Psalm 38.1-3,9-11,21-22
“Make haste to help me” are words found several times in the psalms. They are needed several times in our lives, to say the least. Can you find them somewhere else in the psalms?
Job 6:14-30
For younger children read at least Job 6.14 and repeat it so that it might be written on the heart. You might also talk about helping out friends the way Jesus has helped us.
For older children you could read and discuss this hymn verse about faith in Christ which shows itself in love for our neighbor – Faith clings to Jesus’ cross alone And rests in Him unceasing; And by its fruits true faith is known, with love and hope increasing. For faith alone can justify; Works serve our neighbor and supply The proof that faith is living.
John 3.22-4.6
For younger children read at least John 3.30 and repeat it so that it might be written on the heart. You might also ask, “Do we do anything wrong?” Yes. “Does Jesus do anything wrong?” No. When he increases, when we think about him more, we think about his love and forgiveness more than our sins, we think about our hope and confidence more than our worries.
For older children you could discuss how Jesus increases, and we decrease whenever we remember our baptisms. Our consciences often bother us because of our sin, but Jesus and his grace can increase while we and our guilt can decrease whenever we remember the blessings of baptism. “So when our sins and conscience oppress us, we strengthen ourselves and take comfort and say, ‘Nevertheless, I am baptized. And if I am baptized, it is promised to me that I shall be saved and have eternal life, both in soul and in body.’” The Large Catechism IV.44
Write it on the heart verses – Job 6.14 and John 3.30
Small Catechism for the week: Second Article (Part 1) – I believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father from eternity, and also true man, born of the Virgin Mary, is my Lord.
Small Catechism question for the day: How do you know Jesus is true God? John 20.28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”