Welcome to Lectio for Families. This week we are continuing our series called Holy Spirit Adventures. We are reading and praying our way through the book of Acts, which is packed with stories about what the Holy Spirit did in and through Jesus’ followers.

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

Holy Spirit, like the disciples in the upper room on the day of Pentecost, we’re patiently waiting for You to fill us with Your power and with Your presence. We’re ready for You to send us on new adventures.

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

People in Ephesus had been worshipping a Greek goddess called Artemis. However, when they heard Paul preaching, many gave their hearts and lives to Jesus instead. Today, we’re REFLECTING on the trouble that this caused in the city.

Read by Hubo
Acts 19:24-26
A man named Demetrius, who worked with silver, made little silver models that looked like the temple of the goddess Artemis. Those who did this work made much money. Demetrius had a meeting with them and some others who did the same kind of work. He told them, “Men, you know that we make a lot of money from our business. But look at what this man Paul is doing. He has convinced and turned away many people in Ephesus and in almost all of Asia! He says the gods made by human hands are not real.”
Acts 19:24-26 (NCV)

People worshipped Artemis and many other gods and goddesses, because they hoped that these would protect them from bad things and would make their lives a bit better instead.

Sometimes things in our lives can become a bit like gods too, thinking or hoping they will make our lives a bit better and especially when we feel like they are The Most Important Thing. For example, money can become a bit like a god to us, or being popular, or a celebrity that we admire, or even our mobile phone. None of these things are actually bad, of course, but when they become more important than anything else in our lives, taking up too much of our time and attention, then they can become bad for us.

Demetrius made little silver models of the goddess Artemis. Not all models are of gods and goddesses though. Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is; What models can we remember making? Maybe with clay or Lego, or some other materials?

• PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

The second of God’s ‘Ten Commandments’ for living well is this; ‘You must not have any other gods except me.’ (Exodus 20:3, NCV)

Father God, we ASK You to search our hearts. If anything has become a bit like a god to us, taking Your place as The Most Important Thing, we’re really sorry. We ASK You to help us put things back in their proper place, and we give our hearts and lives to You again.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Adverts on TV and social media platforms are full of people trying to sell things that they say will make our lives better, just like Demetrius did in Ephesus.

Father God, we ASK You to help people to see clearly, to not be persuaded so easily by advertising. Holy Spirit, give us Your gifts of wisdom and discernment, just like You did to Paul.

• 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.

Acts 19:24-26
A man named Demetrius, who worked with silver, made little silver models that looked like the temple of the goddess Artemis. Those who did this work made much money. Demetrius had a meeting with them and some others who did the same kind of work. He told them, “Men, you know that we make a lot of money from our business. But look at what this man Paul is doing. He has convinced and turned away many people in Ephesus and in almost all of Asia! He says the gods made by human hands are not real.”
Acts 19:24-26 (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.

Holy Spirit, we say YES to going on adventures with You. Lord Jesus, we say YES to You – You are the Son of God, and You are the only one we want to follow. Holy Spirit, help us to keep Jesus as The Most Important Thing.

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.