Week: Mission
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, You are the best teacher. As we explore the Bible and listen to You, please help us to understand more about You, and draw closer to You.
Eugene Peterson wrote more than 30 books to help people know God better, but he is probably best known for writing a version of the Bible, which he called ‘The Message’. Let’s REFLECT on some verses from his version of Psalm 19.
Read by Annika
Psalm 19:10-12
God’s Word is better than a diamond,
better than a diamond set between emeralds.
You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring,
better than red, ripe strawberries.
There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger
and directs us to hidden treasure.
Otherwise how will we find our way?
Psalm 19:10-12 (MSG)
The Bible is an ancient book and was originally written in very old forms of the Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek languages. It was also written in a very different culture to the one we live in now, which is why we can sometimes find it hard to understand.
As a church leader, Eugene knew that the Bible could change people’s lives but, for that to happen, they needed to understand what they were reading! So, he decided to write a version of the Bible that used everyday language to connect with people’s lives. It took him more than 10 years to complete, but ‘The Message’ has since gone on to help millions of people understand the Bible better and realise that it isn’t just filled with words to hold in our heads, but words that can transform how we live.
Eugene encouraged us to do four things when reading the Bible: to read, to think, to pray, and then to live – ‘reading the Bible, thinking about what it means, praying in response to what it says, and living out the truth.’*
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What is our favourite story or character from the Bible? Why do we like it or them?
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Lord God, we thank You for this incredible book, the Bible. We ASK You to help us to understand the words we read, to think deeply about them, to use them as we pray, and to live them out.
Eugene once wrote this in his journal: ‘Dear God, I want to be a writer to your glory,’’** and he certainly was! Let’s ASK God to help other people who want to be the same thing.
God of creativity, we pray for writers – whether they’ve published anything yet or not – to be filled with Your Holy Spirit. Inspire them with words that lead people to know You better.
In his version of the Bible’s book of Romans, Eugene said that following God was like being on a great adventure. He put it like this: the ‘resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?”’ (Romans 8:15-17)
Pause
Father God, we like the sound of this! We say a big YES to going on adventures with You – we say YES to wherever You want to take us, and whatever you want us to do.
Pause
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.
* Eugene H. Peterson, My First Message: A Devotional Bible for Kids (Experiencing God) (NavPress) p.6
**Winn Collier, A Burning in my Bones (Authentic Media) p.251
Phil lives close to a beach in the north of England with his wife, his daughters and his dogs. Phil works for 24-7 Prayer, mostly doing Lectio stuff, and helping to run Prayer Spaces in Schools. He runs a lot, usually for long distances. He likes curry, mountains, reading books and he still plays Pokemon Go.
Annika is 10 years old and lives in Melbourne, Australia with her parents and older brother and sister. Annika enjoys playing Cricket and Aussie Rules Football and loves going to watch her favourite team play football. Annika also learns the drums and enjoys making up her own beats!
