Week: Receiving 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 Hubo
Psalm 103:19
The Lord has set his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over everything.
Psalm 103:19 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Over the next few days we’re going to REFLECT one of Jesus’ parables about the Kingdom of God. It begins with a farmer in his fields.
Read by Hubo
Matthew 13:3-4,19
[Jesus] said: ‘A farmer went out to plant his seed. While he was planting, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and ate it all up…
What is the seed that fell by the road? That seed is like the person who hears the message about the kingdom but does not understand it.’
Matthew 13:3-4,19 (NCV)
Seeds that are planted deep into the soil are much more likely to develop strong roots and grow into healthy plants. Seeds that aren’t planted deep into the soil are likely to be snatched away by hungry birds. Gone for good.
Jesus says that his message about living God’s way – living in God’s Kingdom – can be a bit like this. Unless we take the message deep into our lives and actually start living differently – living God’s way – then it’s likely that the message will be snatched away. We’ll forget all about it, and we won’t change.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What are our favourite plants? Why do we like them?
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Lord Jesus, we want our lives to be like good soil, ready to receive what You want to plant in us. We ASK You to help us live God’s way – to live in God’s Kingdom – a little bit more this week.
In today’s Bible verses, Jesus talked about a farmer and his fields. Around the world, farming is becoming more difficult because of wars and extreme weather conditions, financial challenges, animal diseases and the lack of water resources.
Creator God, we ASK You to bless farmers. Thank you for the work they do to feed people around the world. We ASK You to give them strength and wisdom as they face every challenge.
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 13:3-4,19
[Jesus] said: ‘A farmer went out to plant his seed. While he was planting, some seed fell by the road, and the birds came and ate it all up…
What is the seed that fell by the road? That seed is like the person who hears the message about the kingdom but does not understand it.’
Matthew 13:3-4,19 (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. We say YES to all that You want to plant in our lives and grow through our lives.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Psalm 103:19
The Lord has set his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over everything.
Psalm 103:19 (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.
Unathi lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband and 5 kids; and has a passion for seeing families thriving.
You’ll most likely find her homeschooling the tribe, reading, writing, or dreaming about the next DIY project.
She also loves good coffee, dark chocolate and hiking.
Hubolodumo (Hubo) is 10 years old, and lives In Johannesburg, South Africa with his parents and 4 siblings.
When he’s not busy trying out ninja moves, he’s practicing the latest dance moves, playing soccer, drawing or playing games with his friends.
