Text: 1 Corinthians 1:1-13 Title: Christ for You

Exodus 29 A Holy Priesthood Summary: Some parts of the Bible seem hard to understand. We might ask why God wants us to know them. Why did God want such a huge process to set apart his priests? Do we still need a priest today? The process might seem strange (and even gross) to us now, because God required sacrificing many animals. Let's think about why: Outline: 1. Anointing for service 2. Offerings for service 3. God promises to come in glory Verse: Hebrews 9:22b ...without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why do you think there was such an involved process to prepare the priests for ministry? As you read about all the offerings required to prepare and ordain the priests, what does it tell you about the priests themselves? 2. How does this process foreshadow all that Jesus would accomplish for us? 3. In what sense are we all now

Exodus 28 Holy Clothes Summary: As we have been following the story of God's rescue of his people in Exodus, we've seen that God wanted to have a place to dwell with his people (called the tabernacle). He also wanted priests to serve in his presence. Priests were people whom God called to the holy work of offering up sacrifices and ministering in his presence. Today let's listen as God calls them to make special clothes to set them apart for this holy work, and why it is important for us: 1. The priests reflect God's holiness, glory and beauty 2. The priests represent God's people before Him 3. The priests point us to our great high priest Verse: Hebrews 4:14

Exodus 26-27 God's Dwelling Place Summary: Today our text in Exodus is long and full of little details about building a place called

Exodus 25 Sacred Furniture Summary: Do you have pop up books at home? Maybe you've read them with your parents before. When you turn the page, the pictures pop up and we see the story come to life. Today, we're going to see God show us amazing pictures of his salvation when he tells Israel to build a place for them to meet with God, called the tabernacle. Every part of the tabernacle shows us something of God's great salvation. Let's listen today for the

Exodus 24:12-18 Ascending God's Mountain Summary: It is hard to imagine what happened to Moses in this passage we're going to look at today. Imagine getting invited up a mountain, covered in a bright cloud filled with the glory of God! But one day we too will see the glory of God, if we trust in Jesus as our Savior. Let's think about it: Outline: 1. God's law is our guide 2. God's glory is our future Verse: John 1:14a And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. It is very likely that God called Moses up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments, written in stone. Why are they so central to the life of God's people? In what ways do you need the instruction of God's law this week? 2. When God called Moses up, he left Aaron and Hur in a place of leadership. Why was it so important for Moses to leave someone with this role? 3. How is Moses' experience on the mountain described? Moses alone was allowed to actually enter into the glory of the Lord. In what sense is this picturing fulfilled in Jesus? How will we as his people one day experience this?

Exodus 24:1-11 The Covenant Confirmed Summary: Today we're going to look at what might be one of the most important chapters in all of the Old Testament. It is a moment when God allows himself to be seen by his people. Can you imagine? It is what we hope for, that one day we'll be in heaven and get to see him face to face! God invited the elders of Israel to some up his mountain to renew his promises, and to see him. Let's listen in: Outline: 1. The book of the covenant 2. The blood of the covenant 3. The hope of the covenant: to see God Verse: Exodus 24:8

Exodus 23:20-33 Bound for Promised Land Summary: Today we get back to the history of God's people in Exodus, where God tells them about the journey to the promised land. He promises his angel, warns them of the temptations to sin, commands them to obey, and promises to give them blessing and victory. Let's see how this all applies to us: What does life on the way to the promised land look like? 1. God promises his guardian 2. God promises victory 3. God warns of the dangers 4. God tells of a lifelong struggle on the way to glory Verse: Exodus 23:20 Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Who might this angel be that God promised to Israel? What divine attributes does he possess and why might that be important in helping us understand his role? 2. What promises are given to Israel in this passage? How might those promises also apply to us who have believed in Jesus? 3. Israel was warned about the danger of compromise with the world and the temptation to follow after the gods of these other nations. What temptations and allurements might also be a danger for you? How does this passage help us and teach us about the fight against idolatry and compromise with the world?

Text: Philippians 2:5-8 Title: Our Humble Savior Outline: 1. He Came as a Man 2. He Obeyed Whatever it Cost 3. He Died on a Cross Memory Verse: Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, (Philippians 2:6)

Luke 2:9-10 Good News of Great Joy Summary: Merry Christmas! Today we get to celebrate the birth of Jesus together. On that night so long ago, shepherds were visited by angels in the dark of night. Can you imagine their fear at seeing glorious angels appear in the darkness? But they brought

Matthew 2:13-23 Raging Against the Messiah 1. A life of suffering 2. A mission of redemption 3. A path of humility Verse: Matthew 2:15 This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. According to this passage, how did Jesus' sufferings begin when he was a baby? Take a moment and think about all of the various moments of suffering in Jesus' life. How might this give you comfort in your own suffering? 2. How does Jesus fulfill the word to Israel,

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