WE SET OUR HEARTS

This day helps us reset our hearts and posture ourselves before God as we begin each week.

*This Monday focus remains the same each week, while the rest of the guide flows from Sunday’s message.

SCRIPTURE

Joshua 5:15 (NKJV)

“Then the Commander of the Lord’s army said to Joshua, ‘Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.’ And Joshua did so.”

DEVOTIONAL

Monday is a day to pause and realign our hearts with God. Before Joshua ever faced Jericho, he encountered the presence of the Lord and was called to consecration. Victory did not begin with strategy, but with surrender.

As we move forward in this new week, we choose to receive what God spoke on Sunday and to walk it out with humility and obedience. We acknowledge that God is holy, present, and leading us into the good works He has prepared for us. Our posture matters before our progress.

PRAYER FOCUS

Lord, we receive what You spoke to us. We humble our hearts before You and set our lives apart for Your purposes. Lead us this week as we walk in faith and obedience. [Pray from your heart.] In Jesus' Name I pray, amen.

FAMILY REFLECTION

Ask: What stood out to you most from Sunday’s service?

THE FATHER WITH OPEN ARMS

This week, we are focusing on the heart of the Father.

Many people relate to God through the lens of their experiences, disappointments, wounds, successes, or failures. Yet Jesus came to reveal the Father as He truly is. Throughout His ministry, Jesus continually pointed people beyond misconceptions, fears, and assumptions to the Father’s love, grace, and compassion.

In the parable commonly known as the Prodigal Son, the central figure is not actually the son—it is the father. While both sons misunderstood him, the father remained constant. He watched, waited, welcomed, pursued, restored, and invited relationship.

The Father revealed in Scripture is not distant, reluctant, or looking for reasons to reject us. He is the Father with open arms. His desire is not merely that we know about Him, but that we know Him and experience His love personally.

This week, ask the Lord to reveal any ways you may have misunderstood His heart. Whether you identify more with the younger son, the older son, or somewhere in between, the invitation remains the same: come to the Father with confidence, knowing that His arms are open and His heart is for you.

THE FATHER REVEALED

SCRIPTURE READING

John 14:9

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

Luke 15:20

And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

DEVOTIONAL

Many people view God through the lens of their experiences rather than through the lens of Scripture. Some see Him as distant, disappointed, demanding, or difficult to approach.

Jesus came to reveal the Father. Throughout His ministry, He consistently demonstrated the Father’s compassion, mercy, grace, and love.

The father in Luke 15 did not wait with folded arms and a list of conditions. He watched, waited, and ran toward his son. This is the heart of God. He desires relationship with His children and welcomes all who come to Him.

The more clearly we understand the Father’s heart, the more confidently we can trust Him.

PRAYER FOCUS

Father, help me see You as You truly are. Remove any misconceptions, fears, or assumptions that do not align with Your Word. Teach me to trust Your goodness and rest in Your love. [Pray from your heart.] In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

FAMILY REFLECTION

Ask: How do you think many people view God, and how is the father in this story different?

IGNITE PRAYER FOCUS

About Ignite: NC Youth's annual summer trip, Ignite, is Friday, June 26 - Wednesday, July 1. This year’s theme is Imago Dei (Image of God) as students explore what it means to be created in God’s image and how biblical masculinity and femininity reflect His design.

• Pray that the Lord would begin preparing the hearts of every student and leader even now. Ask Him to create a hunger for His presence, a readiness to hear His voice, and an openness to receive all that He desires to do during the week.

THE DISTANT COUNTRY

SCRIPTURE READING

Luke 15:13

And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.

Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray;

We have turned, every one, to his own way;

And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

DEVOTIONAL

The younger son believed life would be better apart from his father. He pursued independence, freedom, and fulfillment on his own terms.

The distant country is not merely a location; it represents any place where we seek life apart from God. We can find ourselves there through sin, pride, self-sufficiency, disappointment, or simply drifting away from dependence upon Him.

Yet the story reminds us that even when we wander, the Father’s heart toward us does not change. His love remains steadfast, and His desire is always to bring us home.

PRAYER FOCUS

Father, reveal any areas where I have drifted from dependence upon You. Help me recognize the places where I have sought fulfillment apart from Your presence. Draw my heart back to You. [Pray from your heart.] In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

FAMILY REFLECTION

Ask: What are some things people sometimes look to for fulfillment instead of God?

IGNITE PRAYER FOCUS

About Ignite: NC Youth's annual summer trip, Ignite, is Friday, June 26 - Wednesday, July 1. This year’s theme is Imago Dei (Image of God) as students explore what it means to be created in God’s image and how biblical masculinity and femininity reflect His design.

• Pray that students would begin to see themselves through God’s eyes. Ask the Lord to expose and remove lies, labels, insecurities, and false identities that may have shaped how they view themselves.

• Pray that students would grow in confidence as sons and daughters of God and begin to understand their value, purpose, and identity in Christ.

HUNGER THAT LEADS US HOME

SCRIPTURE READING

Luke 15:17

But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!’

Matthew 5:6

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

For they shall be filled.

DEVOTIONAL

The turning point in the younger son’s story came when he recognized his need.

Sometimes God uses seasons of emptiness, disappointment, or hunger to awaken us to our need for Him. What initially feels like loss can become an invitation to return to the One who truly satisfies.

Spiritual hunger is not something to fear. It is often evidence that God is drawing us closer to Himself.

The Father welcomes those who come to Him hungry, needy, and aware of their dependence upon Him.

PRAYER FOCUS

Father, increase my hunger for You. Help me seek Your presence above every other pursuit. Teach me to find my satisfaction, strength, and fulfillment in You alone. [Pray from your heart.] In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

FAMILY REFLECTION

Ask: Why can recognizing our need for God be the beginning of something good?

