“Come. Follow me,” Jesus said. “I will make you fishers of people.” Matthew 4:19 (NIRV)
A Prayer for the Week:
Lord Jesus, thank you for choosing us to follow you. Teach us how to fish for people. Amen. (Matthew 4:19)
Mealtime Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for the drinks we sip and the food we swallow. Please give us strength to serve and faith to follow. Amen.
A Blessing to Give:
May Jesus give you a heart that seeks him and feet that are ready to follow him. Amen. (Matthew 4:18-20; Psalm 27:8)
CARING CONVERSATIONS
Discuss in your household or small group:
• Share about a time when there was a big change in your life.
• When Jesus called Andrew, Simon, James and John to follow him, they
immediately left their work as fishermen to follow him (Matthew 4:18,
21). Why do you think they did this? How do you think they felt?
• In what ways has following Jesus changed your life?
DEVOTIONS
Set up a collection of tea candles on a table or a bench in your home. During your devotion times this week, read Matthew 4:16. Invite each person to share ways in which they have experienced Jesus as their “great light” during the day or week. Each time, light a candle and say these words: “Jesus our light, thank you for shining on us.”
SERVICE
In Psalm 27, we hear King David expressing his heartfelt desire to worship God in the temple all the days of his life (Psalm 27:4). The way we care for our places of worship reflects our appreciation for God and for the gifts he gives us in worship. Commit as a household to an act of service to improve the state of your church facility (e.g. gardening, window cleaning, painting, etc.). Make arrangements to do this.
RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Jesus calls all his followers to “fish for people.” One way we do so is through prayer—by praying for specific people that don’t as yet know Jesus, and for specific missionaries and mission activities. Hang a string or a cord between two points in your home and attach small hooks to it. Cut out paper fish shapes and write the name of a person or mission for whom your household can pray on each one. Attach the “fish” to the hooks and use your “fishing line” as a visible reminder to pray.
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 Matthew 4:12-23 Jesus calls his first disciples
Monday Isaiah 60:1-2,15-22 The Lord will be your light
Tuesday Luke 1:67-79 Christ, the light dawning
Wednesday Matthew 9:9-13 Jesus calls Matthew
Thursday Ephesians 5:6-14 Live as children of the light
Friday Philippians 2:12-18 The call to shine as stars
Saturday Psalm 112:1-9 Light dawns for the upright
Sunday Matthew 5:1-12 The sermon on the mount
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away our sins.
The next day, John saw Jesus coming toward him. John said, “Look! The Lamb of God! He takes away the sin of the world!” John 1:29 (NIRV)
A Prayer for the Week:
God, you have done many wonderful things for us. None can compare with you! Amen. (Psalm 40:5)
Mealtime Prayer:
God of love and God of grace, here we come to you in praise. Bless this meal, and may we be people who serve you faithfully. Amen.
A Blessing to Give:
May you be led to see and know Jesus. May you confess him as the Son of God. Amen. (John 1:34,42)
CARING CONVERSATIONS
Discuss in your household or small group:
• Have you ever been given a nickname? Why were you called that?
• Why do you think Jesus was called the “Lamb of God” by John the
Baptist?
• What different names or titles do you use for Jesus? Which is your
favorite and why?
DEVOTIONS
When John the Baptist saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” While we cannot physically see Jesus, there are signs of his life all around us. Cut out the shape of a lamb from a large sheet of white paper. In your home devotion times this week, share ways in which you have seen or experienced the presence of Jesus during the day. Write these onto your “lamb.” Conclude by saying together these words: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”
SERVICE
In John 1, we hear that John the Baptist pointed two of his disciples to Jesus. They followed Jesus and spent the day with him (John 1:37-39). Andrew, in turn, introduced his brother, Simon Peter, to Jesus. Is there an individual or household you could invite to spend a Sunday with you – perhaps to come to your church and then for a midday meal? Prepare to invite them and to offer your hospitality.
RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Purchase a portion of lamb to share in a household meal this week. As you eat, talk about the lamb as a symbol for Jesus. Look up one or more of the Bible passages listed in this week’s “Daily Bible Readings” and talk about their connections to the image of Jesus as the “Lamb of God.”
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 1:29-42 Jesus, the Lamb of God
Monday Genesis 22:1-2,9-18 The Lord provides a ram
Tuesday Exodus 12:1-13, 21-28 The Passover lamb
Wednesday Isaiah 53:1-12 The one like a lamb
Thursday 1 Peter 1:13-21 A lamb without blemish
Friday Revelation 7:13-17 The lamb will be their shepherd
Saturday Psalm 55:1-2,16-18 God ransoms me unharmed
Sunday Matthew 4:12-23 Jesus calls his first disciples
A Prayer for the Week:
God, you have done many wonderful things for us. None can compare with you! Amen. (Psalm 40:5)
Mealtime Prayer:
God of love and God of grace, here we come to you in praise. Bless this meal, and may we be people who serve you faithfully. Amen.
A Blessing to Give:
May you be led to see and know Jesus. May you confess him as the Son of God. Amen. (John 1:34,42)
CARING CONVERSATIONS
Discuss in your household or small group:
• Have you ever been given a nickname? Why were you called that?
• Why do you think Jesus was called the “Lamb of God” by John the
Baptist?
• What different names or titles do you use for Jesus? Which is your
favorite and why?
DEVOTIONS
When John the Baptist saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” While we cannot physically see Jesus, there are signs of his life all around us. Cut out the shape of a lamb from a large sheet of white paper. In your home devotion times this week, share ways in which you have seen or experienced the presence of Jesus during the day. Write these onto your “lamb.” Conclude by saying together these words: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.”
SERVICE
In John 1, we hear that John the Baptist pointed two of his disciples to Jesus. They followed Jesus and spent the day with him (John 1:37-39). Andrew, in turn, introduced his brother, Simon Peter, to Jesus. Is there an individual or household you could invite to spend a Sunday with you – perhaps to come to your church and then for a midday meal? Prepare to invite them and to offer your hospitality.
RITUALS AND TRADITIONS
Purchase a portion of lamb to share in a household meal this week. As you eat, talk about the lamb as a symbol for Jesus. Look up one or more of the Bible passages listed in this week’s “Daily Bible Readings” and talk about their connections to the image of Jesus as the “Lamb of God.”
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 1:29-42 Jesus, the Lamb of God
Monday Genesis 22:1-2,9-18 The Lord provides a ram
Tuesday Exodus 12:1-13, 21-28 The Passover lamb
Wednesday Isaiah 53:1-12 The one like a lamb
Thursday 1 Peter 1:13-21 A lamb without blemish
Friday Revelation 7:13-17 The lamb will be their shepherd
Saturday Psalm 55:1-2,16-18 God ransoms me unharmed
Sunday Matthew 4:12-23 Jesus calls his first disciples
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