In the Beginning: Day 1
Read: Genesis 1 & John 1:1-18
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Talk about it (Click here to add thoughts to the community message board)
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What do you think it means to be “made in God’s image”? How does it make you feel?
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What do you learn about Jesus (or The Word) from these verses?
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How do you think Genesis 1 and John 1 are connected? (Flip to pages 13–15 if you want to reread Genesis 1.)
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Who was John and what was his job?
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What does this passage say about why Jesus came?
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Closing Thought
In Genesis 1 we saw how God created everything, and everything God created was good. In John 1, God reveals even more of himself through his Son, Jesus. Because Jesus is the light of the world, we can travel through our lives with his light guiding us, showing us faith, hope, and love, even in the darkest times. The whole world is illuminated with the true light that gives light! Through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, we can find meaning and light in a world of darkness.
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Prayer Prompt
The passage we read today talked about the light shining in the darkness and how the darkness has not overcome it. Sometimes it feels as if the darkness in our world overpowers the good. Let’s pray today that God would show us his light, his hope, and his peace, even when things feel hopeless, dark, and scary. You might also pray Psalm 23, one of the most beloved poems in the Bible. God’s light triumphs over darkness and will never leave us.
Optional Activity: Shine a Little Light
Gather a candle and a match and come together in one room of your house. Draw the shades and turn off lamps until the room is as dark as you can make it, then light the candle. How did the darkness make you feel? What happened to the darkness when the candle was lit? How did the light make you feel? Talk about how God is described as the light of the world, the true light that gives light, and think some more about what that means for us.
The Lost Son: Day 2
Read: Luke 15:11-32
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Talk About It
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How does the father respond to his younger son when the son asks for his inheritance?
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What is the father’s response when he sees his younger son coming home?
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How does the older son react to the party given in his brother’s honor?
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Do you relate more to the older son or to the younger son? Why?
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Which son does the father love more?
Closing Thought
At first it seems as though the younger son is the foolish one and the older son is the good one, but both sons miss the mark. The younger son makes poor choices and then tries to figure out how to get back into his father’s favor, and the older son feels entitled and jealous of the father’s love and celebration. What the Father wants is for both sons to return to him. He wants both sons to love him and to love one another. Jesus told this story so people could understand God better. God is the Father in this story. The Father’s love is so big that he has no trouble welcoming back the son who made lots of poor choices. The Father’s love is so big that he doesn’t hesitate to find the son who feels like his good behavior should have earned him greater favor. The Father’s love fills every heart and shouts, “You are worthy, you are worthy, you are worthy!”
Prayer Prompt
Pray through Psalm 139, a poem about how intimately God knows us, how present God is with us, and how committed God is to guiding us through the Holy Spirit to a life filled with faith, hope, and joy.
Optional Activity: Feast!
Let’s celebrate how big God’s love is and how much he wants us to keep returning to him. Plan a meal of your favorite foods. Prepare the feast together, and when you’re ready to dine, give a toast to celebrate something special about each person around the table.
The Burning Bush: Day 3
Read: Exodus 3:1-4:17​
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Talk About It
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If you saw a bush on fire and it began speaking to you, what would you say or do?
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What does God ask Moses to do? How does Moses react?
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Have you ever felt like someone was asking you to do something greater than you thought you were capable?
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What are some ways Moses addresses the fears of Moses?
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Have you ever experienced God speaking to you in your fears?
Closing Thought
In this story, Moses doesn't just argue with God, he flat out tells God "no thanks!" It is here that we see God's love and patience in a new way. First God tells Moses that "I will be with you" and then says "I am who I am" so basically God is saying "You can trust that I will be with you through everything but I am exactly who I say I am - God!" God reassures Moses that God will walk with him through the difficult things and they will work together. God can do amazing things through us when we follow God's call, even when it's difficult.
Prayer Prompt
It takes courage to trust God to not leave us when things get tough. Take time to thank God for being with you always and for all the wonderful things God has and can do through you.
Optional Activity: Fire!
With nicer weather upon us, considering spending time outside around a campfire. Take time to share stories about experiences you have had where you knew that God was with you and working through you.
The Burning Bush: Day 4
Read: Mark 4:35-41
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Talk About It
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How do you think the disciples felt when the storm started?
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Have you ever been scared around lots of water or by a storm?
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What do you think your reaction would be if you saw someone command wind & water to be still and they listened?
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How do the disciples feel after this experience?
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Have you ever experienced God calming your fear amid a 'storm' - whether physical or emotional?
Closing Thought
Prayer Prompt
God’s protection and faithfulness appear everywhere in the Bible! Let’s remind ourselves of his protection and shelter by praying through Psalm 91.
The Temptation: Day 5
Read: Matthew 4:1-11
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Talk About It
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When was Jesus tested—when he was strongest, or when he was weakest?
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What kinds of things did the Devil use to test Jesus?
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What did Jesus use to answer the Devil?
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What do you learn about Jesus from these verses?
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What kind of things are you tempted by? How are those the same or different from Jesus?
Closing Thought
Often times, the things that we are most tempted by reflect some form of need in our own life. We are tempted by food when we are hungry. We are tempted by lust when our need for intimacy and connection aren't being met. We are tempted to steal when our resources are low. We are tempted to lie when our hearts are fearful of rejection and we aren't feeling accepted. This is a reflection of the human condition. Jesus was no stranger to this - yet he refuses all the things Satan offers. What strength!
Prayer Prompt
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Optional Activity: Share God's Bread with Others
The 'Blessed': Day 6
Read: Matthew 5:1-20
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Talk About It
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When you think of being blessed, what comes to mind?
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How does Jesus define being blessed by God?
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What does salt do for food? What does it mean to be “the salt of the earth”?
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What does Jesus say about the Law the Israelites had been following?
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Closing Thought
Prayer Prompt
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Optional Activity: Pass the Salt!
Give it Away: Day 7
Read: Mark 10:17-27
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Talk About It
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What was Jesus challenging the young man to do in order to get eternal life?
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Why do you think Jesus says that it’s hard for people who “have it all” to enter God’s kingdom?
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Do you find it easy or hard to part with your stuff?
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What makes you want to hold on to things?
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How do you think the commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” applies to wealth and “having it all”?
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The disciples are pretty flabbergasted by this teaching because it’s impossible to meet this standard! How do you think God makes it possible?
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Does this mean we’re supposed to give everything away? Should we buy anything?
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Closing Thought
Prayer Prompt
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Optional Activity: Listen and Give!
Take Courage: Day 8
Setting up the Scene
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Read: Joshua 2
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Talk About It
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What do the two spies learn from Rahab about the people of Jericho?
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Why do you think Rahab hid the spies?
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When have you needed to be strong and courageous? Was it difficult? Why was it hard?
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Have you ever done something you knew was right even though your friends or family thought you were wrong?
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Closing Thought
Prayer Prompt
Setting up the Scene
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Read: 1 Samuel 1
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Talk About It
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Have you ever wanted something so bad it hurt? What was it?
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How was that longing satisfied? Did it just go away, or did you get what you longed for?
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Do you think it’s okay to ask God for things? What’s okay to ask from God?
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We’ve been doing a lot of praying with these talks. What do you think it means to pray?
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Closing Thought
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