All of us have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. But God treats us much better than we deserve, and because of Christ Jesus, he freely accepts us and sets us free from our sins. Romans 3:23-24 (CEV)
A Prayer for the Week:
Lord Jesus, what you say is true. Help me to hold tight to your words. Amen. (John 8:31-32)
Mealtime Prayer:
O God, please bless the food before us, the people beside us, and the world around us. Amen.
A Blessing to Give:
May the Lord Jesus set you free. May his words live in your mind and your heart, now and always. Amen. (John 8:36; Jeremiah 31:33)
CARING
CONVERSATION
Discuss in your household or small group:
• What is something you feel strongly about?
• Martin Luther felt very strongly about God’s word being properly
preached and taught. Why is God’s word important?
• What part does God’s word play in your life?
DEVOTIONS
Use one or more of these suggestions for your home devotional times this week:
• The Reformation was sparked when Martin Luther posted 95 theses (or
statements) of belief on the doors of a church in Wittenberg, Germany
in 1517. Compose a numbered list of “we believe” statements for your
household. Attach the list to the front door of your home as your
Reformation statement.
• In 1521, Martin Luther was required to explain and defend his beliefs.
When asked to take back his words he said, “Here I stand. I can do no
other.” What is involved in taking a stand for Jesus? Use card stock to trace and cut out the footprints of family members. On each one, write these words, “Stand firm. Don’t let anything move you. Always give
yourselves completely to the work of the Lord” 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Position the footprints on the floors of your house as reminders to stand
up for Jesus.
• Learn the words and tune of the classic Reformation hymn “A Mighty
Fortress is our God.”
SERVICE
Valuing God’s word means supporting and encouraging those who proclaim and teach it. Plan an act of service for your pastor, such as take him/her to dinner, buy him/her a movie ticket, offer to cut the grass or wash the car. Show genuine appreciate for his/her ministry.
RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
On Reformation Day (October 31), plan an alternative celebration to Halloween, such as:
• Dress up in red attire (the Reformation Day color). Instead of “trick and
treating,” visit neighbors to give them something symbolizing God’s
grace, such as a small plate of cookies.
• Play Reformation Day games, such as have a “mighty fortress” Lego
building contest; play “Hide the Heretic” (think Hide and Seek); play “Pin
the Theses on the Door” (think Pin the Tail); have a “Throw the Indulgence
in the Trash” relay. Invite friends and neighbors to join in. Hand out gummy worms as prizes.
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 John 8:31-36 God’s Word sets people free
Monday Isaiah 55:6-11 God’s Word achieves his purposes
Tuesday Romans 1:8-17 The gospel is the power of God
Wednesday Romans 15:1-7 The Scriptures give encouragement
Thursday Colossians 3:5-17 Let the word of Christ dwell in you
Friday 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 The value of God’s word
Saturday Psalm 119:89-112 God’s word preserves life
Sunday Luke 19:1-10 Jesus visits Zacchaeus
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
God never tires of hearing our prayers. Pray always and don’t give up.
The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Psalm 121:7-8 (NLT)
A Prayer for the Week:
O God, please give us everything we need to work well for you this week. Amen. (2 Timothy 3:17)
Mealtime Prayer:
Lord, in your name we drink and sup; teach us to pray and not give up. Help us to look to you this day, and show our thanks in all we say. Amen.
A Blessing to Give:
May the Lord keep you from all harm and watch over your life. May God watch over you as you come and go, now and forever. Amen. (Psalm 121:7-8)
CARING
CONVERSATION
Discuss in your household or small group:
• Who do you turn to when you’re in trouble? Why?
• Share about a time when you asked God for help.
• Jesus taught us that God never gets sick of hearing our prayers, even
when we ask for the same things over and over again. What does this
teach us about God?
DEVOTIONS
The people cry out to God day and night (Luke 18.7). This week, use Martin Luther’s Morning and Evening Prayers each day.
Morning: I thank you, O God, through your dear Son, Jesus Christ, that you have protected me through the night from all harm and danger. I ask you to keep me this day, too, from all sin and evil, so that in all my thoughts, words and deeds I may please you. In your hands I place my body and soul and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the evil one may have no power over me. Amen.
Evening: I thank you, O God, through your dear Son, Jesus Christ, that you have graciously protected me today. I ask you to forgive all my sins and the wrong which I have done. And graciously keep me this night. In your hands I place my body and soul and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the evil one may have no power over me. Amen.
