Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the August 8, 2021 Sunday worship service. We pray they are a blessing to you and your family!

Why study God's Word and pray together?

• Bible study and prayer strengthens faith and brings you closer to God and to one another.
• Study of readings and hymns for the weekend prepares you for worship.
• The way parents express and model their faith helps shape young people’s faith lives.
• God's Word gives life!---new life now and eternal life with Jesus in heaven. (John 20:31)

• Five Days of devotional material. Catch up or review on the 6th day, worship on Sunday!
• Bible Readings are the LCMS 3-year lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday.
• Talk about It and Dig Deeper guide discussion and meditation on the Bible passages.
• Kid Talk has questions and activities especially for kids and families.
• Prayer starters are given--add your own as well! Scroll to the bottom for the Lord's Prayer and Luther's Morning and Evening Prayers.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.

• The crowd does not see Jesus as the source of life. What do they see Him as? (John 6:42)

Jesus used several metaphors to describe Himself, including life, light, bread, and water.

• How important are these things to our daily lives? How important is Christ to our spiritual lives?

Read John 6:35-51.

What do you need to live? Air. Water. Food. These are the very basic needs of human beings. Jesus calls Himself “Living Water.” He calls Himself “the Bread of Life.” Why? Because we need Him to live—to live eternally. Jesus fills our spiritual hunger for love, peace, and forgiveness.

Meditate on this section of Scripture, using these prompts:

• What thoughts come to mind as you read this passage?
• What is confusing or surprising about this passage?
• What does this passage teach you about God, His love for you, and His will for your life?

Then pray over the passage, talk about it with a friend or spiritual mentor, and explore further by reading the notes in a study Bible.

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (2 Corinthians 13:14).

Throughout the week, write prayers of praise, thanksgiving, and requests in a prayer journal or on a sheet of paper. Take turns praying when you gather for devotions.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.

• How is it that this prophet of God, who had enjoyed a triumph at Mount Carmel (see chapter 18), now despondently prayed that he might die?
• How did the Lord respond to his prayer?

Read 1 Kings 19:1-8.

Elijah, God’s great prophet, was alone and afraid. Wicked Queen Jezebel wanted to kill him. Elijah felt hopeless, ready to give up. But God sent an angel to strengthen Elijah with special food. He showed Elijah He would take care of him. This same God cares for you too!

• Watch the "Elijah in the Wilderness" video to see how God cared for Elijah.

Meditate on this section of Scripture, using these prompts:

• What thoughts come to mind as you read this passage?
• What is confusing or surprising about this passage?
• What does this passage teach you about God, His love for you, and His will for your life?

Then pray over the passage, talk about it with a friend or spiritual mentor, and explore further by reading the notes in a study Bible.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (2 Corinthians 13:14).

Pray the Lord's Prayer, Luther's Morning or Evening Prayers, and/or add your own prayers.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.

• What does Paul say Christians should “put off?” What should we “put on?” (see 4:22–24)

• Paul encourages us to have godly attitudes and character. What four attitudes does he share that are key to the Christian life? (see 4:32–5:2)

Read Ephesians 4:17-5:2.

How do you dress for the day? Take off pajamas. Put on day clothes. How do we “dress” for living as God’s children? Get rid of anger, lies, and meanness. Put on kindness and forgiveness—and love, just as Jesus loves us.

Meditate on this section of Scripture, using these prompts:

• What thoughts come to mind as you read this passage?
• What is confusing or surprising about this passage?
• What does this passage teach you about God, His love for you, and His will for your life?

Then pray over the passage, talk about it with a friend or spiritual mentor, and explore further by reading the notes in a study Bible.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (2 Corinthians 13:14).

Pray the Lord's Prayer, Luther's Morning or Evening Prayers, and/or add your own prayers.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.

The superscription notes that this psalm was written when David was delivered when he pretended to be insane before the king.

• Read that story of God’s deliverance from 1 Samuel 21:10-15.

King Saul was trying to kill David. King Achish wanted to kill David.

• How could David write such a beautiful psalm of praise such as Psalm 34 during that time in his life? What can we learn from David and his trust in the Lord?

Read Psalm 34:1-8.

Who do you turn to when you are in trouble or when you're afraid? King David turned to God. He knew that no matter what he was facing, God would be with him and would help him. David trusted God. We can too.

• The next time you are afraid, pray to God. He is listening. He will comfort you and help you!

Meditate on this section of Scripture, using these prompts:

• What thoughts come to mind as you read this passage?
• What is confusing or surprising about this passage?
• What does this passage teach you about God, His love for you, and His will for your life?

Then pray over the passage, talk about it with a friend or spiritual mentor, and explore further by reading the notes in a study Bible.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (2 Corinthians 13:14).

Pray the Lord's Prayer, Luther's Morning or Evening Prayers, and/or add your own prayers.

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus;

His the scepter, His the throne;

Alleluia! His the triumph,

His the victory alone.

Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion

Thunder like a mighty flood:

“Jesus out of ev’ry nation

Has redeemed us by His blood.”

Alleluia! Not as orphans

Are we left in sorrow now;

Alleluia! He is near us;

Faith believes, nor questions how.

Though the cloud from sight received Him

When the forty days were o’er,

Shall our hearts forget His promise:

“I am with you evermore”?

Alleluia! Bread of heaven,

Here on earth our food, our stay;

Alleluia! Here the sinful

Flee to You from day to day.

Intercessor, Friend of sinners,

Earth’s Redeemer, hear our plea

Where the songs of all the sinless

Sweep across the crystal sea.

Alleluia! King eternal,

Lord omnipotent we own;

Alleluia! Born of Mary,

Earth Your footstool, heav’n Your throne.

As within the veil You entered,

Robed in flesh, our great High Priest,

Here on earth both priest and victim

In the eucharistic feast.

Alleluia! Sing to Jesus;

His the scepter, His the throne;

Alleluia! His the triumph,

His the victory alone.

Hark! The songs of peaceful Zion

Thunder like a mighty flood:

“Jesus out of ev’ry nation

Has redeemed us by His blood.”

Public domain

Lutheran Service Book lists the following Bible verses that this hymn is based on: Revelation 7:9-14; Hebrews 9:11-28; John 6:31-35, 48-51; John 14:18-19.

Read through these Bible passages and then read through or sing the hymn again. How does the hymn reflect these Scripture passages?

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (2 Corinthians 13:14).

Pray the Lord's Prayer, Luther's Morning or Evening Prayers, and/or add your own prayers.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.

I thank you my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

I thank you my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ Your dear Son, that you have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Chapel of the Cross--Lutheran exists to show the love of Jesus to North County and beyond, so that all may have a living relationship with Christ.

Our Core Values:

• Empowered by the cross of Christ
• People working together
• Opening the Word to all people
• Showing the love of Jesus
• Warm and supportive environment

Email: pastorlaesch@chapelofthecross.org
Website: http://www.chapelofthecross.org/
Location: 11645 Benham Rd, St. Louis, MO, USA
Phone: (314) 741-3737
Facebook: facebook.com/ChapelSTL