Children’s Bible

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Ready to Go

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Exodus 12:31-39.

The death of one’s first child—is there any pain greater for a parent? This plague brought Pharaoh to let God’s people go.

Rejoice in the reading, the paradigm of all freedom, the Exodus. Read about the importance of continuing its remembrance in the regulations given for the Passover. The use of unleavened bread—a tradition in Holy Communion—recalls that there was no time for the bread to rise. When the Lord says, “GO”, we must be ready.

God moved at night. Think of this as you drop off to sleep and end each day. “He who keeps you will not slumber” (Ps 121: 3). An observant male Jew ties leather cases on his head and left hand, which contain passages from the Torah. What can you do to never forget the obvious—that the blood of Jesus has set you free?

Exodus 12:29—13:16

This is the third of three parts of the Torah Portion Bo (Come)
Conservative and Reform Jewish congregations read only this part this year,
as also in this Bible plan.
Here is the entire portion in all three parts.

Exodus 10:1—13:16

Learn about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Going where You’d have me go 12:41

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information

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Into the Depths

Listen to Pastor Nick read the “Firestarter” and Luke 5:17-26.

The scholarly word for a story in the Gospels is pericope. The word literally means a “cutting around.” Just as we take a newspaper article and clip it out, so do the evangelists stand before the immense possibilities of stories about Jesus and make their selections under the inspiration of the Spirit.

Today there are five of these pericopes—three miracle stories and two debates. I suggest that you take one for each of the quarter parts of the day and evening. Take a spiritual “coffee break” and launch out into the depths of the Spirit. Catch the openness of Peter, the joy of the leper, the inventiveness of the paralyzed man who went down the roof for Jesus. Are you as desperate as he is for your healing?

Ask the Holy Spirit to make your spiritual skin new so that you can receive the power of Jesus without breaking apart at the seams!

Luke 5

Create your own Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Dropping my nets in the deep v. 4

Fridays are dedicated to the Gospels.
In Advent through Epiphany this year we read Luke chapters 1 to 8.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

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Rest In Peace – Corrected

For centuries, monastic communities have been chanting this verse at the beginning of the final sacred hour of the day called Compline. The word means “complete,” as the final prayer takes place before retiring. It suggests that the day is now complete by the final frame of prayer that finishes the day as a sacred work of art for the Lord.

As the day ends and you drop off to sleep, there is a final reminder that the dark energies of evil are still awake and at work. The world forgets that evil is a conscious, personal, malicious, energy constantly directed at destroying goodness by blatant, blasphemous affronts to the glory of God. “Be sober, be vigilant,” but never afraid. The power of God exudes in all four verbs of verse 10: “restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.” However strong are the forces of evil, the power and glory of God are greater still. Rest in peace.

1 Peter 5

Find out all about Bible Breaths Learn More…
Example: Self clothed with humility v. 5

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the seasons of Advent through Epiphany this year,
we read the letters of Peter.

For all the Firestarters in the original version, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.