Friends of God Forever
Month 6: The Cross — Why Jesus Died · Family Worship
Today's Scripture
Read together: Romans 5:6-11
6 For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him! 10 For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! 11 Not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Memory Verse
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”— Romans 5:1 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: 1 Kings 20–22; 2 Chronicles 17
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time.The Heart of It
This week we've journeyed a long way. We've gone from the empty tomb, to peace with God, to the evidence for the resurrection, to grace, to a new heart. Today gathers it all up. It shows us when and why Jesus did it. "When we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly" (v. 6). It was not after we got our act together. It was while we were weak, lost, and even enemies of God. Paul marvels at this. People might barely dare to die for a really good person, "but God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (v. 8). That's the heart of the cross. Love was poured out on people who hadn't earned a drop of it.
And look at the joyful result. We who were once enemies are now "reconciled to God through the death of His Son" (v. 10). And we "rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 11). Reconciled means the friendship is restored. We are not enemies anymore. We are friends of God forever. This is family worship, so let's not just learn it. Let's celebrate it together. The cross was the saddest day and the best day. Jesus died so that your family could be welcomed home, made right, and held safe in God's love. That's worth singing about.
Around the Table
Jesus loved us even when we were not good. And now we're God's friends forever! Hooray!
Let's do it: Throw your hands up and cheer, "Jesus made me God's friend forever!" Then sing a song you love.
Christ died for us "while we were still sinners." He didn't wait for us to be good enough.
Let's talk: How does it feel to know Jesus loved you before you ever did anything to deserve it?
"Reconciled" means the broken friendship with God is fully repaired through Jesus' death (v. 10).
Let's go deeper: God loved you at your worst. So what does that mean for the days you feel like a failure?
💬 Conversation Starter
Take turns finishing this sentence out loud: "I'm thankful for the cross because…" Then thank Jesus together.
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Doesn't everyone basically have to earn God's approval? The cross says no. is unlike anything else the world believes. God moved toward us first, while we were still His enemies. A love like that isn't something humans would invent. It's something God revealed ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
As you close this month on the cross, lead your family in unhurried worship. Read slowly. Sing a hymn or worship song about the cross. Let everyone thank Jesus aloud. Don't rush to a lesson. Let the wonder land. Tony Evans reminds us that reconciliation is relational, not merely legal. God didn't just clear our debt. He restored the friendship and brought us into His family. Father, the most powerful thing you can model tonight isn't theological precision. It's genuine awe. When your kids see you moved by the love that saved you "while you were still a sinner," they learn that the gospel isn't just true. It's treasured. End the month not with information, but with adoration.
Draws on: Tony Evans, on reconciliation and the believer's joy.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We are not Your enemies anymore. We are Your friends forever. We rejoice in You today. In Jesus' name, amen."
Christ died for me while I was still a sinner. I am God's friend forever.