Week: Who are we?
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
Awesome God, thank You for the many ways that you speak about who we are. Our minds are open to learning more and our hearts are open to knowing better who we have been created to be. We’re ready for You to speak to us.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Max
Genesis 1:27
So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female.
Genesis 1:27 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on what it means to be part of God’s family.
Read by Max
Romans 8:14-16
The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them. The Spirit we received does not make us slaves again to fear; it makes us children of God. With that Spirit we cry out, ‘Father.’ And the Spirit himself joins with our spirits to say we are God’s children.
Romans 8:14-16, (NCV)
In this passage, and in lots of other places in the Bible, God is described as the ‘Father’, and we are described as ‘God’s children’. God made us. God loves us. And God wants us – each and every one of us – to belong in His family. Think about how incredible that is… the God who made the whole universe wants to be our heavenly Dad.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: Who is our favourite family on TV or from a movie? (How about the Simpsons?)
And now we ask God to help us and others.
Father God, thank You for choosing us to be part of Your family. Help us to really experience Your love for us, as Your precious children.
For some people, words like ‘father’, ‘mother’, or even ‘family’ bring up difficult feelings, perhaps because of what they’ve experienced. Let’s pray for those who feel this way now.
Father God, You love to draw especially close to those who feel hurt, alone, and unloved. May those who feel this way experience Your love and comfort in a deep way today.
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.
Romans 8:14-16
The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them. The Spirit we received does not make us slaves again to fear; it makes us children of God. With that Spirit we cry out, ‘Father.’ And the Spirit himself joins with our spirits to say we are God’s children.
Romans 8:14-16, (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
You are a good, good, Father, and we place our trust in You. We say YES to being part of Your family.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Genesis 1:27
So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female.
Genesis 1:27 (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.
Max is 9 years old and lives in Melbourne, Australia with his older brother and mum and dad. He often rides his bike to school and enjoys being creative by drawing or building with Lego. Max is also learning how to play the electric guitar and loves turning it up loud!
