Jailer's Lesson

JAILER’S LESSON

Second of Three in Restored by Grace devotional series

Galatians 6:1

“Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you may also be tempted.”

“Independence is a highly-valued worldly quality, Hopi,” Apostle Paul said, “as is personal freedom. People enjoy being self-sufficient, proud to never need help from others for a successful life. But when people depend only on themselves—and fail—despair moves in.”

Hopi scratched his chin, admitting, “I see your point.”

“Their independence and freedom are as useless as their pride, when they’re hungry.” Paul said. “And that’s when sin creeps into a person’s life.”

“I don’t sin.” Hopi insisted.

“But of course you sin, Hopi.” Paul said, putting his arm around the jailer’s shoulder. “We all sin. Every time we act outside of God’s will, we sin. Desire creeps inside our minds—almost without our knowledge. When we grasp that desire, we make a decision. Just like the boy’s going off on his own (see Jailer’s Intrigue devotion), he deceived himself that he knew better than his dad.”

“I see what you mean.” Hopi agreed, nodding his head.

“It’s hard to admit defeat, though.” Paul said. “The boy wanted to steal the corn cobs he fed the pigs! How awful—especially for a Jewish person—to be taking care of pigs! Pigs are not kosher, not acceptable food for Jews. You can imagine the boy’s despair when he realized how far he had sunk. He must have thrown his hands up in the air, frantically searching for anything to eat.”

The boy was so depressed that he found only one solution to his problem—return home. Desperate, the boy trudged home with his head low and a sour taste in his mouth.”

“I see how easily that happens,” Hopi admitted.

Paul said with a smile breaking out on his face, “But my story doesn’t end there. When the boy decided to return home so that he could eat, he was surprised. Do you remember?”

“Ahhh.” Hopi said, smiling. “I remember that the dad welcomed the son back by throwing him a banquet. That sure wasn’t the end of the story I imagined. After they son blew his entire inheritance on wild living, and sulked home broke, I figured that dad would have disowned him. Throw him out! Or at least, disinherit him, cutting him off from all favor.”

“That’s the difference between earthly dads and our Father in heaven!” Paul revealed. “Now, would you like to join the family of God?”

Take Home Nugget

The lesson, linked below, shows how we can all live in God’s Spirit, as God’s kids.

Sowing life in God’s Spirit reaps God’s kids eternal life.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL YOU WHO TEACH GOOD LESSONS TO YOUR CHILDREN

J.D. Griffith

Click here for an Interactive-Online-Lesson for Jailer’s Lesson

A personal, private lesson experience with our staff

Written for www.Biblestudyforkids.com

For FREE Online Bible Study Resources click here.