FAMILY DISCUSSION PROMPTS

New Hope (Woman at the Well – John 4):

Jesus met a woman who felt ashamed and left out, and He offered her fresh, “living water.”

👉 Have you ever felt left out or lonely? How can knowing Jesus loves you bring hope into those moments?

New Purpose (Matthew the Tax Collector – Matthew 9):

Jesus chose Matthew, a disliked tax collector, and gave him a brand-new purpose.

👉 Think about where you spend time (school, clubs, work, or home)—how can we live with Jesus’ purpose right where we are this week?

New Sight (The Blind Man Healed – John 9):

Jesus gave sight to a blind man so he could see the world in a whole new way.

👉 Is there someone at school or work you find tricky or annoying? How can Jesus help us see them the way He does?

New Identity (The Man in Pain Set Free – Mark 5):

Jesus met a man known only by his pain, but Jesus gave him peace and a brand-new name.

👉 What are some mean labels people put on others (or themselves)? What is the true label God gives you instead?

New Restoration (Peter’s Forgiveness – John 21):

Peter let Jesus down, but Jesus forgave him and gave him a second chance.

👉 Why can it feel so hard to admit when we’ve messed up? How can our family be a place where second chances are always given?

New Future (The Thief on the Cross – Luke 23):

A criminal asked Jesus for help at the very last minute, and Jesus promised him a future with Him.

👉 What does his story teach us about why it’s never, ever too late to ask Jesus for help?

Our New Start (Application):

Jesus offers each of us a fresh start today.

👉 If you could ask Jesus for one fresh start this week—like more hope, patience, or purpose—what would it be, and how can we pray for you?

Creative Family Devotional: Fresh Starts

Best for: Dinner table or car ride chat

Length: 7–10 minutes

What you need:

• A flashlight, an eraser, and a band-aid (or just point to them around the room)
• Small slips of paper and a pen

1. The Visual Object Lesson (3 Mins)

Hold up your three objects one by one and ask:

• Eraser: “What do we use this for when we make a mistake?” (Erasing it and starting over!)
• Flashlight: “What does this do when it’s completely dark?” (Helps us see where we are going!)
• Band-Aid: “What does this do when someone gets hurt?” (Helps heal and protect!)

The Link:

On Sunday, we looked at six people in the Bible who felt stuck, ashamed, or lost—like the woman at the well, Peter, and the blind man. Jesus didn’t give them all the same thing. Just like an eraser fixes a mistake and a flashlight gives light, Jesus gave each person the exact fresh start they needed.

2. Quick Bible Focus (2 Mins)

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17 out loud together:

“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

3. Family Discussion & Activity (3 Mins)

Pass around slips of paper. Ask everyone to write or draw one thing they’d like Jesus to help them with this week:

• New Hope: If you’re feeling a bit down, lonely, or worried.
• New Sight: To help you treat a tricky or annoying person with extra kindness.
• New Restoration: Saying sorry to someone or giving a second chance.
• New Purpose: Living with kindness and courage at school, work, or home.

Drop all the folded slips into the middle of the table.

4. Simple Wrap-Up Prayer (1 Min)

Have one person lead or go around the circle:

“Jesus, thank you that you make the first move toward us. Thank you that whenever we mess up or feel lost, you offer us a fresh start. Help us show your love and second chances to each other this week. Amen.”