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Family devotions are a discipline we have struggled with over the years. We have used many resources such as Word of Life Quiet time books, Keys for Kids, Our Daily Bread, Foundations Bible reading curriculum, and probably others throughout the years that I have just forgotten about. These are all great materials, but we have found that the more time spent in one of these pre-packaged resources, the more it can become a mundane chore to finish if we are not careful. As Christians, we all can be tempted to make Bible reading about what we are doing, what we can check off the list, or just another chore in our list of things to get done in a day. That’s the last thing we want to teach our kids when it comes to reading God’s Word! Reading Scripture is about knowing God, developing a personal relationship with Him, hearing from our Creator, and spending time with Him so that He do a work in our lives.

We recently re-vamped how we are discipling our kids in the area of Bible reading. We want them to open Scripture for themselves and read what God is actually saying, not just someone else’s interpretation of what a particular passage means or how it applies. We want our children to have some basic tools in their belt to read and understand God’s Word, figure out what it really means, and then apply what they just read to their lives.

Here’s how this works for us.

Every morning before the kids do anything else, they open up their Bibles and read the passage for the day. The passage is assigned by Wes the night before. Wes and I make sure to read that same passage that morning also, although we may add more to our daily reading than we ask them to read. The kids spend a minimum of twenty minutes in the Word each morning, reading the assigned passage and looking for certain things as they read.

This is where the goofiness of our family comes into play, even in our Bible reading time! We are looking for SPACEPETS as we read. Did you know that you can find SPACEPETS in the Bible? We do all the time!

This is an acronym that assists our children in their curiosity when it comes to Scripture. Here’s what is stands for:

S- Sins to confess
P- Promise to claim
A- Attitude to Change
C- Command to Obey
E- Example to Follow
P- Prayer to Pray
E- Error to Avoid
T- Truth to believe
S- Something to thank God for

For example, our Bible reading on Saturday was Colossians 3:5-8. It says:

 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.  But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

Col 3:5-8

Do you see any SPACEPETS in this text?

I see some. “Put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature….” These things are “sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed…anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language…” This would be a Command to Obey. Also, if I am convicted while reading about my earthly nature and God allows me to see during my reading of His Word that I am really struggling with anger I would say that this is a Sin to Confess. I would then spend some time confessing this sin to God and asking Him for help. There are other SPACEPETS that you could find in this short text of Scripture. Do you see any?

The kids have learned to do this over the past few months and the growth in their own daily walk with the Lord has been such a grace to witness. Just the other day my son Colton was on the phone with one of his aunts. She was asking him what he was up to and he boldly said “I just was reading my Bible and founds my SPACEPETS for today.” She was bit confused, and he went on to explain to her what he looks for in his Bible and that day he had found a Command to Obey that day. It was super cool hearing him excited about what he was discovering in God’s Word and how he was applying it to his own life and sharing it with others.

Lastly, what we do each day after each of us have done our own personal time with the Lord is we all get together to share what we learned and what we found in God’s Word. This is usually in the evening after dinner. Many times, we all have focused on a different part of the same passage of Scripture. It’s neat to see what God causes to stick out to each of us. We then spend some time praying about our own SPACEPETS we found that day and asking for God’s help in applying what we have learned.

This method of Bible reading has been such a benefit to us and our family. The kids are always so excited to share their SPACEPETS and why that particular verse was important and stood out to them. There are times when as parents we realize that a verse has been misunderstood or misapplied, so this has also been a great method of discipleship with our kids. We are able to talk through those misunderstandings as a family and help them to correctly interpret and correctly apply Scripture.

Maybe you feel like you are in a rut with you family devotions. We highly recommend this simple method. It’s so simple, teaches discipline in Bible reading, helps each individual to engage with God’s Word in a personal way, and allows you as a family to do something so meaningful together- get into God’s Word!

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Moving into chapter 4, we see the author of Hebrews narrow his focus onto the concept of rest.   When studying Scripture, it is important and helpful to notice when word is repeated.  The repeated word in this portion of Scripture is rest. 

Rest means a cessation of work or labor, freedom from worries, anxieties, a sense of confidence, peace, and inner stability.  Throughout Scripture, this word is used in a couple of different ways, which is essential to understand if we are going to understand this passage.

First, in Scripture we see rest is reference to salvation.  This type of rest is acquired when a sinner places their faith in Jesus Christ for salvation.  What happens as a result is the sinner is saved and given peace with God.  Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  We are given peace with God as a result of being justified through Christ.

