Monday: Understanding
Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God's name.
From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
O God, as we listen to your Word today, may we come to know you better. Help us to see that we can always count on you—even during the stormy times. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.
Acts 27:18-20, 39-44
[Paul and several other prisoners were sailing on a ship with some sailors when a storm hit]. The storm was so fierce that the next day they threw some of the ship’s cargo overboard. Then on the third day, with their bare hands they threw overboard some of the ship’s gear. For several days we could not see either the sun or the stars. A strong wind kept blowing, and we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
Morning came, and the ship’s crew saw a coast that they did not recognize. But they did see a cove with a beach. So they decided to try to run the ship aground on the beach. They cut the anchors loose and let them sink into the sea. At the same time they untied the ropes that were holding the rudders. Next, they raised the sail at the front of the ship and let the wind carry the ship toward the beach. But it ran aground on a sandbank. The front of the ship stuck firmly in the sand, and the rear was being smashed by the force of the waves.
The soldiers decided to kill the prisoners to keep them from swimming away and escaping. But Captain Julius wanted to save Paul’s life, and he did not let the soldiers do what they had planned. Instead, he ordered everyone who could swim to dive into the water and head for shore. Then he told the others to hold on to planks of wood or parts of the ship. At last, everyone safely reached shore. (CEV)
Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.
Child: Have you ever had to travel during a scary storm, like Paul did? What happened?
Child: Why might the Captain have wanted to save Paul’s life? Do you think God had something to do with that? Why or why not?
Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.
Lord God, when we are frightened, may we trust in your larger plan. Help us to remember that you are always with us, working for good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Have each person in the family bless one another with these words:
May God give you peace in any storm. Amen.