Tag: Tuesday

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, you see everything. You know when we are being treated well, or when we are treated unfairly. Give us true faith, so that we may trust you even when everything seems against us. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Acts 17:13
When the Jewish leaders in Thessalonica heard that Paul had been preaching God’s message in Berea, they went there and caused trouble by turning the crowds against Paul.

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

Child: Have you ever had someone try to turn other people against you?  How did that make you feel?

Child: When people are mean to us, how do you think Jesus would like us to respond?

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

Lord God, when we are frightened, you give us courage. Help us to stand firm in our faith, no matter what anyone else says about us, and teach us not to let other people’s bad deeds make us act badly in return. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May you stand up for those who are being treated unfairly. Amen.

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, no matter what we face, we do not face it alone. Even when we are far from home, you are there beside us. Teach us to be brave. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Acts 16:22-24
The crowd joined in the attack on Paul and Silas. Then the officials tore the clothes off the two men and ordered them to be beaten with a whip. After they had been badly beaten, they were put in jail, and the jailer was told to guard them carefully. The jailer did as he was told. He put them deep inside the jail and chained their feet to heavy blocks of wood. (CEV)

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

Child: How do you think Paul and Silas felt by the time they were thrown in prison?

Child: Can you imagine what it would be like to be put in jail unfairly? What would you dislike the most about that?

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

Lord God, you can do anything! You can bring good out of even the toughest situations. Help us to trust you when we can’t see a way forward. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May you trust that God is always working for good, even when you can’t see it. Amen.

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, you promise that you have plans for our lives. You call us to serve you in all that we do. Give us your Holy Spirit, that we would have the confidence and faith to follow where you lead us. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Acts 16:9-12
During the night, Paul had a vision of someone from Macedonia who was standing there and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” After Paul had seen the vision, we began looking for a way to go to Macedonia. We were sure that God had called us to preach the good news there. We sailed straight from Troas to Samothrace, and the next day we arrived in Neapolis. From there we went to Philippi, which is a Roman colony in the first district of Macedonia.

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

Child: Do you think Paul had planned to go to the land of Macedonia? Why did he go there?

Child: What was the “good news” that Paul went to tell the people there?

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

Lord God, sometimes we make plans, but you lead us in a new way that we did not expect. Sometimes it is a struggle to let you have your way in our lives. Help us listen to your calling and obey your voice. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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

May you always listen and follow the calling of God. Amen.

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.

Eternal Father, you promise to be with us in the midst of life’s struggles. When we think things are hopeless, remind us that you are there to guide and protect us. Open our ears, that we may hear your promise and obey your commands, as you lead us every day. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Acts 12:6-9
6 The night before Peter was to be put on trial, he was asleep and bound by two chains. A soldier was guarding him on each side, and two other soldiers were guarding the entrance to the jail. 7 Suddenly an angel from the Lord appeared, and light flashed around in the cell. The angel poked Peter in the side and woke him up. Then he said, “Quick! Get up!”  The chains fell off his hands, 8 and the angel said, “Get dressed and put on your sandals.” Peter did what he was told. Then the angel said, “Now put on your coat and follow me.” 9 Peter left with the angel, but he thought everything was only a dream.

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

Child: What do you think Peter was feeling when he was locked up in jail?

Child: Have you ever been in a scary situation where you did not know what was going to happen to you?  Did you know that God was with you?

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

Lord, sometimes we find ourselves in scary situations. Help us to trust that you are with us always, and that, no matter what we face, we can put our hope in you. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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

May you hear God’s Word and trust that he is with you always. Amen.

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.

Almighty God, sometimes we struggle to understand and obey you. We often think that we know better, and we want to do things our own way. By your Holy Spirit, we pray that you would change our hearts and minds, so that we would see things your way. In the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen:  Listen carefully as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Acts 10:9-16
Peter went up on the roof of the house to pray 10 and became very hungry. While the food was being prepared, he fell sound asleep and had a vision. 11 He saw heaven open, and something came down like a huge sheet held up by its four corners. 12 In it were all kinds of animals, snakes, and birds. 13 A voice said to him, “Peter, get up! Kill these and eat them.” 14 But Peter said, “Lord, I can’t do that! I’ve never eaten anything that is unclean and not fit to eat.” 15 The voice spoke to him again, “When God says that something can be used for food, don’t say it isn’t fit to eat.”16 This happened three times before the sheet was suddenly taken back to heaven.

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

Child: Why did Peter not want to eat certain animals? What had he been taught?

Child: Why is it important to listen to God, even in times when we want to do things our own way?

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

Lord God, we look to you to show us what is right. Help us to listen to your Word and to do what you command. Give us the faith to trust that you are leading us and guiding us in the right way. Amen.

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

May God give you strength as you struggle to do what he commands. Amen.

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.

Almighty God, you know that sometimes we feel angry and frustrated, and we take it out on other people. Help us learn to be helpful and not hurtful, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Acts 9:1-4
Saul kept on threatening to kill the Lord’s followers. He even went to the high priest 2 and asked for letters to the Jewish leaders in Damascus. He did this because he wanted to arrest and take to Jerusalem any man or woman who had accepted the Lord’s Way. 3 When Saul had almost reached Damascus, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice that said, “Saul! Saul! Why are you so cruel to me?”

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

Child: Why do you think Saul did not want people to follow Jesus?

Child: Has anyone ever been mean to you because you believe in God? What did you do?

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

Lord God, sometimes we face rejection because we believe in you. Help us to remain faithful and forgiving. Give us the strength to do good to others, even when they do not do good to us. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May God take away your hard feelings and help you to forgive. Amen.

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.

Almighty God, you speak to us through the words of the Bible. But we don’t always understand. May your Holy Spirit be at work through people in our lives who can guide us and teach us your Word, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Listen carefully as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Acts 8:29-33
29 The Spirit told Philip to catch up with the chariot. 30 Philip ran up close and heard the man reading aloud from the book of Isaiah. Philip asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 The official answered, “How can I understand unless someone helps me?”

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

Child: Have you ever felt like you didn’t understand what you read in the Bible?  How does God use other people to help and guide us?

Child: Who is someone that has helped you understand more about God?

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

Lord God, we need your Spirit to give us guidance and understanding. Help us not to be discouraged by questions we may have, but be inspired to dig more deeply into your Word so that it may lead us to a greater trust in your promise, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

May the Holy Spirit grant you wisdom and understanding. Amen.