Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the August 15, 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.

• What is the significance of our remaining in Jesus and Jesus’ remaining in us? (see John 15:1-8)

• Look at the Alleluia and Verse in Lutheran Service Book p. 156. Sing or speak those words of Peter (taken from John 6:68) together during your devotion time.

Read John 6:51-69.

Who do you go to when you need food, or a band-aid, or a hug? Maybe your mom or dad, aunt, or grandpa. Who do we go to for forgiveness and eternal life? Jesus. Jesus is the only one who can give us the gift of eternal life. He is the way, the truth, and the life!

• Jesus gives us so much! Sing your thanks with the song below.

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.

Be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord. Ephesians 5:18-19

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 sets God apart from the idols of other nations? (see 24:17)

• What challenge does Joshua give to the people? (see 24:15) How does this relate to us today?

Read Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18.

“Whom will you serve?” Joshua asked the Israelites. “God, who brought us out of Egypt!” the people replied. Whom do we serve? God, who sent Jesus to save us. What other reasons do we have to love and serve 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.

• What basic wisdom distinguishes the wise from the unwise? (see 5:15-17)

• Can we apply the words of Pal: “the days are evil” (vs. 16) to today? In what ways?

Read Ephesians 5:6-21.

Have you tried to walk in your house at night? It’s not easy. You might bump into things or break something. It’s much better to walk in the light! “Walk as children of light” the Bible says. How? The Holy Spirit helps us live in goodness and truth, as we praise 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.

• David the psalmist expresses how God’s “ears are attentive to their cry” and how “the righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them.” How does this truth give you peace and comfort?

• Read verse 20 again. Read also John 19:31-36. Note how John’s Gospel applies the verse of this Psalm to Jesus as the One above all others who could be called a “righteous man.”

Read Psalm 34:12-22.

When you cry out in pain or times of trouble, who listens to you? Maybe your mom or dad, grandma or uncle, or older brother or sister hears you and comes to help you. There is someone else who is always listening for your cry for help. Do you know who it is? It's God! Your heavenly Father is always listening. You can always go to Him in prayer.

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.

You are the way; through You alone

Can we the Father find;

In You, O Christ, has God revealed

His heart and will and mind.

You are the truth; Your Word alone

True wisdom can impart;

You only can inform the mind

And purify the heart.

You are the life; the empty tomb

Proclaims Your conqu’ring arm,

And those who put their trust in You

Not death nor hell shall harm.

You are the way, the truth, the life;

Grant us that way to know,

That truth to keep, that life to win

Whose joys eternal flow.

Public domain

• Read John 14:1-6 and then meditate on the words of this hymn. How does the hymn expound on the truth of this passage of Scripture?

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