Mother’s Day
Walk this Way
Reading for the Week of May 9-15
Day 1- Ecclesiastes 1 and Genesis 1
Day 2- Ecclesiastes 2
Day 3- Ecclesiastes 3 and Genesis 2
Day 4- Ecclesiastes 4
Day 5- Ecclesiastes 5 and Proverbs 5
Day 6- Ecclesiastes 6
Bonus- Song of Songs
Memorize/Reflect- “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.” (Genesis 1:31)
Reflection- God’s design for sexuality (male and female) was very good! What are ways we have taken His good gift and misused it?
Discussion- How should Christians feel about sexuality (being male and female) in general and who we are as men and women specifically?
Prayer Direction- Pray that you will embrace who you are as a man or woman and that you will express your sexuality in a way that honors the God who made you.
“Live It!” Challenge- Do some observing and evaluating this week. Notice how men and women are portrayed in our culture, in the media, and where you live and work. Evaluate if the images and view of masculinity and femininity being presented are consistent with God’s vision for us as people.
May Prayer Focus: Continue developing a habit of writing a prayer journal. Use some of the ideas in the letter you received in worship today.
April-June: Continue the practice of Silence. This week try a daily time of 5-10 minutes where you take a walk, appreciate what God has made, and listen for His voice.
Resources in the Shoreline Bookstore
Real Questions, Real Answers About Sex, Louis McBurney and Sacred Influence, Gary Thomas.
HOPE 4
Hope When I’ve Done Something Terrible (Peter)
Reading for the Week of May 2-8
Day 1- John 13 (Jesus washes Peter’s feet)
Day 2- John 18 (Peter Denies Jesus)
Day 3- John 21 (Peter restored)
Day 4- Proverbs 31 (A godly woman)
Day 5- Luke 1 (Mary and Elizabeth)
Day 6- 1 Samuel 1 (Hannah)
Bonus- Read 2 Peter
Memorize/Reflect- “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.” (Proverbs 31:10)
Reflection- What behaviors and qualities make a person a good parent? How can you develop these in yourself?
Discussion- What is one great thing your dad or mom did as they raised you? How could you pass on this to another generation?
Prayer Direction- Thank God for the people who have passed on the Christian faith to you. They could be literal family or spiritual family.
“Live It!” Challenge- Write a thank you note to a man or woman who has been a great example of faith to you.
May Prayer Focus- Shift to a new way of praying. Take time this month to try writing a prayer journal. Here is one way to get started. Write these words along the left side of a blank page, leaving space to journal a few personal reflections:
1) God I am sorry…
2) Lord, please help me…
3) I am so thankful to You for…
4) Jesus, I praise you for…
April-June- Continue the practice of Silence. This week try a one-minute time of silence three or four times each day. When you are feeling wound up or people are trying to push your buttons, just be quiet before the Lord, give Him your burdens, and invite Him to give you strength and direction.
Resources in the Shoreline Bookstore
Be sure to check out some of the featured resources at the Shoreline bookstore. God’s Prayer Book (Praying the Psalms) by Ben Patterson, A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sitzer.
HOPE 3
Hope For the Trapped (Esther)
Reading for the Week of April 25- May 1
Day 1- Esther 7
Day 2- Esther 8
Day 3- Esther 9-10
Day 4- Matthew 14 (Peter walks on water)
Day 5- Matthew 16 (Peter the Rock)
Day 6- Matthew 26 (Peter denies Jesus)
Bonus- Read 1 Peter
Memorize/Reflect- “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
Reflection- How do you see some of yourself when you look at Peter?
Discussion- How was Peter a man of great faith? How was he a person with real flaws and frailties?
Prayer Direction- Pray for a deep understanding of God’s grace in the areas you have sinned and fallen short of God’s plan for your life. Pray also for strength to follow Jesus, even when there is pressure to deny Him.
“Live It!” Challenge- Identify an area of your life you tend to compromise when the pressure is on (we all have them). Take time this week to take steps to fortify yourself in this area. Prepare your defenses so next time temptation comes in this area, you are ready to resist.
