Pointing Friends to the Maker
Month 3: Creation & Science · Loving Others
Today's Scripture
Read together: John 1:3 & Acts 14:15-17
3 Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made. — John 1:3
15 “Men, why are you doing this? We too are only men, human like you. We are bringing you good news that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and everything in them. 16 In past generations, He let all nations go their own way. 17 Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.” — Acts 14:15-17
Memory Verse
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.”— Romans 1:20 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Genesis 24-26
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (A bride for Isaac, and God renewing His promise to the next generation.)The Heart of It
When Paul and Barnabas visited Lystra, they met people who had never read the Bible. They didn't know the true God at all. So how did Paul start? Not with a lecture. He started with the harvest! He told them that the living God "did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness" (). Paul pointed at the rain, the crops, the full plates, and the laughter. Then he said, "All of that good stuff is a gift from the real God who wants you to know Him." He started with what his friends already loved. Then he traced it back, like a trail of crumbs, to the Maker who gave it.
You can do the very same thing with your friends. says that through Jesus "all things were made." So every good thing your friend enjoys is a gift from Jesus. Think of pizza, music, their dog, a sunny day, or their own laugh. It's all a gift, whether they realize it yet or not. Loving your friends means caring enough to gently help them notice the Giver behind the gifts. You don't have to wait until you know every answer. You can simply say, "Isn't it amazing how good this is? I think there's Someone behind it who loves us." That's not pushy. That's a friend sharing the best news he knows. Pointing people to their Maker is one of the kindest things you will ever do.
Around the Table
Every yummy snack and every fun thing is a present from God! We can help friends say "thank You" to Him.
Let's do it: Think of a friend. Say, "Thank You God for [friend's name] — help them know You!"
Paul pointed to rain and food to talk about God. What good gift could you point to with a friend this week?
Let's talk: Why is "noticing the Giver behind the gifts" a loving thing to do for someone?
Paul met people right where they were. He used the good gifts everyone enjoys as a bridge to the gospel. He pointed to rain, food, and joy. How could you build a bridge from something your friend enjoys to the God who made it?
Let's go deeper: Name one friend who doesn't know Jesus. What's one natural, kind way you could start a conversation this week?
💬 Conversation Starter
What is the best gift you've ever been given? And did you remember to thank the person who gave it?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
You can point a friend to God without a single argument. You simply invite them to wonder. You might ask, "Where do you think all this good stuff comes from?" Like Paul at Lystra, you start from the gifts everyone enjoys and trace them to the Giver (). Do it warmly and with respect (). Be curious, not like a courtroom.
For Dad · Go Deeper
shows a real difference in how Paul spoke to different crowds. In his synagogue sermons, he spoke to people who knew the Bible well. But the people of Lystra had no Bible background at all, much like much of our culture now. To the unchurched, Paul didn't open with Scripture verses they'd never heard. He opened with creation and God's provision. That was common ground. Your kids increasingly live in a "Lystra." They are surrounded by friends who have no church memory whatsoever. Teach them that evangelism often starts before the gospel even comes up. First you establish that there is a God, that He is good, and that life has a Maker and a meaning. Creation is the on-ramp. And teach them that loving others is the engine of mission. We don't witness to win debates or score points. We witness because we genuinely want our friends to know the One who made and loves them. As a family, pray by name for specific lost friends. Mission begins at your dinner table.
Draws on: Tony Evans, Kingdom Disciples.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You for every good gift. Thank You for food, friends, fun, and life itself. Help our family notice You behind it all. And help us lovingly point our friends to You, the great Giver. In Jesus' name, amen."
Every good thing is a gift. Loving my friends means helping them see the Giver.