Walking Together in the Word

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

It is interesting to note the reaction to Jesus’ cleansing of the temple.

• How did the Jews respond to Him? What was the reaction of the disciples?

God calls us to have great zeal for worship in the house of the Lord. Pray together this prayer this week:

I love Your kingdom, Lord,

The place of Your abode,

The Church our blest Redeemer saved

With His own precious blood.

LSB 651:1

Imagine you walked into church and it smelled like the zoo! What if there were noisy animals for sale in the church lobby? You might not like it. Jesus didn’t. Church is God’s house, where we come to worship and pray.

• God wants us to think about Him when we come to church. How can you do that 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.

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

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).

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.

Read Matthew 22:34-40.

• How does Jesus summarize the 10 Commandments (and the rest of the Law)?

Take some time and read through Luther’s Small Catechism on the 10 Commandments and their meaning. Click HERE to read them online.

• As part of your devotion time, memorize the 10 Commandments this week.

Why did God give us the 10 Commandments? Not because He loves giving rules, but because He loves us!

God’s Law shows us how to live in peace with God and others. The Holy Spirit helps us follow God’s law. Jesus forgives us when we mess up and helps us try again.

• Do you know the 10 Commandments? You can learn and practice them using the digital flashcards 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.

• Why is it, as Paul says, that those who are wise in terms of the world’s wisdom have difficulty believing the message of the cross?

• In what ways is the Good News of the crucified and risen Christ both “the power of God and the wisdom of God?” (verse 24)

Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-31. Focus on verses 18-20.

It’s hard for some people to understand why Jesus died on the cross. They think it’s foolish. But Jesus’ death and resurrection show God’s wisdom. Because Jesus died, we will live!

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 glory of the Lord, the Psalmist says, is declared by the creation of God.

• How do you see God’s glory in the created world around you? (see Psalm 50:6; 89:5-8; 97:6; Romans 1:19-20)

In verse 7-11, David describes God’s law and its wonderful benefits.

• Write down the blessings David talks about in these verses.

Read Psalm 19. Focus on verses 7-11.

What are some of the rules in your house? Why do you think you have those rules?

Your parents give you rules to protect you and help you do what's right. They give you rules because they love you!

That's why God give us rules too. We call them God's Law. He loves us and knows what is best for us. When we follow God's rules for living, our lives will be better, and so will the lives of the people around us!

Eat some honey on toast as you read verses 7-11 of this psalm again. Then thank God for His Law!

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 of grace and God of glory,

On Your people pour Your pow’r;

Crown Your ancient Church’s story;

Bring its bud to glorious flow’r.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage

For the facing of this hour,

For the facing of this hour.

Lo, the hosts of evil round us

Scorn the Christ, assail His ways!

From the fears that long have bound us

Free our hearts to faith and praise.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage

For the living of these days,

For the living of these days.

Cure Your children’s warring madness;

Bend our pride to Your control;

Shame our wanton, selfish gladness,

Rich in things and poor in soul.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage

Lest we miss Your kingdom’s goal,

Lest we miss Your kingdom’s goal.

Save us from weak resignation

To the evils we deplore;

Let the gift of Your salvation

Be our glory evermore.

Grant us wisdom, grant us courage,

Serving You whom we adore,

Serving You whom we adore.

Public domain

This hymn was written in 1930 by Harry Emerson Fosdick for the dedication of Riverside Church in New York City while the United States was in the throes of the Great Depression and between the two World Wars.

• How does this hymn prayer speak to us almost 100 years later in the current context of our lives and our world?

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