Daily Bible Readings:
These readings are related to the Lectionary readings for this Sunday. Try to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passage.
Sunday Luke 10:1-11,16-20 Jesus sends out the Seventy-Two
Monday Isaiah 55:10-13 God’s word will succeed
Tuesday Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 Parable of the Sower
Wednesday Romans 10:13-18 Proclamation of the message
Thursday John 4:31-38 Fields ripe for harvest
Friday Acts 13:1-12 Saul and Barnabas sent out
Saturday Psalm 108 With God there is victory
Sunday Luke 10:25-37 The good Samaritan
Scripture Verse for the Week:
Jesus said to them: “A large crop is in the fields, but there are only a few workers. Ask the Lord in charge of the harvest to send out workers to bring it in.” - Luke 10:2 (CEV) Prayer for this Week:
Lord Jesus, make me ready to serve as a worker in your fields. Use me to share your peace with others. Amen. (Luke 10:2,5) For Throughout the Day:
Lord, keep me from becoming tired of helping others. Help me to do good to everyone. Amen. (Galatians 6:9-10) A Blessing to Share:
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you, through and through. Amen. (Galatians 6:18) Mealtime Refrain:
Everything on earth, shout with joy to God:
Say to God “Your works are amazing.” (Psalm 66:1,3) Mealtime Prayer:
You have blessed us, Lord, with food to savor.
Send us forth, your fields to labor. Amen.
Discuss in your household or small group:
• Share about a special trip you remember taking.
• Imagine for a moment that Jesus sent you and a partner to
another place to tell others about him. How would you do it?
What would you do first? Who would you want as your partner?
• Do you find it hard to talk to others about God?
Why or why not? Devotional Practices:
Make up a poster with the heading “A Name Written in Heaven” (see Luke 10:20). Each time you gather for home devotions this week, have a time of prayer for a members of your church or for your Christian friends – thank God for them and pray for their individual needs. Then add their names to the poster. Service:
St. Paul says “Let us not become weary in doing good ... As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” What opportunities do you have to do good this week – in your church, neighborhood, school or places of work? Plan one way that you can “do good” as a household this week. Rituals and Traditions:
When Jesus sent out seventy-two of his followers ahead of him he said that upon entering a house they were to say “Peace to this house.” Practice a homecoming greeting this week as a household. When a household member returns home from school or work, share this greeting with one another – “God’s peace be with you: And with you too.” You might want to add a touch of blessing, a hug or a kiss of greeting.
Parent Toolbox: Ideas for Growing Your Household in Mission
• When you gather, share any opportunities for witnessing to Christ you had during the day – at home, at work, at school, in the neighborhood.
• Discuss as a household the prospective spiritual interest of individuals in your work, neighborhood, school, or family circles.
• Start a prayer list with the names of three people you would like to see come to faith in Jesus.
• Invite your neighbors for a meal at your home. Get to know them and their needs.
• Make your home a welcoming place for your children’s friends.
• Encourage your children to invite their friends to your congregation’s children’s or youth programs, or to come to Sunday worship with
your household.
Taking Faith Home - July 11th
Daily Bible Readings:
These readings are related to the Lectionary readings for this Sunday. Try to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passage.
Sunday Luke 10:1-11,16-20 Jesus sends out the Seventy-Two
Monday Isaiah 55:10-13 God’s word will succeed
Tuesday Matthew 13:1-9,18-23 Parable of the Sower
Wednesday Romans 10:13-18 Proclamation of the message
Thursday John 4:31-38 Fields ripe for harvest
Friday Acts 13:1-12 Saul and Barnabas sent out
Saturday Psalm 108 With God there is victory
Sunday Luke 10:25-37 The good Samaritan
Scripture Verse for the Week:
He answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” – Luke 10:27 (TNIV) Prayer for this Week:
Lord God, help me to see the needs of others and to be a loving neighbor to them. Amen. (Luke 10:36-37) For Throughout the Day:
“Guide me in your truth, and teach me, my God, my Savior. I trust you all day long.” (Psalm 25:5) A Blessing to Share:
May God produce good fruit in you. May you learn to know God better and better. Amen. (Colossians 1:10) Mealtime Refrain:
Lord, show us your paths:
And teach us to follow. (Psalm 25:4) Mealtime Prayer:
God so good, your praises we shout!
Give us love for those without. Amen.
Discuss in your household or small group:
• Share about a time when someone else was kind to you.