There is another type of rest that we see in Scripture, and specifically is seen in this passage of Hebrews.  Some call it “rest of faith,” “faith rest,” or “faith-life rest.”  All these terms are simply ways to describe what we see in this passage.  This type of rest is for the believer in Christ and the believer acquires this rest by choosing to continually trust and yield to Jesus and to His Word.  This rest is not a matter of salvation, but fellowship with God.  Instead of speaking to the peace with God that comes from salvation, this rest results in the peace of God in the life of a believer.  Philippians 4:6-7 is a common passage that speaks to this concept.  It says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Understanding this, let’s consider Hebrews 4 together.  Here are some things we see in Hebrews 4

  1. We can fail to enter God’s Rest. (4:1)

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

The first thing that really stands out to me with this verse is that the believer is specifically told to fear!  Often, we focus on the verses that tell us not to fear, and there are many, but have you noticed that Scripture also tells us there are things that are proper to fear?  For instance, Jesus told His disciples not to fear man, but to fear God (Luke 12:4-5). Paul had a proper fear for the believers in Corinth (2 Cor. 11;3, 12:20), and also the Galatian believers (Gal. 4:1).  We are told to fear God in 1 Peter 2:17, 3:22, Acts 9:31, and 2 Cor. 5:10. 

Hebrews 4:1 tells us to fear the possibility of not entering God’s rest. This verse connects back to what has just been previously stated.  In chapter 3:16-19, the author is pointing to the example of the Israelites failure to enter the promised land because of their unbelief.  They had gotten to the edge of the promised land but were not allowed to enter because of their unbelief and rebellion.  The author draws a parallel to the life of the believer here.  We can be at rest positionally (eternally saved) but fail to enter into rest experientially.

2. Rest is entered into on the basis of faith. (4:2-3)

For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.  For we who have believed enter that rest, as he has said “As I swore in my wrath, They shall not enter my rest,” although his works were finished from the foundation of the world.

Rest is not just a matter of hearing or knowing God’s Word.  Believing God’s Word and promises and walking in obedience is essential to rest and fellowship. The generation of Israelites knew that God had promised them the land they were right at the edge of taking, yet they did not act in obedience and belief that God would accomplish what He had promised. 

Faith is not just something that saves.  Faith is how the believer must live their day to day life, through the power and provision of God.  Later in Hebrews, the author speaks to the importance of faith.  “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…”. The Christian walk is a walk of faith.  We live by faith. If we fail to have faith in the Lord and His promises, we miss out on the amazing life of rest He offers to us. 

3. Rest is still available to believers, but not all enter it (4:4-10)

For he has somewhere spoken of the seventh day in this way: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” And again in this passage he said, “They shall not enter my rest.” Since therefore it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good new failed to enter because of disobedience, again he appoints a certain day, “Today,” saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on.  So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

This passage references two men, David and Joshua.  Joshua was the leader who eventually would lead God’s people into the promised land.  They would experience the promises the previous generation had forfeited because of unbelief. The phrase “today if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts,” is a quote taken from Psalm 95:11, where we see that even in the days of King David, an invitation is given to the people of God to enter into God’s rest. This was already quoted previously in the book of Hebrews in chapter 3:8-11, where the human author of Hebrews is warning the believers of the consequences of failing to consider Jesus.  The point is this: God offers rest to believers, but not all enter it.

So What?

4. The practical charge to believers is to be diligent to enter that rest. (4:11)

Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.

It is obvious here that not all believers enter God’s rest.  We can fail to enter into a fruitful, full relationship of fellowship with Christ through disobedience.   The author of Hebrews gives this charge to strive to enter that rest, and then he goes on to give two practical ways in which the believer is to guard against deception and disobedience in his or her own life.  These are 1.) the Word of God and 2.) Christ Himself. God doesn’t leave us flailing and wondering how to live a fruitful life, He gives us practical helps right here in the passage that will guide us into this life of rest and fullness in Christ. We are under a greater revelation, given through Christ and judged by the Word of God (Heb. 1:2).

a. Through exposure to the written Word of God (4:12)

For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

  • It is Living: life producing. This Word offers life! If we, as believers, want to experience this life of rest, we must be spending time in God’s Word!
  • It is Active: effective and powerful.
  • It is Sharper than any two-edged sword: has a penetrating quality. The two-edged sword was the sharpest weapon a Roman soldier had available at the time of this writing.  It was a powerful weapon.  The Word of God is even more powerful than that!  It is able to distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil.  It helps us to know these things.
  • It is Piercing: to pierce, penetrate. God’s Word is able to penetrate to the depths of soul and spirit.  It exposes our inmost being.
  • It discerns: able to judge. This word is only used once in Scripture in this instance. God’s Word judges.  Something to note: God’s Word judges us.  We do not judge God’s Word. 

