Matthew 2:1-12 Fall on Your Knees Summary: Today let's keep listening to the amazing history of Jesus' birth. Matthew tells us of wise men who come from far away to worship Jesus. But others who heard about Jesus' being born either felt threatened by him, or didn't seem to care at all. What is your attitude toward Jesus today? Let's think about it: Outline: 1. Unlikely worshippers of Jesus 2. Unexpected enemies of Jesus 3. Important gifts for Jesus Verse: Matthew 2:2 “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.

Isaiah 42:1-9 NRSV

Matthew 1:18-25 God With Us Summary: It is finally December, and we get to celebrate the birth of Jesus all month! Today, let's listen to Matthew's Gospel as he tells us of Jesus' birth: Outline: 1. Jesus is the long-expected king 2. Jesus is the Holy one of God 3. Jesus is the Savior we need 4. Jesus is God with us Verse: Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why does Matthew give a long genealogy of Jesus' ancestors before telling us of His birth? Why is it important for us? 2. Do you struggle to believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, without a human father? Why is that truth so important for our salvation? 3. What does the news of God with us - the

Habakkuk 1:1-3; 2:1-4; 3:17-19 NRSV

Isaiah 2:1-4 NRSV

Exodus 23:1-9 Justice for All Summary: Sometimes we get into an argument with a friend, brother or sister, or our parents. We live in a world full of sin and conflict, and God wants to guide us into godliness, even through the messes of life. Let's think about how we should treat others in conflict: Outline: How do we speak about our enemy in a conflict? How do we love our enemy in a conflict? How do we seek to be godly in a conflict? Verse: Matthew 5:44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What does God mean in Ex. 23:1 when he commands us not to spread a

God our Guardian Exodus 22:16-31 God guards family life God guards true worship God guards the vulnerable Verse: Psalm 121:1–2 I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? 2 My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. These laws in Exodus 22 might seem like they are unrelated at first. What might be a common thread that ties them together? What do they show us about God's character, and his desires for his people? 2. Although we do not live in the Old Testament nation of Israel, how might the principles in these laws help us reflect God's care and compassion toward others? 3. How might these laws be reflected in the heart and ministry of Jesus? 4. How might God be calling you to change and reflect his character in one of the areas?

Psalm 60; Rejection: Rejection (vv 1-5) Reminder (vv 6-8) Confidence (vv 9-12) Memory verse Psalm 60:11 Oh, grant us help against the foe, for vain is the salvation of man!

Exodus 22:1-15 Restitution Summary: While we might all agree that stealing is wrong, the question is, how do we make things right when someone steals? Let's look at Exodus today to hear about the laws of

2 Samuel 11:1-5, 26-27, 12:1-9 NRSV

Joshua 24:1-26

Exodus 21:12-36 Framing a Just Society Intro: Sometimes when someone commits a crime, we wonder what will happen to them. Will they be punished? Will there be justice? God helps us understand how we should seek justice in a world that is often unjust. Let's listen to God speak to us in Exodus 21: 1. Crimes that deserve death 2. Outbursts that lead to harm 3. Negligence that brings loss 4. How to live justly in an unjust world Verse: Romans 7:12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How does this passage help us understand what a just society could look like? What parts of these laws make you uncomfortable? Why? 2. How does this help us see that

Exodus 21:1-11 Free at Last Summary: Sometimes we read things in the Bible that are hard to understand. Today's passage talks about slavery, but not in the way we might think. Let's think about God's heart for justice among his people, and what it means to be servants of Jesus. Outline: 1. God's heart to protect the weak 2. God's path to true freedom Verse: John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What aspects of this passage sound odd to our ears? How does slavery in this passage differ from the view of chattel slavery, for example in America's history? 2. How do these verses give specific application of any of God's Ten Commandments? 3. How does this passage reveal God's heart to protect the vulnerable? How should it apply to us today? 4. How might this passage help us understand what it means to be lifelong servants of Jesus?

Exodus 19:3-7 NRSV

God Sees You (and that’s good news) Genesis 16:1-14

Exodus 14:5-7, 10-14, 21-29 NRSV

Exodus 20:22-26 Come to the Altar Summary: We're back in Exodus! So far we've heard in Exodus about God's amazing acts of power and mercy, rescuing his people from slavery. Now that they are delivered, what should they do? It is a great question. Since we have been saved by Jesus, what should we do? Let's think about that question today as God gives directions for his rescued people to live a life of worship. Outline: 1. God's rescued people put away idolatry 2. God's rescued people worship Him 3. God's rescued people never stop needing forgiveness Verse: Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why might these words have been given to Israel immediately after the Ten Commandments? 2. God again warned his people against idolatry. Author Philip Ryken tells us that idolatry happens when

Genesis 39

Do Not Fear, Only Believe Mark 5:21-43 Summary: Have you ever wondered how much faith we need to be saved? Do I need a big faith, a strong faith? Today Jesus performs two amazing miracles: he heals a woman who had been sick for twelve years, and then he raises a twelve year old girl from the dead. When our mighty Savior did these things, he helped us see that even weak faith in a strong Jesus is what we need to have eternal life. Outline: 1. God will often stretch our faith 2. Weak faith in Jesus is still true faith 3. True faith trusts in Jesus alone to save Verse: Mark 5:36b Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.

Genesis 12:1-7 NRSV