Welcome to Lectio for Families. Today is our Sabbath, and so we’re taking a break from our regular P.R.A.Y. format to pray a little differently.

The Bible tells the story of God making the Universe and everything in it in six days. Every Sunday, we remember the Sabbath, the seventh day, when God rested and enjoyed everything that was made.

Pause

As usual 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

Reflect

Sabbath Reading

In Luke’s Gospel, he tells the story of Jesus going to the synagogue – the place where people went to worship God – on the Sabbath. Someone asked Jesus if he would read out loud from the Old Testament. Let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from what Jesus read.

Read by Max
Luke 4:17-19
The book of Isaiah the prophet was given to him. He opened the book and found the place where this is written:
‘The Lord has put His Spirit in me,
because he appointed me to tell the Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to tell the captives they are free
and to tell the blind that they can see again.
God sent me to free those who have been treated unfairly
and to announce the time when the Lord will show His kindness.’
Luke 4:17-19 (NCV)

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

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

Ask

ASK Prayers

Jesus said, ‘I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper to be with you forever.’ (John 14:6)

Thank You, Father God, for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Thank You that we don’t have to be a special kind of Christian for You to give us the Holy Spirit – we simply have to ask and receive.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father sent me, I now send you.’ After he said this, he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit.’ (John 20:21-22)

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for giving us Your peace, and for sending us in the power of the Holy Spirit. Breathe on us; we want to receive the Holy Spirit.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

The apostle Paul wrote, ‘There are different kinds of gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit… Something from the Spirit can be seen in each person, for the common good.’ (1 Corinthians 12:4,7)

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for the unique gifts and abilities that You give to every one of us – all that we can do comes from You. Help us to use these gifts and abilities for the good of others, and for the glory of Jesus.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Now, let’s press pause and talk about our Sabbath question which is: As our week comes to an end, what was good about it – what are we thankful for? It could be something big or small.

• PAUSE the audio player now

Yes

Memory Verse

As we finish our time together, let’s say this week’s memory verse one last time:

God, help us to remember Your Word.

Sabbath Blessing

May this Sabbath bring rest and joy to our hearts and our homes.
May today be a little less go, go, go, and a little more slow… slow… slow…
May we care less about things, and care more for people.
As we relax in God’s love, may we take time to listen and remember that we are all God’s children.