Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the December 20, 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.

Mary could not understand the mystery of her Son’s birth, but she believed God’s word from the angel and humbly submitted to His will.

• How is the Virgin Mary an example for all Christians?

The Bible teaches that Jesus is true God and true man.

• Why is it necessary for Jesus to be true God and true man?

• Look up the explanation of the Second Article of the Creed (Part 1) in Luther’s Small Catechism to review.

Read Luke 1:26-38.

How would you feel if an angel appeared to you? Happy? Surprised? Afraid? Mary might have felt all of these at once. She wondered how she could be the mother of Jesus, our Savior! Remember what the angel said to her? Nothing is impossible with God. What a surprising, loving, amazing 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.

For nothing will be impossible with God.

Luke 1:37

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.

Notice how David sought God’s will.

• How might David’s action be an example for us as we make decisions in our life, our family, or our church?

David’s focus was on building an earthly temple for the Lord. But God’s focus was not on what David would do for Him, but what He would do for David: building an everlasting house and kingdom (verse 16).

• In whom does this promise to David come true?

Read 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16.

Chances are, you’re looking forward to gift-giving—and receiving—this Christmas, right?

King David wanted to build a house for God, but instead, God gave David a gift—the promise that the Savior would come from his family line—what a gift!

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 final words of Paul’s letter to the Romans summarizes the essence of the Gospel.

• What is the proclamation about? When was it revealed? For whom? To what end?

• How do Paul’s words to the Roman Christians assure them (and us) that God has been and will continue to be active in their lives and in their world?

Read Romans 16:25-27.

In a few weeks, the mystery of what is inside wrapped packages will be revealed. The time and the way that God would send a Savior was a mystery for years—but now God’s Word tells everyone how Jesus has come!

• Do you set up a nativity scene? Wrap up the baby Jesus figure and place it under the tree. Then on Christmas Eve, unwrap the figure before all the other presents and place it in the stable. Thank God for Jesus, the greatest gift of all!

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.

“Faithfulness” is a word repeated three times in these five verses.

• What comfort does it give you that the Lord is faithful?

Some have called Psalm 89 a “poetic expression” of 2 Samuel 7 (see this week’s Old Testament reading).

• Re-read both texts and note the similarities.

Read Psalm 86:1-5.

A faithful friend is a friend who will stick by you, no matter what. Our God is faithful. He will always be with you, always love you, always take care of you.

• Say a prayer of thanks to God for His love and His faithfulness to 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.

The angel Gabriel from heaven came,

With wings as drifted snow, with eyes as flame:

“All hail to thee, O lowly maiden Mary,

Most highly favored lady.”

Gloria!

“For know a blessèd mother thou shalt be,

All generations laud and honor thee;

Thy son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold,

Most highly favored lady.”

Gloria!

Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head;

“To me be as it pleaseth God,” she said.

“My soul shall laud and magnify God’s holy name.”

Most highly favored lady,

Gloria!

Of her, Emmanuel, the Christ, was born

In Bethlehem all on a Christmas morn,

And Christian folk throughout the world will ever say:

“Most highly favored lady.”

Gloria!

Public domain

Though we do not worship her, Mary is held in high honor because she is the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

• How does the hymn express the honor we give to Mary?

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