A six-week home church series that introduces …storage.cloversites.com › thechapel1 ›...

A six-week home church series that introduces participants to ancient prayers and meditations that help us connect with

God.

Spiritual Reflection

Ignatian ContemplationOpening Prayer

Community Builder - “Deduction”Have everyone write one-word answers to the following questions on an index card: favorite animal, favorite TV show, favorite color, and favorite food. Hand the cards to the group leader who shuffles them and reads the answers aloud. Ask everyone to guess the name of the person who gave the answers.

Five Minute ReflectionShare any spiritual insights that were revealed or any additional questions they had from the previous week’s discussions.

History Ignatian Contemplation is a form of prayer by which we take a passage of scripture, usually from the Gospel, and immerse ourselves in it using all our senses. Using our imagination, we feel the heat of the day, smell the livestock, see the clouds of dust on the road, listen to Jesus’ words, and watch His actions. It’s a way to engage with the gospel with all our being.

Experience Quiet - Still your heart, mind, and soul. Prayerfully seek God’s guidance and be aware of His presence. Be assured that the Holy Spirit is guiding your prayer as you seek Him right now. Use your imagination and consider how God sees you right now. (observe a moment of silence)

Listen- Read Mark 2:1-12 aloud

Imagine - As I read the passage again, listen with your senses. Imagine the scene as if you were right there. What is around you? Who else is there? What do you hear in the scene? What do you smell? Where are you? What can you feel? What conversations are happening around you? What is the mood of the people? Reread Mark 2:1-12.

Contemplate and Discuss - As a group, discuss the following questions. - How did this exercise enhance your understanding of the passage? - What part of the scripture most deeply moved you? - What words or phrases stood out to you? - When is a time you were paralyzed by your circumstances or hardship?- Does anything have you paralyzed at the moment? - How can we support you as a group and help you get the healing you need?

Pray for each other. Ask God to bring healing and renewal to your lives.

Spiri

tual

Ref

lect

ion

Spiri

tual

Ref

lect

ion

Igna

tian

Con

tem

plat

ion

Igna

tian

Con

tem

plat

ion


Lectio DivinaOpening Prayer

Community Builder - “Agree or Disagree”Have everyone express an opinion on any subject (ex. “Spinach is delicious.”). Take turns going around the circle and ask each person to either “agree” or “disagree.”


HistoryLectio Divina is an ancient spiritual practice that derives its title from the Latin words Lectio (reading) and Divina (divine/holy). During the experience, participants experience God through listening, meditation, prayer, and contemplation.

ExperienceQuiet - Still your heart, mind, and soul. Ask God to reveal Himself to you through the reading of scripture.

Listen - Read Psalm 19 aloud slowly. As you hear the words and phrases, pay attention to anything that catches your attention.

Meditation - Meditate on the word, phrase, or idea that has captured your attention. Repeat it again and again to yourself silently. Reflect on the following questions:

- What thoughts come to mind as you meditate on this word, phrase, or idea? - How does this truth impact your life right now? - What does it make you hope for?

Pray - Silently speak to God. Tell Him what word, phrase or idea has captured your attention. Ask Him to reveal how that idea should change your attitudes or actions to make you more like Him. Listen to God speak to your soul.

Contemplate and Discuss - As a group, discuss the following questions. - How does creation declare the glory of the Lord? - How is scripture a guide for your life? - How does your obedience declare the glory of the Lord? - Turn Psalm 14:19 into a personal prayer. If you consistently prayed this prayer, how would your life be transformed?

Closing Prayer

Spiri

tual

Ref

lect

ion

Spiri

tual

Ref

lect

ion

Lect

io D

ivin

aLe

ctio

Div

ina


Opening Prayer

Community Builder- “Comic Strip”If you were a character in a comic strip, which character would you be and why?


HistoryThe Prayer of Examen is a daily spiritual exercise created by St. Ignatius of Loyola. This prayer is an exercise in remembering and reflecting on the day.

Experience - (each group member needs a copy of this page)Presence - Recognize the presence of God. Remind yourself of His desire to be with you. Read the following scriptures to yourself. Allow the truth of these words sink into your soul.

- Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” - Psalm 145:18, “The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”

Gratitude - Look at the last 24 hours with an attitude of gratitude. Acknowledge God in the big and small moments of your life. Recognize the reasons you have to be grateful. Share these thoughts with the group, giving witness to God’s grace and goodness working in your life.

