너져 완전히 부서지고 만다.”
Questions for us all
- 두 건축자의 차이점은 무엇인가요?
- 만약 여러분이 이 각각의 집들에 살았다면 기분이 어땠을까요? 그것이 여러분에게 얼마나 중요하게 다가왔을까요?
Questions for younger children (ages 3-8)
- 각각의 집은 어떻게 되었나요? (우리가 쿠션 위에 지은 집을 흔들면 어떻게 되는지 한번 볼까요?)
- 사람들이 예수님의 말씀을 듣는 두 가지 방식에는 어떤 차이가 있나요?
Questions for older children
- 정말 간단해 보여요. 예수님의 말씀을 듣고, 순종하면, 우리 집은 튼튼하게 서 있을 거예요! 하지만 학교 운동장에서, 혹은 노트북이나 아이패드 화면 앞에서 어떻게 예수님의 말씀을 듣고 순종할 수 있을까요? 잘 모르겠다면, 누구에게 도움을 구할 수 있을까요?
- 주변 친구들의 삶을 보면, 이 비유에 나오는 두 집처럼 다 비슷해 보일 때가 많아요. 혹시 예수님의 말씀에 순종하는 사람이, 다른 사람들이 위험에 처했을 때 꿋꿋하게 버텨내는 모습을 본 적이 있나요? 만약 본 적이 없다면, 예수님이 틀린 걸까요?
- (예수님은 언제 무너지는 일이 일어날지 말씀하지 않으셨어요. 그래서 그 일은 언제든 일어날 수 있죠. 예수님은 우리에게 풍성한 생명을 주러 오셨다고 말씀하셨어요(요한복음 10:10). 그러니 예수님을 무시하는 것은 가장 좋은 삶을 살지 못하게 된다는 뜻이에요. 우리가 예수님의 가르침을 무시해서 생기는 문제들을 지금 당장 우리나 다른 사람의 삶에서 볼 수도 있지만, 예수님이 모든 사람을 심판하러 다시 오실 때까지는 나타나지 않을 수도 있어요.)
Think/Share/Pray
*예수님께 순종하는 것이 가장 힘들 때가 언제인가요? 친구들과 함께 있을 때인가요? 운동을 하고 있을 때인가요? 아니면 가족들과 함께 있을 때인가요?
그럴 때마다 예수님께 순종할 수 있도록 도와달라고 기도해 보세요. 아니면 예수님의 말씀이 최고라는 사실에 대해 예수님께 감사 기도를 드려 보세요.
Got More Time?
오늘 말씀을 적용할 때 가장 유혹적인 방법은, 아이가 잘못된 결정을 내렸을 때 그 무너진 잔해 속으로 뛰어들어 이렇게 외치는 거예요. "봤지? 예수님 말씀을 듣기만 하고 순종하지 않으면 이렇게 되는 거야!"
하지만 그보다 더 좋은 두 가지 방법이 있어요.
첫째, 아이가 예수님 말씀에 순종하는 순간을 찾아보세요. 그리고 "그게 바로 반석 위에 집을 짓는 거야"라고 격려해 주세요.
둘째, 아이가 순종하지 못한 순간이 오면, 서로 소리 높여 화내는 시간이 지날 때까지 기다려 주세요. 그리고 마음이 차분해졌을 때, 예수님 말씀에 순종했다면 어땠을지 아이에게 물어봐 주세요.
아이의 코치가 되어 주세요. 아이의 편이 되어 주세요. 함께 기도해 주세요. 그리고 다음에 아이가 더 잘 해냈을 때 마음껏 축하해 주세요.
Thank you for joining us as we journey through Lent using "Meals with Jesus" by Ed Drew. It is meant to be a short 10-15 minute devotion for the entire family. You will find in the Family link, a translation in Korean further down the page for our parents if needed.
LIKE TWO BUILDERS
Where are we going today?
Listening to Jesus will make our lives solid but only if we do what he says.
