Week: Mission - God's plan, God's purpose
We start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
Let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s Bible reading.
Read by Max
Psalm 100:1-5
Shout to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with joy;
come before him with singing.
Know that the Lord is God.
He made us, and we belong to him;
we are his people, the sheep he tends.
Come into his city with songs of thanksgiving
and into his courtyards with songs of praise.
Thank him and praise his name.
The Lord is good. His love is forever,
and his loyalty goes on and on.
Psalm 100:1-5 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible reading?
(Optional) Tell each other (grey button)
The Sabbath isn’t simply a day to rest, but a day to remember… to remember who God is, and who we are. This Psalm, which was probably written by King David, encourages us to remember…
…that God made us and we belong to him.
…that we are God’s people and he cares for us.
…and that God is good; his love and loyalty go on forever.
Pause
Thank You, Father God, for loving us with all Your heart, all Your soul and all Your mind. Help us to love You in prayer – with our time and attention. And help us to love You creatively – with our gifts and abilities.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for loving us so much that You gave Your life for us, to make everything right again. Help us to love others with hospitality – by opening our hearts and welcoming others. And help us to love others with justice – by showing compassion and kindness.
Thank You, Holy Spirit, for loving us, for filling us with Your power, for leading and guiding us. Help us to love the world through learning – with curiosity and wonder. And help us to love the world through mission – sharing the good news of Jesus wherever we are, and wherever we go.
Let’s press pause and talk about our Sabbath question which is: As our week comes to an end, what was good about it – what are we thankful for? It could be something big or small.
As we finish our time together, let’s say this week’s memory verse one last time:
Read by Max
Ephesians 1:10
When the time is right, God will do all he has planned, and Christ will bring together everything in heaven and on earth.
Ephesians 1:10 (CEV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
May this Sabbath bring rest and joy to our hearts and our homes.
May today be a little less go, go, go, and a little more slow… slow… slow…
May we care less about things, and care more for people.
As we relax in God’s love, may we take time to listen and remember that we are all God’s children.
Joy lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and her dog. She works for Bridgetown Church where she leads kids as they grow, learn, and have lots of fun. Joy loves gardening, summer camp, eating ice cream, and reading her favourite books, The Chronicles of Narnia.
Max is 9 years old and lives in Melbourne, Australia with his older brother and mum and dad. He often rides his bike to school and enjoys being creative by drawing or building with Lego. Max is also learning how to play the electric guitar and loves turning it up loud!
