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6 Practices - Psalms

Treasure Chest

Week: Learning

  • P.R.A.Y
  • Pause
  • Rejoice
  • Reflect
  • Ask
  • Yes
Joy Max
With Joy and Max
Welcome to Lectio for Families. We’re continuing our series based on the book of Psalms and the six practices which are at the heart of Lectio for Families and 24-7 Prayer. This week, we’re focusing on the practice of learning.

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

Holy Spirit, You are the best teacher. As we explore the Bible and listen to You, please help us to understand more about You, and draw closer to You.


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

Today, we’re REFLECTING on just how valuable learning can be.

Read by Max
Psalm 119:35-36,72
Lead me in the path of your commands,
because that makes me happy.
Make me want to keep your rules
instead of wishing for riches.
Your teachings are worth more to me
than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
Psalm 119:35-36,72 (NCV)

The Bible is one big book, but it is also a unique library of 66 smaller books. Some of them are story books, some are filled with poetry and prayers, some are mostly history or law, while others are letters written to churches. And then there are a few books by prophets, which can be a bit weird, but also wonderful!

The Bible is like an enormous treasure chest, full to the brim with amazing things to teach us, and the writer of today’s Psalm says that it is worth more than thousands of pieces of gold or silver.

Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: What books are we reading at the moment? Are we enjoying them? What books did we really enjoy when we were younger?

  • PAUSE the audio player now

Ask

ASK Prayers

It’s good to do the right thing, not just because we’re told to do it. According to the writer of today’s Psalm, doing the right thing is the way to be happy.

Loving God, as it says in today’s Psalm, we ASK You lead us, each day. As we read the Bible, we ASK You to speak to us – use it to guide us.

  • OPTIONAL: PAUSE the audio player now and pray

Around 1.5 billion people are still waiting for the Bible to be translated into their own language.* That’s a lot of people who cannot share the treasure in the Bible yet.

Loving God, we ASK You to give wisdom and understanding to those who are translating the Bible into new languages. We want every person to be able to read the Bible in their own language!

  • 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.

Psalm 119:35-36,72
Lead me in the path of your commands,
because that makes me happy.
Make me want to keep your rules
instead of wishing for riches.
Your teachings are worth more to me
than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
Psalm 119:35-36,72 (NCV)

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.

Father God, we say YES to treating the Bible, Your Word, like a treasure chest. Every time we open it, we will try to listen and learn from the Holy Spirit, and we look forward to discovering all sorts of new treasures.

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.

* https://wycliffe.org.uk/about/vision

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Your Memory Verse

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Joy

Joy

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.

Max

Max

Max is 9 years old and lives in Melbourne, Australia with his older brother and mum and dad. He often rides his bike to school and enjoys being creative by drawing or building with Lego. Max is also learning how to play the electric guitar and loves turning it up loud!

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