SERVICE
Jesus told a parable about a woman who “bothered” the judge in her town until he gave in and listened to her. Find out the names of the local magistrate/s in your town or region. Send them a letter or card of encouragement and support, and pray that they will have the strength and courage to make wise and good decisions in their work.
RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Jesus encouraged his followers to persist in prayer and to “not give up” (Luke 18:1). Start a home prayer journal as a tool to encourage and guide your household prayers. Purchase or make a small book. Keep a running list of prayer points, noting the date you commenced prayer for each item. Cross prayer points off once the need for prayer has passed or the prayer has been answered. The journal will help to both direct your prayers and draw your attention to God’s responses. Expect God to hear and answer your prayers!
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 18:1-8 Parable of the persistent widow
Monday Mark 10:46-52 An example of persistence
Tuesday Luke 22:39-46 Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives
Wednesday Matthew 15:21-28 The faith of a Canaanite woman
Thursday James 5:13-18 The prayer of faith
Friday Genesis 18:16-33 Abraham pleads for Sodom
Saturday Psalm 57 I cry out to the God Most High
Sunday Luke 18:9-14 A Pharisee and tax collector pray
Psalm 121:7-8 (NLT)
A Prayer for the Week:
O God, please give us everything we need to work well for you this week. Amen. (2 Timothy 3:17)
Mealtime Prayer:
Lord, in your name we drink and sup; teach us to pray and not give up. Help us to look to you this day, and show our thanks in all we say. Amen.
A Blessing to Give:
May the Lord keep you from all harm and watch over your life. May God watch over you as you come and go, now and forever. Amen. (Psalm 121:7-8)
CARING
CONVERSATION
Discuss in your household or small group:
• Who do you turn to when you’re in trouble? Why?
• Share about a time when you asked God for help.
• Jesus taught us that God never gets sick of hearing our prayers, even
when we ask for the same things over and over again. What does this
teach us about God?
DEVOTIONS
The people cry out to God day and night (Luke 18.7). This week, use Martin Luther’s Morning and Evening Prayers each day.
Morning: I thank you, O God, through your dear Son, Jesus Christ, that you have protected me through the night from all harm and danger. I ask you to keep me this day, too, from all sin and evil, so that in all my thoughts, words and deeds I may please you. In your hands I place my body and soul and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the evil one may have no power over me. Amen.
Evening: I thank you, O God, through your dear Son, Jesus Christ, that you have graciously protected me today. I ask you to forgive all my sins and the wrong which I have done. And graciously keep me this night. In your hands I place my body and soul and all that is mine. Let your holy angel be with me, so that the evil one may have no power over me. Amen.
SERVICE
Jesus told a parable about a woman who “bothered” the judge in her town until he gave in and listened to her. Find out the names of the local magistrate/s in your town or region. Send them a letter or card of encouragement and support, and pray that they will have the strength and courage to make wise and good decisions in their work.
RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Jesus encouraged his followers to persist in prayer and to “not give up” (Luke 18:1). Start a home prayer journal as a tool to encourage and guide your household prayers. Purchase or make a small book. Keep a running list of prayer points, noting the date you commenced prayer for each item. Cross prayer points off once the need for prayer has passed or the prayer has been answered. The journal will help to both direct your prayers and draw your attention to God’s responses. Expect God to hear and answer your prayers!
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 18:1-8 Parable of the persistent widow
Monday Mark 10:46-52 An example of persistence
Tuesday Luke 22:39-46 Jesus prays on the Mount of Olives
Wednesday Matthew 15:21-28 The faith of a Canaanite woman
Thursday James 5:13-18 The prayer of faith
Friday Genesis 18:16-33 Abraham pleads for Sodom
Saturday Psalm 57 I cry out to the God Most High
Sunday Luke 18:9-14 A Pharisee and tax collector pray
Saturday, October 12, 2013
God has given us many reasons to be grateful. Are you a thankful Christian?
If you really want to become wise, you must begin by having respect for the Lord. All those who follow his rules have good understanding. Psalm 111:10 (NIRV)
A Prayer for the Week:
Lord Jesus, you have given us so much. Please give us one more thing: thankful hearts. Amen. (Luke 17:15-18)
Mealtime Prayer:
God of grace, for food make us thankful, for friends make us joyful, and for your service make us faithful. Amen.
