Church family…since we aren’t gathering for worship today, we have provided a devotion to do in your home.
Attached is a family devotion for kids, teens, and adults. Take 10–15 minutes and do this together:
1. Pray briefly
2. Read the devotion and Scriptures
3. Answer the discussion questions
4. Pick one simple action for this week (prayer, Word, worship, or obedience)
5. Close with prayer
Let’s keep Jesus at the center of our homes today.
Attached is a family devotion for kids, teens, and adults. Take 10–15 minutes and do this together:
1. Pray briefly
2. Read the devotion and Scriptures
3. Answer the discussion questions
4. Pick one simple action for this week (prayer, Word, worship, or obedience)
5. Close with prayer
Let’s keep Jesus at the center of our homes today.
Family Devotion – January 25, 2026
Late January is where the excitement of fresh goals can fade, routines get messy, and life reminds us that storms still come… weather, stress, finances, emotions, schedules, sickness, conflict, uncertainty.
Jesus never promised a storm free life. He promised a stable foundation.
Today, we’re going to let Jesus remind us how to build a home and a life that stands even when conditions are hard.
Matthew 7:24–27 (KJV)
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Both builders wanted a house
Both people in Jesus’ story were building something. This account tells us that everyone is building a life, building a home, building values, building habits, building a future.
The question isn’t “Are we building?”
The question is “What are we building on?”
Both houses faced storms
Jesus lists rain, floods, winds, and pressure from every angle.
Storms are part of life in this world.
Sometimes storms are external (weather, bills, health, job stress).
Sometimes storms are internal (anxiety, discouragement, temptation, anger). Sometimes storms hit relationships (misunderstandings, offense, unforgiveness).
But notice: the storm didn’t decide the outcome.
The foundation decided the outcome.
The difference is obedience
Jesus defines wisdom as:
A strong home isn’t built on good intentions or good church attendance alone. It’s built when we apply Jesus in everyday life:
The rock isn’t being religious.
The rock is Jesus and living His Word.
Church isn’t only something we attend.
Faith is something we live, especially at home.
A healthy church is made of healthy homes.
And healthy homes are built on a daily foundation of Jesus.
Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua didn’t say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD… when everything is convenient.” He said, “This is who we are. This is our foundation.”
What Does “Built on the Rock” Look Like in Real Life?
Here are a few applications any home can start this week:
A. Put Jesus first
Not first when we’re desperate, but first because He’s Lord.
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Seeking first means:
• We make room for God on purpose
• We prioritize His voice over our emotions
• We let His Word shape our decisions
B. Let the Word live in the home
A Bible in the house isn’t the same as the Word in the home.
The goal isn’t to be perfect, it’s to be consistent.
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (KJV)
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
That’s everyday discipleship. Not complicated, just constant.
C. Build with prayer
Prayer is how we invite Jesus into the atmosphere of our home. Even a short prayer is powerful when it’s sincere.
Philippians 4:6–7 (KJV)
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Storms may still rage, but peace can still rule.
D. Choose responses that match the Rock
A storm often reveals what’s under the surface. If our foundation is sand, pressure produces collapse. If our foundation is Christ, pressure can produce stability.
Colossians 3:13 (KJV)
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Forgiveness keeps storms from turning into destruction.
A Simple Family Moment
Pick ONE application for this week:
• Prayer: Pray together before bed this week…30 seconds.
• Word: Read 5 verses together 3 nights this week.
• Obedience: Practice forgiving quickly and speaking kindly.
• Worship: Play 1 worship song and take a moment with Jesus.
Small steps, consistently practiced, build strong foundations.
Discussion Questions
For Kids
For Teens
For Adults
Jesus never promised a storm free life. He promised a stable foundation.
Today, we’re going to let Jesus remind us how to build a home and a life that stands even when conditions are hard.
Matthew 7:24–27 (KJV)
24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:
27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
Both builders wanted a house
Both people in Jesus’ story were building something. This account tells us that everyone is building a life, building a home, building values, building habits, building a future.
The question isn’t “Are we building?”
The question is “What are we building on?”
Both houses faced storms
Jesus lists rain, floods, winds, and pressure from every angle.
Storms are part of life in this world.
Sometimes storms are external (weather, bills, health, job stress).
Sometimes storms are internal (anxiety, discouragement, temptation, anger). Sometimes storms hit relationships (misunderstandings, offense, unforgiveness).
But notice: the storm didn’t decide the outcome.
The foundation decided the outcome.
The difference is obedience
Jesus defines wisdom as:
- Hearing His words
- and doing His words
A strong home isn’t built on good intentions or good church attendance alone. It’s built when we apply Jesus in everyday life:
- When we forgive instead of holding grudges
- When we tell the truth instead of covering things up
- When we pray even when we don’t feel like it
- When we choose peace instead of constant arguing
- When we put Jesus first instead of fitting Him in only if there’s time
The rock isn’t being religious.
The rock is Jesus and living His Word.
Church isn’t only something we attend.
Faith is something we live, especially at home.
A healthy church is made of healthy homes.
And healthy homes are built on a daily foundation of Jesus.
Joshua 24:15 (KJV)
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Joshua didn’t say, “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD… when everything is convenient.” He said, “This is who we are. This is our foundation.”
What Does “Built on the Rock” Look Like in Real Life?
Here are a few applications any home can start this week:
A. Put Jesus first
Not first when we’re desperate, but first because He’s Lord.
Matthew 6:33 (KJV)
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Seeking first means:
• We make room for God on purpose
• We prioritize His voice over our emotions
• We let His Word shape our decisions
B. Let the Word live in the home
A Bible in the house isn’t the same as the Word in the home.
The goal isn’t to be perfect, it’s to be consistent.
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (KJV)
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.
That’s everyday discipleship. Not complicated, just constant.
C. Build with prayer
Prayer is how we invite Jesus into the atmosphere of our home. Even a short prayer is powerful when it’s sincere.
Philippians 4:6–7 (KJV)
6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Storms may still rage, but peace can still rule.
D. Choose responses that match the Rock
A storm often reveals what’s under the surface. If our foundation is sand, pressure produces collapse. If our foundation is Christ, pressure can produce stability.
Colossians 3:13 (KJV)
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Forgiveness keeps storms from turning into destruction.
A Simple Family Moment
Pick ONE application for this week:
• Prayer: Pray together before bed this week…30 seconds.
• Word: Read 5 verses together 3 nights this week.
• Obedience: Practice forgiving quickly and speaking kindly.
• Worship: Play 1 worship song and take a moment with Jesus.
Small steps, consistently practiced, build strong foundations.
Discussion Questions
For Kids
- In Jesus’ story, what happened to the house built on the rock when the storm came?
- What does Jesus want us to do with His words: just hear them, or do them?
- What is one thing we can do this week to build our home on the Rock?
For Teens
- When life feels unstable, what do you usually run to first…friends, your phone, distractions, or God? Why?
- What does “building on the rock” look like at school or with friends, not just at church?
- Can you think of a time when pressure revealed what your foundation really was? What did you learn from it?
For Adults
- When pressure hits our home, what tends to come out of us…peace or panic, kindness or snapping, faith or fear?
- What’s one area where our home needs a stronger foundation right now?
- What is one spiritual habit we can lead as a household this week (Word, prayer, worship, serving, forgiveness)