Devotion: Use this resource at home to guide your household’s daily devotions. You can do this alone, as a couple, as a family; in the morning, during the day, or at night. Find a routine that works best for you.

Pray: Light a candle and open your devotion time with a prayer.
God of abundant love, you have poured out your heart and soul for your children. Give us hearts to love as you love, for the glory of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Reflect: Reflect on the key verses from Sunday’s reading.
For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. Romans 5:6–8 NRSV

Study: Study the reading and consider the background.
Christ died for humanity when humanity was still living in sin. It is an extraordinary show of faith and love for God to give so much for people who are incapable of loving like that in return, or even appreciating how much we are loved. Yet our God loves extravagantly, holding nothing back.

As Christ’s body, we are called to show similar love for all those struggling with sin (which includes all of us).
Read: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding of Sunday’s text. After the reading, ask the follow-up questions.

Follow the book of Romans, as Paul explains humanity’s relationship with God’s righteousness.

Sunday, Romans 5:1-11, God’s Love Poured Out

Monday, Romans 5:12-21, Adam and Christ

Tuesday, Romans 6:15-23, Slaves of Righteousness

Wednesday, Romans 7:1-6, An Analogy of Marriage

Thursday, Romans 7:7-25, The Law and Sin

Friday, Romans 8:1-17, Life in the Spirit

Saturday, Romans 9:1-18, God’s Election of Israel

What did Paul say about righteous living? What is God’s role in righteousness?

Connect: Connect in conversation with others in your household. Discuss the following questions, or simply check in with “Highs” and “Lows.”

• What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
• How are communal sins different from individual sins? How are they alike? Which are worse? Why?
• How do you know God loves you? How is God’s love evident in your daily life?

Do: By acting on what we learn, we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week.
Identify one person whose actions have hurt you, but whom you have been unable to forgive. Pray for them and do at least one kind thing for them. If you feel so led, ask God to help you forgive them.

Bless: Close your devotion with a blessing.
Ever-present Lord, enlighten our minds to see your work in moving us closer to hope in all circumstances. We want to hear your word. Amen.

Adapted by Lorinda H. M. Hoover, from material which is Copyright © 2015 Clergy Stuff. Used and adapted with Permission. Find more at www.ClergyStuff.com.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Blessing written by Pr. Chip Borgstadt.