Week: Holy Spirit Adventures
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
Romans 15:13
I pray that… your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on how quickly the crowds turned against Paul and Barnabus. First they were going crazy with delight when the Holy Spirit did a miracle through them, but then the same crowd turned against them.
Read by Jackson J
Acts 14:19-22
Then some evil people came and persuaded the people to turn against Paul. They threw stones at him and dragged him out of town, thinking they had killed him. But the followers gathered around him, and he got up and went back into the town. The next day he and Barnabas left and went to the city of Derbe. Paul and Barnabas told the Good News in Derbe, and many became followers. Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, making the followers of Jesus stronger and helping them stay in the faith. They said, ‘We must suffer many things to enter God’s kingdom.’
Acts 14:19-22 (NCV)
Following Jesus and listening to the Holy Spirit is a great adventure, but like any adventure it is not always easy. In fact the Bible says that, as followers of Jesus, we should probably expect to face some hard times. But it’s often in these hard times that our faith grows the most.
It’s a bit like an athlete whose strength grows by training really hard, or a musician whose skill grows through practising every single day. Our faith often grows most through being tested and stretched and put under pressure. We prefer to only focus on the fun and exciting parts of being a Christian, but sometimes the challenges are good for us.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What is the most exciting or adventurous thing that we’ve ever done? What was difficult about it?
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.
What’s difficult in our lives right now? How do we feel about it?
Holy Spirit, we ASK you to be with us. Guide us through the challenges that we’re facing – the things that we’re finding difficult right now. And we also ASK you to use it to strengthen our faith or to teach us something new about you.
Paul and Barnabas were forced to leave the city because of the violence they faced. We can see the same thing happening in many countries today, as refugees flee their homes to escape war and danger.
Loving God, we pray for refugees around the world. We ASK You to protect them as they travel and we ASK you to lead them to safe, welcoming places. Help us as Your church to provide care and support for those who need it.
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 14:19-22
Then some evil people came and persuaded the people to turn against Paul. They threw stones at him and dragged him out of town, thinking they had killed him. But the followers gathered around him, and he got up and went back into the town. The next day he and Barnabas left and went to the city of Derbe. Paul and Barnabas told the Good News in Derbe, and many became followers. Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, making the followers of Jesus stronger and helping them stay in the faith. They said, ‘We must suffer many things to enter God’s kingdom.’
Acts 14:19-22 (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. Even in tough times we still say YES – we choose to trust you and keep on following You. Thank you that you are always with us.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Romans 15:13
I pray that… your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 (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.
