Tag: Monday

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, help us to understand your Word as we study it now. Draw us closer to you while we learn more about your love for us. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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

Revelation 5:1-5, 11-14

John wrote what he saw in a vision of heaven, saying: 
In the right hand of the one sitting on the throne I saw a scroll that had writing on the inside and on the outside. And it was sealed in seven places. 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. Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop crying and look! The one who is called both the ‘Lion from the Tribe of Judah’ and ‘King David’s Great Descendant’ has won the victory. He will open the book and its seven seals.”

As I looked, I heard the voices of a lot of angels around the throne and the voices of the living creatures and of the elders. There were millions and millions of them, and they were saying in a loud voice, “The Lamb who was killed is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise.”  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: The writer,  John, saw angels who were praising God. What do you think an angel might look like? What do you imagine an angel’s voice might sound like?

Child: Why do you think Jesus is called the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world?”

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

Lord God, thank you for sending Jesus, your own Son, into our world. Help us to remember how much he loves us, and to share that love with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May you praise God today! Amen.

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, no matter what is going on in our world, you are over all. Be with us now, and give us a peaceful heart and a clear mind as we study your Word. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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

Revelation 12: 7-12

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.

Then I heard a voice from heaven shout, “Our God has shown his saving power, and his kingdom has come! God’s own Chosen One has shown his authority. Satan accused our people in the presence of God day and night. Now he has been thrown out! Our people defeated Satan because of the blood of the Lamb and the message of God. They were willing to give up their lives. The heavens should rejoice, together with everyone who lives there. But pity the earth and the sea, because the devil was thrown down to the earth. He knows his time is short, and he is very angry.” (CEV)

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

Child: Why do you think the Bible describes the devil as a “dragon” and a “snake”? What does that tell us about who the devil is and what the devil is like?

Child: Why is it important to remember that God is stronger than the devil? How can this promise give us comfort when we hear of bad things happening in the world?

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

Lord God, thank you for winning the battle against the forces of evil. Help us to remember that we never need to fear, because we have you in our lives. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen. 

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

May you remember that God is all powerful! Amen.

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, help us to understand your Word as we study it now. Draw us closer to you while we learn more about your love for us. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

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

Revelation 5:1-5, 11-14

John wrote what he saw in a vision of heaven, saying: 
In the right hand of the one sitting on the throne I saw a scroll that had writing on the inside and on the outside. And it was sealed in seven places. 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. Then one of the elders said to me, “Stop crying and look! The one who is called both the ‘Lion from the Tribe of Judah’ and ‘King David’s Great Descendant’ has won the victory. He will open the book and its seven seals.”

As I looked, I heard the voices of a lot of angels around the throne and the voices of the living creatures and of the elders. There were millions and millions of them, and they were saying in a loud voice, “The Lamb who was killed is worthy to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory, and praise.”  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: The writer,  John, saw angels who were praising God. What do you think an angel might look like? What do you imagine an angel’s voice might sound like?

Child: Why do you think Jesus is called the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world?”

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

Lord God, thank you for sending Jesus, your own Son, into our world. Help us to remember how much he loves us, and to share that love with others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May you praise God today! Amen.

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.

Heavenly Father, as this new week unfolds, open our hearts and minds so we can learn from our Bible story and develop true faith. May your Holy Spirit guide us as we study, and help us to live good lives that are pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

James 2:14-18
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? If you know someone who doesn’t have any clothes or food, you shouldn’t just say, “I hope all goes well for you. I hope you will be warm and have plenty to eat.” What good is it to say this, unless you do something to help? Faith that doesn’t lead us to do good deeds is all alone and dead!

Suppose someone disagrees and says, “It is possible to have faith without doing kind deeds.” I would answer, “Prove that you have faith without doing kind deeds, and I will prove that I have faith by doing them.” (CEV)

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

Child: What does it mean to have faith in Jesus? Who gives us this faith?

Child: How can our love of God inspire us to do good things for others?

