Morningview Family Worship Week of January 31, 2010
Morningview Family Worship
Week of January 31, 2010
Psalm for Prayer and Praise: Psalm 23 (NASB)
1 The LORD is my shepherd,
I shall not want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters.
3 He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I fear no evil, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You have anointed my head with oil;
My cup overflows.
6 Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Scripture Memory for the Week:
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness
For His name’s sake.
~ Psalm 23:1-3 ~
Praying through the Psalms
Week of January 31, 2010
Day 1 ~ The Shepherd
Read: Psalm 23, focus today on verses 1 through 3
Consider:
For Adults: What does it mean that God leads us, as a shepherd in paths of Righteousness? Is this only by His providence or also by His word?
Older children: How does God restore souls? Why are quiet and rest good things?
Younger children: What animals do shepherds take care of? How does God take care of you?
Family Application: Talk together about some of the things that each person “wants.” What are differences between good “wants” and bad “wants.” Talk together about what it means to really trust God to give us all of our good “wants” and to let our bad “wants” go.
Pray: Pray together through these verses of the Psalm. Thank God for how He tenderly cares for His children as a shepherd for his sheep. Thank God for sending Jesus to be the great “shepherd of our souls.” Pray together that your family would follow Him more closely this year and that you would learn together how to live following Jesus joyfully into righteousness.
Meditate: Write this week’s memory verses on a white board in your home and/or on index cards that each family member can carry with them during the week.
Day 2 ~ The Shadow
Read: Psalm 23, focus today on verse 4
Consider:
For Adults: Think of the last time that you experienced such a crises that you felt as the psalmist describes here. Did you lean on Christ? What do you think it means to be comforted by Jesus’ staff and rod?
Older children: Why is it that the Christian can truly “Fear no Evil?” How can knowing Him help you at school?
Younger children: How can God be with us all the time? Can you see God?
Family Application: Consider together why we can trust God even when bad things happen. Talk about how Jesus calmed the storm and how Jesus says that He does not lose even one of His children. Consider again the eternal life that He gives to all those who trust Him in repentance and faith and how walking in His salvation gives them hope that can conquer every fear.
Pray: Pray through verse 4 of Psalm 23. Thank God for his abiding presence and the hope of eternal life that He gives to all His children. Thank God that death is only a “shadow” for those who trust in Him. Ask Him to strengthen your faith and to help you live daily in the joy of gospel. Thank God that the gospel is the antidote for fear and for the kind hand of His providence which orders all things for His Glory and for the good of His children.
Meditate: See if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Make new note cards of any of the cards from Day 1 that may have been lost.
Day 3 ~ Our Sonship
Read: Psalm 23, focus today on verses 5 and 6
Consider:
For Adults: What do you think of when you read verse 5. What could it mean that God’s provision and blessing comes even in the “presence of my enemies?”
Older children: Does God want to bless his children? How does God show us His goodness and mercy? Does it ever stop?
Younger children: How long is forever? Where is the “House of God” that Christians can live in forever? Can you get there in a car?
Family Application: Talk about how God provides for us even when things are hard. Talk about the blessings that God pours out on you that are both material and spiritual. Consider how lavishly He blesses us in Christ and talk about how we should continually be refreshed by meditating on how God has loved His children.
Pray: Pray through verses 5 & 6 of Psalm 23. Thank God for His mercy to you and His provision. Ask Him to help you see how lavishly He has blessed us in Christ and rejoice in the promise of Eternal life that He gives freely in Jesus.
Meditate: See again if anyone in the family can quote this week’s memory verse. Talk about any ways that this verse has encouraged or taught you this week.
Scripture Memory for the Week: Psalm 23:1-3
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul;
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Hymn of the Week
I Sing the Mighty Power of God
