Week: Jesus in the Gospels
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, as we spend these few minutes together, we open our eyes to see what You’re doing, our ears to hear what You’re saying, and our hearts to receive what You want to give to us today.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Asaph
John 15:9
[Jesus said] ‘I loved you as the Father loved me. Now remain in my love.’
John 15:9 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on one of Jesus’ parables, one of the many simple stories that he told that had deeper meanings.
Read by Asaph
Matthew 7:24-28
[Jesus said], ‘Everyone who hears my words and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and hit that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on rock. Everyone who hears my words and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and hit that house, and it fell with a big crash.’ When Jesus finished saying these things, the people were amazed at his teaching.
Matthew 7:24-28 (NCV)
If we were building a house, we would probably build it on something steady and strong, like rock, and not on sand – we’ve probably all seen what happens to a sandcastle when the tide comes in!
But Jesus wasn’t actually giving advice on how to build houses. He was giving people advice about building their lives. He often did this – he used simple stories to explain to people how to live their lives really well, and how to get to know God too. In the story that He tells of the rock and the sand, Jesus is the rock – He’s saying that He is the best thing that we can build our lives on.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What’s the most impressive building we’ve ever seen? Maybe the tallest or the most beautiful?
And now, let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to help us be more like the wise builder and not like the foolish one. Help us to build our lives on You – to do what You say and follow Your example in how we love God and love others.
People build their lives on all sorts of things. Some build their lives on making lots of money. Others build their lives on becoming super-popular. Some build their lives on power and success. But none of these things last. They’re all like sand – they will eventually wash away.
Lord Jesus, we pray especially for our friends and for those in our families who haven’t yet decided to build their lives on You. We ASK You to help them see that building their lives on You – giving their lives to You and following You – is the best way to live their lives.
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.
Matthew 7:24-28
[Jesus said], ‘Everyone who hears my words and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and hit that house. But it did not fall, because it was built on rock. Everyone who hears my words and does not obey them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and hit that house, and it fell with a big crash.’ When Jesus finished saying these things, the people were amazed at his teaching.
Matthew 7:24-28 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, thank You that You are like a rock – You are faithful and strong, we can trust You and we can hold onto You when things are difficult in our lives. We say YES to building our lives on You, Jesus!
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
John 15:9
[Jesus said] ‘I loved you as the Father loved me. Now remain in my love.’
John 15:9 (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.
Unathi lives in Johannesburg, South Africa, with her husband and 5 kids; and has a passion for seeing families thriving.
You’ll most likely find her homeschooling the tribe, reading, writing, or dreaming about the next DIY project.
She also loves good coffee, dark chocolate and hiking.
Asaph 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!
