4th of July Family Devotional

By: Lanette Judy

Our family has started spending July 4th at the beach with family and fireworks, although I have great memories from my childhood of celebrating the 4th by picking Maryland Crabs. (any Chesapeake Bay friends?) My husband told our children that Old Bay may come out of my skin when it’s sliced, I love it so much! There is something special about the 4th of July with the warm weather, fireworks, gathering with family, and eating unique foods. 

Think about taking 20 minutes with your family to discuss our freedoms as a nation and our freedom in Christ. Perhaps around a campfire or over 4th of July food! 

Read the following bible verses or assign one to different family members to read aloud. 

• Galatians 5:13 “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” ESV

• John 8:36 “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” ESV

• Psalm 33:12 “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage.”

What comes to your mind when you hear the word freedom? Especially when you hear it around July 4th? What freedoms are you thankful for?

We celebrate freedom in our country every 4th of July. We have the freedom to speak, worship, learn and live freely in our country. But the Bible reminds us of an even deeper kind of freedom; the freedom Jesus gives us. 

Ask: What kinds of freedoms does Jesus give us? 

Through Him, we are free from sin, fear, shame and death. But that freedom isn’t just for us to enjoy selfishly, it is meant to be used to serve others in love. So how do we honor that gift? By choosing to love, serve and stand for what’s right. How can our family use our freedom to serve others this week? 

End with a prayer of thanks and commitment. “Lord, thank you for the freedom we have in this country and in You. Help us use our freedom to love and serve others. May we never take it for granted. Amen”