Made to Become His Children
Month 1: The Word Became Flesh · Heart Matters
Today's Scripture
Read together: John 1:11–13
11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of blood, nor of the desire or will of man, but born of God.
Memory Verse
“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”— John 1:14 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Genesis 11–13
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Day 4 of 365 — God calls Abram and promises to bless all families through him.)The Heart of It
When Jesus came into the world He had made, something heartbreaking happened. "His own did not receive Him" (). Many people looked right at God in the flesh and turned away. But the verses don't end in sadness. "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name." Here is the most personal invitation in the Bible. Jesus didn't come only to be admired from a distance. He came so that you could belong to God's family. Not slaves, not strangers, but sons and daughters.
Notice carefully how a person becomes God's child. It happens by receiving Him and believing in His name. It does not happen by being born into the right family. It does not happen by being good enough. It does not happen by anything we can make on our own. John says it's "not of the will of the flesh… but of God" (). It is a gift. It is given freely to all who will open their hands and take it. God offers it to everyone. Each of us must choose to receive it. That choice is the most important one a heart can make. You are invited to become His child. And the door is wide open today.
Around the Table
Jesus wants you to be part of God's family! When you receive Him, God becomes your very own Father.
Let's do it: Open your hands like you're catching a gift and say, "Jesus, I want to receive You!"
We don't become God's children by being good enough. It's a gift we accept by believing in Jesus.
Let's talk: What does it mean to "receive" Jesus? How is that different from just knowing about Him?
God offers this gift to everyone. But each person must respond. Receiving and believing is a real choice He invites us to make.
Let's go deeper: Why can't we earn our place in God's family? And why doesn't that mean our choice doesn't matter?
💬 Conversation Starter
What's the best gift you've ever been given? Did you have to earn it, or just receive it? Becoming God's child is the greatest gift of all, and it's free to receive.
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Some think we're all automatically God's children just by being born. But Jesus said we become children of God by receiving Him (). God is everyone's Maker. He becomes our Father when we trust His Son. That's a relationship He offers freely and we gladly accept. We explain it kindly, with respect ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
is a quiet pillar of the gospel we hold dear. Salvation comes "to those who believe," yet the new birth is "of God." Both halves are true. God does the saving work no one could do for themselves. Being born again is His doing, not our striving. And yet He genuinely calls every person to receive His Son. That is a call any of us can resist or embrace. Grace comes first and grace does the lifting, but it is grace your children can welcome or refuse. Resist the temptation to make their decision for them or to pressure a performance. Your job is to keep the door visible and the welcome warm, praying they'll one day open their own hands and receive Him. Tonight, ask each child gently where their own heart stands. Don't do it to corner them. Do it to invite them.
Draws on: Thomas Oden, Classic Christianity (on grace and the new birth).
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that Jesus came so we could become Your children. We receive Him today. We believe in His name. Make our home a place where everyone knows they are welcome in Your family. We pray this in Jesus' name, amen."
God offers me more than a Maker. He invites me to become His own child, today.