Week: Jesus' Friends & Family
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
What a friend we have in You, Jesus. We’re ready for the new things that You want to show us and say to us about being friends with You, and with others too.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Asaph
Proverbs 17:17
Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
Proverbs 17:17 (MSG)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Jesus’ disciples were out at sea in a small boat, and the wind had started to blow. Today, we are REFLECTING on how they responded when Jesus came to find them, walking on the water.
Read by Asaph
Matthew 14:26-30
When his followers saw him walking on the water, they were afraid. They said, ‘It’s a ghost!’ and cried out in fear. But Jesus quickly spoke to them, ‘Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.’ Peter said, ‘Lord, if it is really you, then command me to come to you on the water.’ Jesus said, ‘Come.’ And Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But when Peter saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid and began to sink. He shouted, ‘Lord, save me!’
Matthew 14:26b-30 (NCV)
If we were in that small boat with the disciples, we’d probably be just as confused and scared as most of them were. How could that figure walking towards us on top of the water possibly be Jesus? It must be a ghost!
Peter was probably confused and scared too, but he chose to trust. He was that kind of friend. He didn’t hold back. He was always first to volunteer, willing to have a go and take a risk, even if it meant climbing out a boat in the middle of the sea to try and walk on water! How ridiculous?
Walking on top of the water is just one of the many impossible things that Jesus did. Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What impossible thing would we really like to do?
Peter loved Jesus and he was willing to trust Jesus and take risks to follow Him, even when he felt confused or scared.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to help us be a bit more like Peter – willing to trust You and take risks to follow You.
When Peter started sinking into the sea, Jesus grabbed him and saved him. As soon as they both climbed into the boat the wind became calm again, much to the relief of the other disciples!
Lord Jesus, there are probably lots of people who feel like the other disciples in that small boat right now – overwhelmed by things that they are confused about or scared about. We ASK You to let those people know that they are not alone – that You are with them. And we ASK You to make things in their lives calm down too.
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 14:26-30
When his followers saw him walking on the water, they were afraid. They said, ‘It’s a ghost!’ and cried out in fear. But Jesus quickly spoke to them, ‘Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.’ Peter said, ‘Lord, if it is really you, then command me to come to you on the water.’ Jesus said, ‘Come.’ And Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. But when Peter saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid and began to sink. He shouted, ‘Lord, save me!’
Matthew 14:26b-30 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, You can walk on water and You can calm the winds and the waves. But the most amazing thing about You is that You are our friend and You are always with us.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Proverbs 17:17
Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.
Proverbs 17:17 (MSG)
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 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!
