Week: Holy Spirit Adventures - the Book of Acts
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
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
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Jackson J
Acts 1:8
But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses – in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.
Acts 1:8 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
A few of the disciples had been caught teaching about Jesus, and had been thrown in prison. However, an angel had set them free, so they returned to the temple and started teaching again. Most of the religious leaders were furious, all except Gamaliel. Today we’re REFLECTING on what Gamaliel had to say.
Read by Jackson J
Acts 5:38-39
Gamaliel said, ‘And so now I tell you: Stay away from these men, and leave them alone. If their plan comes from human authority, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You might even be fighting against God himself!’
Acts 5:38-39 (NCV)
The religious leaders really wanted to stop the disciples from talking about Jesus and praying for people who were sick. They were annoyed that people were starting to follow Jesus’ disciples instead of them – they were jealous.
However, Gamaliel was wise enough to realise that if it actually was God who was with these disciples, and that they were actually doing God’s work, then nothing that the religious leaders could do would stop them.
It’s amazing to think that God has plans for our lives. Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What plans do we have for our lives? (If that’s too difficult, how about what plans do we have for this week?)
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Father God, thank You that You have plans for our lives. Thank you for the unique gifts and talents that you’ve given to us. We ASK You to show us what You want us to do, and help us to use what You have given us.
Let’s think of someone we know who is trying to make plans for the next season of their lives. Maybe they’ve just finished school, or they’re moving house, or something else.
Father God, thank You that You have plans for their life too. We ASK You to be with them, to give them courage and strength. And help them to trust You and to follow what You want for the next steps of 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.
Acts 5:38-39
Gamaliel said, ‘And so now I tell you: Stay away from these men, and leave them alone. If their plan comes from human authority, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them. You might even be fighting against God himself!’
Acts 5:38-39 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Holy Spirit, we say YES to going on adventures with You. Fill us with strength and courage as we follow Jesus, and give us everything we need to follow God’s plan for our lives.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Acts 1:8
But when the Holy Spirit comes to you, you will receive power. You will be my witnesses – in Jerusalem, in all of Judea, in Samaria, and in every part of the world.
Acts 1:8 (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.
Unathi lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband and 5 kids; and has a passion for seeing families thriving.
You’ll most likely find her homeschooling the tribe, reading, writing, or dreaming about the next DIY project.
She also loves good coffee, dark chocolate and hiking.
Jackson is 11 and he lives in Chichester, on the south coast of England, with his parents and his sister. He loves Pokemon (who doesn’t?), music and having fun with his friends.