April Prayer Focus- Continue praying the Psalms. This week, spend time meditating on Psalm 119. It is the longest of the Psalms and the focus is on God’s Word. Spend time thanking God for the Bible and asking Him to teach you to love the Word, more and more!
April-June- Continue the practice of Silence. Maybe this week you can carve out 2-3 hours for a mini-silent retreat. Get away with a Bible, journal, pen, and Jesus. Don’t start reading the Bible until you feel directed to do so. Write down any impressions or leadings you feel from the Spirit.
Resources in the Shoreline Bookstore
Be sure to check out some of the featured resources at the Shoreline books store. God’s Prayer Book (Praying the Psalms) by Ben Patterson, A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sitzer.
HOPE 2
Hope When I Feel Discouraged, Depressed, or Defeated (Elijah)
Reading for the Week of April 18-24
Day 1- Esther 1
Day 2- Esther 2
Day 3- Esther 3
Day 4- Esther 4
Day 5- Esther 5
Day 6- Esther 6
Bonus- Read the whole story of Esther in one sitting!
Memorize/Reflect- “…who knows but that you have come to a royal position for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
Reflection- How do you see that hand of God at work through the life and story of Esther? How does this bring hope to you in your life?
Discussion- Esther is full of dramatic reversals. What are some of these reversals and how does God turn these situations on their head?
Prayer Direction- Pray for a situation that seems hopeless and unchangeable. Then, ask God to do a great reversal and surprise you by turning things around.
“Live It!” Challenge- Esther took a chance and went to the king uninvited…this could have led to her execution! What is one chance you can take to stand up for God this week? Take a risk and go for it!
April Prayer Focus- Continue praying the Psalms. This week, focus on a classic Psalm of confession, Psalm 51. Read this two or three times and spend time confessing where you have wandered and sinned against God.
April-June- Continue the practice of Silence. Try making time each day for a five-minute time of silence. As a challenge, try this in times during the day when you feel the least peace and most stress. Just be quiet and listen for God’s voice and seek to feel His presence.
Resources in the Shoreline Bookstore
Be sure to check out some of the featured resources at the Shoreline books store. God’s Prayer Book (Praying the Psalms) by Ben Patterson, A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sitzer.
HOPE 1
Hope For the Doubtful (Thomas)
Reading for the Week of April 11-17
Day 1- 1 Kings 17
Day 2- 1 Kings 18
Day 3- 1 Kings 19-20
Day 4- 1 Kings 21-22
Day 5- 2 Kings 1
Day 6- 2 Kings 2
Bonus- Lamentations 1-5
Memorize/Reflect- “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Ball is God, follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21)
Reflection- How is Elijah an example of great faith, but also an example of a man who had honest hurt and struggle?
Discussion- What were some of the struggles and challenges Elijah faced and how did he respond to them?
Prayer Direction- Pray for yourself…ask God to help you hold fast to His hand in the hard times of life. Pray for a friend who is in a dark and painful time…ask God to draw near them and show them His face and amazing grace.
“Live It!” Challenge- Elijah had times when he felt very alone. But, God assured him there were other people who were still faithful. Sometimes, when things are tough, we need to know we are not alone. Call a friend who is going through a hard time and offer to come over, take them out, or just to spend time with them. When you are together, pray that God will show them they are not alone.
April Prayer Focus- Continue praying the Psalms. Read some Psalms of Thanksgiving and lift up your own prayers of thanks (Psalms 100, 107, 118, 136).
April-June- Continue the practice of Silence. Set aside one or two times this week that you can spend fifteen minutes being quite and waiting on the Lord. Once again, listen and keep a note pad to write down thoughts and impressions you hear from the Lord.
Resources in the Shoreline Bookstore
Be sure to check out some of the featured resources at the Shoreline books store. God’s Prayer Book (Praying the Psalms), Ben Patterson, A Grace Disguised by Jerry Sitzer.