Review- Thinking back over the previous day, take a moment to silently consider the answers to these questions:

- Where did you feel you were best cooperating with God’s movement in your life? - When were you resisting? - What habits and life patterns are evident? - When did you give and receive love? - When did you feel most fully yourself? Least yourself?

Response- After taking time to remember the day, take time to consider your response. Discuss these questions as a group:

- Is there anyone from whom I need to ask forgiveness? - Have I received direction from God? - How do I need to move forward?

Closing Prayer

Prayer of Examen

Spiri

tual

Ref

lect

ion

Spiri

tual

Ref

lect

ion

Cha

lleng

e yo

urse

lf to

dev

ote

time

to c

ompl

etin

g th

e Ex

amen

eac

h ni

ght t

his

wee

k us

ing

the

follo

win

g ou

tline

as

a g

uide

.Pr

esen

ceRe

cogn

ize

the

pres

ence

of G

od. R

emin

d yo

urse

lf of

His

de

sire

to b

e w

ith y

ou. R

ead

the

follo

win

g sc

riptu

res

to

your

self.

Allo

w th

e tru

th o

f the

se w

ords

sin

k in

to y

our

soul

. - P

salm

46:

10, “

Be s

till a

nd k

now

that

I am

God

.”

- Psa

lm 1

45:1

8, “T

he L

ord

is n

ear t

o al

l who

cal

l on

Him

, to

all w

ho c

all o

n H

im in

trut

h.”

Gra

titud

eLo

ok a

t the

last

24

hour

s w

ith a

n at

titud

e of

gra

titud

e.

Ackn

owle

dge

God

in th

e bi

g an

d sm

all m

omen

ts o

f yo

ur li

fe. R

ecog

nize

the

reas

ons

you

have

to b

e gr

atef

ul.

Rev

iew

- Whe

re d

id y

ou fe

el y

ou w

ere

best

coo

pera

ting

with

G

od’s

mov

emen

t in

your

life

? - W

hen

wer

e yo

u re

sist

ing?

- W

hat h

abits

and

life

pat

tern

s ar

e ev

iden

t?

- Whe

n di

d yo

u gi

ve a

nd re

ceiv

e lo

ve?

- Whe

n di

d yo

u fe

el m

ost f

ully

you

rsel

f? L

east

you

rsel

f?R

espo

nse

- Is

ther

e an

yone

from

who

m I

need

to a

sk fo

rgiv

enes

s?

- Hav

e I r

ecei

ved

dire

ctio

n fro

m G

od?

- How

do

I nee

d to

mov

e fo

rwar

d?

Cha

lleng

e yo

urse

lf to

dev

ote

time

to c

ompl

etin

g th

e Ex

amen

eac

h ni

ght t

his

wee

k us

ing

the

follo

win

g ou

tline

as

a g

uide

.Pr

esen

ceRe

cogn

ize

the

pres

ence

of G

od. R

emin

d yo

urse

lf of

His

de

sire

to b

e w

ith y

ou. R

ead

the

follo

win

g sc

riptu

res

to

your

self.

Allo

w th

e tru

th o

f the

se w

ords

sin

k in

to y

our

soul

. - P

salm

46:

10, “

Be s

till a

nd k

now

that

I am

God

.”

- Psa

lm 1

45:1

8, “T

he L

ord

is n

ear t

o al

l who

cal

l on

Him

, to

all w

ho c

all o

n H

im in

trut

h.”

Gra

titud

eLo

ok a

t the

last

24

hour

s w

ith a

n at

titud

e of

gra

titud

e.

Ackn

owle

dge

God

in th

e bi

g an

d sm

all m

omen

ts o

f yo

ur li

fe. R

ecog

nize

the

reas

ons

you

have

to b

e gr

atef

ul.

Rev

iew

- Whe

re d

id y

ou fe

el y

ou w

ere

best

coo

pera

ting

with

G

od’s

mov

emen

t in

your

life

? - W

hen

wer

e yo

u re

sist

ing?

- W

hat h

abits

and

life

pat

tern

s ar

e ev

iden

t?

- Whe

n di

d yo

u gi

ve a

nd re

ceiv

e lo

ve?

- Whe

n di

d yo

u fe

el m

ost f

ully

you

rsel

f? L

east

you

rsel

f?R

espo

nse

- Is

ther

e an

yone

from

who

m I

need

to a

sk fo

rgiv

enes

s?

- Hav

e I r

ecei

ved

dire

ctio

n fro

m G

od?

- How

do

I nee

d to

mov

e fo

rwar

d?

