Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the November 14, 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.

• Why is it that those who faithfully proclaim the Gospel “will be hated by all”?

• What is Jesus’ promise to those who faithfully testify about Him and hold firm to their faith in Him?

Read Mark 13:1-13.

How do we know when Jesus will return? Jesus says there will be wars, earthquakes, and famines. Those things have happened. Jesus could come at any time! But we don’t need to be afraid. Instead, we can look forward to Jesus coming again. It will be a wonderful day when Jesus takes us to be with Him forever.

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.

Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.

Hebrews 10:24

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.

• This passage is one of the first announcements in the Bible of a resurrection and judgment. Compare these words to Jesus’ words in John 5:24-30.

• What is the wisdom that qualifies people to “shine like the brightness of the heavens”?

Read Daniel 12:1-3.

When Jesus returns, it will be a wonderful day for those who are wise, those who believe He is the Savior. We will “shine like stars.” We will shine God’s light of love, and we will live with Him forever and ever.

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.

• Notice in verses 11-14 how the Levitical priests never sat down because their work was never done. But with “this high priest” (Jesus), He “sat down at the right hand of God.” Why?

• What does the writer of Hebrews reference when he says that we have our hearts “sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water”?

Read Hebrews 10:11-25.

In Old Testament times, the high priest made sacrifices for the sins of the people over and over. When Jesus came, He sacrificed Himself on the cross once and for all. Jesus’ death and resurrection means that our sins are forgiven forever!

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.

• How is this psalm a prophecy of Christ and the Resurrection? (See Acts 2:22-28)

• David describes the joy of total security in our God. What strength and comfort does it give to you that the Lord is our refuge and even the grave cannot rob us of life?

Read Psalm 16.

What are you afraid of? Spiders? Bullies? The dark? The psalmist (the person who wrote the psalm) had fears too. He knew where he could go when he was afraid. He prayed to God! Why? Because our God is powerful. He loves us. He takes care of us. With God on our side, we don't have to fear anything--not even death!

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.

Who trusts in God

A strong abode

In heav’n and earth possesses;

To Christ above, Who looks in love

No fear that heart oppresses.

In You alone,

Dear Lord, we own

Sweet hope and consolation,

Our shield from foes,

Our balm for woes,

Our great and sure salvation.

Though Satan’s wrath

Beset our path

And worldly scorn assail us,

While You are near,

We shall not fear;

Your strength will never fail us.

Your rod and staff

Will keep us safe

And guide our steps forever;

Nor shades of death

Nor hell beneath

Our lives from You will sever.

In all the strife

Of mortal life

Our feet will stand securely;

Temptation’s hour

Will lose its pow’r,

For You will guard us surely.

O God, renew

With heav’nly dew

Our body, soul, and spirit

Until we stand

At Your right hand

Through Jesus’ saving merit.

Public domain

The hymn writer, Joachim Magdeburg, came through the University of Wittenberg near the end of Martin Luther’s life. The text of his hymn has much in common with Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress.”

• Compare the first verse with the text of “A Mighty Fortress.” What do they have in common? How are they different?

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