Welcome to Lectio for Families. This week we are focusing on a couple of heroes in the Bible – their names were Abraham and Sarah and their lives were shaped by mission.

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

God of rescue and restoration, thank You for Your beautiful mission to save the whole world. Here we are, Lord. Fill us with Your Spirit, and send us so that we can join in with Your mission.

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

We’re REFLECTING on an unusual encounter that Abraham had with God.

Read by Jackson R
Genesis 18:1-2
Later, the Lord again appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre. Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent during the hottest part of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When Abraham saw them, he ran from his tent to meet them. He bowed facedown on the ground before them.
Genesis 18:1-2 (NCV)

Later in this story, we discover that these three men were in fact heavenly visitors, messengers from God, but Abraham didn’t know that yet. He simply welcomed them as guests and made sure they had the food and water that they needed.

What if we treated everyone we meet with kindness and generosity? In the book of Hebrews, the writer says, ‘Remember to welcome strangers, because some who have done this have welcomed angels without knowing it.’ (Hebrews 13:2, NCV)

Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: If an unexpected visitor came to dinner with our family, what would we make for them?

• PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

And now, we ASK God to help us and others.

Father God, we ASK You to help us to treat everyone we meet with kindness and respect.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Abraham showed his guests great hospitality. Let’s think of people in our towns and cities who work in hospitality – places like cafes, restaurants, hotels.

Generous God, we thank You for the people who serve us where we live. Give them the energy they need. Give them patience and grace and help businesses in the hospitality sector, across our communities, that might be struggling right now.

• 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.

Genesis 18:1-2
Later, the Lord again appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre. Abraham was sitting at the entrance of his tent during the hottest part of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When Abraham saw them, he ran from his tent to meet them. He bowed facedown on the ground before them.
Genesis 18:1-2 (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.

Loving God, we say YES to encountering You in unexpected ways. Open our eyes to see You, Lord.

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.