Pray

er o

f Exa

men

Pray

er o

f Exa

men


Opening Prayer

Community Builder - “Categories”Call out a category and have everyone in the room say one word that fits in that category.


HistorySolitude is the discipline of abstaining from interaction with others to be alone and connect with God. Christians through the ages have used the practices of solitude and silence to quiet their hearts and minds and focus on God’s goodness and grace. Practicing regular times of silence and solitude provides us with an intimacy that fuels our passion for other spiritual disciplines.

Experience - (each group member needs a copy of this page)Read 1 Kings 19:11-12, “Go out and stand on the mountain,” the Lord replied. “I want you to see me when I pass by.” All at once, a strong wind shook the mountain and shattered the rocks. But the Lord was not in the wind. Next, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. Then there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. Finally, there was a gentle breeze.” Talk about the following questions as a group:

- In what situations have you experienced God’s strength and power? - In what ways have you encountered God through whispers? - How do you put yourself in the position to hear God’s whispers?

Individual Reflection - Take 10 minutes of silence to individually consider the following questions:

- How does God see you right now? - How do you see God as your Father? as your Savior? as your Guide? - In what area of your life does God want to restore and renew you? - What is God saying to you? - What do these verses tell you about God?

o Habakkuk 2:20, “Let all the world be silent – the Lord is present in His holy temple.” o Psalm 46:10, “Our God says, “Calm down, and learn that I am God! All nations on earth will honor me.” o Isaiah 30:15, “The Holy Lord God of Israel had told all of you, ‘I will keep you safe if you turn back to me and calm down. I will make you strong if you quietly trust me.’”

Discussion - What inhibits you from entering into silence and solitude? - How do you remain focused on God during these times of quiet reflection? - What benefits have you found from observing silence and solitude?

Closing Prayer

Silence and Solitude

Spiri

tual

Ref

lect

ion

Spiri

tual

Ref

lect

ion

Cha

lleng

e yo

urse

lf to

dev

ote

time

to s

ilenc

e an

d so

litud

e th

is w

eek

usin

g th

e fo

llow

ing

outli

ne a

s a

guid

e.R

ead

one

of th

e fo

llow

ing

scrip

ture

s.

Psal

m 2

3:1-

3La

men

tatio

ns 3

:28

Mar

k 1:

35Lu

ke 6

:12-

13

Ref

lect

ion

Take

10

min

utes

of s

ilenc

e to

con

side

r the

follo

win

g qu

estio

ns:

- How

doe

s G

od s

ee y

ou ri

ght n

ow?

- How

do

you

see

God

as

your

Fat

her?

as

your

Sa

vior

? as

you

r Gui

de?

- In

wha

t are

a of

you

r life

doe

s G

od w

ant t

o re

stor

e an

d re

new

you

? - W

hat i

s G

od s

ayin

g to

you

? - I

n w

hat a

rea

of y

our l

ife d

oes

God

wan

t to

brin

g pe

ace?

Cha

lleng

e yo

urse

lf to

dev

ote

time

to s

ilenc

e an

d so

litud

e th

is w

eek

usin

g th

e fo

llow

ing

outli

ne a

s a

guid

e.R

ead

one

of th

e fo

llow

ing

scrip

ture

s.

Psal

m 2

3:1-

3La

men

tatio

ns 3

:28

Mar

k 1:

35Lu

ke 6

:12-

13

Ref

lect

ion

Take

10

min

utes

of s

ilenc

e to

con

side

r the

follo

win

g qu

estio

ns:

- How

doe

s G

od s

ee y

ou ri

ght n

ow?

- How

do

you

see

God

as

your

Fat

her?

as

your

Sa

vior

? as

you

r Gui

de?

- In

wha

t are

a of

you

r life

doe

s G

od w

ant t

o re

stor

e an

d re

new

you

? - W

hat i

s G

od s

ayin

g to

you

? - I

n w

hat a

rea

of y

our l

ife d

oes

God

wan

t to

brin

g pe

ace?

Sile

nce

and

Solit

ude

Sile

nce

and

Solit

ude


The Daily OfficeOpening Prayer

Community Builder - “Magic Wand”Find an item to use as your “magic wand” (pencil, bamboo skewer, ruler, etc.) Tell everyone the wand has the power to change anything about your work or daytime environment. Pass the wand around and have everyone talk about three changes they’d like to make.