A Blessing to Give:
May God show you kindness and mercy and fill your heart with thanks. Amen. (Psalm 111:4)
CARING
CONVERSATION
Discuss in your household or small group:
• What are you thankful for? Why?
• Do you think of yourself as a grateful person?
How do you show thanks to others?
• Why can we be grateful to Jesus? How can we show him thanks?
DEVOTIONS
When Jesus healed 10 lepers, only one returned to give him thanks (Luke 17:11-19). As God’s people, we are called to count our blessings each day and give thanks to God. Think together about people, events and experiences for which you can and should give thanks. Use this acrostic of the word THANKS to guide you.
Thank God for ... A Thing provided; A Help received; Another’s company; an eNjoyable moment; a Kindness received; a Surprise enjoyed.
Finish your time of sharing by giving thanks in prayer.
SERVICE
Only one of the 10 lepers healed returned to thank Jesus. There are many people who serve us in various ways in our communities – in schools, churches, community organizations, service industries – who receive little gratitude for what they do. Prepare a thank you card or gift (such as a plate of cookies) to give to someone who regularly serves your household in some way (such as a postal delivery person, a policeman, a school teacher). Give thanks to God for him/her in your prayers this week.
RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Give thanks to one another. Focus on each person in turn. Thank each other for positive things that are said and done, and for the ways in which he/she contributes positively to your home and family life.
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 17:11-19 One leper gives thanks to God
Monday Colossians 2:6-15 Overflowing with thankfulness
Tuesday Deuteronomy 8:10-18 Remember the Lord your God
Wednesday 1 Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving
Thursday 1 Chronicles 16:1, 7-36 King David gives thanks
Friday Psalm 100 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
Saturday Psalm 136 Give thanks to the Lord
Sunday Luke 18:1-8 Parable of the persistent widow
A Prayer for the Week:
Lord Jesus, you have given us so much. Please give us one more thing: thankful hearts. Amen. (Luke 17:15-18)
Mealtime Prayer:
God of grace, for food make us thankful, for friends make us joyful, and for your service make us faithful. Amen.
A Blessing to Give:
May God show you kindness and mercy and fill your heart with thanks. Amen. (Psalm 111:4)
CARING
CONVERSATION
Discuss in your household or small group:
• What are you thankful for? Why?
• Do you think of yourself as a grateful person?
How do you show thanks to others?
• Why can we be grateful to Jesus? How can we show him thanks?
DEVOTIONS
When Jesus healed 10 lepers, only one returned to give him thanks (Luke 17:11-19). As God’s people, we are called to count our blessings each day and give thanks to God. Think together about people, events and experiences for which you can and should give thanks. Use this acrostic of the word THANKS to guide you.
Thank God for ... A Thing provided; A Help received; Another’s company; an eNjoyable moment; a Kindness received; a Surprise enjoyed.
Finish your time of sharing by giving thanks in prayer.
SERVICE
Only one of the 10 lepers healed returned to thank Jesus. There are many people who serve us in various ways in our communities – in schools, churches, community organizations, service industries – who receive little gratitude for what they do. Prepare a thank you card or gift (such as a plate of cookies) to give to someone who regularly serves your household in some way (such as a postal delivery person, a policeman, a school teacher). Give thanks to God for him/her in your prayers this week.
RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Give thanks to one another. Focus on each person in turn. Thank each other for positive things that are said and done, and for the ways in which he/she contributes positively to your home and family life.
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 17:11-19 One leper gives thanks to God
Monday Colossians 2:6-15 Overflowing with thankfulness
Tuesday Deuteronomy 8:10-18 Remember the Lord your God
Wednesday 1 Samuel 2:1-10 Hannah’s prayer of thanksgiving
Thursday 1 Chronicles 16:1, 7-36 King David gives thanks
Friday Psalm 100 Enter his gates with thanksgiving
Saturday Psalm 136 Give thanks to the Lord
Sunday Luke 18:1-8 Parable of the persistent widow
Saturday, October 5, 2013
We trust that God will do great and wonderful things.
Find your delight in the Lord. Then he will give you everything your heart really wants. Psalm 37:4 (NIRV)
A Prayer for the Week:
O God, gives us BIG faith to do all you ask of us each day. Amen. (Luke 17:5-10)
Mealtime Prayer:
Thanks we give to God above, for strength and health and those we love. Amen.
