Learning the Faith by Heart

Speaking, Praying, and Singing God’s Word Together

The Week of Aug 31 – Sept 7, 2025

Preparing for the Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost

Hymn of the Week: How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord (853)

GLCA Learn by Heart Hymn: These Are the Holy Ten Commands (581:4)

GLCA Catechism Memory: The Third Commandment

Bible Verse Memory: “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Monday: Catechism Bible Story – Exodus 31:12-18  

The most basic meaning of the word Sabbath is “to stop.” God wanted His people to stop what they were doing to remember all that God had done for them in creating them, saving them, and making them His people. In this way, they would find rest, not only for their bodies, but also, for their souls. Where do most people turn for rest today? Where does God tell us to find rest? What are some ways that people “despise preaching and God’s Word” today?

Tuesday: Commemoration of Hannah – 1 Samuel 1

         Hannah’s story encourages us to reflect upon God’s answers to our prayers. Even when Hannah was not receiving what she prayed for, where did she keep returning? Answer: to God’s house! Sometimes, God does not answer our prayers when or how we wish He would. How does Hannah’s faith and God’s mercy encourage us in our prayers?

Wednesday: Old Testament – Deuteronomy 30:15-20

The title Deuteronomy comes from the Greek word for repetition. Throughout the book Moses is repeating God’s teaching to His children. It is a summary of instruction for them on their way to the promised land. “Choosing life and good” seems like a no brainer. But God had to constantly remind His people that walking in His ways are better than going the other way because they kept on forgetting! Why is it so important to be in Church regularly? Why is it so easy to forget God’s Word?  

Thursday: Commemoration of Moses – LSB 814:6

Moses is a hero of our faith, but that doesn’t mean he was perfect. Moses doubted, even when God appeared to him in a burning bush. Moses thought his brother Aaron would be a better candidate for setting the Israelites free from Egypt. Most lost his patience with the Israelites and disobeyed God’s command, which ended with his not being allowed the enter the Promised Land. But God used this imperfect man. How does Moses life serve as an example of faith? How can his story be helpful when you feel like you aren’t enough? – Family Lectionary, Concordia Collective, pg. 244     

Friday: Holy Gospel – Luke 14:25-35

         The Christian life is full of many crosses. Thanks be to God, Jesus’ cross is not one of them! Only Jesus can carry the weight of the whole world’s sin and guilt and shame. And we don’t have to! When Jesus calls us to pick our crosses and follow Him, it is not to pay for our sin. How does that affect how you view the crosses you must bear?

The Order of Meditation and Prayer

The sign of the cross + may be made by all in remembrance of their Baptism 

Invocation 

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Apostles’ Creed 

            I believe in the God the Father Almighty…

Verse of the Week 

“And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” – Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Bible Reading for the Day (From Upcoming Readings for Sun, Portals of Prayer, or other Daily meditation)

            This is the Word of the Lord. 

            Thanks be to God. 

Hymn of the Week  

How Clear Is Our Vocation, Lord (853)

Catechism Memory 

What is the Third Commandment?

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

What does this mean?

We should fear and love God so that we do not despise preaching and His Word but hold it sacred and gladly hear and learn it.

Family Prayers 

For___________________, let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.  

Lord’s Prayer 

Taught by our Lord and trusting in His promises, we are bold to pray:

Our Father, who art in heaven…