Read
Ephesians 6:10 - 18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
Luke 4:1 - 13
Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing at all during those days, and when they were over, he was famished. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become a loaf of bread.” Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone.’”
Then the devil led him up and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And the devil said to him, “To you I will give their glory and all this authority; for it has been given over to me, and I give it to anyone I please. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” Jesus answered him, “It is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’”
Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,
to protect you,’
and
‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” When the devil had finished every test, he departed from him until an opportune time.
DISCUSS
1. How has your week been?
2. How have you seen God at work in your life this week?
3. Read the passages again.
4. How familiar do you think you are with the Bible?
5. Do you have a part of the Bible that you find particularly inspiring?
6. In what ways could you ask people to help you in your journey?
7. How do you or would you try and live out these verses in your own life?
8. What is challenging in these passages?
9. Is there anything else the passages are saying to me?
10.What am I going to do about it?
11. Who am I going to share it with?
12. Be prepared to share back next week.
PRAY
Almighty God who knows us and loves us deeply, thank you for the Sword of the Spirit which is your word. We pray that you would grow in us a hunger for your word and when we read that we would notice the things that you are pointing out to us. Help us to share our journey with others and live out what we learn. In Christ’s name we pray. AMEN.
Read
Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all, training us to renounce impiety and worldly passions, and in the present age to live lives that are self-controlled, upright, and godly, while we wait for the blessed hope and the manifestation of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He it is who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purify for himself a people of his own who are zealous for good deeds.
Acts 16:25-34
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.” The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.
DISCUSS
1. How has your week been?
2. How have you seen God at work in your life this week?
3. Read the passages again.
4. How do you understand salvation?
5. The reading from Titus talks about salvation has happened but is also still happening. How do you understand this?
6. How would you express what you believe in?
7. How do you or would you try and live out these verses in your own life?
8. What is challenging in these passages?
9. Is there anything else the passages are saying to me?
10.What am I going to do about it?
11. Who am I going to share it with?
12. Be prepared to share back next week.
PRAY
Father God, thank You for the gift of grace that we have in your son and for the Blessed Hope that we have in Jesus. I pray that I may be ever looking for the signs of your kingdom that we may live faithful and fruitful lives. . In Jesus' name I pray that in Your way and in Your time, He will return for His Church and that I would be ready. I pray that the hope that I have in Him would be reignited daily as I look for His soon return. Thank You, Father, and to Him be praise and glory, might, majesty, dominion and power, both now and in the ages to come. Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus, AMEN.
READ
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
Hebrews 11:1-3, 7
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Indeed, by faith our ancestors received approval. By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was made from things that are not visible.
By faith Noah, warned by God about events as yet unseen, respected the warning and built an ark to save his household; by this he condemned the world and became an heir to the righteousness that is in accordance with faith.
DISCUSS
1. How has your week been?
2. How have you seen God at work in your life this week?
3. Read the passages again.
4. How do you understand faith?
5. ‘Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen’ How do you understand this?
6. How would you express what you believe in?
7. How do you or would you try and live out these verses in your own life?
8. What is challenging in these passages?
9. Is there anything else the passages are saying to me?
10.What am I going to do about it?
11. Who am I going to share it with?
12. Be prepared to share back next week.
PRAY
O holy One, we thank you that we stand in a long line of believers who have been faithful through the ages. You have been leading your people through trial and difficulty and have always set before them hope for today and hope for a better tomorrow. We pray that you would bless us in our time as we seek to be as faithful as our forebears. May we too know the faith which is filled with hope in things not seen.
• Give to us a faith like the grain of mustard seed which had small beginnings but which yielded large results.
• Give to us the faith to move the mountains of difficulty which come to each of us.
• Give to us the faith that sees a distant goal and is willing to work to achieve it.
• Give to us a faith which has a vision of a new world where peace and love characterize the transactions of people and of nations and where war is no more.
• Give to us a faith such as Abraham’s to move forward not knowing our destination but trusting in your guiding providence.
• Give to us a faith which is able to endure those moments of personal disquiet and to trust that you are with us.
• Give to us a faith which sees the welfare of humankind as our business because it is the focus of your enduring love for your people.
• Give to us a faith which sees beyond the years to an eternal city.
