Church Forward: A 5-Day Devotional (Matthew 13 + The Church’s Mission) 🌱➡️⛪
Day 1 — Hear It. Get It. Keep It. 👂🧠
Scripture: Matthew 13:1–9, 18–19
Devo
Jesus says the seed is the Word of the Kingdom. The first danger isn’t “big sin.” It’s not understanding what you heard. The enemy loves confusion. If you’re new to Jesus, hear this: God isn’t trying to hide the truth from you. He’s not playing games. He wants you to get it. If you’ve walked with Jesus a long time, this one stings a little: you can be around preaching and still live fuzzy. Familiar doesn’t equal formed.
A church that goes forward doesn’t just say Bible words. It explains them. Clearly. Simply. So a kid can understand. So a tired adult can understand. So a brand-new believer isn’t left guessing.
Truth2Hold 💡
God’s Word isn’t meant to be a mystery to me—it’s meant to take root in me. 🌱
If I don’t slow down and understand the gospel, something else will rush in and steal it. 🕊️➡️🦅
A healthy church doesn’t just inspire me—it equips me to explain Jesus to someone else. 🧰
Prayer 🙏
Jesus, open my understanding. Make the gospel clear to me. Teach me in a way I can actually live. Help our church speak truth plainly, with love and boldness. Amen.
Faith Challenge ⚔️
Write the gospel in 2–3 sentences (simple enough for a 10-year-old). Practice saying it out loud.
Action Step ✅
Ask one question you’ve been carrying: “What does this mean?” Text it to a trusted believer or write it down for Wednesday night Bible study.
Day 2 — Joy Isn’t Roots 🌞🌿
Scripture: Matthew 13:20–21
Devo
Jesus describes someone who receives the Word “with joy”… and then trouble hits and they fall away. That’s not because they’re evil. It’s because they’re shallow. This is huge: early excitement is normal. But it’s not the goal. Roots are the goal.
If you’re new to Jesus, you need to know this now: following Christ won’t remove hard days. It gives you a foundation for hard days.
If you’ve followed Jesus for years, here’s the check: are you still growing roots, or are you surviving on yesterday’s experience?
The church moving forward is a church that helps people build deep faith—faith that still stands when life gets loud.
Truth2Hold 💡:
I don’t just need a moment with God—I need a life anchored in God. ⚓
Joy is beautiful, but roots are what keep me standing when the heat shows up. 🔥
Mature faith isn’t loud faith—it’s steady faith. 🧱
Prayer 🙏:
Lord, grow my roots. When pressure comes, don’t let me panic—teach me to stand. Make me steady, not just emotional. Amen.
Faith Challenge ⚔️:
Think of one “heat” situation you’re in (stress, conflict, fear). Say out loud: “God is my foundation. I will not run.”
Action Step ✅:
Pick one daily root-builder: 10 minutes in the Word, worship on your drive, or a short prayer walk. Keep it small. Keep it consistent.
Day 3 — Weed Control Is Discipleship 🌾🚫
Scripture: Matthew 13:22
Devo
Jesus names two weeds that choke faith: the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches. Translation: anxiety and appetite. Worry and “more.” And these weeds don’t look dangerous at first. They look normal. Responsible. Ambitious. But over time they steal your breath.
If you’re new to Jesus: you don’t have to be perfect, but you do need people. You need friends who will help you spot weeds early.
If you’ve been in church a long time: weeds can grow in “respectable” gardens too. You can be busy for God and still be choked by worry, comparison, and comfort.
A church that goes forward doesn’t pretend weeds don’t exist. It builds relationships strong enough to pull them.
Truth2Hold 💡:
If I don’t pull the weeds, the weeds will pull me. 🌿😵💫
Money can be a tool, but “more” can become a trap. 💰🪤
God designed the church so I don’t fight temptation alone. 🤝
Prayer 🙏:
Jesus, show me what’s choking my life. Break the grip of anxiety and the lies of “more.” Give me people who love me enough to tell me the truth. Amen.
Faith Challenge ⚔️:
Fast one “weed-feeder” for 24 hours: doom-scrolling, impulse shopping, or complaining.
Action Step ✅:
Text one trusted believer: “Can you pray with me this week? I’m trying to pull some weeds.”
Day 4 — Good Soil Bears Fruit (But It Looks Different) 🍇🌱
Scripture: Matthew 13:23
Devo
Good soil isn’t perfect soil. It’s receptive soil. It hears, understands, and holds the Word. And it produces fruit—sometimes 30, sometimes 60, sometimes 100. Notice: Jesus celebrates real growth, not identical results.
If you’re new to Jesus, don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. Fruit takes time.
If you’ve followed Jesus for years, don’t mistake routine for fruit. Ask yourself honestly: is my life more loving, more holy, more generous, more Spirit-led than it was a year ago?
This is where “Church Forward” becomes personal. The church can’t move forward if we don’t.
Truth2Hold 💡:
God isn’t asking me to match someone else—He’s asking me to grow. 📈
Fruit is proof the Word is working, not just that I’m listening. 🍎
The Holy Spirit doesn’t just comfort me—He changes me. 🕊️✨
Prayer 🙏:
Holy Spirit, make me good soil. Grow real fruit in me—love, patience, self-control, courage, and purity. Make my life honest and alive. Amen.
Faith Challenge ⚔️:
Pick one fruit you want to grow (love, patience, self-control). Pray for it morning and night today.
Action Step ✅:
Do one fruit move: forgive, apologize, give, serve, or encourage—something practical, not theoretical.
Day 5 — You Are the Church (So Move Forward) ⛪➡️
Scripture: Acts 2:42–47 (for context) + Matthew 13 (mission)
Devo
This is the shift Pastor Barry hit hard: you don’t just go to church—you are the church.
That’s not pressure; it’s purpose.
Yes, the church should feed you. But you’re also called to help feed others. It’s a healthy relationship: give and receive. And “Church Forward” doesn’t mean dropping holiness or truth. It means refusing to live in nostalgia. The methods can change. The mission cannot.
And that’s why tools like the app, online sermons, devotionals, small groups, men’s breakfasts, Thursday women’s group—none of that is “extra.” Those are modern ways to do ancient work: plant seed, grow roots, pull weeds, bear fruit.
Truth2Hold 💡:
The church won’t move forward unless I move from consumer to contributor. 🛒➡️🧰
God still builds His Kingdom the same way: seed, roots, community, fruit. 🌱🤝🍇
The mission stays holy, even when the methods get new. 📖⚡
Prayer 🙏:
Father, make us a Church Forward people. Give us wisdom and courage. Help us preach the gospel clearly, disciple deeply, and love boldly. Show me my role—where to serve, who to mentor, and how to pray. In Jesus’ name, amen. 🙌
Faith Challenge ⚔️:
Ask God: “Where do I fit?” Then pick one: nursery, youth support, tech, hospitality, prayer team, small group, mentoring, outreach.
Action Step ✅:
Do one “church is me” move this week:
Join one group (men’s, women’s, Bible study)
Invite one person
Volunteer one Sunday
Pray daily for the church’s next steps