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.
We are reflecting on how Paul described us in his letter to the church in Ephesus.
Read by Max
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
When Paul wrote his letter, he would’ve written it in Greek, and the Greek word for ‘handiwork’ is actually ‘poiēma’. Let’s all try to say it… ‘poiēma’.
The English word ‘poem’ comes from ‘poiēma’, and one definition for a poem is a ‘piece of writing in which the words are chosen for their beauty and sound and are carefully arranged.’ That’s what Paul says we are – God’s poem – created and chosen to show God’s beauty. And every part of who we are is carefully planned and arranged. Wow!
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What have we created that we were really proud of? Maybe we felt that it was beautiful, or we felt proud of how carefully we created it?
Now let’s ask God to help us and others.
Loving God, thank you for all the beautiful things that you have created… including us! Sometimes we might not feel beautiful, but the truth is that we have been beautifully and carefully crafted, just like a poem. We ASK you to help us believe and receive this truth deep into our hearts.
People with creative gifts and abilities can often help us to see beauty in the world, and sometimes they help us to see new things about how amazing God is too. People like musicians and poets, artists and architects, authors and dancers.
Creator God, we thank you for all the different creative arts, and for the many ways that they help us see beautiful things in the world around us. As we think of those we know with creative gifts and abilities, we ASK You to give them some extra special inspiration.
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.
Ephesians 2:10
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Loving God, we say YES, we want to see and experience the beauty of all you have created, and we also say YES to doing everything we can to bring a bit more beauty into the world around us.
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!