God, give us faith to walk with you through the ebb and flow and the victories and the defeats of life and to achieve victory and mastery of life.
Amen
READ
Psalm 144:12
"Make our sons in their prime like sturdy oak trees, Our daughters as shapely and bright as fields of wildflowers." (The Message)
Micah 6:6-8
“With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
DISCUSS
1. How has your week been?
2. How have you seen God at work in your life this week?
3. Read the passages again.
4. What does it say God requires of us?
5. This week we are focussing on school chaplaincy. What is your experience with a school chaplain?
6. How do you think these verses relate to the work that school chaplains do?
7. How do you or would you try and live out these verses in your own life?
8. What is challenging in these passages?
9. Is there anything else the passages are saying to me?
10.What am I going to do about it?
11. Who am I going to share it with?
12. Be prepared to share back next week.
PRAY
Loving God
We pray for the chaplains who serve in our schools, colleges, universities and institutions of learning, We give thanks for their commitment and passion for the role that you have called them to. We pray that they have the courage, wisdom and stamina to support the children, students and staff. We pray also for the Local Chaplaincy Committees and all of those who support our chaplains.
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." Ephesians 3:20
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
READ
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
Luke 22:47-53
While he was still speaking, suddenly a crowd came, and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him; but Jesus said to him, “Judas, is it with a kiss that you are betraying the Son of Man?” When those who were around him saw what was coming, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” Then one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple police, and the elders who had come for him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a bandit? When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness!”
DISCUSS
- How has your week been?
- How have you seen God at work in your life this week?
- Read the passages again.
- What do you think it means to proclaim a gospel of peace?
- How do we live this out as a disciple of Jesus?
- Do you think Christians should go to war?
- What is challenging in these passages?
- Is there anything else the passages are saying to me?
- What am I going to do about it?
- Who am I going to share it with?
- Be prepared to share back next week.
PRAY
Father God, thank You for your Armor which is given to me to fight against the enemy. I know that my war is not against flesh and blood so therefore I stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around my waist thank you for your word. Your word is truth and I pray that every decision that I make today would be based on your word. I put the breastplate of righteousness in place to protect my heart for out of the heart the mouth speaks. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Oh Lord my Rock and my Redeemer, and with my feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, I take up the shield of faith, with which I can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. I believe your word and I have faith in it.. Taking the helmet of salvation to protect my mind, my thoughts, my dreams, my vision and what I see. Thank you for saving me. And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Give me the scriptures that I need to speak against the enemy when he comes to attack me, in Jesus Name Amen.
READ
Ephesians 6:10-17;
Matthew 23
DISCUSS
- How has your week been?
- How have you seen God at work in your life this week?
- Read the passages again.
- Do you believe that we are in a spiritual battle?
- Is there a devil or an evil being?
- What do you think is the role of truth, or the belt of truth?
- What does this say about living a Christian life/
- What is challenging in these passages?
- Is there anything else the passages are saying to me?
- What am I going to do about it?
- Who am I going to share it with?
- Be prepared to share back next week.
PRAY
Father God, thank You for your Armor which is given to me to fight against the enemy. I know that my war is not against flesh and blood so therefore I stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around my waist thank you for your word. Your word is truth and I pray that every decision that I make today would be based on your word. I put the breastplate of righteousness in place to protect my heart for out of the heart the mouth speaks. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Oh Lord my Rock and my Redeemer, and with my feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, I take up the shield of faith, with which I can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. I believe your word and I have faith in it.. Taking the helmet of salvation to protect my mind, my thoughts, my dreams, my vision and what I see. Thank you for saving me. And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Give me the scriptures that I need to speak against the enemy when he comes to attack me, in Jesus Name Amen.
READ
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.
DISCUSS
- How has your week been?
- How have you seen God at work in your life this week?
- Read the passages again.
- Do you believe that we are in a spiritual battle?
- Is there a devil or an evil being?
- What do you think is the role of truth, or the belt of truth?
- What does this say about living a Christian life/
- What is challenging in these passages?
- Is there anything else the passages are saying to me?
- What am I going to do about it?
- Who am I going to share it with?
- Be prepared to share back next week.
