Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the March 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.

Note the places we see Nicodemus in the Gospel of John (3:1-21; 7:45-52; 19:38-42). Notice how the Spirit worked in him to bring him to faith in Jesus as his Savior.

• How did God bring salvation through His only-begotten Son?

• Why was it necessary for God to give His Son? (see Romans 3:22-24)

Read John 3:14-21.

Turn off the lights. How does it feel to sit in darkness? Now light a candle or turn on the light. Jesus is the light that takes away all fear of sin, death, and darkness. Jesus shines as hope for all to see!

• Say John 3:16 together. Who did Jesus come to save? Everyone!

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 it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8–9

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 was the “miserable food” (verse 5) that the people detested?

• In rejecting this food, what else were the Israelites rejecting?

• In what ways was the bronze snake in the desert a foreshadowing of what Jesus Himself would experience and accomplish?

Read Numbers 21:4-9.

God’s people didn’t trust Him. God punished them by sending snakes. But God also showed them mercy (undeserved kindness). Anyone who looked up at a snake on a pole would live. We look at Jesus on the cross. We trust in Him as our Savior and we have eternal life!

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 that makes us ”alive with Christ?” (verse 5)

• How do Paul’s words emphasize that it is entirely by God’s grace that we have been saved?

Read Ephesians 2:1-10.

What does God want us to do? He wants us to love others! The Bible tells us He planned good works for us to do before we were even born. How awesome is that!

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.

Verse 1 of this psalm is a call to thank and praise God that we see several times in the psalms (106:1; 118:1; 136:1). Pray this verse each day this week as you set aside time for prayer and devotions.

Verses 4 and following speak of “some wandering in the desert wastelands.”

• What might have this imagery brought to mind for the psalmist’s hearers? In what ways do we “wander” in the wasteland of sin? Who will deliver us?

Read Psalm 107:1-9.

Verse 2 of this psalm tells the redeemed (saved) to tell their story. Remember how God protected and helped His people as they wandered in the wilderness? God rescued them from slavery, He protected them, and gave them water to drink and manna and quail to eat. He finally brought them into the Promised Land.

• What is your story? How has God saved, protected, and helped you? Share your stories of God's love and care with one another tonight, and thank Him for His faithfulness and love!

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 loved the world so that He gave

His only Son the lost to save,

That all who would in Him believe

Should everlasting life receive.

Christ Jesus is the ground of faith,

Who was made flesh and suffered death;

All then who trust in Him alone

Are built on this chief cornerstone.

God would not have the sinner die;

His Son with saving grace is nigh;

His Spirit in the Word declares

How we in Christ are heaven’s heirs.

Be of good cheer, for God’s own Son

Forgives all sins which you have done;

And, justified by Jesus’ blood,

Your Baptism grants the highest good.

If you are sick, if death is near,

This truth your troubled heart can cheer:

Christ Jesus saves your soul from death;

That is the firmest ground of faith.

Glory to God the Father, Son,

And Holy Spirit, Three in One!

To You, O blessèd Trinity,

Be praise now and eternally!

Public domain

In the second stanza, and again in the fifth stanza of this hymn, the author writes that Jesus Christ is the “ground of faith.”

Read Matthew 7:24-27. How does Jesus’ story about the wise and foolish builders relate to this 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