Week: Jesus' Commands
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 want to know You more and we want to better understand the way You want us to live. As we consider Your commands, we prepare our hearts to follow You.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Hubo
1 John 5:3
Loving God means obeying his commands. And God’s commands are not too hard for us.
1 John 5:3 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today we’re REFLECTING on another part of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where He teaches people how to live well.
Read by Hubo
Matthew 6:31-33
Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ The people who don’t know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.
Matthew 6:31-33 (NCV)
Some people seem to have everything they need while other people seem to have almost nothing. Sometimes we feel like we’ve got all the things we need and sometimes we don’t.
But Jesus isn’t really talking about what we have or haven’t got. He’s simply telling us not to fill our hearts and minds with worrying about what we think we need. Instead, Jesus tells us – in fact, He commands us – to seek God first, to fix our attention on God and the way that God wants us to live, and to trust that God loves us and will take care of us.
Let’s press pause and talk really honestly about today’s question, which is: What are the things that we feel a bit worried about at the moment?
Let’s take a moment and offer the things we’ve just been talking about to God.
Father God, thank You that You know what’s going on in our hearts and minds, and You care about what we really need. We ASK You to help us trust You and put You and Your ways first.
Sadly, some people around the world today will be asking, ‘What will we eat?’ because they really do have nothing. According to research, about 9% of the world’s population currently live in extreme poverty.*
Mighty God, we ASK You to provide for those that are in desperate need of basic necessities today. And show us what we can do too. Help us all to seek first your kingdom, to live generous lives, so that people are loved and cared for in every way.
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 6:31-33
Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ The people who don’t know God keep trying to get these things, and your Father in heaven knows you need them. Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well.
Matthew 6:31-33 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Father God, we say YES to trusting You, YES to putting you and your ways first above what we want or need.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
1 John 5:3
Loving God means obeying his commands. And God’s commands are not too hard for us.
1 John 5:3 (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.
Hubolodumo (Hubo) is 10 years old, and lives In Johannesburg, South Africa with his parents and 4 siblings.
When he’s not busy trying out ninja moves, he’s practicing the latest dance moves, playing soccer, drawing or playing games with his friends.
