Your Personal Grow-Pray-Study (GPS) Guide

Day 1: Read Luke 23:33. Pontius Pilate’s name in the Apostles’ Creed reminds us Jesus death is an actual event in time and space. Why is it important to know that the Jesus story is not just a great mystery, but actually happened? 

Day 2: Read Isaiah 53:3-4. Isaiah writes as if we were there at the cross, because we were. My sins, your sins, everyone’s sins, put Jesus on the cross. Take time today to confess your sins and ask God for His forgiveness. Even more, take time to thank Jesus for the sacrifice He made to be your Savior.

Day 3: Read Luke 23:34. Where do you need to hear Jesus’ words of forgiveness today? With whom do you need to share words of forgiveness today? 

Day 4: Read Isaiah 53:5. Consider the price Jesus paid to bear our sins. What words/phrases from this verse touch you with what happened to Jesus on the cross and what that means for your life? Take time to turn those words and phrases into a prayer of Thanksgiving for what Jesus has done and continues to do in your life.

Day 5: Read Philippians 2:6-8. Right before Paul writes these words, he tells us to have the same attitude of Jesus. What attitude of Jesus do you notice in these verses? What does that say to the attitude God wants you to have with others?

Day 6: Read Luke 23:46. The Greek word for commit means to yield, to entrust, and to commit. But the way it’s used most often it means to deposit, especially to deposit something for safekeeping. In this verse Jesus commits His life to God. What do you need to entrust, to deposit for safe keeping with God today?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado.

Don't forget you can watch this week's sermon message or read the full PDF of the sermon message & GPS.

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimating completion by the end of October 2019). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Monday – Read Luke 1:34-37. The angel Gabriel told Mary that she would give birth to a son, even though she was a virgin. Her response? “HOW CAN THIS BE?!” Gabriel responds, “nothing is impossible with God.” How have you seen impossibility overcome in your life?

Tuesday – Read Luke 1:39-45. Mary’s cousin, Elizabeth, is carrying a child as well: John the Baptist. When Mary tells Elizabeth the news, the pre-born John leaps in the womb. How does this impact your view of life and how precious children, even the unborn, are?

Wednesday – Read Luke 1:46-47. Mary sings a song about the news she has received. How does your soul magnify God? How do you rejoice in the Savior?

Thursday – Read Luke 1:54. Mary says in her song that the Lord has “remembered Israel in His mercy.” When God remembers, He acts. Is it hard for you to remember mercy (and act in mercy) in your everyday life? Where do you want to work on this?

Friday – Read Luke 2:14. The heavenly host sing with joy as the shepherds hear about the Christ-child. How can this song be sung in your words and actions at work? At home? At school? 

Saturday – Read Luke 2:19. As Mary sat with her newborn child, she “treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.” How can pondering the greatness of God influence the way you live day by day?

Don't forget you can watch this week's sermon message or read the full PDF of the sermon message & GPS.

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimating completion by the end of October 2019). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Monday – Read Genesis 1:2. Do you ever feel as though your life is formless and void? How does the confessing the Creed change that perspective?

Tuesday – Read Genesis 1:11-13. Have you ever taken time to go look at plants and vegetation? God made some pretty intricate and unique things. Take some time to go admire this part of creation and write down what you noticed. 

Wednesday – Read Genesis 1:14-19. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Take some time in both the morning and evening to pray and thank God for the hours ahead and the hours past. Reflect on what aspects of the morning and evening you appreciate.

Thursday – Read Genesis 1:20-25. Every animal on this planet was spoken into creation. That means that every squirrel, bunny rabbit, and domesticated pet is something that testifies to God’s creation. Reflect on this aspect of creation.

Friday – Read Genesis 1:26-28. God said: “Let us make man in our image after our likeness.” We see the Trinity in Genesis 1. It’s also important to note that God hinted in this phrase to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit THREE times. Notice that God makes man differently. He spoke everything else into creation, but man was formed out of the ground. What does that say about man’s uniqueness?  What does it mean to you that you were made in the image of God? 

Saturday – Read Genesis 1:31. God looked at His creation and said: “It was very good.” Sometimes we don’t take time to appreciate all that God has created. Throughout the day, write down the aspects of creation that you find most meaningful.

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book Evolution: A Theory in Crisis by Michael Denton.

Don't forget you can watch this week's sermon message or read the full PDF of the sermon message & GPS.

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimating completion by the end of October 2019). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Day 1: Read Mark 5:27-28. The Apostles’ Creed connects us to the eternal God. Where do you need to believe and receive Jesus’ healing touch in your life?

Day 2: Read Mark 5:33-34. Where have you received Jesus’ peace in your life, and whom can you share that peace with this week?

Day 3: Read Hebrews 10:24-25. At Christ Lutheran Church we create for community to build places where people grow in their love for God and each other. Whether single or married, with kids or without kids, young or old, member or non-member, join us to build community in your home and at work. God created you to build for community. Where is God providing such community for you? Where is God calling you to create for community for others?

Day 4: Read Romans 10:13-14. The Apostles’ Creed connects us to our ancient faith and calls us to share that faith with others. Where in the world are you praying for God to lead people to Jesus? Where in your world is God calling you to share your story of faith with someone else?

Day 5: Read Genesis 12:1. The Apostles’ Creed reminds us God knows where we are and where He is calling us to go. Where is God calling you to go, to step out in faith? What do you find exciting and challenging about His call to go?

Day 6: Read Genesis 12:4. When is it easy for you to believe in God? When do you find it challenging to believe in God? Where do you need to hold tightly in faith to God today?

You can GO DEEPER this week by reading the book Affirming the Apostles’ Creed by J. I. Packer.

Don't forget you can watch this week's sermon message or read the full PDF of the sermon message & GPS.

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimating completion by the end of August 2019). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.

Photo by Bill Oxford on Unsplash

Day 1: Read Romans 12:1-2. How do you conform to the pattern of the world? How do you not conform? What would you like to change?

Day 2: Read Romans 12:3-8.  How does your attitude about yourself compare with Paul’s instructions on how we should think of yourself? What are some good and bad examples of following and not following this instruction?

Day 3: Read Matthew 28:16-20 – The Great Commission. What is your idea of making disciples? Of teaching? Of Obeying? Of Baptizing? Think of ways our church carries out the Great Commission and how you are involved, or could be involved more.

Day 4: Read Ephesians 4:11-13.  Paul describes what are commonly known as spiritual gifts. What are your spiritual gifts? Are any of these among them? How are you using your spiritual gifts in service in your church, your family, your community or your workplace?

Day 5: Read Matthew 20:1-16 – The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard. What would be a common worldly way to interpret this parable? What is the heavenly way? How can we use this parable to inform our attitudes about our work on earth and the kingdom of heaven?

Day 6: Read Philippians 4:13. This is one of the most misused verses in the Bible. How have you seen it misused? Read what Paul says before and after and come to a proper use of this verse.

Don't forget you can watch this week's sermon message or read the full PDF of the sermon message & GPS.

CREATE FOR COMMUNITY PRAYER REQUESTS: For patience with parking challenges during construction (currently estimating completion by the end of August 2019). For safety and efficiency of our construction crews. For those who have given generously for these improvements.