PRAY
Father God, thank You for your Armor which is given to me to fight against the enemy. I know that my war is not against flesh and blood so therefore I stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around my waist thank you for your word. Your word is truth and I pray that every decision that I make today would be based on your word. I put the breastplate of righteousness in place to protect my heart for out of the heart the mouth speaks. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Oh Lord my Rock and my Redeemer, and with my feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, I take up the shield of faith, with which I can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. I believe your word and I have faith in it.. Taking the helmet of salvation to protect my mind, my thoughts, my dreams, my vision and what I see. Thank you for saving me. And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Give me the scriptures that I need to speak against the enemy when he comes to attack me, in Jesus Name Amen.
3 October 2021
READ
Psalm 119:105-112 Nun
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to observe your righteous ordinances.
I am severely afflicted; give me life, O Lord, according to your word.
Accept my offerings of praise, O Lord, and teach me your ordinances.
I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.
Your decrees are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart.
I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.
John 1:1-5,
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
DISCUSS
1. How has your week been?
2. How have you seen God at work in your life this week?
3. Read the passages again.
4. What does it mean for the bible to be a light and a lamp?
5. What does it mean for Jesus to be the light of the world?
6. How do we understand the bible to give us guidance for our life?
7. What is challenging in these passages?
8. Is there anything else the passages are saying to me?
9. What am I going to do about it?
10. Who am I going to share it with?
- 11. Be prepared to share back next week.
PRAY
Thank you for your word that is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. Thank you that we can rely upon your word for guidance and protection. Thank you Lord, that you are the light of the world, for being a light in the dark places of the world and the dark places of our lives. Our hope is in God, for you are the light of the world and you call us to be lights for others. May your light and love blaze in us and in all the world. Amen.
BUSY HANDS – God’s word is a lamp
Start with the lantern template (attached), and some pens, pencils or crayons.
Using Psalm 119, Mark 12:28-34 and other verses or words that you hear during worship, write or draw pictures of what sticks out to you on the lantern. Cut along the solid lines, and fold along the dotted lines then put the lantern together and hang it somewhere to remind you that God’s word is a lamp to your feet and a light to your path.
Also, write your favorite verse on a post-it note and add it to the large lantern in the church foyer.
26 September 2021
READ
Psalm 119:89-96 Lamedh
The Lord exists forever; your word is firmly fixed in heaven.
Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
By your appointment they stand today, for all things are your servants.
If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my misery.
I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.
I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.
The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your decrees.
I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
2 Kings 22:1-2, 8, 11-13, 23:1-4
1-2 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
8 The high priest Hilkiah said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.” When Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, he read it.
11-13 When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. Then the king commanded the priest Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary, and the king’s servant Asaiah, saying, “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our ancestors did not obey the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”
23:1-4 Then the king directed that all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem should be gathered to him. The king went up to the house of the Lord, and with him went all the people of Judah, all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great; he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord. The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord, keeping his commandments, his decrees, and his statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. All the people joined in the covenant.
The king commanded the high priest Hilkiah, the priests of the second order, and the guardians of the threshold, to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel.
DISCUSS
1. How has your week been?
2. How have you seen God at work in your life this week?
3. Read the passages again.
4. What do these passages tell us about God?
5. What do the passages tell us about our relationship with God?
6. How do we understand the bible to give us guidance for our life?
7. What is challenging in these passages?
8. Is there anything else the passages are saying to me?
9. What am I going to do about it?
- 10. Who am I going to share it with?
PRAY
You, Lord, are our Counsellor, Comforter and Keeper. Help me to live for you by your word. Help me to keep my way pure. Right at our fingertips, we have access to you through your word. This is amazing and yet so often we turn to everything but you for wisdom and counsel. So, would you help me think of you first, and go to you with all things? Would you bend my ears to your truth and renew my mind by it? Would you fill me with wisdom and truth, guide my decisions, and guard my mind from the enemy. Satan would love nothing more than for me to forget the gospel and fall prey to lies about who I am. But, O Lord, I pray your voice would always be louder and that I will never forget that you call me Beloved. We ask all this in Jesus name
BUSY HANDS – Scroll Acrostic
Using the Scroll Acrostic template (attached) or a blank piece of paper and some pens, pencils or crayons, write down words that you hear during worship or about God and His word – one or more words for every letter of the English alphabet. Add your scroll to the mural in the church foyer.