Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the September 19, 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.

• How does Jesus’ teaching about how to become great in the kingdom of God fit in with Jesus’ teaching about discipleship (see Mark 8:34)?

• What did Jesus say about welcoming children (an example of the lowest by the world’s standards)?

Read Mark 9:30-37.

“I get to go first!” Have you ever heard that, or maybe even said it? Sometimes we think we have the right to be first, to go ahead of others, to get the best of something. But that’s not Jesus’ way. Jesus shows us how to put others first, to serve, to show love.

• Think of one way you can put someone first or serve someone this week.

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.

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

James 3:17

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.

• Although there was a plot against Jeremiah’s life, how did he show his continued confidence in God’s dealing with the situation?

• How may we understand Jeremiah’s call to God for vengeance on those seeking to take his life when compared with Jesus’ instruction to love and to pray for your enemies?

Read Jeremiah 11:18-20.

Jeremiah was a prophet, chosen by God to speak God’s words to His people. But the people didn’t like Jeremiah’s words. They didn’t want to be told they were sinning against God. They planned to get rid of Jeremiah. What did Jeremiah do? Trust in God.

• When something goes wrong this week, pray to God. Ask Him for His help. Trust that He will 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.

• James speaks about two kinds of wisdom: earthly and heavenly. What is at the heart of earthly wisdom? (3:13-16) What are the characteristics of heavenly wisdom? (3:17-18)

• James urges us to submit to God. How does that submission to God enable us successfully to draw near to God and resist the devil?

Read James 3:13 - 4:10.

It’s good to be smart. It’s better to be wise. True wisdom is peace-loving, full of mercy and good fruit. True wisdom comes from God.

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 title of the psalm notes that this is a psalm of David which was written “when the Ziphites had gone to Saul and said, ‘Is not David hiding among us?’” Read the story as recorded in 1 Samuel 23.

• Notice that at the very center of the psalm is a confession by David of confidence in his God (verse 4). How does this encourage and inspire us as we face trouble and sorrow in our lives?

Read Psalm 54.

Sometimes people say or do things that hurt our feelings. Sometimes people are mean. What can we do when this happens? We can talk to parents, friends, our teachers--they love us and they can help us feel better. We can also go to God. He loves us so very much, and we know that He will listen and help.

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.

Let me be Thine forever,

My faithful God and Lord;

Let me forsake Thee never

Nor wander from Thy Word.

Lord, do not let me waver,

But give me steadfastness,

And for such grace forever

Thy holy name I’ll bless.

Lord Jesus, my salvation,

My light, my life divine,

My only consolation,

O make me wholly Thine!

For Thou hast dearly bought me

With blood and bitter pain.

Let me, since Thou hast sought me,

Eternal life obtain.

O Thou, O Holy Spirit,

My comforter and guide,

Grant that in Jesus’ merit

I always may confide,

Him to the end confessing

Whom I have known by faith.

Give me Thy constant blessing

And grant a Christian death.

Public domain

• This Reformation-era hymn is the prayer of the Christian that God would by His mercy and grace keep us in His fold. Take time to pray each verse of this hymn throughout the day.
  

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