Are you actively spending time in the written Word of God?  Are you allowing the Word to impart life to you daily?  Are you allowing it to penetrate you and to pierce you?  When you open the Word of God, are you allowing His Word to speak to you plainly, or do you try to make it say what makes you comfortable?

When we allow the Word to do its work in our lives, we can enter into God’s rest. However, when we stand in judgement over God’s Word and we try to act as if we are the discerner, the one to impart knowledge, the one who can pick and choose what to believe and apply from Scripture, we are walking in disobedience just as the ancient Israelites did. 

b. Through obedience to the living Word of God (4:13)

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

This verse shifts from the focus being on the written Word to the focus being on a person, the Word of God, Jesus Christ.  Notice the words, “his, him.”  This is referring to a person.  All is naked and exposed before Jesus Christ. One day, we will stand before Him and give an account for how we lived, how we followed Him, how we treated His Word. 2 Cor. 5:10 speaks to this.  It says, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

Not only must we be spending time in God’s Word, we are also called to obedience to that Word.  This takes work and effort on our part, but we must remember that ultimately, Christ is the one who lives through us.

“I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.  And the life is now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and give himself for me.”  (Galatians 2:20). We live by faith and submission to Him.

He says, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29)

Submit to Christ and His Word, and you will live a life of rest. 

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Hebrews 1:1-4 tells us many truths about Jesus.  In that section of Scripture, we saw that Jesus is the creator of the universe, the perfect reflection of God, the purifier of sins, the heir of all things.  Much more can be said about that first section of Hebrews.  The last thing we noticed about Jesus came from verse 4, which is that Jesus is superior to the angels. 

The rest of Hebrews chapter 1 expounds upon that fact, with example after example taken from the Old Testament and showing how Jesus is, in fact, far greater than the angels in position and power.  He is Creator.  Angels are created.  He is worshipped. Angels worship Him.  Jesus’ throne is forever.  Angels come and go in their ministry.  Hebrews 11:5-13 tells us all of these things. 

As I have studied the beginning of Hebrews, one of my questions has been, “Why make such a huge deal over angels?  Why does God, through the human author of Hebrews, spend such a huge portion comparing Jesus to angels?”

To the modern reader living in America, where naturalism rules and many people do not consistently think about the ministry of angels or their interaction with humans in the world, Hebrews 1 may seem unimportant. To understand its relevance and importance to the book, however, one must understand some of the background of the original readers of the book of Hebrews. To the readers who originally received this writing, the subject of angels would have been critical.  These were Jewish readers.  They understood angels to be one of God’s modes of communication with mankind.  After all, throughout Old Testament Scriptures God communicated through angels. He gave the law through angels (Gal. 3:19). He spoke to Hagar (Gen. 16), Abraham (Gen. 22:11-18), Daniel (Dan. 10:11-12) and more through angels. Israel held that revelation from God through angels was binding.  Therefore, if they were going to willingly put themselves under a new revelation from God, revealed through the person of Jesus Christ Himself, they would have to be shown that He was superior to angels. Jewish Christians who were baptized has renounced Judaism, and the temptation was to just go back to the old religious system.  This was especially difficult for these Hebrew believers who were facing persecutions and hardships because they were followers of Christ.  

These readers needed to understand and be reminded that Jesus, God Himself, is Superior to angels. They were tempted to go back to Judaism and needed to understand the Jesus’ revelation was superior to Judaism and the keeping of the law, even though both were from God.  Jesus was superior to any other revelation that came before. Although God has used angels to communicate His message, God was fully and completely revealed through the person and work of Jesus Christ.  He is the one worthy of our worship and adoration. Believers need not look elsewhere. 

The rest of Hebrews 1 demonstrates just that: Jesus is Superior to the angels.

Throughout Hebrews 1:5-14, we see at least five different descriptions of Jesus that show us His Superiority to angels.

Jesus is the Son (Hebrews 1:5)

For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten You”? Or again, “I will be to Him a Father and He shall be to me a Son”?

