Growing In Faith Together
October 25th 2015
Today’s Texts:
Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 46
Romans 3:19-28
John 8:31-36
Gathered by Grace:
The Reformation strove to recover the gospel of grace: We are justified by grace through faith. The accent shifted from what we do to what God did for us in Christ. Without question, it is God's grace—not our ancestry, bloodline, or good works—that brings us to eternal life
Discuss in your household or small group:
* What theme(s) ties these lessons together?
* “People inherently want to play a part in their own salvation. They like to think they have earned it.” What are your thoughts on that statement?
* What does it mean to have God’s law written on one’s heart?
* If we truly believe that God forgives us freely for Jesus’ sake, then why do so many Christians carry burdens of guilt?
* What does the concept of being “set free in Christ” mean to you?
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 John 8:31-36 Thursday Psalm 11
Monday Romans 3:28 Friday Psalm 119:1-3
Tuesday Galatians 5:13-14 Saturday Romans 3:21-31
Wednesday Philippians 2:4-8 Sunday John 11:32-44
NEXT SUNDAY: Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21:1-6a; John 11:32-44
Try to memorize: God is our refuge and strength,
Prayers for this Week:
For the Week: Reforming God, write your law on my heart so that may your ways might become my ways.
Throughout the Day: Still me so I may know you.
A Blessing to Share: Be still, and know that God is here.
For Mealtime say responsively:
If the Son makes you free: You will be free indeed.
For further reflection
Devotional Practice:
If there is one thing we learn from Reformation Sunday it is that the face of God is a face of compassion, steadfast in love, and longing to forgive. Teresa of Avila would just sit and imagine Jesus is sitting across from her, looking upon her with intense love. Try this prayer a couple of times this week. See the Jesus gaze upon you with compassion, love and forgiveness. Soak in this mercy then say a simple prayer of thanks.
Fall Ritual:
Keep a gratitude journal this fall. Each day, review your list and add one more thing. Think of how many things you will have by Thanksgiving! We tend to fixate on what's going wrong ? or might go wrong. A gratitude journal re-directs our thinking to God’s good gifts.
Scattered to serve:
Next Sunday is All Saints’ Day. Do you know anyone who is grieving a loss – recent or not so recent? Phone them, send a letter or a card, or take them a bunch of flowers or a plate of treats.
Weekly Reflection on these texts at gatheredbygrace.org
October 25th 2015
Today’s Texts: Jeremiah 31:31-34
Psalm 46
Romans 3:19-28
John 8:31-36
Gathered by Grace:
The Reformation strove to recover the gospel of grace: We are justified by grace through faith. The accent shifted from what we do to what God did for us in Christ. Without question, it is God's grace—not our ancestry, bloodline, or good works—that brings us to eternal life
Discuss in your household or small group:
* What theme(s) ties these lessons together?
* “People inherently want to play a part in their own salvation. They like to think they have earned it.” What are your thoughts on that statement?
* What does it mean to have God’s law written on one’s heart?
* If we truly believe that God forgives us freely for Jesus’ sake, then why do so many Christians carry burdens of guilt?
* What does the concept of being “set free in Christ” mean to you?
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 John 8:31-36 Thursday Psalm 11
Monday Romans 3:28 Friday Psalm 119:1-3
Tuesday Galatians 5:13-14 Saturday Romans 3:21-31
Wednesday Philippians 2:4-8 Sunday John 11:32-44
NEXT SUNDAY: Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21:1-6a; John 11:32-44
Try to memorize: God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1
Prayers for this Week:
For the Week: Reforming God, write your law on my heart so that may your ways might become my ways.
Throughout the Day: Still me so I may know you.
A Blessing to Share: Be still, and know that God is here.
For Mealtime say responsively:
If the Son makes you free: You will be free indeed.
Fall Meal Prayer:
We thank the Lord for food and drink,
For appetite and power to think,
For loved ones dear, for home and friends,
For everything the good Lord sends. Amen
We thank the Lord for food and drink,
For appetite and power to think,
For loved ones dear, for home and friends,
For everything the good Lord sends. Amen
For further reflection
Devotional Practice:
If there is one thing we learn from Reformation Sunday it is that the face of God is a face of compassion, steadfast in love, and longing to forgive. Teresa of Avila would just sit and imagine Jesus is sitting across from her, looking upon her with intense love. Try this prayer a couple of times this week. See the Jesus gaze upon you with compassion, love and forgiveness. Soak in this mercy then say a simple prayer of thanks.
Fall Ritual:
Keep a gratitude journal this fall. Each day, review your list and add one more thing. Think of how many things you will have by Thanksgiving! We tend to fixate on what's going wrong ? or might go wrong. A gratitude journal re-directs our thinking to God’s good gifts.
Scattered to serve:
Next Sunday is All Saints’ Day. Do you know anyone who is grieving a loss – recent or not so recent? Phone them, send a letter or a card, or take them a bunch of flowers or a plate of treats.
Weekly Reflection on these texts at gatheredbygrace.org