Exodus 19:1-8 A Kingdom of Priests Summary: Do you know what God thinks of you? Sometimes we might wonder. Especially when we sin, we wonder if God still loves us. When hard things happen, we think God might not care. But the Bible tells us what God thinks of us. When God's people met him at Mt. Sinai in Exodus 19, He told them:

Romans 2:1-11 God's Righteous Judgment Verse: Or do you presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? (Romans 2:4)

John 1:19-34 NRSV

The Joy and Pain of Christmas Malachi 3:1-6 Summary: I hope you had a wonderful celebration of Jesus' birth yesterday! Let's keep thinking about the birth of Jesus today, as we look at another prophet from the Old Testament that tells us more about why Jesus came to this earth. Let's think about two things: the joy and the pain of Christmas. Let's listen to God's Word to find out what this means: 1. Christmas is a day of delighting in Jesus 2. Christmas is a day of pain because Jesus came to remove sin from us Verse: Malachi 3:1 Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Questions for Devotions and Family Worship: 1. Is Christmas always a day of joy for you? Why or why not? What pains might it bring up? What are the joys of this celebration for you? 2. How does Malachi announce the coming of Jesus? According to Malachi, who will announce the Messiah's coming? 3. Why is his coming to be a cause for joy? How do you personally seek to make the celebration of Christmas a cause for joy? 4. Why does Malachi 3 call the Messiah a

Isaiah 11:1-9 The Branch Summary: Have you ever pulled up a plant or tree, only to find out that you did not get all its roots? What happens? Eventually a shoot springs up from the tree stump or the ground. As we continue to get ready for the celebration of Christmas we are going to see a picture like this in Isaiah. Isaiah told God's people that a

Isaiah 40:1-5 The Glory Revealed Summary: It is the time of year when we get to think more about the birth of Jesus, and why it is so important for us. We're going to look all the way back to the prophet Isaiah. He lived hundreds of years before Jesus, and yet God used Isaiah to predict so much about Jesus. Let's listen to Isaiah describe the glory of God being revealed in Jesus' coming to save us: 1. Christmas is about God's promise of comfort 2. Christmas is about the revelation of God's glory Verse: Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Discussion Questions: 1. Read Isaiah 40: 1-5 again. What is the word of comfort Isaiah gives to Israel? How does it also apply to us? See especially vv.1-2. 2. What is the

The bodily resurrection of Jesus is the most important event in history.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 NRSV

Exodus 18 Wise Counsel Summary: Today let's listen to God's Word as Moses reunites with his family and gets wise advice from his father-in-law Jethro. Moses was called to be God's mediator. Listen for that word today, as we'll talk about Moses' main job to represent God before the people, and the people before God, much like Jesus does for us. Let's think about it: Outline: 1. Tell of God's work of salvation 2. We need a perfect mediator Verse: Exodus 18:11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods... Questions for Devotions and Family Worship: 1. Describe Jethro's response to the news of God saving Israel from slavery? Why is this so important for us to see? 2. What is a mediator? How did Moses perform this function? How was Moses's job as mediator being hindered in this scene? 3. How does Moses foreshadow our perfect mediator Jesus? How is Jesus the greater Moses? How does Jesus mediate for YOU today before the Father, and how should this build your faith and courage today?

Exodus 17:8-16 Hands Held Up Summary: The Bible tells us that we are at war. It is not waged with guns and tanks, but we are in a spiritual battle against the world, against sin, and against Satan. Today as we see God's people in Exodus battle an enemy, we also see Moses stand and pray for God to give victory in the battle. Let's think about how to depend on God in prayer as we fight our spiritual battles in the wilderness: Outline: 1. We will wage war in the wilderness 2. The true war is waged in prayer 3. The Lord is my banner in the battle Verse: Exodus 17:15 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. How does Israel's battle against the Amalekites reflect the long war against sin and Satan? 2. Israel was already saved from slavery and God vowed to bring them to the promised land. Yet they still had to face these enemies along the way. How might this help us understand our pilgrimage toward heaven? 3. How does Moses' prayer, and the help of Aaron and Hur help us understand what was truly happening in the battle? How does this help us understand prayer, and the spiritual battles we face? 4. What does it mean when Exodus 17:15 says

Isaiah 9:1-7 NRSV

1 Thessalonians 4:11-018 Grieve with Hope 1. give a place to grief 2. mourn some don’t have hope 3. grieve with hope For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

1 Thessalonians 4:11-018 Grieve with Hope 1. give a place to grief 2. mourn some don’t have hope 3. grieve with hope For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

Amos 1:1-2; 5:14-15, 21-24 NRSV

Romans 7:1-6

Rom. 6:12-24

Rom. 6:4-11

Rom. 6:4-11

Rom. 5:20-6:5

Exodus 17:1-7 Water from the Rock Summary: How do you respond when someone around you is always complaining? Do you join them and complain too? Or do you get annoyed and wish they would stop? Do you not want to be near them? If we are honest, we all struggle at times with grumbling and complaining. Sadly God (and Moses) had to bear with the grumbling of Israel in the wilderness. Today we see God provide water again for His people. But He gives them much more than that. He provides mercy for their sin. Let's think about it: Outline: 1. God in the dock 2. God on the rock 3. God provides for His flock Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:4 ... For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What are the things you most frequently complain about? 2. How does Israel heighten their complaint in Exodus 17? How is God on trial here? How do people put God on trial today? 3. Why is it significant that God took his stand on the rock and commanded Moses to strike it? How does Paul speak about this incident in 1 Cor. 10:4? 4. God constantly shows himself patient and forgiving with a complaining people. How should this passage shape us as we think about our sin, and God's mercy?