Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the May 23, 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.

Another name for the Holy Spirit is “the Paraclete” which literally means “one called to stand beside.”

• What is the Spirit’s purpose as He comes to stand beside us as our Helper? (see verse 26)

Jesus talks of how the Holy Spirit moves to convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment.

• What is the Spirit’s intention in convicting the world in this way?

Read John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15.

Who is the Holy Spirit? He is part of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the one whom Jesus sends to give us faith. The Spirit helps us understand God’s Word and He gives us courage to tell others about Jesus. The Holy Spirit gives us words to say when we pray and witness. The Holy Spirit 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.

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me.

Psalm 139:1

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.

This was not the first time that the “breath of God” gave life. Read Genesis 2:7.

• What similarities are there between this passage and Ezekiel’s vision?

• What message of hope does God give through Ezekiel’s vision? (see verses 12-14)

Read Ezekiel 37:1-14.

The Bible account of the Valley of Dry Bones is awesome! Scattered dry bones come together to make an army of people! But what does it mean? God was telling His prophet Ezekiel to have hope: God would put His Spirit in His people and they would live again. He gives us His Spirit too, so we can believe and have eternal life with Him.

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 was fire the visible symbol of what was miraculously taking place that day? (see Luke 3:16)

• What was God’s purpose in the gift of tongues on the Day of Pentecost?

Read Acts 2:1-21.

On Pentecost, Jesus kept His promise to send the Holy Spirit to His disciples. The Spirit gave them boldness to preach about Jesus, and three thousand people came to faith in 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.

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 knows us perfectly! How does David the psalmist describe this wonderful fact? (see verses 1-6)

• David confesses that you cannot escape from God. For some this could be a frightening thought. For others it is a blessing. What is it for you? What should it be for all who are God’s children?

Read Psalm 139:1-12.

Who knows all about you?

Your friends and especially your parents know lots about you. But there is someone who knows everything about you--even how many hairs are on your head! Do you know who that is? It's God the Father! He created you and He takes care of you. He loves you so much, He sent Jesus to be Your Savior!

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, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,

And make our hearts Your place of rest;

Come with Your grace and heav’nly aid,

And fill the hearts which You have made.

To You, the Counselor, we cry,

To You, the gift of God Most High;

The fount of life, the fire of love,

The soul’s anointing from above.

In You, with graces sevenfold,

We God’s almighty hand behold

While You with tongues of fire proclaim

To all the world His holy name.

Your light to ev’ry thought impart,

And shed Your love in ev’ry heart;

The weakness of our mortal state

With deathless might invigorate.

Drive far away our wily foe,

And Your abiding peace bestow;

With You as our protecting guide,

No evil can with us abide.

Teach us to know the Father, Son,

And You, from both, as Three in One

That we Your name may ever bless

And in our lives the truth confess.

Praise we the Father and the Son

And Holy Spirit, with them One,

And may the Son on us bestow

The gifts that from the Spirit flow! Amen.

Public domain

This hymn is an ardent prayer to the Holy Spirit.

• Sing or speak this hymn as your prayer that the Spirit would dwell in your heart.

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