• In Jesus’ parable, the Good Samaritan went out of his way to
help the man who had been robbed. What would you have
done if you saw the hurt man on the road? How is God like
the “Good Samaritan” in the way he treats us?
• Who do you know that needs some help? What could you do
to be a “good neighbor” to them? Devotional Practices:
Speaking through Moses, God told the people of Israel that his word was in their mouths and in their hearts so that would obey it (Deuteronomy 30:14). In your home devotion times this week, try to memorize (i.e. place in your mouths and hearts) what Jesus called the two greatest commandments: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbour as yourself. (Luke 10:27) Service:
Plan a surprise act of service for a neighbor e.g. bake them some treats; clean their garden or mow their lawn; wash their car. Rituals and Traditions:
Give out “Good Samaritan” awards in your home this week (e.g. small treats or coupons). When you gather as a household, share ways in which you have seen household members act as “good neighbors” to one another or people outside your home. Reward household members accordingly. Parent Toolbox: Developing Compassion in Children
Compassion, or empathy, means identifying with and being concerned about other people’s feelings and needs. It makes us aware of the suffering of others, and allows us to empathize with them or to feel their suffering as our own. Developing a sense of compassion in our children helps to guide their actions and behaviors in positive ways. We do so by helping our children to think about how others feel. For example, if your child says or does something hurtful to another child, help them to focus their attention on the other’s feelings e.g. ask “How do you think they feel? Would you like to feel like that?” Second, we help children develop compassion by encouraging acts of caring and kindness towards others. Involve your children in showing care toward others, such as doing errands for sick neighbors or opening doors for others. Third, we promote compassion by teaching our children to be open to differences they see in others (e.g. people of different cultures or backgrounds), to give others the benefit of the doubt, and to explain the actions of others in the kindest ways.
Taking Faith Home - July 18th
Daily Bible Readings:
These readings are related to the Lectionary readings for this Sunday. Try to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passage.
Sunday Luke 10:38-42 Only one thing needed
Monday Ecclesiastes 2:17-26 Wisdom about work
Tuesday Isaiah 55:1-6 Listen, and eat what is good
Wednesday 2 Peter 1:3-11 Everything we need has been given
Thursday Matthew 6:25-33 Do not worry
Friday Philippians 4:6-9 Do not be anxious
Saturday Psalm 127 Unless the Lord builds the house
Sunday Luke 11:1-13 Jesus teaches about prayer
Scripture Verses for the Week:
God was pleased to bring all thingsback to himself because of whatChrist has done. That includes allthings on earth and in heaven. Godmade peace through Christ’s blood,through his death on the cross.
– Colossians 1:20 (NIRV) Prayer for this Week:
Lord God, thank you for making peace with me. Please keep my faith in you steady and firm. Amen. (Colossians 1:22-23) For Throughout the Day:
Lord Jesus, teach me to look to you for everything I need. Amen.
(Luke 10:41-42) A Blessing to Share:
Child of God, may Jesus calm all your worries. May he give you a faith that is steady and firm. Amen. Mealtime Refrain:
Christ existed before anything else:
He holds all creation together. (Colossians 1:17) Mealtime Prayer:
God, bless the food that here we see.
God bless you, and God bless me. Amen.
Discuss in your household or small group:
• How are the members of your household (or group) alike inpersonality? How are you different?
• When Jesus visited Mary’s house, Martha was busy working,while Mary sat listening to Jesus. Jesus said that Mary hadchosen what was better. What do you think he meant?
• When do you set aside time to listen to Jesus? Devotional Practices:
Jesus said to Martha “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed” (Luke 10:41). In your home devotion times this week share any worries that are on your minds. Pray about these concerns, asking God to care for you and give you his peace. Say together these words from Philippians 4:6-7 – ‘Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.’ Service:
Two of Sunday’s readings illustrate excellent hospitality. Abraham and Sarah treated their guests like royalty (Genesis 18:1-8). Mary welcomed Jesus with her undivided attention (Luke 10:38-39). Make plans to show hospitality to someone in your home. Think of someone outside of your usual circle of relatives and friends to invite to your home. Rituals and Traditions:
Even when we are busy we, like Mary, need to take time to listen to Jesus. If you’re not in the household practice of taking a few moments each day to hear God speak to you, then why not try to do so this week? Decide on a time each day when all of your household will be available – perhaps before or after breakfast, or at dinner time. Set an alarm or give someone the responsibility to gather the household together. Try this simple format: (a) Share about the events of the day; (b) Read a short passage of Scripture or a bible story; (c) Talk about the meaning of the story or passage for your lives at the moment; (d) Reflecting on what you have heard, conclude with prayer. Parent Toolbox: Taking Time to Listen
Most of our lives are a combination of Martha and Mary – of active busyness and quiet reflection. But if our lives are all-Martha-all-the-time, they may be out of balance. We may be missing “the better part.” Does your household life need more Mary-like listening? Do you make time to listen to one another? To Jesus? What is one thing you could change, start doing or stop doing so that you have more time for listening to God and to one another?
