God’s Grace Goes With Us!
During the summer months, our schedules often become
more relaxed. We may visit friends for
cookouts, take outings to the zoo, spend time in our garden, or just hang out
at the pool. We sometimes find ourselves
traveling and enjoying the outdoors. This
is also an opportunity to consider the ways that God’s grace can go with us on
our adventures! This resource is
designed just for you and your summer plans!
This summer, we will begin by looking at a variety
of Psalms and the ways in which they reflect the different parts of our faith
journeys. Following those weeks, we will
turn to Luther’s Small Catechism as we prepare for the 500th
anniversary of the Reformation.
Here are some ways you can use this booklet:
* Use one reflection each week during the summer, either at home or on the road. There are multiple readings with each topic, so you can revisit the conversation a few times if you wish.
*Repeat each devotion more than once. Use the same readings throughout the
week. Repetition helps us to learn the
readings and develops a deeper understanding of God’s word in our life.
* Take
this resource with you on vacation! Remember
that even when you travel you are a beloved child of God, called to share God’s
love with others.
* Invite others to participate with you. If you’re visiting friends or family on your
travels, invite them to join you in the conversation!
* Keep a journal.
Use the scripture readings, writings, and conversation prompts as a
tool for journaling this summer. Keep a
notebook to write your thoughts and prayers through the summer months.
* Discuss these topics with a friend. If you don’t have family at home to
participate together, consider inviting a friend to talk with you each
week. You can do this over the phone,
meet for coffee, or check in each week at church.
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Check out the bonus activities included with each of the topics.
Put your faith into action in an active and engaging way!
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FOR
ADDED FUN: Pick up a “Flat Martin Luther” figure and
take it with you. Take pictures with
him. Wherever you travel in your daily
lives, go on vacation, or just walk around the block, bring “Flat Luther” with
you.
If you are using this resource with
another person or with your family, you might consider making it a part of the
FAITH5 pattern for family devotions:
Share Take a few
moments to share your highs and lows from the day.
Read Read the
scripture designated for the day.
Talk Use the
questions provided to get your conversation started. You don’t have to use all of them—but
pick one or two just to get things rolling.
Pray Pray for and
with each other. Take special time to
pray for the highs and lows you have shared and discussed.
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Bless Offer each other a blessing by making the sign of the cross on each other and using a simple blessing such as “you are a child of God” or other words that are meaningful for you.
But what if I live by myself?
FAITH5 is a great tool
to use with a Christian friend or two.
Talk on the phone or get together and discuss your faith. Even in as little as 15 minutes each week,
you can deepen your faith walk and enrich your relationship with someone
else.
The steps from FAITH5
are also adaptable as a personal devotional practice. Use the questions for reflection, to
write in a journal, or to guide personal meditation. Use the blessing time to make the sign of
the cross and remember your baptism.
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For more information about FAITH5 and how it can become a part of your family’s daily faith practices, visit www.faith5.org.
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