Know God Better: Bible Reading for FamiliesSample

Have you ever looked right at something without actually seeing it?

Maybe you've searched all over for your glasses while they were on top of your head. Or maybe you've been looking for your phone while holding it in your hand (I've done this!).

Sometimes, we do the same thing with God. He's right there with us, but we don't notice Him.

Even Mary Magdalene, who was one of Jesus' closest followers, didn't recognize Him after He rose from the dead. She saw Him die on the cross and went to His tomb to take care of His body. When she found the tomb empty, she was devastated.

But when Jesus came and stood right in front of her, she thought He was just the gardener! She didn't recognize Him until He said her name: "Mary."

Now, Mary deserves some credit here. Jesus was resurrected from the dead and she didn’t know that yet.

But let’s consider for a moment…

Why didn't Mary recognize Jesus?

• She wasn't expecting to see Him alive (she was looking for a dead body, not a living Savior)
• She was so sad and confused that she couldn't see clearly
• Jesus might have looked different than she expected

I see myself in Mary's story.

God is right there with me, but I miss Him because:

• I expect Him to show up in certain ways, not others
• My feelings (like being upset or busy) make it hard to notice Him
• I forget who He really is in that moment

Sometimes I actually do sense God's presence, but I misunderstand who He is in that moment—just like Mary did.

I can forget that the God who created the universe, the King of Kings who knows and loves me, is with me in my situation.

But we don't have to forget. We can remember who God is and what it means that He's with us.

Over the past four days, we've learned to see God in the Bible:

• As the whole point
• As the main character
• As the Author who talks with us

Today, look for God in your everyday life too.

God is just as present when you're doing housework or homework as He is when you're reading your Bible.

He's with you during tough conversations with friends, boring chores, fun games, and quiet moments alone. God doesn’t leave us, we just need to practice noticing Him there.

Sometimes we need Jesus to call our name, like He did for Mary, to help us realize He's right in front of us.

The cool thing? He wants to do exactly that.

How can you get better at noticing God throughout your day?

1. Take quick pauses to remember He's with you ("God, I know You're here")
2. Look for Him in unexpected places (not just at church or during prayer)
3. Invite Him into everything you do ("God, please be with me during this _____.")
4. Ask Him to help you see Him in ways you might be missing

The same God who shows Himself in the Bible shows Himself at home, in the car, on the sports field—everywhere you go.

Like Mary, you might be looking right at Him without recognizing Him. But when He calls your name—in that quiet thought, that "aha!" moment, that feeling of peace when you're worried—you'll know it's Him.

Remember this truth: God is with you always, everywhere. The things we've learned together all help you experience life with God more fully.

He knows your name. He sees you.

And He's inviting you to see Him too—not just in the Bible, but in every moment of your life.

Kid Connection: Wonder Together

"God is with us all the time, not just when we're reading the Bible or praying. Where do you think you might notice God today? At school? While playing? When we're having dinner? Let's both look for ways God might be showing us He's with us."

Want to bring Jesus into your everyday family life—without adding more to your plate? Click here for complimentary access to "See God Everywhere: Family Edition" and discover 15 simple questions that help both you and your kids find God when life feels busy or the Bible feels boring. These bite-sized ideas fit into your busiest family moments!