Taking Faith Home - July 25th
Daily Bible Readings:
These readings are related to the Lectionary readings for this Sunday. Try to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passage.
Sunday Luke 11:1-13 Jesus teaches about prayer
Monday Luke 18:1-8 A parable about prayer
Tuesday Luke 18:9-14 Parable about two men praying
Wednesday 1 Samuel 1:1-20 Hannah prays to the Lord
Thursday 1 Kings 18:16-46 Elijah prays to the Lord
Friday 2 Kings 19:9-20,32-36 Hezekiah prays to the Lord
Saturday Psalm 32:6-11 Let all the godly pray
Sunday Luke 12:13-21 Parable of the rich fool
Scripture Verses for the Week:
“So here is what I say to you. Ask, and it will be given to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. Everyone
who asks will receive. He who searches will find. And the door will be opened to the one who knocks.” – Luke 11:9-11 (NIRV) Prayer for this Week:
Lord Jesus, teach me to pray. Amen. (Luke 11:1)
For Throughout the Day:
Father in heaven, please give your Holy Spirit to me this day. Amen. (Luke 11:13) A Blessing to Share:
May God watch over you and save you from trouble. May all the good plans God has for you come to be. Amen. (Psalm 138:6-8) Mealtime Refrain:
We have received Christ Jesus as our Lord:
Let us keep on following him. (Colossians 2:6) Mealtime Prayer:
Thank you, God, for this our food, for life and health and every good. May we - more blessed than we deserve - live less for self and more to serve. Amen.
• Whom do you find it easy to talk to? Why?
• Do you find prayer easy or difficult? Why?
• When Jesus’ disciples wanted to learn how to pray, Jesus taught them the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-4). What is your favorite part of the prayer? What part do you find it hardest to pray or to understand? Devotional Practices:
In your home devotion times this week, focus on the different parts of the Lord’s Prayer in turn: (1) Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. (2) Your kingdom come. (3) Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (4) Give us today our daily bread. (5) Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. (6) Lead us not into temptation. (7) But deliver us from evil. Talk together about what each part means and how it applies to you (e.g. “How do we keep God’s name holy?”; “How do we help God’s kingdom to come?”; “How can we show appreciation for the daily gifts God give us?”). If you have a young child in your home, take this opportunity to help them memorize the prayer. Service:
One way of the best ways we can serve others is by bringing their needs before God in prayer. What needs do you see in the lives of others around you? Make a point of praying for 2-3 people in particular this week. Send them a card to let them know that they have been in your prayers (sign it as a household). Rituals and Traditions:
Prayer is a practice we need to learn, both as individuals and as households (even Jesus’ disciples needed to learn how to pray!). What part does prayer play in your home life? Consider building these different forms of prayer into your home routine:
Praying for One Another: Pray for household members personally on special occasions, such as birthdays. In addition, try instituting times during the week when you specifically pray for one another.
Praying for Others Include a time each week to pray for persons outside your household, and for the needs of the wider world.
Mealtime Prayers Make mealtime graces a part of your daily life. Use the weekly mealtime resources provided in Taking Faith Home.
Prayers of Thanksgiving Make a habit of offering thanks to God often. Give thanks together when you return safely from a trip, when good news is received, and when milestones are reached. Cultivate an attitude of thankfulness.
Taking Faith Home - August 1st
Daily Bible Readings:
These readings are related to the Lectionary readings for this Sunday. Try to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passage.
Sunday Luke 12:13-21 Parable of the rich fool
Monday Deuteronomy 8:6-20 Warnings about forgetting God
Tuesday Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 Worldly riches are meaningless
Wednesday Isaiah 5:8-17 The greedy are doomed
Thursday Luke 12:22-31 Trust God, not material things
Friday 1 Timothy 6:6-11,17-19 Love of money
Saturday 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 David praises the Lord
Sunday Luke 12:32-40 Seek treasures in heaven
• What is your most treasured possession? Why?
