Welcome to Lectio for Families. In the Bible, we’re told that God created us to worship him, and so we’ve set aside this special week to explore how and why we worship.

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

Father God, thank You that as we draw close to You, You promise to draw close to us. We need You today. Our hearts are ready. Help us to hear Your voice.

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 some verses from Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi, which some describe as one of the first worship songs about Jesus.

Read by Kumi
Philippians 2:9-11
Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth – even those long ago dead and buried – will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11 (MSG)

Today’s verses remind us that worship is all about Jesus and placing Him at the centre of our lives. Sometimes it’s easy for other things to become more important in our lives. But all our choices, our work and play, our toys and money, even our friends and family, none of those are as important as Jesus. Worship is about declaring, every day, that Jesus is worth more than any of these other things.

Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: If we were stranded on a desert island, which of our friends would we want with us, and why?

• PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

Let’s take a moment quietly to think about some of the things that sometimes we put before Jesus.

Lord Jesus, we thank you for all the wonderful things in our lives but we don’t want them to become more important than you. We ASK you to help us to keep you at the very centre of our lives.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Let’s think about the people who have to make big decisions every day, like teachers, parents, or politicians.

Lord Jesus, we ASK You to give them wisdom. Guide them as they lead. May Your character be reflected in theirs, and in the decisions that they make.

• 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.

Philippians 2:9-11
Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth – even those long ago dead and buried – will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11 (MSG)

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.

Loving God, we choose to worship you today. We say YES to putting you first and worshipping you and only you!

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.