Week: Mark's Gospel
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 hear Your invitation, and so we choose to follow You, with all our hearts, with all our minds, with all our souls and with all our strength.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Max
Psalm 103:8
The Lord shows mercy and is kind. He does not become angry quickly, and he has great love.
Psalm 103:8 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today we are REFLECTING on another story in Mark’s Gospel where Jesus feeds thousands of people with very little.
Read by Max
Mark 8:6,8 (NCV)
Mark 8:6,8
Jesus told the people to sit on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, gave thanks to God, and divided the bread. He gave the pieces to his followers to give to the people, and they did so. All the people ate and were satisfied. Then his followers filled seven baskets with the leftover pieces of food.
In this story, Jesus breaks the bread and gives it to His followers, telling them to share it with the people. And Jesus does the same thing with us today. He gives us, His followers – the Church – all sorts of gifts and resources to share with those around us.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What ways does our church share gifts and resources with others?
The Church isn’t just the big people or the leaders, it’s you and me – it’s us here, right now.
Loving God, thank You for the gifts and resources that You have given to each of us. Help us to be generous with them. Show us who we can share with over the next few days.
Let’s pray about what our church does in the local community. Maybe we help to run a Food Bank, or work with people who are homeless, or something else?
Father God, we ASK for more people to join in as volunteers, for more resources that can be shared and for new ideas to make things better. We pray that people’s needs would be met, and that they would experience Your love through our church.
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 8:6,8
Mark 8:6,8 (NCV)
Jesus told the people to sit on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, gave thanks to God, and divided the bread. He gave the pieces to his followers to give to the people, and they did so. All the people ate and were satisfied. Then his followers filled seven baskets with the leftover pieces of food.
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Generous God, We say YES to being a generous family, and a generous Church.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Psalm 103:8
The Lord shows mercy and is kind. He does not become angry quickly, and he has great love.
Psalm 103:8 (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!