Open your Bible to Luke 6:46-49
Pray: Dear Heavenly Father, we want to love listening to Jesus. Please help us to listen and know your voice. In Jesus name we pray, AMEN.
This week’s story
Yesterday, we looked at the story of Mary and Martha, seeing that listening to Jesus is the best thing to do. Today Jesus tells a parable showing the big difference between only listening to Jesus and also obeying Jesus.
- Look out for the difference between the two builders.
Luke 6:46-49
The Wise and Foolish Builders
46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”
Questions for us all
- What is the difference between the two builders?
- How would you feel if you lived in each of these houses? How much would you care?
Questions for younger children (ages 3-8)
What happens to each house? (Shall we see what happens when the house we build on the cushion is given a wobble?)
What is the difference between the two ways the people listen to Jesus?
Questions for older children
- It shounds so simple: listen to Jesus; obey Jesus; your house stays up! But how do we listen to and obey Jesus on the school playground, in front of a screen on our laptop or iPad? If you’re not sure, who could you ask for help?
- As we look around at our friends’ lives, often they all look similar, just as the two houses in this parable look similar. Have you ever seen how someone who is obeying Jesus’ words is able to stand strong when others are in danger? If you haven’t, does that mean Jesus was wrong? (Jesus doesn’t tell us when the damage will happen. So it might happen at any day. Jesus did say that he came to give life to the full (John 10:10), so ignoring him must lead to a life that isn’t the most it could be. We might see the damage being done in our lives or others’ lives by ignoring Jesus’ teaching but it might not happen until Jesus returns to judge all people.)
Think/Share/Pray
*When do you find it hardest to obey Jesus? Is it when you are with a group of friends? Is it when you are playing sports? Is it with your family? Pray about those times, for help to obey Jesus. Or thank Jesus that his words are the best.
Got More Time?
The most tempting way to apply today’s passage is to wait for our children to make a bad decision and then jump into the debris shouting, “See? That is what happens when you listen to Jesus but don’t obey!” Instead, there are two better alternatives. First, search for the moment of obedience to Jesus’ words, and encourage your child that this is building on the rock. Second, search for the moment of disobedience, wait until the raised voices have passed, and then in the calm ask what obedience to Jesus’ words would have meant.Coach your child. Be on their side. Pray together. Congratulate them when they do better next time.
More for ADULTS....
Luke 6:46-49, often called the
Parable of the Two Builders, serves as the powerful conclusion to Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain. It is a direct challenge to move beyond superficial faith and align one's life with the teachings of Christ.
More to think about:
- "Lord, Lord" vs. Lifestyle (v. 46): Calling Jesus "Lord" implies submission to His authority. If our daily lives (actions, attitudes, speech) do not reflect His commands, we are acting as "cultural Christians" or hypocrites rather than true disciples.
- The "Digging" Process (v. 48): Building on the rock requires effort—"digging deep". This represents the spiritual disciplines of studying the Word, consistent prayer, repentance, and actively rooting out bad habits. It is not easy, but it is necessary for long-term stability.
- Storms are Inevitable (v. 48-49): The passage does not teach that obeying Jesus removes trials. Both the wise and foolish builders face the same torrential storm. The difference is not in the storm, but in the foundation that determines whether they survive it.
- Security vs. Ruin (v. 49): The destruction of the foundationless life is "complete" (NIV) or "great" (KJV). The ruin is often revealed when life's pressures—betrayal, loss, or temptation—expose a lack of true, deeply rooted faith.
Reflective Questions for Daily Application
- In what specific area of my life is God asking me to go deeper, not just know more?
- Am I, like the foolish builder, avoiding the hard work of obedience in favor of the easy path?
- What "truths" have I heard recently that I've yet to put into practice?
- Is my foundation based on Christ (obedience) or on the shifting sand of my own desires?
Prayer
Lord, help me not to just hear Your words, but to follow them. Thank You for being the solid rock. I ask for the strength and discipline to dig deep, to repent, and to build my life on Your truth so that I may stand firm in every storm. In Jesus’ name, Amen.