Exodus 31:1-11 Art for the Glory of God Summary: Did you know that God loves beautiful art? Do you like art too? God himself is the great artist, creating all things for his glory, and he wants us to love all things that are true and good and beautiful as well. Let's look in Exodus today at two people to whom God gave great skill and wisdom to make the beauty of the tabernacle for God's worship: Outline: 1. The calling and gifts of the artist 2. The goal of the artist 3. The hope of the artist Verse: Exodus 31:3 ...and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What are your thoughts about art? How do we decide what is true and good and beautiful? How is that often twisted in our culture today? 2. How are the calling and gifts of Bezalel and Oholiab described in Exodus 31? Why are they significant for our understanding of the tabernacle? How does they calling help us understand all vocations that God might give us? 3. How did the tabernacle reflect the character of God as good, true and beautiful? How might this shape our understanding of all artistic or creative endeavors? What does it mean to engage in all these things for the glory of God? 4. How might all this artistic work in Exodus help us as we live in a sin cursed world that is often ugly? How does Jesus' work give us hope?

Romans 8:31-39 Easter Changes Everything Summary: Happy Easter! He is risen indeed! Easter is one of the best days of the year, because we remember that Jesus died and rose from the dead to save us from our sins. Today we'll look at the Bible to see how Easter changes everything if you trust in Jesus. We are more than conquerors through him who loves us. Outline: 1. If Jesus did not die and rise, everything is against us 2. The hope of Easter: Jesus DID die and rise to save us 3. The promise: because of Jesus victory, we are more than conquerors Verse: Romans 8:34a Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Read the larger context of Romans 8. In the flow of Paul's thought, what are

Exodus 30 Altar of Prayer Summary: God loves to hear us pray to him. He wants us to speak to him, and bring all our thoughts and needs before him. In Israel, the prayers of God's people was a central part of their life together. Today let's listen as God instructs them for regular worship and work in the tabernacle, including prayer: 1. Your prayers are a sweet aroma to God 2. Atonement and cleansing allows our prayers to be heard Verse: Psalm 141:2a Let my prayer be counted as incense before you... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. What was the purpose of the altar of incense? What is the significance of incense in the Bible? )See psalm 141:1-2, Luke 1:8-10). How is it connected to prayer? 2. How might it change your prayers to know that God regards them as a

How Can We Experience God? Exodus 12:1-27 Here are themes: God’s presence with us, God taking our punishment to rescue us from judgment. Freedom from sin and condemnation and shame. Having an ongoing, daily experience of communion with God.

Text: 1 Corinthians 1:1-13 Title: Christ for You

Exodus 29 A Holy Priesthood Summary: Some parts of the Bible seem hard to understand. We might ask why God wants us to know them. Why did God want such a huge process to set apart his priests? Do we still need a priest today? The process might seem strange (and even gross) to us now, because God required sacrificing many animals. Let's think about why: Outline: 1. Anointing for service 2. Offerings for service 3. God promises to come in glory Verse: Hebrews 9:22b ...without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why do you think there was such an involved process to prepare the priests for ministry? As you read about all the offerings required to prepare and ordain the priests, what does it tell you about the priests themselves? 2. How does this process foreshadow all that Jesus would accomplish for us? 3. In what sense are we all now

Exodus 28 Holy Clothes Summary: As we have been following the story of God's rescue of his people in Exodus, we've seen that God wanted to have a place to dwell with his people (called the tabernacle). He also wanted priests to serve in his presence. Priests were people whom God called to the holy work of offering up sacrifices and ministering in his presence. Today let's listen as God calls them to make special clothes to set them apart for this holy work, and why it is important for us: 1. The priests reflect God's holiness, glory and beauty 2. The priests represent God's people before Him 3. The priests point us to our great high priest Verse: Hebrews 4:14

Exodus 26-27 God's Dwelling Place Summary: Today our text in Exodus is long and full of little details about building a place called

Exodus 25 Sacred Furniture Summary: Do you have pop up books at home? Maybe you've read them with your parents before. When you turn the page, the pictures pop up and we see the story come to life. Today, we're going to see God show us amazing pictures of his salvation when he tells Israel to build a place for them to meet with God, called the tabernacle. Every part of the tabernacle shows us something of God's great salvation. Let's listen today for the