HistoryThe Daily Office is a liturgy found in the Book of Common Prayer from 1549. Thomas Cranmer, who compiled the book, distilled the seven monastic prayer services of his day into two prayers: one in the morning and one in the evening. This practice is called the “Daily Office” because at the time, the word office meant service- “daily office” simply meaning the service of the day.

Experience - Part of the “Daily Office” Rite Two taken from the Book of Common Prayer (1549). Give each participant a copy of this page.

(Leader reads aloud) Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14Confession of Sin (Leader reads aloud)Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.Spend a few moments in silent prayer(Everyone reads together)Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your name. Amen.(Leader reads aloud)Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in eternal life. Amen.

Spiritual ReflectionThe Daily Office

The Invitatory

Leader: Lord, open our lips.

Group: And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.

(Leader and group read aloud)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever Amen.

Jubilate

(Leader reads aloud)

Psalm 100

Be joyful in the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness and come before His presence with song.

Know this: The Lord himself is God; He himself has made us, and we are His; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and call upon His Name.

For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His faithfulness endures from age to age.

(Leader reads aloud)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen


The LessonsThe Old Testament Reading

(Have someone from the group read the passage aloud.)A Reading from Hosea 14:1-9Hosea 14:1-9“Israel, return to the Lord your God, For you have stumbled because of your iniquity; Take words with you, And return to the Lord. Say to Him, ‘Take away all iniquity; Receive us graciously, For we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. Assyria shall not save us, We will not ride on horses, Nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, 'You are our gods.' For in You the fatherless finds mercy.’ ‘ I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon. Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon. ‘ Ephraim shall say, 'What have I to do anymore with idols?' I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me.’ Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them. “Reader: The Word of the Lord.Group: Thanks be to God.


The LessonsThe NewTestament Reading

(Have someone from the group read the passage aloud)

A Reading from Acts 22:30-23:11

Acts 22:30-23:11

“The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them. Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, ‘Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.’

And the high priest Ananias commanded those who stood by him to strike him on the mouth. Then Paul said to him, ‘God will strike you, you whitewashed wall! For you sit to judge me according to the law, and do you command me to be struck contrary to the law?’ And those who stood by said, ‘Do you revile God's high priest?’ Then Paul said, ‘I did not know, brethren, that he was the high priest; for it is written, 'You shall not speak evil of a ruler of your people.'’

But when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, "Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; concerning the hope and resurrection of the dead I am being judged!" And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and the assembly was divided. For Sadducees say that there is no resurrection-and no angel or spirit; but the Pharisees confess both. Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees' party arose and protested, saying, ‘We find no evil in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God.’

Now when there arose a great dissension, the commander, fearing lest Paul might be pulled to pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and take him by force from among them, and bring him into the barracks. But the following night the Lord stood by him and said, ‘Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.’”

Reader: The Word of the Lord.Group: Thanks be to God.


The Apostles' Creed(Everyone reads together)I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.The PrayersLeader: The Lord be with you.Group: And also with you.Leader: Let us pray. (Group reads together)Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. (Leader reads aloud)Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray, and to give more than we either desire or deserve: Pour upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving us those good things for which we are not worthy to ask, except through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ our Savior; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen


The General Thanksgiving(everyone reads aloud)Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made.We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. (leader reads aloud)Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to Him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus forever and ever. Amen.

Discussion- What part of this liturgy was most meaningful to you?- How does reciting these historical prayers help us connect with Christians throughout the ages? - How can you implement some of these liturgical elements in your own personal worship/quiet time?

Closing Prayer

The Daily Office

Spiri

tual

Ref

lect

ion

Spiri

tual

Ref

lect

ion

Cha

lleng

e yo

urse

lf to

pra

y th

e Ap

ostle

’s C

reed

eac

h m

orni

ng

over

the

next

wee

k an

d as

a w

ay to

revi

ew a

nd s

um u

p yo

ur

day,

spe

nd ti

me

in e

veni

ng p

raye

r bef

ore

bed,

reci

ting

The

Con

fess

ion.

Th

e A

post

les'

Cre

edI b

elie

ve in

God

, the

Fat

her a

lmig

hty,

cre

ator

of h

eave

n an

d ea

rth.

I bel

ieve

in J

esus

Chr

ist,

His

onl

y So

n, o

ur L

ord.

He

was

con

ceiv

ed b

y th

e po

wer

of t

he H

oly

Spiri

t and

bor

n of

the

Virg

in M

ary.

He

suffe

red

unde

r Pon

tius

Pila

te, w

as c

ruci

fied,

die

d, a

nd w

as b

urie

d. H

e de

scen

ded

to th

e de

ad.

