Walking Together in the Word

These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the April 18, 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.

• Why did Jesus invite His disciples to examine His hands and feet? Why did He eat in their presence?

• How did Jesus describe the work that He was commissioning them to do? How are you part of this commissioning?

Read Luke 24:36-49.

A trip to Disney World. A new X-box. No school today! Some things seem too good to be true. That’s how the disciples felt when Jesus appeared—it’s too good to be true!

But it was true, and it is true! Jesus is alive! He rose from the dead just as He said would. Now our sins are forgiven. Now we will have eternal life. Share the Good News! Jesus is alive!

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.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

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.

In his message, Peter calls Jesus “the Holy and Righteous One” and “the Author of life.”

• What claim is Peter making about Jesus by using these titles?

• What blessings does Peter promise would be theirs if the people would repent and turn to the Lord?

Read Acts 3:11-21.

“Why are you staring at us, like we did this?” Peter asked the crowd after a man’s legs were healed. “Faith in Jesus made this man well.”

The name of Jesus is powerful. That’s because Jesus is powerful! He defeated death and the devil. He gives us forgiveness and new life. Believe in 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.

• What comfort and assurance do John’s words “when He appears we shall be like Him” give to you?

• What does John point to as the motivating factors in our purifying ourselves to become more like Jesus in our daily living?

Read 1 John 3:1-7.

To lavish means “to give a very large amount.” God has lavished us with love—so very much love! He has made you His beloved child.

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 is David’s response to those who turn away from God during difficult times? (see vv. 2-4) What is his exhortation to them? (see verse 5)

• Note the confidence that David has in God to take care of him in any and every situation (see vv. 7-8). How can these verses give us peace, comfort, and confidence in our God?

Read Psalm 4.

This psalm was written by King David. David had good times and hard times, just like us. Whether King David was in happy or sad, in trouble or thankful, He prayed to God. He trusted that God would listen to him and take care of him.

We can trust God to listen to us too. Our heavenly Father wants us to pray to Him at all times. He promises to listen and to help us.

• In verse 8 of this psalm, David says that he is able to go to bed in peace, because he knows that God is with him. As you go to sleep tonight, say a prayer thanking God for always loving you and being with you. Then fall asleep in peace!

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.

Spread the reign of God the Lord,

Spoken, written, mighty Word;

Ev’rywhere His creatures call

To His heav’nly banquet hall.

Tell how God the Father’s will

Made the world, upholds it still,

How His own dear Son He gave

Us from sin and death to save.

Tell of our Redeemer’s grace,

Who, to save our human race

And to pay rebellion’s price,

Gave Himself as sacrifice.

Tell of God the Spirit giv’n

Now to guide us on to heav’n,

Strong and holy, just and true,

Working both to will and do.

Enter, mighty Word, the field;

Ripe the promise of its yield.

But the reapers, oh, how few

For the work there is to do!

Lord of harvest, great and kind,

Rouse to action heart and mind;

Let the gath’ring nations all

See Your light and heed Your call.

Public domain

Each stanza of this hymn is an encouragement to share the Gospel of Jesus with this world.

• What words of this hymn inspire you in this important call from our God?

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