IGNITE PRAYER FOCUS

About Ignite: NC Youth's annual summer trip, Ignite, is Friday, June 26 - Wednesday, July 1. This year’s theme is Imago Dei (Image of God) as students explore what it means to be created in God’s image and how biblical masculinity and femininity reflect His design.

• Pray for protection over every student, leader, vehicle, and activity throughout the trip.

• Ask the Lord to prepare meaningful divine appointments and relationships. Pray that students who often feel isolated, overlooked, or disconnected would find genuine friendship, encouragement, and a sense of belonging within the group.

• Pray that unity, honor, and love would characterize the entire week.

THE FATHER WHO WATCHES AND RUNS

SCRIPTURE READING

Luke 15:20

And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

Romans 5:8

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

DEVOTIONAL

The younger son expected rejection. Instead, he found compassion.

Scripture says that while he was still a great way off, his father saw him. The father was not surprised by his son’s return. His eyes had been fixed on the horizon, watching and waiting for the day his son would come home.

Before the son could prove himself, explain himself, or earn his place back, the father ran to him. He embraced him, welcomed him, and demonstrated his love.

This picture reveals God’s heart toward us. He is not distant or indifferent. He pursues relationship with His children and delights in restoration.

Grace is not earned. It is received.

PRAYER FOCUS

Father, thank You for Your grace and compassion. Thank You that You pursue me even when I wander and welcome me when I return. Help me receive Your love more fully and trust the goodness of Your heart. [Pray from your heart.] In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

FAMILY REFLECTION

Ask: What does the father’s response teach us about God’s heart toward people who return to Him?

IGNITE PRAYER FOCUS

About Ignite: NC Youth's annual summer trip, Ignite, is Friday, June 26 - Wednesday, July 1. This year’s theme is Imago Dei (Image of God) as students explore what it means to be created in God’s image and how biblical masculinity and femininity reflect His design.

Today the students begin their journey.

• Pray for safe travel and for the Lord’s peace, protection, and favor throughout the day.

• As the week begins, ask God to help students recognize that they were intentionally created in His image. Pray that they would begin to see themselves as God sees them—loved, chosen, and created with purpose.

• Pray for openness, expectation, and a willingness to encounter the Lord in a fresh way.

RESTORED AS A SON

SCRIPTURE READING

Luke 15:21–24

And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

Romans 8:15–16

or you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,

DEVOTIONAL

The younger son returned home hoping to become a servant. The father refused.

Before the son could finish his prepared speech, the father restored him. The robe covered his shame. The ring restored his identity and authority as a son. The sandals distinguished him from a servant.

The father was not interested in hiring a servant. He was restoring a son.

Many believers struggle with the same misunderstanding. We sometimes approach God as though we must earn His acceptance through performance. Yet the Father invites us to live as sons and daughters who have been welcomed through grace.

We obey God not to become His children, but because we already are His children.

PRAYER FOCUS

Father, thank You for adopting me into Your family through Jesus Christ. Help me live from a place of sonship rather than striving. Teach me to rest in Your love, receive Your grace, and walk confidently as Your child. [Pray from your heart.] In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

FAMILY REFLECTION

Ask: What is the difference between serving God as a servant trying to earn acceptance and serving Him as a son or daughter who is already loved?

IGNITE PRAYER FOCUS

About Ignite: NC Youth's annual summer trip, Ignite, is Friday, June 26 - Wednesday, July 1. This year’s theme is Imago Dei (Image of God) as students explore what it means to be created in God’s image and how biblical masculinity and femininity reflect His design.

• Pray that students would grow in their understanding of God’s desire for relationship with them.

• Ask the Lord to reveal areas of hurt, disappointment, shame, insecurity, or brokenness that need healing and restoration. Pray that students would experience the love, grace, and restoring power of Jesus in a personal way.

• Pray for honesty, vulnerability, and meaningful conversations in small groups and personal interactions.

THE FATHER’S HEART FOR UNITY

SCRIPTURE READING

Luke 15:31–32

 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”

Psalm 133:1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is

For brethren to dwell together in unity!

DEVOTIONAL

The father’s desire extended beyond restoring one son. He also pursued the older brother and invited him into reconciliation and relationship.

The older brother was physically close to the father, yet he misunderstood his heart. He viewed his relationship through the lens of performance, comparison, and resentment. The father invited him to lay those things aside and enter into the joy of restoration.

The Father’s heart is always toward restoration. He desires healthy relationships, forgiveness, unity, and peace among His children.

As we receive the Father’s love, we become people who extend that same love to others. His grace not only restores our relationship with Him—it transforms our relationships with one another.

PRAYER FOCUS

Father, thank You for welcoming me into Your family. Help me reflect Your heart in my relationships. Show me where I need to forgive, seek reconciliation, or pursue unity. Make me a peacemaker who demonstrates Your love to others. [Pray from your heart.] In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

FAMILY REFLECTION

Ask: How can we reflect the Father’s heart in the way we treat other people?

IGNITE PRAYER FOCUS

About Ignite: NC Youth's annual summer trip, Ignite, is Friday, June 26 - Wednesday, July 1. This year’s theme is Imago Dei (Image of God) as students explore what it means to be created in God’s image and how biblical masculinity and femininity reflect His design.

• Pray that students would gain a biblical understanding of what it means to reflect God’s image as men and women.

• Ask the Lord to bring clarity, wisdom, and confidence regarding His design and purpose for their lives. Pray that confusion would be replaced with truth and that students would embrace God’s design with humility and joy.

• Pray that new friendships would continue to deepen and that students would experience genuine community, encouragement, and lasting Kingdom relationships.