Week: Mark's Gospel
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
Jesus, we hear Your invitation, and so we choose to follow You, with all our hearts, with all our minds, with all our souls and with all our strength.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Hubo
Psalm 93:2
Lord, your kingdom was set up long ago. You are everlasting.
Psalm 93:2 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
When Jesus returned to His hometown, His family came out to see him. Today, we’re REFLECTING on the surprising things that Jesus had to say about ‘family’.
Read by Hubo
Mark 3:31-32,35 (NCV)
Mark 3:31-32,35
Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to tell him to come out. Many people were sitting around Jesus, and they said to him, ‘Your mother and brothers are waiting for you outside.’
[Jesus replied] ‘My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what God wants.’
Families come in all shapes and sizes, and they don’t have to share the same DNA – perhaps we know people who are part of different kinds of families?
In today’s Bible passage, Jesus wasn’t actually ignoring his mum and his brothers – he was using this moment to describe God’s family where everyone is welcome and everyone can belong. Around the world today, at least 2.3 billion people are already part of God’s family, and more people are joining every single day.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What’s one good thing about being part of a family?
God’s family is incredible – everyone is welcome and everyone can belong.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to help us to be inclusive and welcoming, just like You – help us to help others discover that they can belong in Your family.
This church family of 2.3 billion is spread right across the world. Let’s stretch out our arms as wide as we can as we pray.
Father God, because of You, we are one big family. We ASK You to help us love one another, and that others will see Your love in and through us.
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.
Mark 3:31-32,35
Mark 3:31-32,35 (NCV)
Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to tell him to come out. Many people were sitting around Jesus, and they said to him, ‘Your mother and brothers are waiting for you outside.’
[Jesus replied] ‘My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what God wants.’
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Father God, it’s great to be part of the largest family in the world. We say YES to loving and helping one another to be more like You made us to be.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Psalm 93:2
Lord, your kingdom was set up long ago. You are everlasting.
Psalm 93:2 (NCV)
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.
Hubolodumo (Hubo) is 10 years old, and lives In Johannesburg, South Africa with his parents and 4 siblings.
When he’s not busy trying out ninja moves, he’s practicing the latest dance moves, playing soccer, drawing or playing games with his friends.
