Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the January 10, 2020 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.

Jesus had no sin. He did not need to repent as others who had received John’s baptism. But he was baptized as the substitute for sinful humanity and this baptism served as His inauguration into ministry.

• How did God the Father place His “stamp of approval” on Jesus and His work? (see Psalm 2:7, Isaiah 42:1)

How was Jesus empowered for His ministry? Look at Mark 1:12-13.

• What was Jesus’ first battle on behalf of humanity?

Read Mark 1:4-11.

Do you remember your Baptism? Ask your parents to tell you about that special day.

Jesus was baptized too, but not because He was sinful. Jesus took on our sins in His baptism. When you were baptized, God washed away your sins. Your Baptism connects you with Jesus!

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.

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus Romans 6:11

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 everything else has a beginning, God has always been. Read Psalm 90:2 and reflect on the fact that our God is holy, infinite, and eternal.

• What difference does that make for us?

God’s first creative word called forth light in the midst of darkness. Throughout the Bible, light is symbolic of life and blessing. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12). Read 2 Corinthians 4:6.

• What is the role of the light of God in the re-creating work of the Holy Spirit in sin-darkened hearts?

Read Genesis 1:1-5.

Everything has a beginning—races, games, years, people! But not God. God always has been, and always will be. Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End” (Rev. 22:13). God created all things, including you!

• Sing praise to our eternal, life-giving, creator 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.

Paul answers his own question from verse 1 regarding going on sinning so that grace might increase. His answer (in effect): “God forbid!”

• What is the basis for his response (see vv. 3-4)?

Write down what St. Paul says happens to the Christian because of his or her Baptism.

• As you look at that list, praise God from who all blessings flow!

Read Romans 6:1-11.

Jesus died on the cross for our sins. But He didn’t stay dead—He rose and He is alive forevermore! Because Jesus lives, we know that we will also live forever with 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.

David, the psalmist, refers to “the voice of the Lord” seven times in this Psalm, emphasizing the strength and authority of God.

• What other times do you hear the powerful voice of God at work? (see the Old Testament and Gospel readings as two examples)

It is evident in this psalm that the Word of God always comes with great power.

• What great power is shown by God’s Word in the lives of His children? (see Romans 1:16-17)

Read Psalm 29.

• How does the psalmist describe God's voice in these verses? What is God doing?

• The Old Testament reading and the Gospel reading talk about God's voice too. What do all these verses say about our God?

• Write your own praise to God, describing what His powerful voice can do!
  

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 only Son from heaven,

Foretold by ancient seers,

By God the Father given,

In human form appears.

No sphere His light confining,

No star so brightly shining

As He, our Morning Star.

O time of God appointed,

O bright and holy morn!

He comes, the king anointed,

The Christ, the virgin-born,

Grim death to vanquish for us,

To open heav’n before us

And bring us life again.

O Lord, our hearts awaken

To know and love You more,

In faith to stand unshaken,

In spirit to adore,

That we, through this world moving,

Each glimpse of heaven proving,

May reap its fullness there.

O Father, here before You

With God the Holy Ghost

And Jesus, we adore You,

O pride of angel host:

Before You mortals lowly

Cry, “Holy, holy, holy,

O blessèd Trinity!”

Public domain

• Pray stanza three of this hymn together as a family, or individually, as we seek to live out our baptismal faith and calling.

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