A Blessing to Give:
Grace, mercy and peace to you from God the Creator and Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. (2 Timothy 1:2)
CARING
CONVERSATION
Discuss in your household or small group:
• Do you like or dislike gardening? Why?
• Jesus compared faith to a small seed. In what ways is faith like a seed?
• In what ways do you wish you could show more faith in Jesus?
DEVOTIONS
Fill a container with potting soil and plant some flower seeds (at least one for each member of your household). Place the container on your meal table or home altar area. Each day, pray for family members by name, asking God to grow them in their faith. Watch your flower pot carefully for signs of life!
SERVICE
There are many people in our churches who serve as mustard seeds – they do many “little things” that others may not notice, but add up to a big difference. Think of someone in your congregation who fits this description. Prepare a small gift of appreciation to give him/her.
RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Paul encouraged Timothy to “fan into flame” the gift God had given to him (2 Timothy 1:6). God has given each of us gifts to develop and use.
Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, was a person of living faith who had passed on her beliefs to her daughter and grandson (2 Timothy 1:5). Grandparents can play a very special part in communicating faith and values to their grandchildren. In their calling as elders in faith, they have wonderful gifts to offer, such as self-worth, heritage, acceptance and love. Thank your children’s grandparents for what they offer! Remind them that they have a special God-given role and calling.
Gather some red, orange and yellow streamers. Spend some time as a household naming the gifts that you see in each other. Write each of these on a streamer next to the person’s name. Hang the streamers in your home as a reminder of the various gifts God has given you to serve God and others.
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 17:5-10 Faith the size of a mustard seed
Monday Mark 11:12-14, 20-24 Faith that moves mountains
Tuesday Matthew 8:5-13 A demonstration of faith
Wednesday 1 John 5:1-5, 13-15 Faith overcomes the world
Thursday James 1:2-12 Faith produces endurance
Friday Revelation 2:12-29 Call to faithfulness
Saturday Isaiah 26:1-9 Trust in the Lord forever
Sunday Luke 17:11-19 One leper gives thanks to God
A Prayer for the Week:
O God, gives us BIG faith to do all you ask of us each day. Amen. (Luke 17:5-10)
Mealtime Prayer:
Thanks we give to God above, for strength and health and those we love. Amen.
A Blessing to Give:
Grace, mercy and peace to you from God the Creator and Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. (2 Timothy 1:2)
CARING
CONVERSATION
Discuss in your household or small group:
• Do you like or dislike gardening? Why?
• Jesus compared faith to a small seed. In what ways is faith like a seed?
• In what ways do you wish you could show more faith in Jesus?
DEVOTIONS
Fill a container with potting soil and plant some flower seeds (at least one for each member of your household). Place the container on your meal table or home altar area. Each day, pray for family members by name, asking God to grow them in their faith. Watch your flower pot carefully for signs of life!
SERVICE
There are many people in our churches who serve as mustard seeds – they do many “little things” that others may not notice, but add up to a big difference. Think of someone in your congregation who fits this description. Prepare a small gift of appreciation to give him/her.
RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Paul encouraged Timothy to “fan into flame” the gift God had given to him (2 Timothy 1:6). God has given each of us gifts to develop and use.
Timothy’s grandmother, Lois, was a person of living faith who had passed on her beliefs to her daughter and grandson (2 Timothy 1:5). Grandparents can play a very special part in communicating faith and values to their grandchildren. In their calling as elders in faith, they have wonderful gifts to offer, such as self-worth, heritage, acceptance and love. Thank your children’s grandparents for what they offer! Remind them that they have a special God-given role and calling.
Gather some red, orange and yellow streamers. Spend some time as a household naming the gifts that you see in each other. Write each of these on a streamer next to the person’s name. Hang the streamers in your home as a reminder of the various gifts God has given you to serve God and others.
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 17:5-10 Faith the size of a mustard seed
Monday Mark 11:12-14, 20-24 Faith that moves mountains
Tuesday Matthew 8:5-13 A demonstration of faith
Wednesday 1 John 5:1-5, 13-15 Faith overcomes the world
Thursday James 1:2-12 Faith produces endurance
Friday Revelation 2:12-29 Call to faithfulness
Saturday Isaiah 26:1-9 Trust in the Lord forever
Sunday Luke 17:11-19 One leper gives thanks to God
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