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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 sending messengers to bring good news into our world. Help us to listen to your Word, and hear it with open ears. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

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

Luke 1:26-29
One month later God sent the angel Gabriel to the town of Nazareth in Galilee with a message for a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to Joseph from the family of King David. The angel greeted Mary and said, “You are truly blessed! The Lord is with you.” Mary was confused by the angel’s words and wondered what they meant. (CEV)

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

Child: How do you imagine Joseph felt when he heard what the angel told Mary? Do you think this was hard for him?

Child: What is it like to be engaged to marry someone, like Mary and Joseph were? Do you think challenges can draw a couple closer together? Why or why not?

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

Heavenly Father, even when we receive unexpected news, you are with us. May we believe this, and learn to walk forward in faith, as Mary and Joseph did so long ago. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May you be open to hearing God’s Word! 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, 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.

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 never leave us alone or without help. Be with us now, and teach us all that you would have us know. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

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

Revelation 5:2-4

I saw a mighty angel ask with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” No one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or see inside it. I cried hard because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or see inside it. (CEV)

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

Child: What does it mean for someone to be “worthy?” Why was no one except the Lamb (Jesus) worthy to open the scroll? How is Jesus different from anyone else?

Child: John cried because he thought no one was worthy to open the scroll. Have you ever felt sad because of all the sin in our world? How does your faith in Jesus help you with this?

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

Heavenly Father, no matter what the future holds, we know that we can trust you. Help us to remember that always, especially when we are scared. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May you remember your need for Jesus! 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 are in control of all that happens on earth and in heaven. Help us to learn more about your power and might as we read your Word today. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

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

Revelation 12: 7-9

A war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels were fighting against the dragon and its angels. But the dragon lost the battle. It and its angels were forced out of their places in heaven and were thrown down to the earth. Yes, that old snake and his angels were thrown out of heaven! That snake, who fools everyone on earth, is known as the devil and Satan. (CEV)

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

Child: Michael is one of God’s good angel. From these Bible verses, can you tell what job does Michael has? Which army won the war in heaven?

Child: Have you ever stood up against someone who was lying or being mean? What happened?

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

Heavenly Father, we know that even when things look bleak and scary, you are watching over us. Thank you for your heavenly angels, and for all who fight on the side of good. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

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

May you stand up for what’s right and good! 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 never leave us alone or without help. Be with us now, and teach us all that you would have us know. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.

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

Revelation 5:2-4

I saw a mighty angel ask with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” No one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or see inside it. I cried hard because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or see inside it. (CEV)

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

Child: What does it mean for someone to be “worthy?” Why was no one except the Lamb (Jesus) worthy to open the scroll? How is Jesus different from anyone else?

Child: John cried because he thought no one was worthy to open the scroll. Have you ever felt sad because of all the sin in our world? How does your faith in Jesus help you with this?

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

Heavenly Father, no matter what the future holds, we know that we can trust you. Help us to remember that always, especially when we are scared. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

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

May you remember your need for Jesus! 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 what we need to learn -- even when we aren’t aware of our need. Please be with us as we study our Bible story today, and teach us to what it means to live out our faith in the world. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

James 2:14
James wrote to people of the Church:
My friends, what good is it to say you have faith, when you don’t do anything to show that you really do have faith? Can that kind of faith save you? (CEV)

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

Child: Why do you think James wrote to the people of the Church, asking them to show that their faith mattered? What do you think he was noticing in the people around him?

Child: Can you give some examples of how our faith affects the way we live?

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

Lord, it can be easy to call ourselves Christians, but sometimes we forget what that means. Strengthen our faith, and give us the courage and energy we need to reach out to others and make a difference in their lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May you treat others with kindness. 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, be with us today as we read and pray and study your Word. Please help us in any area where we struggle, and inspire us to face our challenges in a faithful and healthy way. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

Acts 1:14-16
The apostles often met together and prayed with a single purpose in mind. The women and Mary the mother of Jesus would meet with them, and so would his brothers. One day there were about one hundred twenty of the Lord’s followers meeting together, and Peter stood up to speak to them. He said: My friends, long ago by the power of the Holy Spirit, David said something about Judas, and what he said has now happened. Judas was one of us and had worked with us, but he brought the mob to arrest Jesus. (CEV)

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

Child: What does it mean to pray with a single purpose in mind? When have you done this, yourself?

Child: Why is it helpful to meet with others and pray together?

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

Lord, when there is a big decision to make or a problem to overcome, we can feel alone and frightened. Thank you for giving us friends who are willing to pray with us and for us. Thank you for our family of faith all around the world. Please bless and guide us always. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May you turn to God when you are struggling. Amen.