Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the December 13, 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.

John the Baptist was a very popular preacher. Some thought he might even be the Messiah.

• But in what ways was Jesus the Messiah different from John the Baptist? (see John 1:6-8)

• Humanly speaking, how might have John the Baptist’s testimony of who he was (and who he was not) been difficult for him to admit?

• Instead of drawing attention to himself, who does John the Baptist consistently point to?

Read John 1:6-8, 19-28.

Turn off the lights for a moment. Then light a candle or turn on a flashlight. How wonderful to have light to help you see! John said that Jesus is the Light. John the Baptist pointed to Jesus, who lights the way to God the Father and shows us what a loving, forgiving God we have.

• Light candles on an Advent wreath or light a single candle when you have devotions as a reminder that Jesus is the Light of the world!

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.

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Psalm 126:3

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.

Anoint means to rub or sprinkle on or apply ointment. Priests were anointed for their special service to the LORD. See Exodus 28:41. In the New Testament, anointing has the idea of being filled with, and blessed by, the Holy Spirit. Believers are anointed with the Holy Spirit at Baptism.

• What does the water and the Holy Spirit open for you in Baptism? See John 3:5.

• As Christians under the New Covenant, where does our anointing originate? See 1 John 2:20.

Read Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11.

What do you do when you have some good news, like “Grandma’s coming!” or “My tooth finally came out!”? You share it, right? The prophet Isaiah had good news for God’s people: God will set you free! He will save you! It’s the good news about Jesus, and we have it too—share it!

• Make and decorate a "good news" sign to put in your front window to share the good news about Jesus! Some ideas: "Jesus is Born!" or "Joy to the World!"

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.

Christians find joy, not only rejoicing in happy things, but in the midst of sorrows also. Christians can rejoice always because our joy isn’t based in circumstances, but in God.

• What comfort do you find in knowing that circumstances change, but God doesn’t?

• What are you rejoicing in today?

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24.

Rejoice always? Pray all the time? Give thanks no matter what? Even when we don’t feel like it? Yes, says, God! Why? Because Jesus saved us and loves us. How? The Holy Spirit will help us! So Rejoice! Pray! Give thanks!

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 Psalms of Ascent (Psalms 120-134) were sung by worshipers as they made the journey up to Jerusalem for the annual feasts. Psalm 126 was likely written after the captives returned from the Babylonian exile.

• As your read these verses—what is the singer’s hope?

It has been said, “We are pilgrims, but we are also disciples—always moving and always learning.”

• How does Good Friday and Easter morning connect to this Psalm?

Read Psalm 126.

Do you ever sing in the car on the way to church? God's people sang this psalm and others as they traveled to the temple in Jerusalem for big worship festivals.

• Tune in to a Christian radio station, pop in a CD of Christian songs, or make a "going to church" playlist! Singing to the Lord will help get your heart and your mind ready for worship!

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.

Hark! A thrilling voice is sounding!

“Christ is near,” we hear it say.

“Cast away the works of darkness,

All you children of the day!”

Startled at the solemn warning,

Let the earthbound soul arise;

Christ, its sun, all sloth dispelling,

Shines upon the morning skies.

See, the Lamb, so long expected,

Comes with pardon down from heav’n.

Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,

One and all, to be forgiv’n;

So, when next He comes in glory

And the world is wrapped in fear,

He will shield us with His mercy

And with words of love draw near.

Honor, glory, might, dominion

To the Father and the Son

With the ever-living Spirit

While eternal ages run!

Public domain

Almost every line of this hymn is related to a passage from Scripture. Look up the following passages and match them to the text of the hymn as you are assured that "Christ is near!"

• Romans 13:11-12 Isaiah 60:1-3
• John 1:29
• Romans 3:23-24
• Luke 21:25-27
• Psalm 103:10,14

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