When partnering with your family to know, love, and follow Jesus, we strive to create and share content filtered by the Head-Heart-Hands model.
Head: the knowledge of God and His Word | Heart: the personal connection from scripture | Hands: a missional mindset
HEAD
In today’s reading, the apostle John describes the fall of Babylon: a wicked city that represents evil. God destroys Babylon due to all of her immoral ways. Not only are we told about the destruction of Babylon, but we are also warned that ALL nations have fallen due to the influence of Babylon’s evil ways. We are advised that we must come away from this evil or we will also be punished. We see throughout this chapter how people have become too focused on worldly desires and possessions instead of focusing on what God has in store for us. What is pleasing to the world can be deceitful and is only temporary. For we are warned, “In a single moment it was all gone.” Instead of mourning over the destruction of Babylon, we are encouraged to rejoice over her fate because “God has judged her for your sakes”.
HEART
Do you often find yourself getting distracted by the temporary things of this world instead of focusing on everything that God has to offer? It can be so easy to get wrapped up in all of the desires and possessions of this world (especially during the holiday season). Whether it’s money, electronics, toys, etc., these things can lead to immoral attitudes and behaviors such as greed, jealousy, pride, etc. Just because the things of this world give us temporary pleasure, it does not mean it is for the good and certainly will not last forever. For the things of this world are short-lived, but through God, we receive everlasting life. After all, we are warned, “All your luxuries and splendor are gone forever, never to be yours again”.
HANDS
As a family, discuss ways that you can spend more time focusing on God instead of the things of this world.
Prayer: Dear God, thank You for everything that You have given us. Help us not to give in to the evilness that Babylon represents. Help us to keep our focus on You rather than the things of this world. Thank You for the everlasting life that we receive through You. In Jesus' name, amen.