Exodus 24:12-18 Ascending God's Mountain Summary: It is hard to imagine what happened to Moses in this passage we're going to look at today. Imagine getting invited up a mountain, covered in a bright cloud filled with the glory of God! But one day we too will see the glory of God, if we trust in Jesus as our Savior. Let's think about it: Outline: 1. God's law is our guide 2. God's glory is our future Verse: John 1:14a And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory... Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. It is very likely that God called Moses up the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments, written in stone. Why are they so central to the life of God's people? In what ways do you need the instruction of God's law this week? 2. When God called Moses up, he left Aaron and Hur in a place of leadership. Why was it so important for Moses to leave someone with this role? 3. How is Moses' experience on the mountain described? Moses alone was allowed to actually enter into the glory of the Lord. In what sense is this picturing fulfilled in Jesus? How will we as his people one day experience this?

Exodus 24:1-11 The Covenant Confirmed Summary: Today we're going to look at what might be one of the most important chapters in all of the Old Testament. It is a moment when God allows himself to be seen by his people. Can you imagine? It is what we hope for, that one day we'll be in heaven and get to see him face to face! God invited the elders of Israel to some up his mountain to renew his promises, and to see him. Let's listen in: Outline: 1. The book of the covenant 2. The blood of the covenant 3. The hope of the covenant: to see God Verse: Exodus 24:8

Exodus 23:20-33 Bound for Promised Land Summary: Today we get back to the history of God's people in Exodus, where God tells them about the journey to the promised land. He promises his angel, warns them of the temptations to sin, commands them to obey, and promises to give them blessing and victory. Let's see how this all applies to us: What does life on the way to the promised land look like? 1. God promises his guardian 2. God promises victory 3. God warns of the dangers 4. God tells of a lifelong struggle on the way to glory Verse: Exodus 23:20 Behold, I send an angel before you to guard you on the way and to bring you to the place that I have prepared. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Who might this angel be that God promised to Israel? What divine attributes does he possess and why might that be important in helping us understand his role? 2. What promises are given to Israel in this passage? How might those promises also apply to us who have believed in Jesus? 3. Israel was warned about the danger of compromise with the world and the temptation to follow after the gods of these other nations. What temptations and allurements might also be a danger for you? How does this passage help us and teach us about the fight against idolatry and compromise with the world?

Text: Philippians 2:5-8 Title: Our Humble Savior Outline: 1. He Came as a Man 2. He Obeyed Whatever it Cost 3. He Died on a Cross Memory Verse: Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, (Philippians 2:6)

Luke 2:9-10 Good News of Great Joy Summary: Merry Christmas! Today we get to celebrate the birth of Jesus together. On that night so long ago, shepherds were visited by angels in the dark of night. Can you imagine their fear at seeing glorious angels appear in the darkness? But they brought

Matthew 2:13-23 Raging Against the Messiah 1. A life of suffering 2. A mission of redemption 3. A path of humility Verse: Matthew 2:15 This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. According to this passage, how did Jesus' sufferings begin when he was a baby? Take a moment and think about all of the various moments of suffering in Jesus' life. How might this give you comfort in your own suffering? 2. How does Jesus fulfill the word to Israel,

Matthew 2:1-12 Fall on Your Knees Summary: Today let's keep listening to the amazing history of Jesus' birth. Matthew tells us of wise men who come from far away to worship Jesus. But others who heard about Jesus' being born either felt threatened by him, or didn't seem to care at all. What is your attitude toward Jesus today? Let's think about it: Outline: 1. Unlikely worshippers of Jesus 2. Unexpected enemies of Jesus 3. Important gifts for Jesus Verse: Matthew 2:2 “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.

Isaiah 42:1-9 NRSV

Matthew 1:18-25 God With Us Summary: It is finally December, and we get to celebrate the birth of Jesus all month! Today, let's listen to Matthew's Gospel as he tells us of Jesus' birth: Outline: 1. Jesus is the long-expected king 2. Jesus is the Holy one of God 3. Jesus is the Savior we need 4. Jesus is God with us Verse: Matthew 1:21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why does Matthew give a long genealogy of Jesus' ancestors before telling us of His birth? Why is it important for us? 2. Do you struggle to believe that Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit, without a human father? Why is that truth so important for our salvation? 3. What does the news of God with us - the

Habakkuk 1:1-3; 2:1-4; 3:17-19 NRSV

Isaiah 2:1-4 NRSV