Psalm 42.1-61,9-11
Deer pant when they have been frantically running for their lives. We live under attack (from self, from world, from devil). Nothing would refresh the deer like flowing streams. Nothing refreshes us like the living God.
Job 18.1-21
For younger children read at least Psalm 42.1 and repeat it so that it might be written on the heart. You might also talk about how Jesus is the living water and as long as we know him we can patiently endure anything in life.
For older children you could discuss this note – “Bildad implies that unless Job repents, he will suffer the ravages of death…Certainly the ‘king of terrors’ (v 14) threatens us, because ‘death spread to all men because all sinned’ (Rom 5.12) and ‘the wages of sin is death’ (Rom 3.23). However, we remember the joyous message of Scripture that in Christ we have ‘passed from death to life’ (Jn 5.24).” The Lutheran Study Bible
John 7.32-53
For younger children read at least John 7.37 and repeat it so that it might be written on the heart. You might also talk about how our ‘thirst’ that Jesus can quench often feels like guilt, shame, worry, fear, etc.
For older children you could discuss this – “On the final day of the Feast of Booths, Jesus promises that believers will receive the Holy Spirit (at Pentecost) after His death. ‘Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him” (Rom 8.9). But Christ’s death and resurrection proclaimed in the Gospel brings life to all who thirst for Him and His blessings.” The Lutheran Study Bible
Write it on the heart verses – Psalm 42.1 and John 7.36
Small Catechism for the week: The Third Petition Thy will be done on earth as in heaven. What does this mean? God’s good and gracious will certainly is done without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also. How is God’s will done? God’s will is done when he breaks and defeats every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful flesh, which try to prevent us from keeping God’s name holy and letting his kingdom come. And God’s will is done when he strengthens and keeps us firm in his Word and in the faith as long as we live. This is his good and gracious will.
Small Catechism question for the day: Why did Jesus teach the people in parables? Luke 8.10 “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’”