Welcome to Lectio for Families. We are continuing our new series called Holy Spirit Adventures. We will be reading and praying our way through the book of Acts, which is packed with stories about what the Holy Spirit did in and through Jesus’ followers.

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.

Pause

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

Prayer of Welcome

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.

Rejoice

Memory Verse

We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:

God, help us to remember Your Word.

Reflect

Bible Reading

Today we’re REFLECTING on what happened when Peter and John were on their way to a prayer meeting. They were heading to the Temple to pray, when a beggar who had been crippled – he hadn’t been able to walk for his whole life – asked them for some money.

Read by Selah
Acts 3:4-8
Peter and John looked straight at him and said, “Look at us!” The man looked at them, thinking they were going to give him some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold, but I do have something else I can give you. By the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, stand up and walk!” Then Peter took the man’s right hand and lifted him up. Immediately the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk. He went into the Temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God.
Acts 3:4-8 (NCV)

Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and had gifts from God to bless others. He may not have had any money to give to the beggar, but what Peter gave the man changed his life for the better. By the power of the Holy Spirit, the man was healed from his illnesses and he was able to walk, jump and praise God!

The local people were used to seeing the man begging at the Beautiful Gate outside the Temple, so they were amazed by what had happened

Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What has amazed us lately? What has made us raise our eyebrows in awe and say wow?

• PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

And now, let’s ask God to help us and others.

Lord God, we ASK You again to fill us with Your Holy Spirit. When we feel like we’ve got nothing to give, help us to remember that when we’re filled with your Spirit, amazing things can happen. We ASK you to give us an opportunity, and the courage, to pray for someone this week.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Let’s think of someone we know who is sick or in pain or is injured in some way, and let’s whisper their names to God.

Holy Spirit, we ASK you to give gifts of healing to those who we have named to you. Like the beggar in today’s story, we long for them to walk, jump and praise You because you have healed them.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Yes

Bible Reading

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 3:4-8
Peter and John looked straight at him and said, “Look at us!” The man looked at them, thinking they were going to give him some money. But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold, but I do have something else I can give you. By the power of Jesus Christ from Nazareth, stand up and walk!” Then Peter took the man’s right hand and lifted him up. Immediately the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped up, stood on his feet, and began to walk. He went into the Temple with them, walking and jumping and praising God.
Acts 3:4-8 (NCV)

What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and tell each other

YES Prayer

And now, let’s say YES to God together.

Holy Spirit, we say YES to going on adventures with You. We welcome You and say YES to seeing the power of Your love bring healing to those around us.

Memory Verse

After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:

Closing Prayer

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.