Family Easter Devotional: Our Living Hope

Read Together: 1 Peter 1:3-5

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you.”

Main Point

The resurrection of Jesus gives us a certain hope—not just a wish, but something we can count on no matter what happens in life. This hope is:

  • Grounded in Jesus rising from the dead
  • Given to us by God’s grace (His undeserved gift)
  • Guiding how we live each day

DISCUSSION FOR YOUNGER KIDS

Question 1: What’s the difference between hoping you get a toy for your birthday and knowing Jesus loves you?

Question 2: The sermon talked about Jesus as our “solid rock.” What does a rock do? How is Jesus like that for us?

DISCUSSION FOR OLDER KIDS

Question 1: The sermon mentioned that Peter denied Jesus three times right before Jesus died. How do you think Peter felt when he saw Jesus alive again?

Question 2: What are some things kids your age put their hope in (grades, sports, friends, popularity)? What happens when those things don’t work out?

Question 3: Read 1 Peter 1:18-19 together. What does it mean that we were “bought back” with Jesus’ blood instead of with money?

DISCUSSION FOR TEENS

Question 1: The sermon described how college students are flocking to worship events because they’re “tired of the uncertainty and chaos.” What uncertainties do you and your friends face?

Question 2: Read 1 Peter 1:13—”prepare your minds for action.” What things do you need to “refuse” (music, social media, thought patterns) to keep your mind focused on Christ?

Question 3: First Peter 3:15 says to be ready to give an account for the hope in you. If a friend asked you this week, “Why do you seem different?” or “Why do you have hope?”—what would you say?

Question 4: Gerardo’s story showed how anger at God after trauma is real, but so is God’s faithfulness. Have you ever been angry with God? How does the Book of Job help us process that?

Family Application

As a Family This Week:

Day 1 (Today): Share one thing each person is struggling with right now. Pray together that God would be your hope in that specific situation.

Day 2: Read the seven sayings of Jesus on the cross together (Luke 23:34; Luke 23:43; John 19:26-27; Matthew 27:46; John 19:28; John 19:30; Luke 23:46). Discuss which one means the most to each person and why.

Day 3: Talk about Vanessa’s story from the orphanage. How did other people’s hope in Christ give her hope? Who in your life needs to see your hope?

Day 4: Practice 1 Peter 3:15. Take turns asking each other: “What gives you hope?” and practice answering with gentleness.

Day 5: Memorize together: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3)

Closing Prayer

“Lord Jesus, thank You that our hope isn’t based on our good behavior, our achievements, or our circumstances. Our hope is in You alone, in what You did on the cross and through Your resurrection. Help us live this week like people who have a living, certain hope. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”