The Kingdom Fulfilled, Part Five

Week thirty-nine | september 29 – october 5

Many of Jesus’ recorded teachings come in the form of parables. A parable is a simple story with a hidden spiritual message. Jesus would tell a story about ordinary things people could relate to that also had a deeper message about more complex spiritual things. The parable shows truth to those seeking God, through the help of the Holy Spirit. Many who heard Jesus’ parables walked away confused because they were not actually seeking God, but rather the benefits that come from Jesus’ miracles. Still others became angry because Jesus’ teachings did not match up with their own ideas. Even the disciples struggled to fully understand, but God is patient and gracious to teach those who earnestly seek him. One day all the hidden spiritual messages of Jesus’ teachings will be revealed and we will understand the kingdom of God, just as he designed it to be. 

Memory Verse

For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

Luke 18:14b

Worship

Day One

Read

Here are some verses for your family to read about the parable of the mustard seed:

Mark 4:30-34

Mark 4:30 And He said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? 31 It is like a grain of msutad seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, 32 yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” 33 With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it. 34 He did not speak to them without a parable, but privately to his own disciples he explained everything.

Pray

Lead your family in a time of prayer over what you read.

Consider the ACTS model:
A – Adoration/ praise God (remember that this is part of worshiping God)
C – Confession (confess sin and your need of God)
T – Thanksgiving (thank God)
S – Supplication (ask God to supply your needs) 

Father, we praise You because you are wise. We can look to you for the right answer to everything, but so often we try to figure out right and wrong for ourselves. God, we thank you that you are patient with us, waiting for us to turn back to you when we need to know what is right. God, give us hearts that turn to you and your word for wisdom about what we should do. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Day Two

Read

Here are some verses for your family to read about the parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:30-37.

Luke 10:30 Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead.  31Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side.  32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  33But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.  34He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him.  35And the next day he took out two denarii  and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’  36Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?”  37He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Pray

Lead your family in a time of prayer over what you read.

Consider the ACTS model:
A – Adoration/ praise God (remember that this is part of worshiping God)
C – Confession (confess sin and your need of God)
T – Thanksgiving (thank God)
S – Supplication (ask God to supply your needs) 

Day Three

Read

Here are some verses for your family to read about the parable of the Lost Sheep from Luke 15:1-7.

Luke 15:1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable: 4“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?  5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’  7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Pray

Lead your family in a time of prayer over what you read.

Consider the ACTS model:
A – Adoration/ praise God (remember that this is part of worshiping God)
C – Confession (confess sin and your need of God)
T – Thanksgiving (thank God)
S – Supplication (ask God to supply your needs) 

Day Four

Read

Here are some verses for your family to read about the parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee from Luke 18:9-14 (ICB).

Luke 18:9 There were some people who thought that they were very good and looked down on everyone else. Jesus used this story to teach them: 10“One day there was a Pharisee and a tax collector. Both went to the Temple to pray. 11The Pharisee stood alone, away from the tax collector. When the Pharisee prayed, he said, ‘God, I thank you that I am not as bad as other people. I am not like men who steal, cheat, or take part in adultery. I thank you that I am better than this tax collector. 12I give up eating twice a week, and I give one-tenth of everything I earn!’ 13“The tax collector stood at a distance. When he prayed, he would not even look up to heaven. He beat on his chest because he was so sad. He said, ‘God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner!’ 14I tell you, when this man went home, he was right with God. But the Pharisee was not right with God. Everyone who makes himself great will be made humble. But everyone who makes himself humble will be made great.”

Pray

Lead your family in a time of prayer over what you read.

Consider the ACTS model:
A – Adoration/ praise God (remember that this is part of worshiping God)
C – Confession (confess sin and your need of God)
T – Thanksgiving (thank God)
S – Supplication (ask God to supply your needs) 

Day Five: Family Sabbath

Be Present

Set aside distractions (electronics, work, chores, etc.) and spend time with God and each other. 

Pray

Spend time together in prayer, thanking God that he has ordained a day of rest and for the takeaways you’ve had from this week’s readings. Consider closing by praying the Lord’s Prayer together. 

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Play

Choose a fun activity to do together as your family rests from work. 

• Blow bubbles 
• Find a nearby basketball court and play as a family.
• Find a joke book and take turns telling each other your favorite joke. 

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