Prayer (5 Minutes)
- Have each family member share one way they can show kindness to someone this week. Then pray together: "Dear God, help us see opportunities to show Your love to others, just like Jesus did. Let each person pray for the kind action they want to do."
Song (5 Minutes)
Catechism (5 minutes)
Have everyone read aloud simultaneously or allow everyone to try to answer before revealing the answer.
Q37: What do we believe about the Holy Spirit?
A: The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, and he enables us to pray and to understand God’s Word. (Ephesians 6:17–18)
A: The Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin, and he enables us to pray and to understand God’s Word. (Ephesians 6:17–18)
Questions from: https://newcitycatechism.com/. Go there to start from beginning or to read more.
Scripture (5 Minutes)
Mark 3:1–6 (NLT)
Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.
Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him
He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.
Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.” Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him
He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.
Religious leaders plotting against Jesus
Discussion (5-10 Minutes)
You can lead through a teaching or use the following questions to start a discussion:
- Why were Jesus's enemies watching Him so closely?
- How do you think the man felt when Jesus called him to come forward?
- Why do you think Jesus asked those questions about doing good on the Sabbath?
- The religious leaders plotted to kill Jesus because He healed someone. What does this tell us about their hearts? How can we guard against similar attitudes?
Lent Challenge (5 minutes)
What is Lent?
Lent is a 40-day period before Easter when Christians prepare their hearts for celebrating Jesus' death and resurrection. Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, we use these 40 days to draw closer to God through prayer, fasting, and focusing on Jesus.
FAMILY ACTION STEP
Each week, discuss as a family what you could either GIVE UP or TAKE UP during Lent to grow closer to God. Work through the following as a family.
GIVE UP:
TAKE UP:
Lent is a 40-day period before Easter when Christians prepare their hearts for celebrating Jesus' death and resurrection. Just as Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness, we use these 40 days to draw closer to God through prayer, fasting, and focusing on Jesus.
FAMILY ACTION STEP
Each week, discuss as a family what you could either GIVE UP or TAKE UP during Lent to grow closer to God. Work through the following as a family.
GIVE UP:
- What takes up a lot of our time or attention?
- What might we pause or set aside to create more space for God?
- How could we use that extra time or attention to focus on Jesus?
TAKE UP:
- What new habit could help us grow closer to God?
- What act of service could we add to our daily routine?
- How could we be more intentional about our faith this week?
Closing Prayer (3 Minutes)
"Loving Father, thank You for showing us through Jesus that Your love is more important than rigid rules. Help us to have soft hearts that care for others and recognize opportunities to do good. Give us courage to do what's right, even when others might not understand. In Jesus's name, Amen."