Week: Creativity and Presence
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
Lord God, we look forward to discovering more of Your wisdom in the Old Testament. Show us the way You want us to live, and help us to walk in it today.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Asaph
Psalm 33:6
The Lord merely spoke,
and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born.
Psalm 33:6 (NLT)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on day six of the story of creation – the big finale.
Read by Asaph
Genesis 1:26-28
Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the tame animals, over all the earth, and over all the small crawling animals on the earth.” So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female. God blessed them and said, “Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28 (NCV)
Two of the biggest questions that people ask at some point in their lives are answered in these few verses from the book of Genesis.
The first question is; ‘Who are we?’ And the answer is that we are God’s creation. We are made by God, and even more amazingly, we are made in God’s image.
The second question is; ‘What is our purpose?’ or ‘What are we here for?’ And part of the answer is that we are here to take care of, and enjoy, everything that God has created. And then to fill the earth by creating even more things.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What is our favourite ‘living thing that moves on the earth’? Why is it our favourite?
Let’s each take a turn looking at ourselves in a mirror (or a phone camera in selfie mode) and then say this out loud.
I am made by God, in God’s image.
Some children and young people find it hard to believe that they are as amazing as God sees them and says that they are. They find it difficult to love themselves or believe in themselves.
Loving Father, we ASK You to free those who are suffering in this way. Help them see themselves the way You see them. We pray for caregivers, teachers, counsellors, therapists, and others who offer support to them – give them grace and wisdom.
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 1:26-28
Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image and likeness. And let them rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the tame animals, over all the earth, and over all the small crawling animals on the earth.” So God created human beings in his image. In the image of God he created them. He created them male and female. God blessed them and said, “Have many children and grow in number. Fill the earth and be its master. Rule over the fish in the sea and over the birds in the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Genesis 1:26-28 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Loving God, thank You for the wisdom that we’ve heard from Your Word today. We say YES to walking the way that You want us to. And we say YES to seeing ourselves and others the way You see us.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s see if we can remember our memory verse and say it together:
Psalm 33:6
The Lord merely spoke,
and the heavens were created.
He breathed the word,
and all the stars were born.
Psalm 33:6 (NLT)
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.
Joy lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband and her dog. She works for Bridgetown Church where she leads kids as they grow, learn, and have lots of fun. Joy loves gardening, summer camp, eating ice cream, and reading her favourite books, The Chronicles of Narnia.
Asaph is 9 years old. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his younger sister Adelina, father and mother. He enjoys riding his bike, camping, reading, playing flag football and watching Bible Project videos. Asaph is kind and smart and loves hanging out with friends!
