Thursday December 18th
Hello and welcome to Bay Family Adventures!
As we countdown until Christmas Day, we’re spending time thinking about the Christmas story and drawing near to God together. Each week we look at a different theme — and this week we’re thinking about PEACE.
Let’s 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.
Lord Jesus, we open our minds to learn new things, so that we know more about You. We open our hearts to be filled with Your love, so that we become more like You. And we open our hands to receive all we need to live our lives for You.
Father God, as we draw near to You, please draw near to us too. Teach us to pray. Speak, Lord, we’re listening.
God please help us remember our memory verse for this week:
John 14:27 (NCV)
“I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give like the world. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
Today we are reading from Paul’s letter to the church in Rome, where he talks about how Jesus makes peace between us and God.
Romans 5:1 (NCV)
We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Have you ever fallen out with someone? Sometimes people do things to us that are unkind, and sometimes we do those things to other people as well. When that happens, the only way to repair that relationship is for one to say ‘sorry’, and the other to say ‘I forgive you’. Until those things are said, it’s like there is a wall that stands between those two people.
Even before we said sorry to God for the wrong things we had done, he forgave us.
And St Paul says that because of Jesus, nothing stands between us and God anymore. He makes us friends with God — and that’s the best kind of peace!
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question which is:
Who are your best friends? Have you ever had to forgive them or be forgiven yourself?
And now let’s ask God to help us.
Father God, thank You for sending Jesus so that we can have peace with You. Help us to live as Your friends and share Your peace with others.
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.
Romans 5:1 (NCV)
We have been made right with God because of our faith. So we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verse?
And now let’s say yes to God.
Lord Jesus, we say yes to knowing your love, and receiving your grace – thank you for the peace we have with You — thank You for making us right with God.
After enjoying this time together, lets’ say together our memory verse one more time:
John 14:27 (NCV)
“I leave you peace; my peace I give you. I do not give like the world. So don’t let your hearts be troubled or afraid.”
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.
Let’s point to our mouths.
Lord, please give us the right words and be encouraged to say them.
Amen.