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.
Today, we’re continuing to REFLECT on a parable about a farmer and his fields, which Jesus used to explain a bit about what the Kingdom of God is like.
Read by Hubo
Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21
[Jesus said] ‘Some seed fell on rocky ground, where there wasn’t much dirt. That seed grew very fast, because the ground was not deep. But when the sun rose, the plants dried up, because they did not have deep roots. And what is the seed that fell on rocky ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and quickly accepts it with joy. But he does not let the teaching go deep into his life, so he keeps it only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching he accepted, he quickly gives up.’
Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21 (NCV)
Roots are important. A plant’s roots help it to draw water from the soil, making it grow healthy and strong. Without roots, a plant won’t survive for long.
In today’s verses, Jesus encourages us to listen to his message about living God’s way – living in God’s Kingdom – and to take it deeply into our lives, just like the plant takes water through its roots. Knowing about Jesus and his message isn’t enough. It needs to go deep into our lives – it needs to become part of us.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: Can we remember a time when we felt incredibly thirsty? Maybe we were on a hike, or maybe we were sick and dehydrated? How did it feel?
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to help us grow deeper roots in You. Help us to believe in You more deeply. Help us to trust You more deeply when things are difficult. And help us to love You and to live God’s way more deeply too.
Today’s parable says that seeds falling on rocky ground are like someone who hears Jesus’ message and feels joyful, but then gives up a short while later.
Lord Jesus, we pray for those who have become Christians – those who have started to follow You – but then given up for some reason. We ASK You to reach out to them again. May their hearts be open to receiving Your love once again.
If we know someone like this – maybe a friend who came to church for a while, but then gave up for some reason – let’s pray our own prayers for them now.
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 13:5-6, 20-21
[Jesus said] ‘Some seed fell on rocky ground, where there wasn’t much dirt. That seed grew very fast, because the ground was not deep. But when the sun rose, the plants dried up, because they did not have deep roots. And what is the seed that fell on rocky ground? That seed is like the person who hears the teaching and quickly accepts it with joy. But he does not let the teaching go deep into his life, so he keeps it only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the teaching he accepted, he quickly gives up.’
Matthew 13:5-6, 20-21 (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 growing deep roots in You, strengthened by Your love for us.
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.
