Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the June 6, 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 did Jesus’ family react to His popularity with the people and His absorption in His ministry to those in need?

• What simple argument does Jesus use to explain why His actions make it clear that He opposes Satan?

Read Mark 3:20-35.

Families are important. Our mom, dad, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and grandparents love us, comfort us, and help us. Did you know you have another family? It’s the family of God! All who believe in Jesus are part of God’s family. This family also loves you and comforts you and helps you.

• Say a prayer of thanks for our families!

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.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4:16

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 did Adam and Eve try to shift responsibility away from themselves?

• How might we see ourselves in the actions of Adam and Eve and their interaction with the Lord?

Read Genesis 3:8-15.

God showed His love for us by creating a wonderful, perfect world. Then Adam and Eve brought sin into God’s world. Now there is pain and sadness. But God didn’t turn His back on us. Because He loves us, He promised a Savior—Jesus! How great is God’s love for 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.

• What, according to Paul, are some of the ongoing effects on us of sin and conflict?

• Who is more powerful than sin and its consequences? And what kind of future do we as Christians have to look forward to?

Read 2 Corinthians 4:13 - 5:1.

We all have pain and hurt at times because of sin. But there’s good news—it won’t last forever! Jesus promises us a perfect home in heaven. How wonderful that will be!

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.

Psalm 130 is one of the seven “penitential” psalms we find in the Bible.

• This week take some time and read through the other six penitential psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 143).

• When have you heard verses 3–4 before? (See Lutheran Service Book, p. 203. Click below to see the page)

• Why would we recite these verses at this point in the liturgy?

Lutheran Service Book, p. 203

Click picture to enlarge.

Read Psalm 130.

What if everytime you sinned, God made a red mark in a book. How many marks do you think you would have at the end of a a week, a month, a year, a lifetime? Our sins would probably fill many, many books! Thanks to Jesus, God does not keep a record of our sins. He forgives us, and so we thank and praise Him!

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;

Who looks in love

To Christ above,

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 gives us many results of trusting in God and living in faith.

• Read or sing the hymn and write down the blessings of trusting in our Lord.

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