Week: Introduction to the Kingdom of God
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
Lord Jesus, we open our minds to learn new things, so that we know more about You. We open our hearts to be filled with Your love, so that we become more like You. And we open our hands to receive all we need to live our lives for You.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Eli
Colossians 1:13
God has freed us from the power of darkness, and he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son.
Colossians 1:13 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on one of the most incredible things that Jesus said.
Read by Eli
Matthew 25:34-36,40
[Jesus said]… ‘Come, my Father has given you his blessing. Receive the kingdom God has prepared for you since the world was made. I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you invited me into your house. I was without clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me… I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me.’
Matthew 25:34b-36,40 (NCV)
WOW… let’s think about this for a moment. Jesus says that every time we’re kind to someone, every time we’re generous, every time we reach out to someone who others have excluded, every time we comfort someone who is upset, every time we demonstrate love in any way, we’re actually doing it for Jesus!
It’s like every time we do what God wants, every time we act out of love instead of selfishness, Jesus is there… and wherever Jesus is, that’s where God’s Kingdom is too. Imagine… if we all lived like this, it would change the world!
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: When was the last time someone was kind and loving towards us? What did they say or do for us?
And now let’s pray for the people who Jesus mentioned in today’s Bible passage.
Loving God, we ASK You to be with those who are hungry and thirsty. Help the Food Banks and other organisations around the world who are working to ensure that people have enough food to eat and clean water to drink. May they know that everything they do for those in need, they also do for Jesus.
Loving God, we ASK You to be with those who are lonely, especially those who have no home. Help those who run shelters and other safe spaces. And help those who foster and adopt too. May they know that everything they do for those in need, they also do for Jesus.
Loving God, we ASK You to be with those who are sick and ill, people in hospitals and people at home. Help the doctors and nurses and all those who offer care and comfort. May they know that everything they do for those in need, they also do for Jesus.
And loving God, we ASK You to be with those in prison, for whatever reason. Help the prison guards and the organisations who work to transform the lives of the prisoners. May they know that everything they do for those in need, they also do for Jesus.
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.
Matthew 25:34-36,40
[Jesus said]… ‘Come, my Father has given you his blessing. Receive the kingdom God has prepared for you since the world was made. I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you invited me into your house. I was without clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me… I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me.’
Matthew 25:34b-36,40 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, we say YES to seeking first God’s Kingdom in our lives, and in the world – to putting God first and living the way You show us to, by reaching out to those in need.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Colossians 1:13
God has freed us from the power of darkness, and he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son.
Colossians 1:13 (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.
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.
Eli is 11 and lives in Melbourne, Victoria with his mum, dad and two younger sisters. He enjoys music, reading, riding his skateboard and playing soccer.
