Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the March 28, 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.

“Save us.” This word and “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord” are quotes from Psalm 118:25-26.

• What do you think the crowd was shouting to be saved from? Is this what Jesus came to save them from?

• Why did Jesus choose to come into Jerusalem riding on a donkey? (see Zechariah 9:9)

Read John 12:12-19.

Do you like parades? What do you like about them? Can you imagine what it was like to be at Jesus’ Palm Sunday parade? Imagine laying palm branches on the ground, singing “Hosanna!” and seeing Jesus Himself riding on a donkey!

• Why not make your own parade for Jesus? Sing praises to King Jesus!

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.

At the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Philippians 2:10–11

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.

Zechariah pictures the Messiah as a humble King, entering the city on a lowly donkey.

• What is strikingly different about this promised King than other worldly kings?

• What are the characteristic features of the kingdom that the coming King will establish?

Read Zechariah 9:9-12.

Jesus coming to earth to be our Savior was all part of God’s great plan of salvation for us. Hundreds of years before Jesus came, God gave His people messages about the Savior who would come. This Bible reading is one of them! What does it say Jesus will do?

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.

This reading can be divided into two parts. The first part talks about Jesus’ humility while the second part talks about His glory.

• How does St. Paul illustrate Jesus’ humility? His glory?

• What is the end result of every knee bowing and every tongue confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord?

Read Philippians 2:5-11.

Jesus is God. He became a human, like us, so He could die for our sins. How incredible is that! Jesus, our God and King, deserves all our honor and praise!

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.

• How does Jesus apply Psalm 118:22-23 to Himself? (see Matthew 21:42; Mark 12:10-11; Luke 20:17)

• Verse 24 is a wonderful verse of praise to God for His good gifts. Pray this verse each day this week as you set aside time for prayer and devotions.

Read Psalm 118:19-29. Focus on verse 24.

Verse 24 of Psalm 118 says, "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

Have you ever thought of each day as a gift from God? Today is a gift--tomorrow is too! There are so many wonderful things that you can see, hear, touch, taste, and do each day. What will you do today to rejoice and be glad?

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.

All glory, laud, and honor

To You, Redeemer, King,

To whom the lips of children

Made sweet hosannas ring.

You are the King of Israel

And David’s royal Son,

Now in the Lord’s name coming,

Our King and Blessèd One. Refrain

The company of angels

Is praising You on high,

And we with all creation

In chorus make reply. Refrain

The multitude of pilgrims

With palms before You went;

Our praise and prayer and anthems

Before You we present. Refrain

To You before Your passion

They sang their hymns of praise;

To You, now high exalted,

Our melody we raise. Refrain

As You received their praises,

Accept the prayers we bring,

O Source of ev’ry blessing,

Our good and gracious King. Refrain

Public domain

On the first Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna!” Today, we sing this hymn in praise to our God.

• Take time to pray this hymn to Jesus who is our humble, servant King.

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