Week: Who is Jesus?
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, thank you for the many ways you make yourself known. Our minds are open to learning more about You, and our hearts are open to knowing You better. We’re ready for You to speak to us.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
Read by Eli
Colossians 1:18
[Jesus] is the head of the body, which is the church. Everything comes from him. He is the first one who was raised from the dead. So in all things Jesus has first place.
Colossians 1:18 (NCV)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
Today, we’re REFLECTING on a conversation that Jesus had with Martha after her brother, Lazarus, had just died.
Read by Eli
John 11:23-26
Jesus said, ‘Your brother will rise and live again.’ Martha answered, ‘I know that he will rise and live again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will have life even if they die. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Martha, do you believe this?’
John 11:23-26 (NCV)
This story is awesome! Lazarus had been dead for a few days, but shortly after this conversation, much to everyone’s amazement, Jesus brought him back to life.
However, when Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life’, He wasn’t simply talking about what He was about to do for Lazarus. He was using this miracle to tell Martha what He could do for everyone, forever! ‘Anyone who believes in me,’ He said, ‘will have life even if they die.’
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What do we imagine when we hear words like ‘resurrection’, or ‘heaven’, or even ‘paradise’?
It’s hard to even imagine what it will be like to live with God forever.
Lord Jesus, we don’t know what it’s going to be like, but we do know it’s going to be good. We ASK You to help us remember that we don’t need to be afraid of death, because it isn’t the end. You are our resurrection, and You are our life, forever.
In today’s Bible passage, Martha was sad because her brother, Lazarus, had just died. Let’s pray for those who may be feeling sad because they’ve also lost someone that they loved.
Lord Jesus, we ASK You to draw near to them and comfort them.
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.
John 11:23-26
Jesus said, ‘Your brother will rise and live again.’ Martha answered, ‘I know that he will rise and live again in the resurrection on the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me will have life even if they die. And everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Martha, do you believe this?’
John 11:23-26 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Heavenly Father, it’s amazing to think that we get to live forever with You. But ‘forever’ doesn’t start after we die – it starts TODAY! Lord Jesus, we say YES to You as our resurrection and our life – help us to live our lives to the fullest, today and every day.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Colossians 1:18
[Jesus] is the head of the body, which is the church. Everything comes from him. He is the first one who was raised from the dead. So in all things Jesus has first place.
Colossians 1:18 (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.
