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 Eli
Ephesians 5:1
You are God’s children whom he loves, so try to be like him.
Ephesians 5:1 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Some of the things that Jesus said were encouraging and comforting, while other things were really challenging. Today, we’re REFLECTING on one of the really challenging things that Jesus said to those who were following Him.
Read by Eli
Mark 8:34-35 (NCV)
Mark 8:34-35
Then Jesus called the crowd to him, along with his followers. He said, ‘If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives to follow me. Those who want to save their lives will give up true life. But those who give up their lives for me and for the Good News will have true life.’
Being a Christian isn’t just about believing in God – it’s about following Jesus with our whole lives. And here, Jesus says that following Him will sometimes mean giving up our plans so that we can follow His instead.
If it sounds like Jesus is asking for a lot, that’s because He is! In fact, He asks for everything. He wants to be number one in our lives – that’s what it means for Jesus to be ‘Lord’ of our lives.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: When have we given something up, maybe for Lent, and what was it? How did we get on?
When we follow someone on social media – like Instagram, TikTok or YouTube – we don’t really have to do anything. But following Jesus is different – it means living His way instead of our way.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to help us live Your way because we know that Your way is the best way for us. Help us to trust You at school, at home, with our friendships and families, with our screen time, even our futures.
And Lord Jesus, we also ASK the same for our church community. You are the Head of the Church (Colossians 1:18, NIVUK) – the Church belongs to You – and so we ASK You to lead us. Help us to follow You in all that we do.
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 8:34-35
Mark 8:34-35 (NCV)
Then Jesus called the crowd to him, along with his followers. He said, ‘If people want to follow me, they must give up the things they want. They must be willing even to give up their lives to follow me. Those who want to save their lives will give up true life. But those who give up their lives for me and for the Good News will have true life.’
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, we say NO to holding on too tightly to being in control of our lives. And instead, we say YES to the life that you promise – life in all of its fullness (John 10:10).
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Ephesians 5:1
You are God’s children whom he loves, so try to be like him.
Ephesians 5:1 (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.
Eli is 11 and lives in Melbourne, Victoria with his mum, dad and two younger sisters. He enjoys music, reading, riding his skateboard and playing soccer.
