Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the April 4, 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 was Peter singled out by the angel to be told of Jesus’ meeting the disciples in Galilee? (see Mark 14:29-31; 66-72)

Read the story of the resurrection of Jesus from the other Gospels (Matthew 28:1-10; Luke 24:1-12; and John 20:1-18). What other details are recorded by the other Gospel writers?

Read Mark 16:1-8.

Think about a time you were really surprised. What did you do? Shout out loud? Laugh? Cry? The women came to Jesus’ tomb expecting to see Jesus’ dead body. Instead, they saw a dazzling angel with an incredible message: Jesus is alive! Imagine their surprise!

• What do you think they did next? What would you have done?

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.

You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.

Mark 16:6

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.

• What is the “shroud” and the “sheet” that Isaiah prophesies about (other versions use the words “covering” and “veil”)? And what does God do with it (see also 1 Corinthians 15:54)?

Describe the details of God’s great banquet as Isaiah pictures it. The Bible often uses the imagery of a banquet to picture the glories of heaven.

• What other details does God reveal in Matthew 22:1-14 and Revelation 19:7-9; 21:2-4?

Read Isaiah 25:6-9.

What are some things that make you sad? When you get hurt? When someone is mean? When you do something wrong? When you feel sad, talk to Jesus. He understands your sadness. He loves you. He forgives you. He wipes away your tears. Jesus died and rose for 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.

Paul reminds the Corinthians of the Gospel that he had preached to them.

• What are the main points of this Gospel (see vv. 3-5)?

• Why did Paul recount the appearance of the risen Jesus to various individuals and groups?
• And why did Paul include the fact that Jesus appeared to more than 500 of His disciples at one time?

Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.

It’s true—Jesus rose from the dead! Do you know what that means? It means that Jesus won! He defeated the devil. Your sins are forgiven. It means that you and I have eternal life! Alleluia!

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 rejoices in the inheritance he has received from his God (vv. 5-6).

• What is his (and our) inheritance?

The psalmist shares his blessed assurance that he rests secure in the protection of his God. Even death itself cannot rob us of eternal life (vv. 9-11)!

• Meditate on and share the blessed assurance that this gives to you.

Read Psalm 16. Focus on verses 9-11.

Have you ever watched a a flower sprout, grow, bloom, then wither and die? All living things on this earth die. That's because of sin. But Jesus defeated death when rose from the dead. Do you know what that means? It means that one day, we will also rise to live forever with Him in heaven!

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 Christ is ris’n today, Alleluia!

Our triumphant holy day, Alleluia!

Who did once upon the cross, Alleluia!

Suffer to redeem our loss. Alleluia!

Hymns of praise then let us sing, Alleluia!

Unto Christ, our heav’nly king, Alleluia!

Who endured the cross and grave, Alleluia!

Sinners to redeem and save. Alleluia!

But the pains which He endured, Alleluia!

Our salvation have procured; Alleluia!

Now above the sky He’s king, Alleluia!

Where the angels ever sing. Alleluia!

Sing we to our God above, Alleluia!

Praise eternal as His love; Alleluia!

Praise Him, all ye heav’nly host, Alleluia!

Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Alleluia!

Public Domain

What a wonderful hymn of praise as we sing of the resurrected Christ!

• As you read through or sing this hymn, write down what specifically we praise our God for.

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