Week: Introduction to the Kingdom of God
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 Jesus, we open our minds to learn new things, so that we know more about You. We open our hearts to be filled with Your love, so that we become more like You. And we open our hands to receive all we need to live our lives for You.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Eli
Colossians 1:13
God has freed us from the power of darkness, and he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son.
Colossians 1:13 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on one of the most well-known parables that Jesus told about the Kingdom of God.
Read by Eli
Matthew 13:31-32
Then Jesus told another story: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field. That seed is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows, it is one of the largest garden plants. It becomes big enough for the wild birds to come and build nests in its branches.’
Matthew 13:31-32 (NCV)
When we hear the word ‘Kingdom’ we probably think of something HUGE, like a whole country. But the stories that Jesus tells about the Kingdom of God are about small things – a small coin, the tiny bits of yeast that get mixed into dough to make bread, mustard seeds.
Jesus promises that when we do what God wants – even small things like helping someone or being kind – these things can make a BIG difference and help the kingdom of God grow in people’s lives.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What small things can we think of that can make a big difference? Here’s a couple of examples to get us started; tiny grains of salt can make food taste completely different, or small nails can hold big things together.
And now let’s ASK God to help us and others.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to forgive us for sometimes thinking that we’re not ‘enough’, that nothing we do will make a difference. Help us to remember that You can do big things with the small things that we say and do.
Let’s think of something small that we can do for someone else this weekend… something encouraging or helpful or kind.
Lord Jesus, as we make time to do something for someone else this weekend, we ASK that it would be like a seed that grows. May Your Kingdom come a little bit more in 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 13:31-32
Then Jesus told another story: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field. That seed is the smallest of all seeds, but when it grows, it is one of the largest garden plants. It becomes big enough for the wild birds to come and build nests in its branches.”
Matthew 13:31-32 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, we say YES to seeking first God’s Kingdom in our lives, and in the world – to putting God first and living the way You show us to, especially in the small things.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Colossians 1:13
God has freed us from the power of darkness, and he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son.
Colossians 1:13 (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.
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.
