Choose life! Be completely faithful to the Lord your God

SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK
“Choose life! Be completely faithful to the Lord your God, love him, and do whatever he tells you. The Lord is the only one who can give life.” Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (CEV)

A Prayer for the Week:
Lord Jesus, please give us ears to hear your voice this week. Amen. (Luke 14:35)

Mealtime Prayer:
For the food we share, for loved ones who care, and for days so fair, we thank you, God. Amen.

A Blessing to Give:
Grace and peace to you from God the Creator and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. (Philemon 3)

SAY, PRAY AND BLESS:
Following Jesus can be difficult, but it is always worth it!

CARING
CONVERSATION
Discuss in your household or small group:
• What is the best thing about being a follower of Jesus?
What is the most difficult thing?
• Jesus said that we must “give up everything” to be his disciples.
How do you understand his words? What has Jesus given up for you?
DEVOTIONS
Saint Paul wrote these words to his friend Philemon: “I always thank God as I
remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints” (Philemon 4-5). In your home devotion times this week, pray by name for your Christian friends. Send them cards containing this verse.

SERVICE
Saint Paul gave his love, care and support to a young man called Onesimus, whom he met in prison. Who in your community is experiencing hard times due to illness, loss of work or separation from family? Choose people who will be for you the “ONES I MUst Serve” this week. Make them a meal, do an act of service for them (such as mow their lawn or help clean their home) or offer friendship to them.

RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Many people make plans for their financial future, but few approach their spiritual lives in the same way. In Luke 14, we find Jesus encouraging us to think carefully about what it means to follow him and to plan our whole lives accordingly. Make time this week to talk about your family’s spiritual goals. As a community of Jesus’ disciples, what would you like to keep doing, stop doing, start doing and do differently? Set one or two goals for your spiritual life, such as, “We would like to pray together more,” or “We would like to serve others more.” Brainstorm ideas for working towards these goals and decide on one or more action steps. Print up your goal(s) on a poster or large piece of paper and place it in a prominent spot in your home. Revisit your goal(s) in the coming months.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS
These readings are related to the Lectionary readings for this Sunday.
We invite you to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passages.
Sunday Luke 14:25-33 The cost of being a disciple
Monday Matthew 10:34-42 The cost of discipleship
Tuesday Matthew 16:21-26 Taking up our cross
Wednesday Acts 5:17-41 Suffering for Jesus’ sake
Thursday Philippians 3:7-14 Sharing in Jesus’ sufferings
Friday 1 Peter 4:12-19 Suffering as Christians
Saturday Psalm 101 Choosing God’s law
Sunday Luke 15:1-10 The lost sheep and the lost coin