Jesus lights our way, calling us to follow him.

“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