On

the

third

day

He

rose

aga

in.

He

asce

nded

into

hea

ven,

and

is s

eate

d at

the

right

han

d of

the

Fath

er.

He

will

com

e ag

ain

to ju

dge

the

livin

g an

d th

e de

ad.

I bel

ieve

in th

e H

oly

Spiri

t, th

e ho

ly c

atho

lic c

hurc

h, th

e co

mm

unio

n of

sa

ints

, the

forg

iven

ess

of s

ins,

the

resu

rrect

ion

of th

e bo

dy, a

nd th

e lif

e ev

erla

stin

g. A

men

.

The

Con

fess

ion

I hum

bly

conf

ess

my

sins

unt

o Al

mig

hty

God

.

- Spe

nd a

few

mom

ents

in s

ilent

pra

yer

Mos

t mer

cifu

l God

,I c

onfe

ss th

at I

have

sin

ned

agai

nst y

ou in

thou

ght,

wor

d, a

nd d

eed,

by

wha

t I h

ave

done

, and

by

wha

t I h

ave

left

undo

ne.

I hav

e no

t lov

ed y

ou w

ith m

y w

hole

hea

rt; I

have

not

love

d m

y ne

igh-

bors

as

mys

elf.

I am

trul

y so

rry a

nd I

hum

bly

repe

nt.

For t

he s

ake

of y

our S

on J

esus

Chr

ist,

have

mer

cy o

n m

e an

d fo

rgiv

e m

e; th

at I

may

del

ight

in y

our w

ill, a

nd w

alk

in y

our w

ays,

to th

e gl

ory

of

your

nam

e. A

men

.

The

Dai

ly O

ffice

Cha

lleng

e yo

urse

lf to

pra

y th

e Ap

ostle

’s C

reed

eac

h m

orni

ng

over

the

next

wee

k an

d as

a w

ay to

revi

ew a

nd s

um u

p yo

ur

day,

spe

nd ti

me

in e

veni

ng p

raye

r bef

ore

bed,

reci

ting

The

Con

fess

ion.

Th

e A

post

les'

Cre

edI b

elie

ve in

God

, the

Fat

her a

lmig

hty,

cre

ator

of h

eave

n an

d ea

rth.

I bel

ieve

in J

esus

Chr

ist,

His

onl

y So

n, o

ur L

ord.

He

was

con

ceiv

ed b

y th

e po

wer

of t

he H

oly

Spiri

t and

bor

n of

the

Virg

in M

ary.

He

suffe

red

unde

r Pon

tius

Pila

te, w

as c

ruci

fied,

die

d, a

nd w

as b

urie

d. H

e de

scen

ded

to th

e de

ad.

On

the

third

day

He

rose

aga

in.

He

asce

nded

into

hea

ven,

and

is s

eate

d at

the

right

han

d of

the

Fath

er.

He

will

com

e ag

ain

to ju

dge

the

livin

g an

d th

e de

ad.

I bel

ieve

in th

e H

oly

Spiri

t, th

e ho

ly c

atho

lic c

hurc

h, th

e co

mm

unio

n of

sa

ints

, the

forg

iven

ess

of s

ins,

the

resu

rrect

ion

of th

e bo

dy, a

nd th

e lif

e ev

erla

stin

g. A

men

.

The

Con

fess

ion

I hum

bly

conf

ess

my

sins

unt

o Al

mig

hty

God

.

- Spe

nd a

few

mom

ents

in s

ilent

pra

yer

Mos

t mer

cifu

l God

,I c

onfe

ss th

at I

have

sin

ned

agai

nst y

ou in

thou

ght,

wor

d, a

nd d

eed,

by

wha

t I h

ave

done

, and

by

wha

t I h

ave

left

undo

ne.

I hav

e no

t lov

ed y

ou w

ith m

y w

hole

hea

rt; I

have

not

love

d m

y ne

igh-

bors

as

mys

elf.

I am

trul

y so

rry a

nd I

hum

bly

repe

nt.

For t

he s

ake

of y

our S

on J

esus

Chr

ist,

have

mer

cy o

n m

e an

d fo

rgiv

e m

e; th

at I

may

del

ight

in y

our w

ill, a

nd w

alk

in y

our w

ays,

to th

e gl

ory

of

your

nam

e. A

men

.

The

Dai

ly O

ffice


JournalingOpening Prayer

Community Builder - “Standing Ovation”This week celebrate successes and blessings! Ask everyone to take turns talking about something that went well for them this week - something they feel good about. After each person shares, have everyone in the group rise to their feet and give a standing ovation as an encouragement!


