G.I.F.T.
Growing In Faith Together
July 26th 2015
Today’s Texts:
2 Kings 4:42-44
Psalm 145:10-18
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 6:1-21
Gathered by Grace:
Today is the first of five Sundays with gospel readings from John 6. Today Jesus feeds thousands of people with five loaves and two fish. What we bring to Jesus' table seems like it is not nearly enough to meet all the needs we see. But it is not our supplies or skills that makes the difference: it is the power of Jesus working in the littlest and least to transform this world into the world God desires, a world where all the hungry are satisfied.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* What does the phrase “breaking bread together” mean to you?
* What are crowds looking for today? When we see traffic streaming into places like malls and athletic centers, what hunger are they seeking to fill?
* What if God responded to your prayer for the world's needs with the question, "What do you have?" How would you answer?
* What do you think you think is the main message of this scripture?
Try to memorize You satisfy the desire of every living thing.
this verse: Psalm 145:16b
Daily Bible Readings:
These readings are related to the Sunday readings. M-W reflect upon the past Sunday’s readings and Th-Sa prepare for the next Sunday. Try to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passage.
Sunday Mark 6:1-21 Thursday Psalm 78:23-25
Monday Philippians 4:10-20 Friday Exodus 13:3-6
Tuesday Psalm 111:1-5 Saturday Matthew 16:5-12
Wednesday Mark 6:6-9 Sunday John 6:24-35
NEXT SUNDAY: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15; Psalm 78:23-29; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35
Prayers for this Week:
For the Week: Grant that Christ may dwell within in me so I am rooted and grounded in love.
For Throughout the Day: Gracious God, accomplish abundantly in me more than I can imagine.
A Blessing to Share: God’s hand opens wide and satisfies the desire of every living thing
For Mealtime:
Say responsively: The eyes of all turn to God: God gives them food in due season.
Meal Prayer from Bible Camp:
tune- Lone Ranger/William Tell Overture
God is great and God is good!
And we thank God for this food.
By God’s hand we all are fed.
Give us Lord our daily bread!
NOTE: Improvise on the “Amens” then go back to the words.
Devotional Practice:
Jesus feeds people abundantly in this week’s Gospel, demonstrating God’s gracious generosity. During prayer time this week, reflect upon and rest in God’s generous love for you. What has God been able to “accomplish abundantly” (Eph. 3:20) in your life? Now look into your life and notice where you withhold your own gifts of love. Who is most in need of the generosity of your heart? Who gets left out most often? Close your eyes and picture yourself being generous toward someone who needs your kindness.
Summer Ritual:
Everything in our universe is incredible – from the tiny blue flowers blooming in the yard to the puffy white clouds in the sky. What do you love to see in nature? What smell delights you? What sounds do you stop to listen for? What tastes satisfy? This summer start each morning with a simple prayer: Lord, show me something incredible. Amen. Then watch to see what the treasure is. When you find it, in your mind add a tag “Made by God”.
Scattered to serve:
How can you share your bread with those who are in need?
Growing In Faith Together
July 26th 2015
Today’s Texts:
2 Kings 4:42-44
Psalm 145:10-18
Ephesians 3:14-21
John 6:1-21
Gathered by Grace:
Today is the first of five Sundays with gospel readings from John 6. Today Jesus feeds thousands of people with five loaves and two fish. What we bring to Jesus' table seems like it is not nearly enough to meet all the needs we see. But it is not our supplies or skills that makes the difference: it is the power of Jesus working in the littlest and least to transform this world into the world God desires, a world where all the hungry are satisfied.
Discuss in your household or small group:
* What does the phrase “breaking bread together” mean to you?
* What are crowds looking for today? When we see traffic streaming into places like malls and athletic centers, what hunger are they seeking to fill?
* What if God responded to your prayer for the world's needs with the question, "What do you have?" How would you answer?
* What do you think you think is the main message of this scripture?
Try to memorize You satisfy the desire of every living thing.
this verse: Psalm 145:16b
Daily Bible Readings:
These readings are related to the Sunday readings. M-W reflect upon the past Sunday’s readings and Th-Sa prepare for the next Sunday. Try to take time each day to read the assigned Bible passage.
Sunday Mark 6:1-21 Thursday Psalm 78:23-25
Monday Philippians 4:10-20 Friday Exodus 13:3-6
Tuesday Psalm 111:1-5 Saturday Matthew 16:5-12
Wednesday Mark 6:6-9 Sunday John 6:24-35
NEXT SUNDAY: Exodus 16:2-4, 9-15; Psalm 78:23-29; Ephesians 4:1-16; John 6:24-35
Prayers for this Week:
For the Week: Grant that Christ may dwell within in me so I am rooted and grounded in love.
For Throughout the Day: Gracious God, accomplish abundantly in me more than I can imagine.
A Blessing to Share: God’s hand opens wide and satisfies the desire of every living thing
For Mealtime:
Say responsively: The eyes of all turn to God: God gives them food in due season.
Meal Prayer from Bible Camp:
tune- Lone Ranger/William Tell Overture
God is great and God is good!
And we thank God for this food.
By God’s hand we all are fed.
Give us Lord our daily bread!
NOTE: Improvise on the “Amens” then go back to the words.
Devotional Practice:
Jesus feeds people abundantly in this week’s Gospel, demonstrating God’s gracious generosity. During prayer time this week, reflect upon and rest in God’s generous love for you. What has God been able to “accomplish abundantly” (Eph. 3:20) in your life? Now look into your life and notice where you withhold your own gifts of love. Who is most in need of the generosity of your heart? Who gets left out most often? Close your eyes and picture yourself being generous toward someone who needs your kindness.
Summer Ritual:
Everything in our universe is incredible – from the tiny blue flowers blooming in the yard to the puffy white clouds in the sky. What do you love to see in nature? What smell delights you? What sounds do you stop to listen for? What tastes satisfy? This summer start each morning with a simple prayer: Lord, show me something incredible. Amen. Then watch to see what the treasure is. When you find it, in your mind add a tag “Made by God”.
Scattered to serve:
How can you share your bread with those who are in need?