July | Sacrifice
Sacrifice is hard by design.
Sacrifice isn’t just giving up things you have but also giving up pieces of yourself to others.
Sacrifice is the seed from which salvation is possible.
Great joy comes from great sacrifice.
Valuable Verses
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” Psalms 126:5-6
“Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29
A Word of Encouragement
Sacrifice is not easy by definition, Webster defines sacrifice as "to give up for the sake of something else." Sacrifice is done for the sake of something else or someone else. Being a living sacrifice is not a popular subject today. It's associated with giving up something that you value. When we speak of sacrificial giving, we are speaking about giving things like money, food, physical items, and intangible things like love. We speak of giving these things when it is not convenient or easy. There is power in giving to the Lord, there is power in sacrificing things and ourselves to the Lord. Giving something up is scary and sacrifice will always cost you (time, money, and emotions), but you can always trust God and His plan for you.
Get the Conversation Going
Take a moment to discuss these questions as a family:
• What does someone give up to become an athlete? (junk food, free time, their homes – if they have to train elsewhere) What might they get in return for their sacrifice? (Olympic medals, professional career, endorsements)
• What do missionaries give up to spread the gospel? (their homes, cultures, family, freedoms, money, favorite foods, etc.)
• What makes a sacrifice worthwhile?
• What does it look like to “offer our bodies as a living sacrifice”?
• What are some ways our family can make sacrifices for others?
Be sure to check the monthly activity page for age-appropriate ideas related to sacrifice.