HistoryThe practice of journaling has been around for thousands of years. Journaling allows us to capture our thoughts and feelings during a specific period of time so that we can go back and trace the hand of God in and through each circumstance.

ExperienceThe leader will read the following scriptures aloud. Instruct group members to write down key words or thoughts as you read, then give them time to reflect and journal their responses. Confession - (leader reads aloud)1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Proverbs 28:13, “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” James 5:16, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

Journaling - Give a few minutes of silence to reflect and journal their responses to this prompt…“I confess…”

Spiritual ReflectionJournaling

Blessings - (leader reads aloud)Philippians 4:19, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” James 1:17, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” Luke 6:38, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Matthew 6:30-33, “But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

Journaling - Give a few minutes of silence to reflect and journal their responses to this prompt…“Today I count these blessings…”

Promises - (leader reads aloud)God promises us His presence, “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8God promises to help us, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.” John 14:16God promises to give us His strength, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10God promises to answer our prayers, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” 1 John 5:14-15God promises to bear our burdens, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God who is our salvation.” Psalm 68:19

Journaling - Give a few minutes of silence to reflect and journal their responses to this prompt…“I claim these promises of God…” (They can write some that were discussed or other promises God has made in His Word. )

Spiritual ReflectionJournaling

Response- - Would you care to share any of the words or phrases you recorded in your journal? - How can journaling become a regular part of your spiritual worship/expression? - Why is it valuable to reflect back on your past prayers/thoughts? - What are the hindrances to adopting journaling as an expression of your spiritual worship?

Closing Prayer

Spiri

tual

Ref

lect

ion

Spiri

tual

Ref

lect

ion

Cha

lleng

e yo

urse

lf to

dev

ote

time

to jo

urna

ling

ever

y da

y th

is w

eek.

Use

the

follo

win

g sc

riptu

res

as s

prin

gboa

rds

for j

ourn

alin

g pr

ompt

s, re

cord

ing

wha

t God

is s

peak

ing

to y

ou th

roug

h H

is W

ord.

1-

Rea

d 2

Cor

inth

ians

1:3

-4; J

ourn

al, “

God

com

forts

m

e th

roug

h…”

2- R

ead

1 C

orin

thia

ns 1

0:13

; Jou

rnal

, “W

hen

I am

te

mpt

ed…

”3-

Rea

d M

atth

ew 1

1:28

-29;

Jou

rnal

, “G

od, I

nee

d to

gi

ve y

ou…

”4-

Rea

d Ph

ilippi

ans

4:6-

7; J

ourn

al, “

I’m w

orrie

d ab

out…

”5-

Rea

d Ps

alm

37:

4; J

ourn

al, “

God

, my

deep

est

desi

res

are…

”6-

Rea

d Ps

alm

46:

1-3;

Jou

rnal

, “I n

eed

your

stre

ngth

w

ith…

”7-

Rea

d Ro

man

s 8:

38-3

9; J

ourn

al, “

Your

love

is…

”

Jour

nalin

gC

halle

nge

your

self

to d

evot

e tim

e to

jour

nalin

g ev

ery

day

this

wee

k. U

se th

e fo

llow

ing

scrip

ture

s as

spr

ingb

oard

s fo

r jou

rnal

ing

prom

pts,

reco

rdin

g w

hat G

od is

spe

akin

g to

you

thro

ugh

His

Wor

d.

1- R

ead

2 C

orin

thia

ns 1

:3-4

; Jou

rnal

, “G

od c

omfo

rts

me

thro

ugh…

”2-

Rea

d 1

Cor

inth

ians

10:

13; J

ourn

al, “

Whe

n I a

m

tem

pted

…”

3- R

ead

Mat

thew

11:

28-2

9; J

ourn

al, “

God

, I n

eed

to

give

you

…”

4- R

ead

Philip

pian

s 4:

6-7;

Jou

rnal

, “I’m

wor

ried

abou

t…”

5- R

ead

Psal

m 3

7:4;

Jou

rnal

, “G

od, m

y de

epes

t de

sire

s ar

e…”

6- R

ead

Psal

m 4

6:1-

3; J

ourn

al, “

I nee

d yo

ur s

treng

th

with

…”

7- R

ead

Rom

ans

8:38

-39;

Jou

rnal

, “Yo

ur lo

ve is

…”

Jour

nalin

g

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