Week: Jesus' Commands
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
Jesus, we want to know You more and we want to better understand the way You want us to live. As we consider Your commands, we prepare our hearts to follow You.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Hubo
1 John 5:3
Loving God means obeying his commands. And God’s commands are not too hard for us.
1 John 5:3 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
This week we have been exploring some of the many commands that Jesus gave to help people love God and love others. Today, we’re REFLECTING on one that will help us to obey all the others.
Read by Hubo
Mark 8:34
Then Jesus called the crowd to him, along with his followers. He said, ‘If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives to follow me.’
Mark 8:34 (NCV)
When someone says ‘follow me’, it means they are telling us to go wherever they go, or to watch them closely. Jesus says these words at least 13 times in the Bible, mostly to call His disciples. But He says the same words to us today… ‘follow me’.
For Jesus’ disciples it was a little easier for them to go wherever Jesus went – if Jesus set off for a new town, they could walk with Him and watch what He did along the way. For us, it might feel a bit more difficult sometimes, but we can read about the things that Jesus said and did – the way He lived his life with others – and we can learn to live like that too. And here’s the amazing thing – He promises to help us!
If we’ve got a bit of time, maybe we could play a quick game of ‘Simon Says’ or ‘Follow The Leader’ (where one person does or says something and everyone has to copy or follow). If not, let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: When have we had to follow a map or follow someone else to get somewhere? Did we find our way or did we get lost?
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Lord Jesus, we want to follow You. We ASK You to help us see what You’re doing in our lives and in the lives of those around us so that we can join in. And we ASK You to help us hear what You’re saying – especially the things that You are asking us to obey.
Sometimes, when Jesus asks us to ‘follow Him’, it’s because He wants to lead us into something new – into a new place, or to meet new people – and He knows that we’re nervous about it. It’s like He’s saying, ‘follow me, I’ll be with you – you can trust me’.
Lord Jesus, we pray for those who feel like You’re calling them to ‘follow You’ in some way today. We ASK You to give them courage to get up and go, just like the disciples did – to trust You, and to obey Your call on their life.
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.
Mark 8:34
Then Jesus called the crowd to him, along with his followers. He said, ‘If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives to follow me.’
Mark 8:34 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Jesus, we say YES to following You. We say YES to watching You closely, and going wherever you call us to go. Help us to trust You, and to obey your call on our lives.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
1 John 5:3
Loving God means obeying his commands. And God’s commands are not too hard for us.
1 John 5:3 (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.
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.
