Learning the Faith by Heart
Speaking, Praying, and Singing God’s Word Together
The Week of Jan 18 – Jan 25, 2026
Preparing for the Conversion of St. Paul
Hymn of the Week: Chief of Sinners Though I Be (611)
GLCA Learn by Heart Hymn: We All Believe in One True God (953:2)
GLCA Catechism Memory: First & Second Article of Apostles’ Creed (Preschool +) and Explanations (Third Grade +)
Bible Verse Memory: Review of all Old Testaments Books (Genesis – Malachi)
Monday: First Reading – Acts 9:1–22
Some Christians look for proof of their salvation in their conversion story. They probably wouldn’t say every Christian needs a story as dramatic as St. Paul’s, but the more dramatic the story, the better. How could having that sort of expectation distract you from the way God has promised to convert a person (i.e. the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word and Sacraments)? Read the beginning sentences for the service of Holy Baptism on page 268 for your dramatic conversion story.
Tuesday: Commemoration of Sarah
According to the genealogy in Matthew’s Gospel, Sarah is Jesus’ 38th great-grandmother! Sarah and her husband, Abraham, did not always trust God. (See Genesis 12, 16, 20). However, God did not abandon them (Family Lectionary, pg. 34). How is Sarah’s life an example of God’s mercy? How does remembering God’s mercy to Sarah strengthen your faith?
Wednesday: Epistle – Titus 3:4-8
Read verse 4. What was it that caused God to save us “by the washing of regeneration” (i.e. Holy Baptism)? Answer: His goodness and loving kindness. Read verse 5. What are the effects of Holy Baptism? Answer: spiritual rebirth and renewal. Regeneration means to be re-born. In the same way we received our physical life passively, we receive our spiritual life passively. Read John 3:4-6. How is a person born again? Where and when were you born again of “water and the Spirit”?
Thursday: Holy Gospel – Matthew 19:27–30
St. Paul doesn’t take any credit for his conversion. Instead, he understands that the cause of His conversion is God’s mercy. In 1 Timothy 1:13-14, he says, “though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent [..] I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.” Read Matthew 19:30. What are the results of Jesus’ mercy in Paul’s life?
Friday: Chief of Sinners Though I Be (611)
Sing or read aloud together LSB 611. Stanza 2 speaks in a very personal way about the “Love that found me.” God’s love may have found you at a very young age — even as an infant — or when you were older. In what way, specifically and concretely, did Jesus’ love find you and save you, even “when you sought Him not”? Be sure to refer to the external means or instruments that He used. – LCMS Worship Hymn of the Day Bible Studies for Feasts, Festivals, & Occasions, pg. 24
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.
Verse of the Week
Review of all Old Testaments Books (Genesis – Malachi)
Catechism Memory
Please see Lutheran Service Book Page 322
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.
Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty…
Hymn of the Week
Chief of Sinners Though I Be (611)
Family Prayers
For___________________, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.
Collect for the Conversion of St. Paul – Almighty God, You turned the heart of him who persecuted the Church and by his preaching caused the light of the Gospel to shine throughout the world. Grant us ever to rejoice in the saving light of Your Gospel and, following the example of the apostle Paul, to spread it to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
Lord’s Prayer