Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the February 14, 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.

The voice of God thunders: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!”

• When have we heard similar words from God? (see Matthew 3:13-17)

• Why did Jesus order the three disciples not to tell about this experience until after He had risen from the dead?

Read Mark 9:2-9.

When have you said, “This is the best day ever!” Maybe it was your birthday, or a trip to the amusement park. It was an incredible day when Jesus’ disciples saw Him shining with glory. Someday we will be with Jesus forever, and it really will be the best day ever!

• What do you imagine it will be like to see Jesus face-to-face?

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 God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:6

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 do you think Elisha and the company of prophets were reminded of as Elijah stuck the water with his cloak and the water of the Jordan River divided so they could walk across on dry land (See Exodus 14)?

• How does this Old Testament reading tie in with the Gospel reading appointed for Transfiguration Sunday (see Mark 9:2-9)?

Focus on 2 Kings 2:1-12.

What amazing thing did Elisha see? What amazing thing was Elisha able to do? Our God is amazing. He took Elijah to heaven in a fiery chariot and gave Elisha power to part the water.

• What else has our amazing God 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.

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 is it about humanity that causes a “blind spot” when it comes to the Good News of Jesus (See 1 Corinthians 2:14)?

• What is the only solution to alleviate and heal spiritual blindness (see 4:6)?

Read and focus on 2 Corinthians 3:12-13; 4:1-6.

Sing “This Little Light of Mine.” What is the light that shines in the darkness? What is the light that God puts into our hearts? The Good News of Jesus!

• How will you let the light shine this week?

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.

God comes to His people in worship! He comes in the sweet Gospel providing love and mercy. He also comes in the Law, admonishing and condemning sin.

• As you read this portion of Psalm 50, what Gospel do you see? What Law do you see?

• The psalmist describes God as judge. Does the fact that our God is the almighty Judge give you fear and dread, or peace and comfort?
  

Read Psalm 50:1-6.

We don't want to be judged, do we? It doesn't feel good to have someone examining what we have said or done. We don't like having someone pronounce a judgment on us, especially if it isn't a good one!

The Bible says that God is our judge. Uh oh. We know we've done wrong. We know what the judgment will be: guilty.

But thanks be to God, the Father looks at the Son, Jesus, when He judges us. Jesus was perfect. Jesus died for our sins. So when God looks at us, He looks at what Jesus has done, and He declares us . . . not guilty! We are forgiven. We are loved. We are free!

• Say a prayer of thanks to Jesus, your Savior.

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.

O wondrous type! O vision fair

Of glory that the Church may share,

Which Christ upon the mountain shows,

Where brighter than the sun He glows!

With Moses and Elijah nigh

The_incarnate Lord holds converse high;

And from the cloud the Holy One

Bears record to the only Son.

With shining face and bright array

Christ deigns to manifest today

What glory shall be theirs above

Who joy in God with perfect love.

And faithful hearts are raised on high

By this great vision’s mystery,

For which in joyful strains we raise

The voice of prayer, the hymn of praise.

O Father, with the_eternal Son

And Holy Spirit ever one,

We pray Thee, bring us by Thy grace

To see Thy glory face to face.

Public domain

This hymn is a poetic retelling of the story of the transfiguration of Jesus.

• Read once again the Gospel (Mark 9:2-9), then meditate on the words of the hymn.

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