Welcome to Lectio for Families. This week we are continuing to explore the life of Jesus as told in Mark’s Gospel.

We will each need a piece of paper and a pen or pencil for the ASK prayers, so this may be a good moment to get them.

As usual, 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.

Pause

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

Prayer of Welcome

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.

Rejoice

Memory Verse

We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:

God, help us to remember Your Word.

Reflect

Bible Reading

In today’s story, once again, we find Jesus being followed by a large crowd of people.

Read by Hubo
Mark 3:8-10
Many people came from Judea, from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from the lands across the Jordan River, and from the area of Tyre and Sidon. When they heard what Jesus was doing, many people came to him. When Jesus saw the crowds, he told his followers to get a boat ready for him to keep people from crowding against him. He had healed many people, so all the sick were pushing toward him to touch him.

Mark 3:8-10

Jesus had been healing people and teaching them, and the religious leaders had been out to get Him too. People were coming from every direction, and they all wanted to get close to Jesus. To give Himself a bit of space, Jesus climbed into a small boat and pushed away from the shore.

Our lives can feel a bit like this sometimes – like everything is getting a bit crowded and busy and we feel like we need a bit of space to breathe.

Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: When have we been in a boat? What kind of boat was it and did we travel anywhere in it?

• PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

How are things at school, at work, at home? Maybe we feel like we need a bit of space from all the busyness at the moment?

Lord Jesus, if that’s how we’re feeling today, we ASK for Your help. Help us to find our own little boat of rest – whatever that looks like – whenever we need it this week.

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Let’s each draw a simple boat shape onto our piece of paper. Who do we know who needs to find a bit of space – to be with Jesus in the boat – right now? Let’s write their names inside the boat as our prayer for them today

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Yes

Bible Reading

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 3:8-10
Many people came from Judea, from Jerusalem, from Idumea, from the lands across the Jordan River, and from the area of Tyre and Sidon. When they heard what Jesus was doing, many people came to him. When Jesus saw the crowds, he told his followers to get a boat ready for him to keep people from crowding against him. He had healed many people, so all the sick were pushing toward him to touch him.

Mark 3:8-10

What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?

• OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and tell each other

YES Prayer

And now, let’s say YES to God together.

Jesus, You knew when You needed to get away from all of the busyness and find a bit of space to be alone with Your Father. We say YES to following Your example.

Memory Verse

After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:

Closing Prayer

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.