Say This:
Life can get busy with school, work, activities, and entertainment. God calls us to seek Him first in everything. Our relationship with God should not be an afterthought but our highest priority. When we put Him first, He has promised to bless and guide our lives. Jesus stressed this during His Sermon on the Mount.
Read This:
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Matthew 6:33
Try This:
Gather several household objects, and place them on the kitchen table (Suggested Items: snacks, toys, phones, Bible, books, games, clothing, pen/paper, flashlight, matches, water, scrap books, etc.). Ask each family member to pick 2-3 items they would keep if they had to leave the house quickly.
Ask This:
- What did you prioritize and why?
- Was God or something faith-related one of your choices?
- What are some things we sometimes prioritize over God, often without even realizing it?
Say This:
We each had logical reasons for choosing the items we would take with us in a rush. We do the same thing in our daily lives. We come up with compelling reasons for the choices we make, and for what we prioritize. Most of these things such as jobs, friends, sports, hobbies, money, phones are not bad or evil things, but they can get in the way of our relationship with God. There is an old expression that says “Good is the enemy of great.” This is often true in our lives. We allow many of the good things of this world to distract us from experiencing the greatness of a focused, fully committed relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
Here are three questions we can ask to evaluate if our relationship with God is a high priority:
1. Do I Spend Time with God on a Regular Basis?
Read Mark 1:35: And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.”
Say This:
Jesus is our perfect example, and He made time with the Father a priority. If Jesus needed quiet time with God, how much more do we? Spending time in prayer and reading the Bible helps us grow in our relationship with Him.
Ask This:
- What are some distractions that keep us from spending time with God each day?
- What are some ways we can set aside time for God both individually and as a family?
2. Do I Obey God’s Word?
Read James 1:22: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” - James 1:22
Say This:
Knowing God’s Word isn’t enough—we need to live it out. When we make our relationship with God a priority, we obey what He says. Obedience leads to God’s blessing and a deeper faith.
Ask This:
- When was a time you obeyed God and saw Him work in your life?
- Why do you think God wants us to not just hear His Word but also do it?
3. Do I Trust God in Everything? (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Read Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.”
Say This:
When we put God first, we trust Him to guide us. Life can be uncertain, but we don’t have to worry. Prioritizing God means surrendering our plans and believing He knows what is best for us.
Ask This:
- Can you think of a time when you had to trust God with something difficult?
- Why is it hard sometimes to let God be in control?
Say This:
This week, let’s make a real effort to put God first. Whether it’s through prayer, Bible reading, or trusting Him in hard times, let’s keep Him at the center of our lives.
Pray This:
"Lord, thank You for reminding us to seek You first. Help us to spend time with You, obey Your Word, and trust You in all things. Draw our family closer to You every day. In Jesus’ name, Amen."