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Month: November 2022

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: November 30th

Wednesday: Mercy

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.

Almighty God, thank you for showing us kindness and mercy every day. May we learn even more about your love as we study your Word today! In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

John 1:6-10
God sent a man named John, who came to tell about the light and to lead all people to have faith. John wasn’t that light. He came only to tell about the light. The true light that shines on everyone was coming into the world. The Word was in the world, but no one knew him, though God had made the world with his Word. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: John the Baptist told people about Jesus, who was coming soon. Why is it important that we tell people about Jesus, too? Do you find this easy or hard to do?

Child: The Bible tells us that John wasn’t the light. Do you think it was hard for him to know that someone more important was coming after him? Why or why not?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

God of grace, thank you for John the Baptist, who pointed the way to Jesus. May we point the way to Jesus, too, in both our words and deeds. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May you tell others about Jesus! Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: November 29th

Tuesday: Struggle

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.

Lord God, thank you for coming into our world, and for being present with us, even now. Guide us through your Word, and help us to remember what we learn. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

John 1:1-5
In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. And with this Word, God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word. Everything that was created received its life from him, and his life gave light to everyone. The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has never put it out. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: How do you think Jesus’ life “gave light to everyone?” In what ways has Jesus made a difference in your life, or given you hope in hard times?

Child: Name as many kinds of light as you can. How do you put each one out? The light of Jesus can never be put out, not even by the darkness! How does knowing this give you courage?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your Son to bring light into our world! Lead us through any dark times that we face, and help us to be brave. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May you face any darkness with courage! Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: November 28th

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 start this week of study and prayer, thank you for being with us and inspiring us. Please help us to better understand your Word. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

John 1:-14
In the beginning was the one who is called the Word. The Word was with God and was truly God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. And with this Word, God created all things. Nothing was made without the Word. Everything that was created received its life from him, and his life gave light to everyone. The light keeps shining in the dark, and darkness has never put it out.

God sent a man named John, who came to tell about the light and to lead all people to have faith. John wasn’t that light. He came only to tell about the light. The true light that shines on everyone was coming into the world. The Word was in the world, but no one knew him, though God had made the world with his Word.

He came into his own world, but his own nation did not welcome him. Yet some people accepted him and put their faith in him. So he gave them the right to be the children of God. They were not God’s children by nature or because of any human desires. God himself was the one who made them his children. The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Why does a light shining in the dark help people feel better? Tell about a time you were afraid of the dark and were comforted by the light.

Child: Jesus wasn’t welcomed by his own people. Have you ever felt like an outsider? When? Why does it help to know that Jesus understands that feeling?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Lord God, you know what it feels like to be misunderstood and rejected. Help us to remember that you love us, especially during those times when we feel like outsiders, ourselves. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words:

May you always follow the light! Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: November 27th

Sunday: Worship

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.

Gracious Lord God, we come before you today with open hearts. Help us to grow closer to you and to one another as we study and learn. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Psalm 103:19-20

God has set up his kingdom in heaven, and he rules the whole creation. All of you mighty angels,
who obey God’s commands, come and praise your Lord! (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: What does it mean that God rules the whole creation? How can that knowledge help us to be calm, even when things are hard?

Child: The psalm tells us that even the angels obey God’s commands. Where can we learn about God’s commands? Are there any of God’s commands  that you find hard to follow?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Lord God, we are so thankful that you are in control, and that we can trust you with this day. Help us to follow your commands, and to become the people you would have us be. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May you obey God’s commands. Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: November 26th

Saturday: Generosity

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.

Mighty Lord, we praise you. Open our ears now to hear your Word, and our hearts to understand it. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Revelation 5:13-14

Then I heard all beings in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and in the sea offer praise. Together, all of them were saying, “Praise, honor, glory, and strength forever and ever to the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb!” The four living creatures said “Amen,” while the elders knelt down and worshiped. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: What does it mean to “praise” someone? Do you have a favorite way of praising God? What is it?

Child: God created more than just human beings. Why would all the animals, birds, and fish have reason to praise God?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Dear Lord, we join our voices with all of creation in praising you. May we always be mindful of your kindness to us, and thankful for all that you give us each day. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May you see God at work in the world! Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: November 25th

Friday: Trust

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, you want us to trust you above all else. Help us to grow in our faith as we study the catechism today. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.

Listen: Pay close attention to this reminder from Luther’s Small Catechism.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. What does this mean? It means that I should be certain that our prayers are acceptable to our heavenly Father and are heard by him, for he himself has commanded us to pray in this manner and has promised to hear us. So we pray with confidence: “Amen,” meaning, “Yes, it shall be so.”  (Luther’s Small Catechism)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: In what prayer do we say the words, “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever?” Do you remember who first taught you that prayer? Tell us about that.

Child: In the Small Catechism, Luther reminds us that God hears us when we pray. Does that mean that God always gives us what we pray for? Why or why not?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Heavenly Father, you care for us, and you hear us when we pray. Thank you for always being willing to listen, and for guiding us each day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May you pray to God with confidence. Amen.

Published on Leave a comment on Holy Family Time: November 24th

Thursday: Compassion

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.

Holy God, make us kind, as you are kind. Be with us now, and transform us from the inside out. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as the Bible story is read in the form of a rhyme.

In a dream, John had a vision,
Most amazing, and most rare,
Where he saw the throne of heaven
And a Lamb was standing there.

Angels singing in loud voices
Praised the Lord of heaven above;
“Worthy is the Lamb!” they shouted,
“He brings mercy, peace, and love!”

John was even more surprised when,
All the creatures of the sea,
Joined with those of earth and heaven
Praising God eternally.

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: How do you imagine John might have felt about the vision he had? Why do you think he wrote it down?

Child: What is a throne?  Describe what you picture the throne of heaven to look like.

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Holy God, you give us glimpses of heaven as we read your Word. May we always remember that with you in control, we have nothing to fear in this world or the next. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.

May your faith grow stronger, day by day! Amen.