Here we see God, speaking through the human author of Hebrews, revealing that these Old Testament quotes spoke directly of Jesus. Jesus is God the Son.  He is set apart in status as God’s own Son.  Angels are referred to as sons of God collectively, but Jesus is Superior in that He is THE Son of God. This makes Him Deity, which sets Him apart from any angels existing.  To be the Son of God is to be of the same nature as God.  This is a declaration that Jesus is, in fact, God. Remember what we saw in Hebrews 1:3. It says “He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature.”

Many today will claim that Jesus never saw Himself to be equal with God and is never declared to be God. That is simply not true.  Jesus emphatically declared “I and the Father are One.” (John 10:30).  Many today believe in an inferior Jesus, one who is quite different that the Jesus revealed in the Bible. The Jesus revealed in Scripture is the Son of God. He is equal to God in every way.

No angel is given the same status.  Jesus is Superior.

Jesus is Worshipped (Hebrews 1:6)

And again, When He brings the Firstborn into the world, He says, “Let all God’s angels worship Him.”

Here, Jesus Superiority to angels is displayed  through the fact that He is worshipped by angels.  Angels worship Jesus.  It is not the other way around.  In fact, Scripture makes it quite clear that angels are not to be worshipped.  They are ministers of God, not equal with God as Jesus is.  Jesus deserves our worship and is worshipped by angels. 

Often, when seeing an angel, humans have been tempted to fall down and worship.  We see this with the apostle John in Revelation 22:9. Angels are supernatural beings that we would be in awe to see.  Yet Jesus is far above them.  Let’s give Jesus the worship that He alone deserves.

Jesus’ Throne is Forever (Hebrews 1:7-9)

Here, we see two contrasting statements.  The ministry of angels is contrasted with the ministry of Jesus.  Jesus’ throne is permanent.  Angels come and go in their ministry. 

Of the angels He says “He makes His angels winds, and His ministers a flame of fire.” But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.  You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness beyond Your companions.”

This passage is so rich! Here, God the Father declares Jesus to be God. Jesus is a righteous ruler who hates wickedness.  He cannot and will not sin.  Angels had the ability to sin.  Many are fallen because of their rebellion, but Jesus is righteous, and will reign forever in righteousness as God in the flesh, while angels worship Him on His forever throne.

What an amazing hope we have as Christians that one day, Jesus will reign in complete righteousness and justice!  This is a truth we can fix our eyes on.  Keeping this in focus will equip us to face what comes.

Jesus is Eternal Creator (Hebrews 1:10-12)

And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of Your hands; they will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe You will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed.  But You are the same, and Your years will have no end.”

This concept was also given attention in Hebrew 1:2, “through whom also He created the world.”  Angels are created beings. Jesus is the creator.  He is Superior. He is better.  Angels only exist because Jesus is the Creator.  John 1:2-3 says, “He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.” 

Think about this.  Nothing would exist if not for Jesus being the Creator.  Nothing.  Jesus is Superior.  He is better. 

Jesus has Limitless Power and Dominion (Hebrews 1:13-14)

And to which of the angels has He ever said, “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”?  Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

Jesus is limitless power and dominion. One day, He will defeat all His enemies.  Every knee will bow before Him and declare that Jesus is Lord.  He will rule in perfect justice and holiness forever and ever.

This makes some uncomfortable because they have been taught a different Jesus.  Jesus is just.  His justice will fall upon all those who have rejected Him.  This is a humbling truth and should cause us who know Him to be motivated to share Christ with others.  I was at one time an enemy of Christ (Romans 5:10).  He has gloriously saved me through His death and resurrection. He took my sin upon Himself on the cross, satisfying the wrath and justice of God.  I am no longer awaiting God’s perfect justice, because that justice has been satisfied through Jesus sacrificial death.  He took my punishment and in exchange, I have been given His grace.  However, not all have chosen to believe upon Jesus.  Have you?  Do you know that if you were to die today, you would be allowed to enter heaven?  If you are unsure of where you would spend eternity, I would love to talk with you and share with you from the Scripture how you can know you are right with God. 

Jesus has limitless power and dominion, and one day, His enemies will be humiliated before Him. This is true from Scripture, revealed from God Himself.  No angel has this power.  Jesus is Superior.

Again, Jesus is contrasted to the limited power and scope of the ministry of angels.  Angels minister to people, yet they only do so because God makes them to do so. They are controlled by God Himself. They are servants serving the King of Kings for the good of those who are to inherit salvation. Jesus is Superior.

So What?

