Week: Learning - learning in every way
Each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.
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
Holy Spirit, You are the best teacher. As we explore the Bible and listen to You, please help us to understand more about You, and draw closer to You.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Bella
Colossians 2:6-7a
As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live in him. Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on him.
Colossians 2:6-7a (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today we’re continuing to REFLECT on a letter Paul sent to his friends in the city of Philippi to teach them more about Jesus.
Read by Bella
Philippians 1:8-9
God knows that I want to see you very much, because I love all of you with the love of Christ Jesus. This is my prayer for you: that your love will grow more and more.
Philippians 1:8-9a (NCV)
The thing that Paul wanted the Philippians to learn was very simple… he wanted them to grow in love! What matters most to Jesus isn’t how much we know about him, or even how much we do for him, but how full of love we are – how full of love for God, love for others and love for ourselves.
But how do we grow in love? Well, it starts with a choice. Love isn’t just a nice feeling. Love is revealed in the choices we make; in the way we treat other people and the world around us. We grow in love every time we decide to act in a loving way, especially in the moments when we don’t feel like doing it.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: can we think of an example of a loving thing that someone has done for us? What did they do? How did it make us feel?
In another of his letters, Paul gives a beautiful description of what it looks like to be loving. As we pray using his words, let’s ASK God to help us be more like this.
Loving God, help us to learn to be more loving, just like You. Help us to be patient and kind. Help us not to be jealous. Help us not to brag or to be proud. Help us not to be rude or selfish, and help us to not get angry with others. Help us to be forgiving and not hold grudges.*
Is there someone who we find it hard to be loving towards? Perhaps someone who annoys us or upsets us, or that we feel jealous of?
Loving God, we ASK You to help us show love to these people. Speak through our words and our actions to show them how much You care for them too.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
Read by Bella
Philippians 1:8-9a
God knows that I want to see you very much, because I love all of you with the love of Christ Jesus. This is my prayer for you: that your love will grow more and more…
Philippians 1:8-9a (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Loving God, we say YES to growing in love. Even when we find it difficult, we say YES to showing love to those around us.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Read by Bella
Colossians 2:6-7a
As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live in him. Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on him.
Colossians 2:6-7a (NCV)
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
* Adapted from 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
Chris lives in Melbourne, Australia with his wife and two boys. He works for 24-7 Prayer Australia and Red Church and is also a professional musician. When he’s not working or drumming Chris enjoys going on long hikes in the mountains with his boys and playing table tennis.
Bella is 13 years old and lives in Buckinghamshire, England, with her mum, dad and cocker spaniel Summer. She loves art, performing and Jesus!
