This fall, Bethany's Confirmation class has been exploring the major themes of the Bible and reflecting on stories that reveal the larger story God is telling through scripture. These devotionals follow that same path, inviting you to pause, reflect, and discover how each theme connects to your own journey of faith.
Sinai | Promise | Friday
God continues to make promises to us. In our baptism, God claims us as God’s children forever. We are promised that this identity can never be taken away from us. While we might make mistakes and while the realities of the world can make us feel far from these promises, they remain true.
“From all eternity, long before you were born and became a part of history, you existed in God’s heart. Long before your parents admired you or your friends acknowledged your gifts or your teachers, colleagues and employers encouraged you, you were already ‘chosen’. The eyes of love had seen you as precious, as of infinity beauty, as of eternal value.”
- Henri Nouwen
One of the best ways to keep our hearts and minds connected to the unwavering promises of God is by simply taking time to be grateful. Consistently reflecting on our blessings and naming our gratitude is a powerful spiritual practice that connects us to God and to the joy that God longs us to feel.
Today, take some time to write down all of your gratitudes. How has God blessed you? Where do you see the promises of God? Create a long list of all that you have to be thankful for and then return to that list when you are feeling down. Let this Gratitude List be a consistent reminder of all the ways that God keeps God’s promises.
Sinai | Promise | Friday
God continues to make promises to us. In our baptism, God claims us as God’s children forever. We are promised that this identity can never be taken away from us. While we might make mistakes and while the realities of the world can make us feel far from these promises, they remain true.
“From all eternity, long before you were born and became a part of history, you existed in God’s heart. Long before your parents admired you or your friends acknowledged your gifts or your teachers, colleagues and employers encouraged you, you were already ‘chosen’. The eyes of love had seen you as precious, as of infinity beauty, as of eternal value.”
- Henri Nouwen
One of the best ways to keep our hearts and minds connected to the unwavering promises of God is by simply taking time to be grateful. Consistently reflecting on our blessings and naming our gratitude is a powerful spiritual practice that connects us to God and to the joy that God longs us to feel.
Today, take some time to write down all of your gratitudes. How has God blessed you? Where do you see the promises of God? Create a long list of all that you have to be thankful for and then return to that list when you are feeling down. Let this Gratitude List be a consistent reminder of all the ways that God keeps God’s promises.
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2025
January
February
Zombie ChurchFundamentalsFeasts & BanquetsAcademics & FaithShattering Our ExpectationsJesus didn't really mean that, right? Sacred Discomfort: How God Speaks in Uncomfortable MomentsThe Spirit IntercedesHappy Birthday JesusChristmas in JulyJoy in ListeningHope in the Midst of DoubtThe Gift of PresenceI'm too...Daily Bread and MindfulnessA Thousand Years is like a DaySacred Interruptions: How God Speaks Through Life's Detours
March
The Life was The Light of All PeopleWaiting PatientlyUnseenCreator God, I pray for the earth...God, I want to be better at...Holy Spirit, Help me UnderstandGod, Grant Me Patience WithThe Gospel of John - Guidance for LifeJesus Christ, Forgive Me ForThe Book of 1st Samuel - Trust During the BattlesGod of the Oppressed, protect those who are vulnerableEnduring Lord, I hope forPrince of Peace, Calm my Mind When...God, I wonder aboutThe Book of Hebrews - The Grand Story of SalvationBlessed Jesus, help me to let go ofHoly Jesus, we pray for your church
April
Preserving Lord, save me fromAwesome God, I am amazed byThe Joy of LentThe Book of 2nd Samuel - God's Redemptive PowerCompassionate God, I Weep ForThe Book of Acts - Being the ChurchPalm Sunday Spoken WordGenerous God, open my eyes to see...God, I needCursing the Fig Tree Spoken WordMaundy Thursday Spoken WordGood Friday Spoken WordThe Book of 1st Kings - Wisdom and DivisionHoly Saturday Spoken WordSing - Practice ResurrectionClean - Practice ResurrectionDo a Good Deed - Practice ResurrectionGrieve - Practice ResurrectionGive Thanks - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of Romans - The Saving Work of GodLive BoldlyPlant - Practice ResurrectionForgive Yourself - Practice ResurrectionCare for a friend - Practice Resurrection
May
Enjoy a Good Meal - Practice ResurrectionListen to Music - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Kings - Hope in ExileWorship - Practice ResurrectionAppreciate Art - Practice ResurrectionLaughter HelpsDrink Water - Practice ResurrectionWatch a Sunset - Practice ResurrectionStretch - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Corinthians - Hope in the TurmoilThe Lord is My ShepherdBreathe - Practice ResurrectionRead - Practice ResurrectionCreate - Practice ResurrectionWalk or Run - Practice ResurrectionCall a Friend - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 1st Chronicles - God's Presence in HistoryLove in ActionFor Aging GracefullyForgive - Practice ResurrectionLearn - Practice ResurrectionWash - Practice ResurrectionExplore - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Corinthians - The Importance of ReconciliationGod Our ParentAdvocate - Practice ResurrectionLight a Candle - Practice ResurrectionTaste - Practice ResurrectionTake a Nap - Practice ResurrectionDonate - Practice ResurrectionThe Book of 2nd Chronicles - Consequences of Unfaithfulness
June
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