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

Holy God, we want to reach out and help others but sometimes we don’t know how to best do that. Inspire us and lead us, so that we might make a difference in this world for your good purpose. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May you serve God by helping your neighbor! Amen.

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.

Heavenly Father, as we begin this new week at work and school, we ask that you would lead us and guide us. Stir up your Holy Spirit. Help us to understand the Scriptures, so that we might live in a way that is pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

2 Timothy 1:2-8
Paul wrote to his friend, Timothy:
Timothy, you are like a dear child to me. I pray that God our Father and our Lord Christ Jesus will be kind and merciful to you and will bless you with peace!

Night and day I mention you in my prayers. I am always grateful for you, as I pray to the God my ancestors and I have served with a clear conscience. I remember how you cried, and I want to see you, because that will make me truly happy. I also remember the genuine faith of your mother Eunice. Your grandmother Lois had the same sort of faith, and I am sure that you have it as well. So I ask you to make full use of the gift that God gave you when I placed my hands on you. Use it well. God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.

Don’t be ashamed to speak for our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, just because I am in jail for serving him. Use the power that comes from God and join with me in suffering for telling the good news. (CEV)

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

Child: Why is it important to pray for people? Who do you mention in your prayers regularly?

Child: Was there a family member or friend who passed on the Christian faith to you? How did they do this?

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

Holy God, thank you for this day and for each person here. Bless our family members, and help us remember to pray for each other. Strengthen us, so that we might never be ashamed to share our faith. 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.

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.

Heavenly Father, as we begin our school and work week, we have every reason for gratitude. Thank you for giving us this family and this day. Thank you for giving us your Word. Help us to understand it better each time we read it. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

Galatians 2:11-16
Paul wrote to the Galatians: When Peter came to Antioch, I told him face to face that he was wrong. He used to eat with Gentile followers of the Lord, until James sent some Jewish followers. Peter was afraid of the Jews and soon stopped eating with Gentiles. He and the other Jews hid their true feelings so well that even Barnabas was fooled. But when I saw that they were not really obeying the truth that is in the good news, I corrected Peter in front of everyone and said:

"Peter, you are a Jew, but you live like a Gentile. So how can you force Gentiles to live like Jews? We are Jews by birth and are not sinners like Gentiles. But we know that God accepts only those who have faith in Jesus Christ. No one can please God by simply obeying the Law. So we put our faith in Christ Jesus, and God accepted us because of our faith." (CEV)

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

Child: Peter didn’t want people to look down on him or think he was breaking any rules. Have you ever worried that someone would think badly of you? When?

Child: Paul says that no one can please God by simply obeying the Law. What do you think this means?

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

Holy God, we want so badly to have the approval of others, yet what matters most is that we please you. Help us to look to you above all else and to have true faith in Jesus, who loved us enough to die for us. In his holy name we pray. Amen.

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

May your faith grow stronger every day! Amen.

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.

Heavenly Father, we ask you to settle our minds now. Help us to focus on your Word and learn all that you would have us know. We pray that your Holy Spirit would draw us together, so that we might serve you and one another. In Jesus’ name we ask these things. Amen.

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

1 Corinthians 1:10-17
Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth: My dear friends, as a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, I beg you to get along with each other. Don’t take sides. Always try to agree in what you think. Several people from Chloe’s family have already reported to me that you keep arguing with each other. They have said that some of you claim to follow me, while others claim to follow Apollos or Peter or Christ.

Has Christ been divided up? Was I nailed to a cross for you? Were you baptized in my name? I thank God that I didn’t baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius. Not one of you can say that you were baptized in my name. I did baptize the family of Stephanas, but I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else. Christ did not send me to baptize. He sent me to tell the good news without using big words that would make the cross of Christ lose its power. (CEV)

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

Child: Why is it important for people in the church to get along with each other?

Child: Did you get into many arguments when you were young? Tell us about one of those, and share what you learned from it.

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

Holy God, sometimes it is hard to get along with others. Please teach us to forgive. Help us treat those around us with kindness and understanding. In Jesus’ name we ask these things. Amen.

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

May the peace of Christ be with you! Amen.