Sing to the Lord, and praise him! Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us (Psalm 96.2, GNB).

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Opening

Speak these words out loud:

By his power God raised Jesus from the dead,
and he will raise us also.

1 Corinthians 6.14 (NIV)

Today’s Proverb

Read the proverb through three or four times, slowly. Pause in-between, maybe write it out by hand – savour the words, let them speak deeply to you.

Proverbs 22.15

Speaking as someone who doesn’t have children, I know I need to be a bit careful here. We also need to be careful because smacking children – including your own – is illegal if it leaves any mark on the skin (reddening / minor bruising / worse).

Thankfully, there is far more to discipline than physical assault. At its best, discipline involves demonstrating that actions have consequences, so children (and more mature children) learn a lesson – by which I mean, change their behaviour.

Discipline involves setting boundaries, and sticking to them. Escalating threats which are never carried out, or which are watered down, have no effect because children might have folly bound up in their heart – but they aren’t stupid!

But that’s true for adults as well. It’s hard when we are grown-up and independent, but we also need to learn how our actions have consequences, and let ourselves learn the hard lessons – instead of living in denial, pretending that we are always in the right. And we have the most fair and the most loving parent of all: our Father in Heaven.

Now, not every bad thing that happens to us should be put down as God’s discipline – but the Bible says he does discipline ‘those he loves’ (Hebrews 12.6). So, whether or not we have children, we all have lessons to learn when it comes to discipline – are we humble enough to listen?

Prayers

Pray for Five – pray for your five friends / family from Thy Kingdom Come.

Our daily prayer sheet includes the names of everyone for whom we have a signed church family directory form – and local parishes and senior church leaders. Today we are praying for:

Archdeacon Simon Heathfield

Father, please bless them with your peace, and a deep awareness of your presence with them, every day and in every way.

We also pray for: Church of England Birmingham

Please pray for our leaders and healthcare workers, and all those working to keep us safe, well, and fed. Please pray that people would unselfishly put others before themselves.

Church Family Prayer

Come Holy Spirit,
and make us one in heart and action,
so that we can serve God faithfully:
abounding in love,
maturing in holiness,
and seeking out the lost.
Help us grow as disciples of Jesus –
in commitment, in depth, and in number –
that we may be a blessing to Amington;
to the glory and praise of God the Father.
Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.

Closing Prayer

Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
the only way to the Father.

Psalm 127.1, Hebrews 12.2 & John 14.6

May Christ our Saviour give us peace.
Amen.