Family Dinner & Devos, Apr 15-21

LIVING THE RESURRECTION

We are in the midst of the 50 days of Easter… and looking for signs of (new) life… so ask one another:

“Where did you see signs of life this week?”

Learn-By-Heart Verse for the Week (NIV Translation):

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed.

Acts 9:40

This Week’s Scripture Passage:  Acts 9:36-43 – and Psalm 23

Quote for the Week:

“The land of the living is obviously not a vacation paradise.  It’s more like a war zone.  And that’s where we Christians are stationed, along with the children, to affirm primacy over death, to give witness to the connectedness and preciousness of all life, to engage in the practice of resurrection.”  - Pastor Eugene Peterson from the book Living the Resurrection

Read the scripture passage and then ponder these questions as a family (simplify for younger children – or rephrase as you need to)…

When Peter is confronted with death, he gets down on his knees and prays.  When we are faced with death and darkness, how does getting down on our own knees to pray make a difference?

2.  Note that Tabitha (Dorcas) was described as a disciple (a follower of Jesus) who was always doing good and helping the poor.  How would you like people to describe you?

3.  The New Testament reading shows the power and strength that comes through prayer, through spending time with God.  What happens in Psalm 23 when one spends time with God?

4.  Reflect on Psalm 23 together and share with one another your favorite word or phrase.

And the “resurrection” question…

Each week during this Season of Easter, ask one another around the table a version of the following question… “Where did you experience joy in life this week?” or “When did you feel fully alive?” or “When did you experience the abundant life that Jesus promised?” or “Where did you experience life in its fullness?”

Book study…

An invitation to adults… do you ever wonder what “resurrection” means in your daily life?  Why does Easter make such a difference?  How do we live fully?  You are invited to read Living the Resurrection by Eugene Peterson; in mid-May, group discussion times based on the book will be offered.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

We give thanks that you walk with us through dark valleys

            And that you long to lead us beside still waters and restore our souls.

We bow down to you in prayer, knowing that when we pray,

            you meet us there.

In all those places in our lives that feel dark and without hope,

            we ask that you come and make a way for us.

May we experience the resurrection-power of Easter in our lives.

Amen.

Family Dinner & Devos, Apr 8-14

LIVING THE RESURRECTION

Note – Easter is not just one day – it is 50 days long – a whole season of Easter!  During this season we will be talking about “living the resurrection” and asking ourselves each week this question (or a version thereof): 

“Where did you see signs of life this week?”

Learn-By-Heart Verse for the Week (NIV Translation):

O Lord, you brought me up from the grave, you spared me from going down into the pit.”  Psalm 30:3

This Week’s Scripture Passage:  Acts 9:1-20

Quote for the Week:

“[The gospel writers] come at [the resurrection] from different directions and provide different details, but one element is common to each of them: 

a sense of wonder, astonishment, surprise.”

 - Pastor Eugene Peterson from the book Living the Resurrection

Read the scripture passage and then ponder these questions as a family (simplify for younger children – or rephrase as you need to – as you reflect on “Paul’s New Life”)…

1.      Describe how Paul’s life changed.

2.      In this story, Paul was blinded and then saw again.  Yet the greatest change was that Paul’s hatred towards Christians changed to enormous love for Jesus Christ.  Paul saw things in a new way.  What things (or people or places) do you see differently than you once did?

3.      Verse 16 of Acts 9 says that Paul will suffer in this new life… yet it is Paul, in writing later to the church in Philippi (Philippians 4:4:11-13) that he is content in all circumstances and that he can do all things through Christ who strengthens.  How might our lives be different, even our days of suffering, if we saw them through the lens of resurrection – through the strength of Christ’s life within us?

4.      Psalm 30 talks about how God takes weeping and sorrow and turns them into joy.  You may want to read these words of promise… that new life does indeed come.

5.      Part of “living the resurrection” is that we don’t see things the same way.  We can look with wider eyes and be caught with the wonders of the world.  What part of creation catches you with wonder or astonishment or surprise?  (you could go on a neighborhood walk after your dinner and try to look with “wider eyes” and seek out signs of life and spring and wonder)

And the “resurrection” question…

Each week during this Season of Easter, ask one another around the table a version of the following question… “Where did you see signs of life this week?” or “When did you feel that you had life and energy within you?” or “How did you experience the resurrected Christ in your life?”

Book study…

An invitation to adults… do you ever wonder what “resurrection” means in your daily life?  Why does Easter make such a difference?  How do we live fully?  You are invited to read Living the Resurrection by Eugene Peterson; in early and mid-May, group discussion times based on the book will be offered.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for amazing grace, that we can be blinded but then yet can see.

Thank you for newness… for new beginnings, second chances, and ways out of the pit.

Thank you for spring flowers, buds on trees, and baby animals.

Thank you that you are a God who hears our cries and sits with us,

working within and around us,

transforming our pain into hope.

Amen.

Family Dinner & Devos, Apr 1-7

LIVING THE RESURRECTION

Note – Easter is not just one day – it is 50 days long – a whole season of Easter!  During this season we will be talking about “living the resurrection” and asking ourselves each week this question (or a version thereof): 

“Where did you experience joy in life this week?”

Learn-By-Heart Verse for the Week (NIV Translation):

Jesus came and stood among them and said, 
“Peace be with you!” John 19:b

This Week’s Scripture Passage:  John 20:19-31

Quote for the Week:

“The land of the living is obviously not a vacation paradise.  It’s more like a war zone.  And that’s where we Christians are stationed, along with the children, to affirm primacy over death, to give witness to the connectedness and preciousness of all life, to engage in the practice of resurrection.” Pastor Eugene Peterson from the book Living the Resurrection

Read the scripture passage and then ponder these questions as a family (simplify for younger children – or rephrase as you need to – and if you only talk about one thing – like “peace” – then rest in that one connection you had)…

1.  Do you feel at peace?  Why or why not? 

2.  How might “resurrection-living” equate to “peaceful-living”?

3.  The phrase “doubting Thomas” usually carries a negative tone.  Yet does Jesus ever rebuke Thomas?  Did you notice that Jesus lets Thomas touch him?  Jesus does say “blessed are those who believe and have not seen.”  However, it seems that Jesus is not opposed to “signs and wonders.”  In fact, Jesus seems to make appearances all over the place.  Share a time when you “saw” God and that moment helped your belief in God deepen.

4.  Did you notice that the disciples kept themselves behind locked doors?  They were fearful.  What fear or fears do you carry at this time?  How might you let Jesus enter in and transform that fear?

And the “resurrection” question…

Each week during this Season of Easter, ask one another around the table a version of the following question… “Where did you experience joy in life this week?” or “When did you feel fully alive?” or “When did you experience the abundant life that Jesus promised?” or “Where did you experience life in its fullness?”

Book study…

An invitation to adults… do you ever wonder what “resurrection” means in your daily life?  Why does Easter make such a difference?  How do we live fully?  You are invited to read Living the Resurrection by Eugene Peterson; in early and mid-May, group discussion times based on the book will be offered.

Prayer

Dear Jesus,

We give thanks that in you, Lord, death is not the last word.

We give you thanks for new life, for spring flowers, for signs of hope.

Help us, Lord Jesus, to grow in our understanding of what it is to “live the resurrection,”

            this Easter season and always.

We pray this in the name of the Living God,

Amen.