Psalm 105.1,23,37-43
“He opened the rock, and water gushed out.” God provided for his people in the wilderness in an unexpected way. This points forward to the unexpected gift of life in the death of Jesus. A spear split open the body of Jesus and a flow of blood and water came out to give us life.
Job 13.13-28
For younger children read at least Job 13.15a “Though he slay me, I will hope in him” and repeat it so that it might be written on the heart. You might also make it clear that we do not hope in God because he makes life nice. Even if he gives us tough days, we can hope in him.
For older children you could discuss this note – “Job rightly sees that the world is in a state of frustration; sin is still so powerfully at work in our world, and even in our lives as believers. St Paul wrote, ‘The whole creation has been groaning together’ (Rm 8.22). We long for deliverance. That deliverance cannot come through our own frail efforts. Only God can bring it about. He has done this through His Son, Jesus Christ, who ‘has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows’ so that ‘with His stripes [of suffering] we are healed’ (Is 53.4-5).” The Lutheran Study Bible
John 6.22-40
For younger children read at least John 6.35 and repeat it so that it might be written on the heart. You might also ask, “How do you feel when you haven’t eaten in a long time?” Hungry, cranky, etc. “Without regularly having Jesus, the Bread of Life, we get worse than cranky. What can happen without Jesus, the Bread of Life?”
For older children you could discuss this note on v. 37 – “No one has the willpower to choose to believe in Jesus or come to God. Faith comes to the believer as a gift from God, just as physical life comes as a gift.” The Lutheran Study Bible
Write it on the heart verses – Job 13.15a and John 6.35
Small Catechism for the week: What is the benefit of this eating and drinking? These words, “Given and shed for you for the forgiveness of sins,” show us that in the Sacrament forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation are given us through these words. For where there is forgiveness of sins, there is also life and salvation.
Small Catechism question for the day: Why would we want to come often to Jesus in the Sacrament of the Altar? Matthew 11.28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.