Walking Together in the Word
Devotional guide for the week of Feb. 15-Feb. 20, 2021
Welcome to Walking Together in the Word!
These devotional materials guide you through the Bible readings for the February 21, 2021 Sunday worship service. We pray they are a blessing to you and your family!
Why study God's Word and pray together?
- Bible study and prayer strengthens faith and brings you closer to God and to one another.
- Study of readings and hymns for the weekend prepares you for worship.
- The way parents express and model their faith helps shape young people’s faith lives.
- God's Word gives life!---new life now and eternal life with Jesus in heaven. (John 20:31)
About this Devotional Study Guide
- Five Days of devotional material. Catch up or review on the 6th day, worship on Sunday!
- Bible Readings are the LCMS 3-year lectionary readings for the upcoming Sunday.
- Talk about It and Dig Deeper guide discussion and meditation on the Bible passages.
- Kid Talk has questions and activities especially for kids and families.
- Prayer starters are given--add your own as well! Scroll to the bottom for the Lord's Prayer and Luther's Morning and Evening Prayers.
Opening and Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.
Read Mark 1:9-15 from your Bible, or
Talk about it
Mark’s account of the temptation of Jesus is the shortest of the evangelists. Read Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13 to learn more details of the account.
- What does it mean for us in our lives as Christians that Jesus overcame all temptations and passed all tests? (See Hebrews 4:14-16)
Listen and Sing: "Strong Enough"
Kid Talk
Read Mark 1:9-15.
Do you know what it means to tempt someone? It means to cause someone to want to do something wrong. The devil tempted Jesus to do wrong things. The devil tempts us to do wrong things too. We sometimes give in and sin. But Jesus never did! Jesus never sinned. He overcame the devil’s temptations. He helps us resist temptation too.
- What can you do the next time you're tempted to do something you shouldn't do? (hint: fold your hands . . .)
Digging Deeper
Meditate on this section of Scripture, using these prompts:
- What thoughts come to mind as you read this passage?
- What is confusing or surprising about this passage?
- What does this passage teach you about God, His love for you, and His will for your life?
Then pray over the passage, talk about it with a friend or spiritual mentor, and explore further by reading the notes in a study Bible.
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Psalm 25:5
Closing and Prayer
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Throughout the week, write prayers of praise, thanksgiving, and requests in a prayer journal or on a sheet of paper. Take turns praying when you gather for devotions.
Opening and Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.
Read Genesis 22:1-18 from your Bible, or
Talk about it
Every parent must feel the torture in Abraham’s heart as he makes his way to the place of sacrifice with his son.
- Can anyone love so much that he would sacrifice his own son? (See John 3:16)
- Read verse 5 again. What did Abraham tell his servants?
- What do these words tell us about Abraham’s expectations of God concerning Isaac?
Kid Talk
Read Genesis 22:1-18. Focus on verses 12-18.
God tested Abraham. Abraham obeyed and trusted God. God would never have us do something wrong. God always does what is best for us. Abraham did not have to give up his son, but God did. God gave up His Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay for our sins. What a loving God we have!
Listen and Sing: "Eternal Life (John 3:16)"
Digging Deeper
Meditate on this section of Scripture, using these prompts:
- What thoughts come to mind as you read this passage?
- What is confusing or surprising about this passage?
- What does this passage teach you about God, His love for you, and His will for your life?
Then pray over the passage, talk about it with a friend or spiritual mentor, and explore further by reading the notes in a study Bible.
Closing and Prayers
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Pray the Lord's Prayer, Luther's Morning or Evening Prayers, and/or add your own prayers.
Opening and Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.
Read James 1:12-18 from your Bible, or
Talk about it
It is clear that God does not tempt us to sin. It is our own evil desires that cause us to fall into sin.
- But whom do we blame for our sins? Who did Adam and Eve blame (Genesis 3:11-13)? Why are we so hesitant to blame ourselves?
- Since God does not change in any way, what peace and assurance does that give us when we are tempted by the devil or our own sinful desires?
Read and focus on James 1:12-18.
When we are tempted to sin, we can’t say, “It’s God’s fault.” God doesn’t tempt us. But He does help us do what’s right. Only good comes from God!
- What are some of the good gifts that come from God?
Listen and Sing: "No Greater Gift"
Download a Coloring Page on the Epistle
Musical Meditation on the Hymn of the Day: "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God"
Digging Deeper
Meditate on this section of Scripture, using these prompts:
- What thoughts come to mind as you read this passage?
- What is confusing or surprising about this passage?
- What does this passage teach you about God, His love for you, and His will for your life?
Then pray over the passage, talk about it with a friend or spiritual mentor, and explore further by reading the notes in a study Bible.
Closing and Prayer
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Pray the Lord's Prayer, Luther's Morning or Evening Prayers, and/or add your own prayers.
Opening and Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.
Read Psalm 25:1-10 from your Bible, or
Talk about it
Martin Luther wrote that Psalm 25 “belongs to the Second Commandment and the Second Petition (of the Lord’s Prayer).”
- Where in this psalm do you see this?
Read verses 6-7 again.
- What is the psalmist asking God to remember and to not remember? Take time to make this prayer your own.
Listen to "Psalm 25:1-10 Song"
Kid Talk
Read Psalm 25:1-10.
The psalmist (the person who wrote this psalm) asked God to guide him and teach him to do what is right.
- Why is God a good teacher? What does God teach us?
Digging Deeper
Meditate on this section of Scripture, using these prompts:
- What thoughts come to mind as you read this passage?
- What is confusing or surprising about this passage?
- What does this passage teach you about God, His love for you, and His will for your life?
Then pray over the passage, talk about it with a friend or spiritual mentor, and explore further by reading the notes in a study Bible.
Closing and Prayer
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Pray the Lord's Prayer, Luther's Morning or Evening Prayers, and/or add your own prayers.
Opening and Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Heavenly Father, bless our time together as we study Your Word. Amen.
Jesus, Lead Thou On -- LSB 718
Jesus, lead Thou on
Till our rest is won;
We will follow calm and fearless. And although the way be cheerless,
Guide us by Thy hand
To our fatherland.
If the way be drear,
If the foe be near,
Let not faithless fears o’ertake us;
Let not faith and hope forsake us;
For through many_a woe
To our home we go.
When we seek relief
From a long-felt grief,
When temptations come alluring,
Make us patient and enduring.
Show us that bright shore
Where we weep no more.
Jesus, lead Thou on
Till our rest is won.
Heav’nly leader, still direct us,
Still support, console, protect us,
Till we safely stand
In our fatherland.
Public domain
Talk about it
As we look forward to the gift of heaven, how does this hymn describe the journey that we travel as Christians?
- What words from the hymn give special peace and comfort to you?
Closing and Prayer
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all (2 Corinthians 13:14).
Pray the Lord's Prayer, Luther's Morning or Evening Prayers, and/or add your own prayers.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther's Morning Prayer
I thank you my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Luther's Evening Prayer
I thank you my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ Your dear Son, that you have graciously kept me this day; and I pray that You would forgive me all my sins where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
Chapel of the Cross--Lutheran
Chapel of the Cross--Lutheran exists to show the love of Jesus to North County and beyond, so that all may have a living relationship with Christ.
Our Core Values:
- Empowered by the cross of Christ
- People working together
- Opening the Word to all people
- Showing the love of Jesus
- Warm and supportive environment