• Jesus warned people about wanting to have more and more
things. He said that life is not made up of how much a person has (Luke 12:15). What in life can’t we get from money
or possessions?
• What does faith in Jesus give us that money can’t buy? Devotional Practices:
As a home devotional activity, cut out and decorate credit-card-sized cards featuring these words: “Seek after God and not things”. Place these in your purses or wallets as a reminder to prioritize faith in Christ over the buying, gathering and using of things. Service:
Being “rich towards God” (Luke 12:21) means growing in generosity towards those who are in need. Decide together on a food item or recreational activity (e.g. rental of DVDs or movie outing) to forgo this week. Set aside the money saved to donate to a charity organization. Rituals and Traditions:
Giving consistently and regularly to God’s work in and through the church is a helpful practice for keeping a check on our accumulation of earthly things. Setting aside a portion of our income for church giving reminds us that God is the giver of all we have and puts him first ahead of our expenditure on other things. Talk together about how you determine your financial giving to the church and why it is important to give in this way. If household members (including children of all ages) do not give regularly, decide on a practice that will help them do so e.g. set aside money each Saturday night ready for Sunday morning.
Parent Toolbox: Developing Stewardship in Children
Kids love to get money for birthdays and holidays, but they need to be taught the basics of using their money wisely and in a God-pleasing way. Christian parenting involves teaching our children that all we have comes from God and that we are called to be good “stewards” of our possessions. A good time to start doing so is when children are aged 6-9. Growing children in stewardship involves teaching them about giving, saving and spending (in this order)
Giving: The first thing a child should do when receiving money either as a gift, an allowance, or for any other reason, is set aside a portion of it for God’s work in the church and for care of his world. Saving: The next step in teaching stewardship is to encourage saving. Saving money is a good way for a child to reach for a goal, instead of experiencing instant satisfaction. Spending: The remainder of money given or earned should be available for the child to spend as they like. Children grow in making decisions as they are given the opportunity to do so, advised and guided by their parents.
Taking Faith Home - August 8th
Daily Bible Readings:
These readings are related to the Lectionary readings for this Sunday. Try to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passage.
Sunday Luke 12:32-40 Seek treasures in heaven
Monday Luke 12:41-48 Parable of the servants
Tuesday Matthew 6:19-24 Store up heavenly treasures
Wednesday Matthew 19:16-26 The rich young man
Thursday Matthew 13:44-46 A parable about treasure
Friday Ecclesiastes 9:7-12 Wisdom for living
Saturday Proverbs 2:1-11 The treasure of wisdom
Sunday Luke 12:49-56 Jesus the cause of division
Scripture Verse for the Week:
Faith is being sure of what we hope or. It is being certain of what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1 (NIRV) Prayer for this Week:
Lord God, please give me a strong faith. Help me trust that you will always keep your promises. Amen. (Hebrews 11:1,11) For Throughout the Day:
Lord Jesus, you are my true treasure. Help me to put you first in my heart today. Amen. (Luke 12:34). A Blessing to Share:
May God give you faith in his promises.
May his faithful love rest on you as you hope in him. Amen.
(Hebrews 11:1; Psalm 33:22) Mealtime Refrain:
We put our hope in the Lord:
God is our help and our shield. (Psalm 33:20) Mealtime Prayer:
Food on our table. Grace in our lives. Praise in our hearts.
Thank you. God! Amen.
Faith Talk:
• Share about a time when you had to wait for something.
• Jesus tells us to be always ready for him to return (Luke 12:35- 40). What can we do to be ready for him?
• How do you feel about Jesus’ returning? Do you think you are ready? Devotional Practices:
In Genesis 15:1-6 we hear that God made a special covenant with Abram, promising him as many descendants as there were stars in the sky! In your home devotion times this week, make up a list of the different promises that God has made to his people e.g. “God has promised to save us”, “God has promised us eternal life”, “God has promised to answer our prayers”. Write each one onto a piece of yellow paper cut into a star shape. Place these onto your walls or ceiling as a reminder of God’s love and grace. Service:
Hebrews 11 lists people from the Bible who showed faith in God. Who have been examples of faith to members of your household? Write letters to these people, thanking them for their example. Rituals and Traditions:
Jesus told his followers to wait for him like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding party. Gather a candle for each member of your household. When you sit down for meals this week, light the candles and say these words (from Luke 12:35):
Leader: “Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning.”
