Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the February 21, 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.

Mark’s account of the temptation of Jesus is the shortest of the evangelists. Read Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13 to learn more details of the account.

• What does it mean for us in our lives as Christians that Jesus overcame all temptations and passed all tests? (See Hebrews 4:14-16)

Read Mark 1:9-15.

Do you know what it means to tempt someone? It means to cause someone to want to do something wrong. The devil tempted Jesus to do wrong things. The devil tempts us to do wrong things too. We sometimes give in and sin. But Jesus never did! Jesus never sinned. He overcame the devil’s temptations. He helps us resist temptation too.

• What can you do the next time you're tempted to do something you shouldn't do? (hint: fold your hands . . .)

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.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5

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.

Every parent must feel the torture in Abraham’s heart as he makes his way to the place of sacrifice with his son.

• Can anyone love so much that he would sacrifice his own son? (See John 3:16)

• Read verse 5 again. What did Abraham tell his servants?

• What do these words tell us about Abraham’s expectations of God concerning Isaac?

Read Genesis 22:1-18. Focus on verses 12-18.

God tested Abraham. Abraham obeyed and trusted God. God would never have us do something wrong. God always does what is best for us. Abraham did not have to give up his son, but God did. God gave up His Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay for our sins. What a loving God we have!

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.

It is clear that God does not tempt us to sin. It is our own evil desires that cause us to fall into sin.

• But whom do we blame for our sins? Who did Adam and Eve blame (Genesis 3:11-13)? Why are we so hesitant to blame ourselves?

• Since God does not change in any way, what peace and assurance does that give us when we are tempted by the devil or our own sinful desires?

Read and focus on James 1:12-18.

When we are tempted to sin, we can’t say, “It’s God’s fault.” God doesn’t tempt us. But He does help us do what’s right. Only good comes from God!

• What are some of the good gifts that come 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.

Martin Luther wrote that Psalm 25 “belongs to the Second Commandment and the Second Petition (of the Lord’s Prayer).”

• Where in this psalm do you see this?

Read verses 6-7 again.

• What is the psalmist asking God to remember and to not remember? Take time to make this prayer your own.

Read Psalm 25:1-10.

The psalmist (the person who wrote this psalm) asked God to guide him and teach him to do what is right.

• Why is God a good teacher? What does God teach 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.

Jesus, lead Thou on

Till our rest is won;

We will follow calm and fearless. And although the way be cheerless,

Guide us by Thy hand

To our fatherland.

If the way be drear,

If the foe be near,

Let not faithless fears o’ertake us;

Let not faith and hope forsake us;

For through many_a woe

To our home we go.

When we seek relief

From a long-felt grief,

When temptations come alluring,

Make us patient and enduring.

Show us that bright shore

Where we weep no more.

Jesus, lead Thou on

Till our rest is won.

Heav’nly leader, still direct us,

Still support, console, protect us,

Till we safely stand

In our fatherland.

Public domain

As we look forward to the gift of heaven, how does this hymn describe the journey that we travel as Christians?

• What words from the hymn give special peace and comfort to you?

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