Here’s another week’s installment of daily ideas for leading your household in worship, discipleship, fellowship, and safe-service to others! Don’t be thrown by the dates you see – any of these ideas can be done on any day of the year. (The dates listed below simply correspond to the days they were first published via social media.)
Monday, April 13, 2020
#HOMEchurch Day28. Happy Monday! Here are your mealtime conversation starters:
Increased time with loved ones (in our homes and over the phone / video-conferencing) is one of the greatest aspects of this quarantine. Share a meal together, and enjoy some discussion around the following ideas:
- If Jesus can overcome death, what else can He overcome? (Yes, anything & everything!, but let’s take a few moments to list some of those things specifically: what else can Jesus be victorious over in our lives, homes, and world?)
- Following the example of John Krasinski’s “Some Good News,” let’s each share one piece of good news with each other!
- What is your earliest memory?
Tuesday, April 14, 2020
#HOMEchurch Day29. Tuesday is Serve Day! How can you serve others during a shelter-in-place order? Personalize your mask!
Last week, a friend posted about her trip to the grocery store – about how quiet everyone was, how wary everyone’s eyes seemed to be of each other – like everyone around them was a threat. She tried to counter the looks by smiling at people – but quickly realized no one could see her warm expression through her mask. She returned to her car in tears at the sense of fear and even hostility she felt from her fellow shoppers…
Just a few minutes later, I saw a photo of the young man whose mask said, “I’m smiling,” and I thought, that’s what people need right now – we can all use our masks to spread cheer! Then I saw a friend who had written a Bible verse on her mask… then another who drew a big smile on his mask…
Today, our masks can be our witness to others online and at the grocery store – that we are still people, that we still love and need each other, that we are in this together, that there is still love & hope & joy & warmth to be spread, even in our distance.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
#HOMEchurch Day30. The Apostles’ Creed has been the statement of faith for the believers of Jesus for over 1600 years. All around the world, across 16 centuries, Christians of every culture, race, and denomination have been united in faith around these simple, powerful declarations.
Today, with your household – maybe at mealtime or before you go to bed – recite the creed out loud together, then discuss the 3 questions below with your housemates or a friend over the phone.
The Apostles’ Creed: I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into the place of the dead; on the third day He rose again from the grave; He ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of God, the Father Almighty; from there, He will return to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy worldwide Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Discussion Questions:
- What is the significance of all Christians in all times & locations having one common statement of faith together? (Why does that matter?)
- Which declaration or phrase in the creed would you like to grow in your faith?
- Is there anything in the creed (or not in the creed) that is surprising to you?
Thursday, April 16, 2020
#HOMEchurch Day31. Today is a good day to memorize a Bible verse on HOPE or JOY. The very best place for God’s Word to be in your life is written on your heart! Here are some suggestions:
HOPE verses: Psalm 42:11; Psalm 130:5; Jeremiah 29:11; Micah 7:7; Romans 5:3-4; Romans 8:24-25; Hebrews 10:23; 1 Peter 3:15
JOY verses: Nehemiah 8:10; Psalm 16:11; Psalm 94:18-19; Isaiah 61:10; Habakkuk 3:18; Romans 12:12; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; 1 Peter 1:8-9
To assist you, here is a brief article with 10 tips for memorizing Scripture.
Friday, April 17, 2020
#HOMEchurch Day32. Today, choose a mealtime to fast and pray for the harvest (see Matthew 9:35-38). Here are some Scripture prompts to guide your fasting-prayers:
Isaiah 40:25-26 – Jesus, we want you to get everything & everyone you paid for on the cross! Let not one be missing!
1 Timothy 2:1-4 – Father, Your Word assures us that You want all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. Help us to have Your same desire, and let that desire drive us to action & multiplying disciple-makers!
Matthew 9:35-38 – Help us, Spirit of Christ to know how to go throughout all the towns & villages like You did, having compassion on everyone we meet, like You did. Lord, the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few – we ask You to send out harvest workers into Your harvest fields, and we make ourselves available to You for this – here we are, Lord, send us! Help us to see where & how You are working and join You there.
Saturday, April 18, 2020
#HOMEchurch Day33. The aim of the Christian life is to become more like Jesus. Not that God wants a bunch of Christ-clones – instead, He wants for each of us, with our distinct personalities, to fully develop into the unique individuals He made us to be – by forming His Christ-like character in us, as we cooperate with Him in our thoughts, words, and actions.
We are usually very good at seeing our weaknesses, the places in our lives that need growth or improvement. (Think about the typical person looking at themselves in the mirror first-thing in the morning!) In our pursuit of a Christ-like life, we sometimes we need the other people in our lives to call out the good things about us.
Think of the people living right in your own home. Or if you live alone, think of your neighbors or others you know who live nearby. Did you know that you have the power to build them up today? You have the power to call out the Christ-like characteristics you see in them, and tell them!
Today, choose three people you live with or near, and write them a short-but-meaningful note, telling them each three Christ-like characteristics you see in them. Here’s a simple template you can follow: “Dear _____, I see the following three character traits of Jesus in your life: 1-_____, 2-_____, and 3-_____…” and then take a sentence or two to explain how you see each of these traits in their lives…
Sunday, April 19, 2020
#HOMEchurch Day34. Today, set aside a few minutes with your family, housemates, or a friend over FaceTime to read and discuss the following verses from the Book of 1 Corinthians 15: 1-7, 12-14, 20, 24-26, 35-38, 42-44a.
The resurrection of Jesus changed everything. Easter represents THE pivot point of history – everything swivels – everything swings into a new direction when the Living Jesus stands up and walks out of the grave, victorious over death!
After reading the verses above from 1 Corinthians 15, discuss with those nearest you: According to these verses, what does the resurrection of Jesus mean for the believers and followers of Jesus throughout history? According to these verses, what does His resurrection mean for me?
Like Trees Planted 