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.

Almighty God, we come to you to hear your promise. Open our hearts, by the power of your Spirit, that we may trust and believe that you are at work among us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Acts 2:42-43
[The new believers] spent their time learning from the apostles, and they were like family to each other. They also broke bread and prayed together. Everyone was amazed by the many miracles and wonders that the apostles worked. (CEV)

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

Child: What are  the kind of amazing things that the apostles did by the power of God? Do you believe that God still does miracles?

Child: Do we need to see miracles in order to believe in God?

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

Holy God, we know that you have the power to do amazing things, but our faith rests in your Word. Open our eyes to see the big things and the small things you do for us each day, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

May you experience the amazing goodness of God at work in your life. 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.

Mighty God, you share your Word of life with all people and in all languages. Help us to tell others about Jesus so that his good news would continue to spread throughout the world. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

Acts 2:6-11
When they heard this noise, a crowd gathered. But they were surprised, because they were hearing everything in their own languages. They were excited and amazed, and said: “Don’t all these who are speaking come from Galilee? Then why do we hear them speaking our very own languages? … Some of us were born Jews, and others of us have chosen to be Jews. Yet we all hear them using our own languages to tell the wonderful things God has done.” (CEV)

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

Child: Do you know anyone who can speak in another language? Where did they learn it?

Child: How do you think the people felt when they realized that they could understand one another’s languages without being taught?

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

God of wisdom, you know all things and you give us understanding through the power of your Holy Spirit. Help us to rely on your Spirit when we face decisions each day. Help us to turn all our questions over to you and trust in your wisdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May the God of all living beings bless you with new life and fill you with his Spirit. 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 we struggle at times to understand your ways. Help us to see more clearly what Jesus’ ascension into heaven means for us as believers; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Acts 1 :4-8
While he was still with them, Jesus said: “Don’t leave Jerusalem yet. Wait here for the Father to give you the Holy Spirit, just as I told you he has promised to do. 5 John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” 6 While the apostles were still with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, are you now going to give Israel its own king again?” 7 Jesus said to them, “You don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. 8 But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. (CEV)

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

Child: Why did Jesus tell them they needed to wait for the Holy Spirit? Why weren’t they able to be faithful on their own?

Child: Why is it hard to trust that God in in charge of things? How can we learn to be patient?

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

Lord Almighty, help us in times when we want to be in control. Help us to be patient and trust that you will do everything according to your plan. In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen.

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

May our Lord Jesus give you patience, especially when you are waiting for things to happen. 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 as we read your holy Word. Help us to see in ourselves in the story, so that we may grow and live in your grace, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Matthew 28:16-17
After Jesus rose from the dead, Jesus' eleven disciples went to a mountain in Galilee, where Jesus had told them to meet him. They saw him and worshiped him, but some of them doubted. (CEV)

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

Child: Why do you think that some of the disciples doubted that this was really Jesus?

Child: When was a time that you had doubts about whether Jesus is real?

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

Loving God, you know our strengths and weaknesses. You know when we truly believe and when we doubt. Help us to trust in your Word, that Jesus is alive and with us always. In his holy and precious name we pray. Amen.

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

May the Lord of Life give you confidence to trust and believe in him. 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, we ask that you would help us to trust that you are always with us and that, with you, we have nothing to fear, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

John 21:1-8

Jesus later appeared to his disciples along the shore of Lake Tiberias. 2 Simon Peter, Thomas the Twin, Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, and the brothers James and John,[a] were there, together with two other disciples. 3 Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing!” The others said, “We will go with you.” They went out in their boat. But they didn’t catch a thing that night.
4 Early the next morning Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize who he was. 5 Jesus shouted, “Friends, have you caught anything?” “No!” they answered. 6 So he told them, “Let your net down on the right side of your boat, and you will catch some fish.” (CEV)
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Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Can you tell me about a time when you tried to do something and it was a terrible failure? How did you feel?

Child: Do you think it is harder to obey Jesus when thing aren’t going well?

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

Lord Jesus, sometimes we struggle to make things go our way. Even though it may not seem like it, obeying you is always the right thing. Help us to call on you and rely on you in our trials. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

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

When you feel like giving up, may you always remember that Jesus is with you. 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 are the Lord of the living and the dead. You call us to believe in your Son, Jesus Christ. Be with us as we read and struggle with your holy Word, in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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

Luke 24:36-39
36 As they were talking about these things, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!” 37 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” (ESV)

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

Child: Why do you think the disciples were afraid?

Child: How did Jesus help them not to be afraid? Will he do that for me, too?

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

God, sometimes we are afraid of the things we cannot understand. Remind us of your promise to be with us and watch over us, especially when we are scared. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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

May the Lord give you courage in times of fear and uncertainty. 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, as we study our Bible story today, help us to remember that you are with us always, and because of that, we have nothing to fear.  In the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord, we pray. Amen.

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

John 20:24-25
Although Thomas the Twin was one of the twelve disciples, he wasn’t with the others when Jesus appeared to them. So they told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But Thomas said, “First, I must see the nail scars in his hands and touch them with my finger. I must put my hand where the spear went into his side. I won’t believe unless I do this!” (CEV)

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

Child: Why do you think Thomas didn't believe his friends when they told him they had seen Jesus?

Child: Have you ever thought someone was lying to you, and later found out they were telling the truth? What happened?

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

Lord, we don't always believe the things we hear, even though there are times when we really should. Help us to believe in Jesus and the truth of your Word. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

May the Lord guide you each day! Amen.