Welcome to Lectio for Families. This week we are focusing on a couple of heroes in the Bible – their names were Abraham and Sarah and their lives were shaped by mission.

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.

Pause

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

Prayer of Welcome

God of rescue and restoration, thank You for Your beautiful mission to save the whole world. Here we are, Lord. Fill us with Your Spirit, and send us so that we can join in with Your mission.

Rejoice

Memory Verse

We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:

God, help us to remember Your Word.

Reflect

Bible Reading

Today we’re REFLECTING on the incredible promise that God made to Abram.

Read by Jackson R
Genesis 15:1-2,5
The Lord spoke his word to Abram in a vision: ‘Abram, don’t be afraid. I will defend you, and I will give you a great reward.’
But Abram said, ‘Lord God, what can you give me? I have no son.’
Then God led Abram outside and said, ‘Look at the sky. There are so many stars you cannot count them. Your descendants also will be too many to count.’
Genesis 15:1-2a,5 (NCV)

Abram was confused. God had told him that he’d have a huge family, but Abram and Sarah didn’t have any children at the time and they were getting old.

But God had a plan, and it wasn’t just to grow Abram and Sarah’s family. God’s plan began with a promise to Abram and Sarah, but it was actually a promise to the whole world, including us – it was a promise about God’s plan to invite us all into His family.

When God speaks to us, sometimes it’s something just for us, but sometimes God is also showing us that we are part of His much bigger plans!

In today’s Bible passage, God tells Abram to look at the stars. Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: When was the last time we stared at the stars on a dark night? What did we see? Maybe a shooting star, another planet, or even a constellation?

• PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

And now, we ASK God to help us and others.

God of mission, thank You for inviting all of us to be part of Your big story in the world. We ASK You to help us to see what You are doing in the world and how we can join in.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

God wants everyone to join His family. Let’s pray for someone we know who isn’t a Christian yet – who hasn’t joined God’s family yet.

God of love, thank You that You love us so much You want everyone to be part of Your family. We ASK that our friends and our family hear your invitation to join in.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Yes

Bible Reading

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.

Genesis 15:1-2,5
The Lord spoke his word to Abram in a vision: ‘Abram, don’t be afraid. I will defend you, and I will give you a great reward.’
But Abram said, ‘Lord God, what can you give me? I have no son.’
Then God led Abram outside and said, ‘Look at the sky. There are so many stars you cannot count them. Your descendants also will be too many to count.’
Genesis 15:1-2a,5 (NCV)

What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and tell each other

YES Prayer

And now, let’s say YES to God together.

Father God, we say YES to your big plans for our lives.

Memory Verse

After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:

Closing Prayer

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.