Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the February 7, 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.

• People were looking for Jesus because of His miracles. But what did Jesus say He came to do? (see verse 38)?

• Why did Jesus, the Son of God, feel the need to pray to His Father in heaven?

• What does His going to a solitary place for prayer say to us for our personal prayer life?

Read Mark 1:29-39.

Have you ever been sick? Who helped you?

Simon Peter’s mother-in-law was sick with a fever. Jesus came to help. He took her hand, helped her up . . . and she was healed! Soon everyone was bringing sick people to Jesus so He could heal them. Jesus didn’t use medicine to help them. He could heal them because Jesus is God!

• What other things could Jesus do because He is 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.

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

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.

• How does Isaiah describe the authority of our God?

Israel was feeling weak and forgotten. But our God does not grow tired or weary!

• How does the Lord’s strength become His people’s strength?

Focus on Isaiah 40:28-31.

Do you remember a time, maybe when you were very little, when you were so tired, someone picked you up and carried you? We become tired, but God never does. God says, “Come to me when the world makes you tired. I will give you strength!”

• Watch the video below of an eagle soaring in the sky. Talk about how God gives us strength. How does God lift you up when you are worn down?

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.

St. Paul declares that he “becomes all things to all people” so that he “might save some.”

• What does he mean by this and why is this his attitude?

Paul uses the metaphor of sports to point to the discipline that apostleship and discipleship requires.

• Why should we be even more motivated than an athlete in a competition in our dedication to run the race as a Christian?

Read and focus on 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

St. Paul says living the Christian life is like running a race. But our prize is so much better than a medal—we will have eternal life with Jesus!

• Have a family race. Add obstacles and rules like having to hop on one leg or run backward. Talk about how life can be challenging, but Jesus is always with us, helping us to the finish line. At the end of the race, give everyone a prize!

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 does it say about our God that He who has the power to number and name the stars (verse 4), also sustains the powerless and the humble (verse 6)?

God provides for all of his creation: He supplies the earth with rain, provides food for cattle, even takes care of the lowly raven!

• Compare the psalmists words to Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:25-34.
  

Read Psalm 147:1-11.

This psalm tell us why it is good and fitting to sing praises to God.

• Which verses describe the greatness of our God?

• What does He do for creation?

• What does He do for you and me?

• Sing a song of praise to God with the video 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.

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.

Your hand, O Lord, in days of old

It triumphed over ills and death,

Was strong to heal and save;

O'er darkness and the grave.

To You they came, the blind, the mute,

The palsied and the lame,

The lepers in their misery,

The sick with fevered frame.

Your touch then, Lord, brought life and health,

Gave speech and strength and sight;

And youth renewed and frenzy calmed

Revealed You, Lord of light.

And now, O Lord, be near to bless,

Almighty as before,

In crowded street, by beds of pain,

As by Gennes'ret's shore.

O be our great deliverer still,

O Lord of life and death;

Restore and quicken, soothe and bless,

With Your life-giving breath.

To hands that work and eyes that see

Give wisdom's healing pow'r

That whole and sick and weak and strong

May praise You evermore.

Public domain

The author of this hymn, Edward Plumptre, wrote these words to be used at the King’s College Hospital in London.

• How does this text convey the divine healing power of Jesus in His day—and in ours?

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