Psalm 31.1-2,23-24
Our life as Christians is marked by waiting for the LORD. Since we know he fulfills his promises we can take courage while we wait.
Job 2.1-3.10
For younger children read at least Job 2.10b “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” and repeat it so that it might be written on the heart. You might also remind them that on nice days or tough days Jesus loves you just the same.
For older children you could read and discuss this – The best thing that Job’s friends did was to sit silently with him while he was troubled. We usually don’t help someone who is suffering when we open our mouths. Too often we try to explain why that person is suffering or give them advice they did not ask for in the first place. Don’t overlook the power of just sitting with someone as they suffer.
There are good words from Scripture about our suffering. Those are good passages to dwell on during the nicer days. Like seed planted in the spring that blooms later, these passages planted in the nicer days can produce a harvest of comfort during times of suffering, even if they may not be passages that you share with someone while they are suffering. (Romans 5.3-5, Romans 8.28-38, Philippians 4.4-9)
John 1.19-34
For younger children read at least John 1.29 and repeat it so that it might be written on the heart. You might also ask “How did Jesus take away the sin of the world?” He dies on the cross. “When did he wash away your sin?” At Baptism.
For older children you could discuss this – “John the Baptist alluded to the scapegoat carrying the people’s sins away (Lv 16.21-22). Luther: “[The Son of God] says to me: ‘You are no longer a sinner, but I am. I am your substitute…All your sins are to rest on Me and not on you.’” The Lutheran Study Bible
Write it on the heart verses – Job 2.10b and John 1.29
Small Catechism for the week: Table of Duties – To Widows – The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. – 1 Timothy 5.5-6
Small Catechism question for the day: How can covetousness attack us? Luke 12.15 And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”