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.
When Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God, the disciples didn’t always understand what He was trying to explain to them. Today, we’re REFLECTING on one of those times.
Read by Eli
Matthew 18:1-4
At that time the followers came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Jesus called a little child to him and stood the child before his followers. Then he said, ‘I tell you the truth, you must change and become like little children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is the one who makes himself humble like this child.’
Matthew 18:1-4 (NCV)
When Jesus said ‘you must change and become like little children’, He wasn’t suggesting that they reverse the ageing process, or dress up like a child or even act in childish ways. Jesus was teaching them to be humble like a child.
Being humble, or having humility, means not being proud or thinking you are better than others, but being willing to learn, listen and depend on God. Whenever we put God first in our lives, whenever God is in charge, that’s where the Kingdom of God is.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What are some of the best things about being a child?
Let’s imagine a little child that is dependent on someone else to provide, protect and care for them.
Loving Father, we ASK You to help us remember that You are bigger, smarter and more powerful than we will ever be. Help us to learn to be humble like a child so that we can enter and enjoy Your Kingdom.
Sometimes, people in positions of influence or power can start feeling like they’re more important than everyone else, and they forget to be humble. Let’s pray for people like this now.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to gently remind leaders and other people with influence that they are loved because of who You made them to be. That before they had done anything great or had any power or influence they were just a small child that had to learn and depend on others. Help them depend and learn from You again.
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 18:1-4
At that time the followers came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ Jesus called a little child to him and stood the child before his followers. Then he said, ‘I tell you the truth, you must change and become like little children. Otherwise, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. The greatest person in the kingdom of heaven is the one who makes himself humble like this child.’
Matthew 18:1-4 (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 becoming like a little child – being humble and dependent on You.
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.