Just as the Hebrew Christians needed to be challenged in their thinking and believing, so also do we. The Hebrew Christians needed to be reminded that Jesus is Superior to anything else.  If they did not understand this, then the temptation would be to give in when the going got tough.  We also need this perspective as modern-day Christians. Jesus is better than the acceptance of others, any comfort, any religious system, any praise, and any revelation given in the past. He is better than any other physical or spiritual thing. He is Superior. Understanding these truths should directly affect how I live my life in the here and now. Where do I spend my time?  What do I devote my attention and adoration towards?  Is it Christ?  He is better.  He is Superior. 

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I have recently started studying the book of Hebrews. Honestly, Hebrews is a book that intimidates me. It is deep. It has a lot of reference to Old Testament rituals and customs that I am not studied up on as much as I would like to be. There are many passages that are highly debated among many Christians in Hebrews. Yet, I believe with my whole heart that all of God’s Word is profitable and He desires that we understand it. In fact, the beginning of Hebrews tells me that much.

Hebrews 1:1-4 says “Long ago, at many times and in many way, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed the heir of all things, through whom also He created the world.  He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature, and He upholds the universe by the word of his power.  After making purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name He has inherited is more excellent than theirs.”

The beginning of this passage tells us of how God has revealed Himself in the past. He spoke through prophets. He spoke through these men of God in many different ways and many different times. God wants to be known by those He has created! All throughout the Old Testament, He communicated with His people in various ways- calling them to turn to Him. He communicated His law. He communicated how He views sin. He communicated his anger towards injustice, idolatry, and false worship. God desires that we would walk in the truth He has communicated. He is not a distant God, but relational. God has not chosen to hide Himself.  He has made Himself known so that we might know Him. 

Verse 2 of this passage goes on to say that God has now spoken to us in His Son. Jesus. God has made Himself known fully and completely in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus shows us exactly what God is like. He is God in the flesh, and we would do well to pay attention to what He says, who He is, and what He held as important and true. The rest of this passage goes on to tell us about this Jesus- the man who shows us God.

What do these verses tell us about who Jesus is?

  • Jesus is the heir of all things– the universe belongs to Him.
  • Jesus is the creator of the universe. John tells us “all things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made.” (John 1:3) Jesus was there in the beginning with God before the earth was ever created. He existed through all eternity. He spoke the world into existence. He is Supreme and worthy of my worship and adoration.
  • Jesus is the perfect reflection of God. Jesus is God, therefore He shows us exactly what God is like. “No one has seen God at any time, the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, He as declared Him.” (John 1:18)
  • Jesus is the upholder of the universe. He sustains the universe. He causes it to continue. “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” (Colossians 1:17)
  • Jesus is the purifier of sins. To purify means to clean from inward pollution. We all are in need of cleansing. Our sin is disgusting to God. He hates it so much that He sent Jesus, who willingly paid for our sin on the cross.  Jesus is the sin-bearer. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.  Bu His wounds you have been. healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
  • Jesus is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  This is a place of honor, privilege, and power.  His purifying work is finished.  “…but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God.” (Hebrews 10:12)
  • Jesus is superior to angels. Jewish people have a very high regard for angels. In gaining Christ, we gain One who is superior to angels. Think about it- who was there to proclaim the birth of Jesus? Then angels. Jesus is superior in position to angels, something the next portion in the book of Hebrews expounds upon.

Why does this all matter?

God has revealed Himself through Jesus. If we want to know who God is, we can look to Jesus.

Often times we have a very low view of Jesus. We think of Him as no more than a friend, a man we can seek to emanate. We regard Him as a soft-spoken, gentle man who cared for all and showed people the right way to live. Jesus was all of this, yet He was so much more. Jesus speaks the truth when it hurts. He is Supreme. He is Powerful. He is God. He is Savior. He is Superior. He is Better!

When we go to Jesus, we should do so with reverence and respect. We should approach Him with thankfulness and gratitude. We should speak about Him with awe and wonder, not in a flippant manner- knowing that we are His creation and He is Creator. What we believe about Jesus should line up with Scripture and the revelation God has set before us. God desires to be known. He has revealed Himself fully and completely through Jesus Christ. For that, I am eternally grateful and humbled.

When I am tempted to exchange the truth for lesser things, to devote my love and adoration to things that cannot satisfy, to soften the truth of Scripture for something that is more palatable- may I remember Jesus. May I look to Him. May I remember who He truly is. May I fix my eyes on Him, the author and perfecter of my faith. He is better. He is greater. He is superior to any earthly thing.

What do you think? How can we make sure that our view of Jesus lines up with Scripture? How does remembering who Jesus truly is affect how you go throughout life? I would love to hear some of your thoughts!