Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the January 17, 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.

• What do you think it means to witness for Jesus?
  

• How do our ideas of witnessing compare with what Philip did? Is there anything we can learn from him?

Read John 1:43-51.

“Come quick! Look!” Have you said this when you found something interesting or exciting? When you discover a cool-looking insect, or see the bright, beautiful full moon, or find something everyone’s been looking for, you call others to come and see! That’s what Philip did when he found Jesus. He called his friend to “Come and see.”

• How can you tell someone to “Come and see” Jesus 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.

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? 1 Corinthians 6:19

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.

When Eli realized it was God who was calling Samuel, Eli taught Samuel how to respond to God’s call.

• What can we learn from Eli’s teaching?

Verse 7 says that Samuel “did not yet know the Lord.” And yet, God calls and commissions Samuel to be His spokesman.

• What does that mean for us as we consider how God calls you and me into His service?

Read 1 Samuel 3:1-10.

Samuel heard God speaking to Him. What would you do if you heard God speaking to you? Guess what? He does! God speaks to us in His Word, when we read it and hear it read to us. We talk with God in prayer. How awesome that our God communicates with us!

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.

Some in the church at Corinth believed that “everything is permissible” in Christian freedom. They were influenced by the prevailing attitude in their culture that said: “If it feels good, do it.”

• How does Paul answer this sinful and damaging approach to life?

• How does God regard our bodies? How ought we to regard them then?

Read and focus on 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

Wiggle your fingers. Who made your fingers? God did! Blink your eyes. Who made your eyes? God did! Tap your toes. Who made your toes? God did! God made each and every very special part of you! In Baptism, God washed away your sins and filled you with His Holy Spirit. God made you His very special child. So . . .

• What should you do with your fingers and hands? Use them to help and to love others. What should you do with your eyes? Look at things that are beautiful and pleasing to God. What should you do with your toes and feet? Use them to take you to places where you can praise God and be helpful to others. Honor God with your body!

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 psalmist is amazed by the fact that God knows so much about him.

• What items of knowledge does he list?

The psalmists makes it clear, not only does God know everything about him, there’s no escaping or hiding from God either.

• How can this truth cause fear and distress? Or peace and comfort?

Read Psalm 139:1-10.

Who knows everything about you, even more than your parents or you, yourself? God does! He knows you and loves you, no matter what!

• Watch the video below. Then say or sing a prayer of thanks to God for creating you, loving you, saving you, and giving you 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.

“Come, follow Me,” the Savior spake,

“All in My way abiding;

Deny yourselves, the world forsake,

Obey My call and guiding.

O bear the cross, whate’er betide,

Take My example for your guide.

“I am the light, I light the way,

A godly life displaying;

I bid you walk as in the day;

I keep your feet from straying.

I am the way, and well I show

How you must sojourn here below.

“My heart abounds in lowliness,

My soul with love is glowing;

And gracious words My lips express,

With meekness overflowing.

My heart, My mind, My strength, My all,

To God I yield, on Him I call.

“I teach you how to shun and flee

What harms your soul’s salvation,

Your heart from ev’ry guile to free,

From sin and its temptation.

I am the refuge of the soul

And lead you to your heav’nly goal.”

Then let us follow Christ, our Lord,

And take the cross appointed

And, firmly clinging to His Word,

In suff’ring be undaunted.

For those who bear the battle’s strain

The crown of heav’nly life obtain.

Public domain

• Read through this hymn and write down what Scripture says is involved in the call to follow Jesus. What is the result of a life following the Savior?

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