Prayer (5 Minutes)
- Have everyone share one thing they were thankful for in the week.
- Have everyone share one prayer request.
Song (5 Minutes)
Catechism (5 minutes)
Have everyone read aloud simultaneously or allow everyone to try to answer before revealing the answer.
Q26: What else does Christ’s death redeem?
A: Every part of fallen creation. (Colossians 1:19-20)
A: Every part of fallen creation. (Colossians 1:19-20)
Questions from: https://newcitycatechism.com/. Go there to start from beginning or to read more.
Scripture (5 Minutes)
Psalm 46 (NLT)
For the choir director: A song of the descendants of Korah, to be sung by soprano voices.
God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
Interlude
A river brings joy to the city of our God,
the sacred home of the Most High.
God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
From the very break of day, God will protect it.
The nations are in chaos,
and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
and the earth melts!
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.
Interlude
Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
See how he brings destruction upon the world.
He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.
God is our refuge and strength,
always ready to help in times of trouble.
So we will not fear when earthquakes come
and the mountains crumble into the sea.
Let the oceans roar and foam.
Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!
Interlude
A river brings joy to the city of our God,
the sacred home of the Most High.
God dwells in that city; it cannot be destroyed.
From the very break of day, God will protect it.
The nations are in chaos,
and their kingdoms crumble!
God’s voice thunders,
and the earth melts!
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.
Interlude
Come, see the glorious works of the Lord:
See how he brings destruction upon the world.
He causes wars to end throughout the earth.
He breaks the bow and snaps the spear;
he burns the shields with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress.
Discussion (5-10 Minutes)
You can lead through a teaching or use the following questions to start a discussion:
- What do you need strength to face today?
- What fears or struggles do you need to trust God to be your refuge for?
- How does knowing that God is your strength affect your view of difficult situations?
- What do you think it actually looks like to 'be still' in today's world?
- Can you think of a time when you felt God's peace even though things around you were super chaotic? What was that like?
Closing Prayer (3 Minutes)
From Psalm 71:3–8.
Dear Lord, you are my rock of refuge. Save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked. I will praise and thank you, O sovereign LORD; you are my hope and my confidence. (Ask God for his strength in a specific situation in your life.) In Jesus’ name, amen.
Dear Lord, you are my rock of refuge. Save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked. I will praise and thank you, O sovereign LORD; you are my hope and my confidence. (Ask God for his strength in a specific situation in your life.) In Jesus’ name, amen.