Response: “For Jesus, our master, is coming.” Parent Toolbox: Surround Your Children with Faith Witnesses!
Hebrews 11 reminds us that as Christians we are part of a long chain of faith that extends right back to Adam and Eve! Living faithfully is never an individual enterprise – to have faith is to be connected to other persons of faith, both past, present and future. As parents, one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children is deep and meaningful connections with other witnesses to the faith. The stories and examples of other Christians confirm, extend and reinforce our own parental witness to God’s gracious activity.
• Be intentional about exposing your children to other Christian adults who can serve as positive and encouraging role models to them.
• Where possible, ask grandparents, aunts and uncles to share their own faith stories with your children.
• Read your children stories about historical figures of Christian faith e.g. Martin Luther, Francis of Assisi, David Livingstone.
Taking Faith Home - August 15th
Daily Bible Readings:
These readings are related to the Lectionary readings for this Sunday. Try to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passage.
Sunday Luke 12:49-56 Jesus the cause of division
Monday John 7:1-12 People divided about Jesus
Tuesday John 9:13-34 Pharisees divided on Jesus
Wednesday Acts 14:1-7 Division at Iconium
Thursday 1 Corinthians 1:10-17 Paul writes about division
Friday Hebrews 10:23-25,35-38 Persevere in the Lord
Saturday Psalm 35 Contend, O Lord
Sunday Luke 13:10-17 Jesus heals on the Sabbath
Scripture Verse for the Week:
Let us look only to Jesus, the One who began our faith and who makes it perfect.
– Hebrews 12:2a (NCV) Prayer for this Week:
Lord Jesus, please help me to trust in you when times are hard. Keep me from falling away from you. Amen. For Throughout the Day:
Lord Jesus, my Savior, help me to keep my eyes fixed on you today. Amen. (Hebrews 12:2) A Blessing to Share:
May God give you a faith that keeps on going. May he keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Amen. (Hebrews 12:1-2) Mealtime Refrain:
Let us run the race of faith that is before us:
Let us never give up. (Hebrews 12:1) Mealtime Prayer:
Lord, with food you feed us and with love you lead us.
Thank you for giving all we need for living. Amen.
Faith Talk:
• Who has been an encouragement to you in your life? How? (Share your story with your household or small group).
• Hebrews 11 lists people of faith who encourage us by the way they have trusted God. Who or what encourages you in your faith?
• How can you be an encourager of other Christians? Devotional Practices:
Hebrews 12:1 speaks of Christians being surrounded by a “a great cloud of witnesses”. In your home devotion times this week, consider those people who have been faith witnesses to members of your household. Write their names down on pieces of white card and cut into cloud shapes. Make a mobile (you could use a coat hanger as a frame) to hang in your home as a reminder of these people. Thank God for them in your home prayer times. Service:
Plan to surprise someone in your congregation who has encouraged you with an encouragement visit or gift. Prepare a bouquet of flowers or a plate of treats to give them, or organize a small celebration party for them. Share with them when and how they have encouraged your household in following Jesus. Rituals and Traditions:
Hebrews 12:1 encourages us to “get rid of everything that slows us down” from following Jesus. Join in a household ritual of repentance this week. Place a stone or rock on your table to symbolize things in your lives that keep you from living and acting the way Jesus wants you to (e.g. being rude or nasty to each other, lying about something we did or did not do, taking something that doesn’t belong to us, not helping others). Pass the rock around, with each person sharing something they would like to say sorry to God for. When each person has had a turn, say the following prayer. “Dear Jesus, please forgive us for those times when we don’t follow you. Help us to fight against sin and to keep our eyes on you. Amen.” Then throw the rock away to symbolize God’s removal of our sins through Christ. Parent Toolbox: Clouds of Witnesses
Each Christian community is called to be a “cloud of witnesses” to its own children and youth – a community that cheers them on and inspires them through faith-full words and actions. Children and youth who know they are valued unconditionally by loving adults in their congregation learn the nature of God’s love, and have substantial support systems to carry them through the teenage years. For Discussion: Does your congregation understand itself as a “cloud of witnesses” to its youth and children? In what ways can you work to connect your children with faith-full adults who can encourage and inspire?
