Opening Prayer: Almighty God, as I remember Your goodness to me this week, help me to offer thanks to You with a sincere heart, in a way that will bless You. Amen.

Read: Matthew 7:1-6
Reflect: Why do you think Jesus instructs us to not judge one another? Why do you think it is so much easier to see the speck in our brother’s eye than the plank in our own eye? What would it take for us to be more observant of our short comings?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “Because I Have Been Given Much”
Because I have been given much,
I too must give.
Because of Thy great bounty, Lord,
Each day I live,
I shall divide my gifts from Thee
With ever brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me.

Because I have been sheltered, fed,
By Thy good care,
I cannot see another’s lack
And not share
My glowing fire, my loaf of bread,
My roof’s safe shelter overhead,
That he too may be comforted.

Because love has been lavished so
Upon me, Lord,
A wealth I know that was not meant
For me to hoard,
I shall give love to those in need-
Shall show that love by word and deed:
Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.

Closing Prayer: Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. (Psalm 72:18-19)

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, grant me the power to accept Your grace. Help me steer clear of the pitfalls of avoiding grace. Amen.

Read: Matthew 10:5-42
Reflect: Why did Jesus tell his disciples to not take anything extra for the journey? What does it mean to lose your life for Jesus’ sake? What would it look like to find life after losing your life for Jesus? How do vv. 40-42 inform how we should interact with fellow believers?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “In Heavenly Love Abiding”
In heavenly love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever walketh;
His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me
Which yet I have not seen.
Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure;
My path to life is free.
My Savior has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.

Closing Prayer: The Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, grant me the power to accept Your grace. Help me steer clear of the pitfalls of avoiding grace. Amen.

Read: Matthew 5:13-16
Reflect: List all the uses of salt you can think of. Which uses of salt best explain how Christians are salt in the world? What do you think Jesus had in mind when he called his followers the salt of the earth? Why is light an appropriate image for the good deeds of Jesus’ followers?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “In Heavenly Love Abiding”
In heavenly love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever walketh;
His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me
Which yet I have not seen.
Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure;
My path to life is free.
My Savior has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.

Closing Prayer: The Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, grant me the power to accept Your grace. Help me steer clear of the pitfalls of avoiding grace. Amen.

Read: Matthew 13:47-52
Reflect: What does Jesus mean that teachers who understand the kingdom of heaven are like homeowners who bring out old and new treasures? How is the kingdom of heaven like old and new treasure?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “In Heavenly Love Abiding”
In heavenly love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever walketh;
His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me
Which yet I have not seen.
Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure;
My path to life is free.
My Savior has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.

Closing Prayer: The Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, grant me the power to accept Your grace. Help me steer clear of the pitfalls of avoiding grace. Amen.

Read: Matthew 13:31-35, 44-46
Reflect: What is the lesson in these parables that talk about small things having greater value than their size would indicate? What do you think the stories of the mustard seed and yeast have to do with the stories of the treasure and pearl? Can you summarize these parables in one sentence?

Prayer: for the church, for others, for myself.

Hymn: “In Heavenly Love Abiding”
In heavenly love abiding,
No change my heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Wherever He may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever walketh;
His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me
Which yet I have not seen.
Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure;
My path to life is free.
My Savior has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.

Closing Prayer: The Lord bless and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26)