Grow • Pray • Study
daily Devotional Guide
Our Grow • Pray • Study (GPS) Guide offers daily readings and thoughts that follow along the Scriptural themes of our Sunday Worship services.
G•P•S - Grow, Pray, Study Guide, 12/1/25 – 12/6/25
Faith UMC
MONDAY 12/1/25: Isaiah 2:1-5, What Israel Hopes For
Isaiah is a collection of prophecies and sayings before, during, and after the Israel’s forced migration and exile. Israel has always been weaker than the empires surrounding it. Through their turmoil, there is a vision of a future: one without war. How does Christ fulfill this hope? How do we join our hope and action with Israel’s hope?
TUESDAY 12/2/25: Mark 15:21-47, Truly he was the Son of God
Throughout the book of Mark, we are faced with the question, “Who is Jesus?” In Mark, Jesus seems to avoid the answer, even telling people to be quiet about who he is. Peter calls him the Son of God, and for a moment Jesus is hopeful that his identity is understood by his disciple. Unfortunately, Peter doesn’t get it, and he rejects the notion that Jesus will be killed. It is only here, at the end of the book, looking at the cross, does someone answer correctly who Jesus is: the Son of God. It is in the mouth of a Gentile looking at the crucifixion. This is who Jesus is. This is what the Son of God does.
WEDNESDAY 12/3/25: Psalm 72:1-8, What a King Does
Israel is hoping for a new kind of kingdom: a King that will stand up for the oppressed and the needy, a King that will crush evil, and a King that usher in the peaceful Reign of God. As you read this psalm, how does Jesus fill this hope? Does Jesus fill this hope? How are Jesus’ methods and message different from what Israel might have expected?
THURSDAY 12/4/25: Numbers 23:1-12, Cursing those God has not cursed
We will finish up the story of Balaam today. King Balak attempts to use divine forces to curse his enemies, the Israelites. Balaam, an esteemed seer in the land, would usually invoke the gods’ blessings or curses for the right price. However, this time, Balaam is truly open the words of the One True God, and the word is don’t curse those God has not cursed. The sentiment is echoed in Acts 10, when Peter hears from God to no longer consider unclean what God has made clean. When we are certain that God is against a group of people, we should proceed with extreme caution. God may surprise us yet.
FRIDAY 12/5/25: Galatians 3:25-4:7, Adopted children
Adoption is a powerful metaphor for salvation. As Paul speaks to people who have only ever heard that they are not God’s choice people, Paul can proclaim that through Christ we have been brought into God’s family. We are children of God. What does this mean for your life? What rights and responsibilities do children of God have?
SATURDAY 12/6/25: Luke 1:26-38, Peace & Unease
Tomorrow, we hear again the story of the angel coming to announce the pregnancy to Mary. Suffice it to say, it’s a pregnancy announcement like none other. While it is good news, there is understandable concern, even unease, at the announcement. What will this mean for Mary? Does this kid even have a chance? Can we find peace even in the discomfort? Join us as we continue our path to Christmas! You matter to God.
Faith UMC
MONDAY 12/1/25: Isaiah 2:1-5, What Israel Hopes For
Isaiah is a collection of prophecies and sayings before, during, and after the Israel’s forced migration and exile. Israel has always been weaker than the empires surrounding it. Through their turmoil, there is a vision of a future: one without war. How does Christ fulfill this hope? How do we join our hope and action with Israel’s hope?
TUESDAY 12/2/25: Mark 15:21-47, Truly he was the Son of God
Throughout the book of Mark, we are faced with the question, “Who is Jesus?” In Mark, Jesus seems to avoid the answer, even telling people to be quiet about who he is. Peter calls him the Son of God, and for a moment Jesus is hopeful that his identity is understood by his disciple. Unfortunately, Peter doesn’t get it, and he rejects the notion that Jesus will be killed. It is only here, at the end of the book, looking at the cross, does someone answer correctly who Jesus is: the Son of God. It is in the mouth of a Gentile looking at the crucifixion. This is who Jesus is. This is what the Son of God does.
WEDNESDAY 12/3/25: Psalm 72:1-8, What a King Does
Israel is hoping for a new kind of kingdom: a King that will stand up for the oppressed and the needy, a King that will crush evil, and a King that usher in the peaceful Reign of God. As you read this psalm, how does Jesus fill this hope? Does Jesus fill this hope? How are Jesus’ methods and message different from what Israel might have expected?
THURSDAY 12/4/25: Numbers 23:1-12, Cursing those God has not cursed
We will finish up the story of Balaam today. King Balak attempts to use divine forces to curse his enemies, the Israelites. Balaam, an esteemed seer in the land, would usually invoke the gods’ blessings or curses for the right price. However, this time, Balaam is truly open the words of the One True God, and the word is don’t curse those God has not cursed. The sentiment is echoed in Acts 10, when Peter hears from God to no longer consider unclean what God has made clean. When we are certain that God is against a group of people, we should proceed with extreme caution. God may surprise us yet.
FRIDAY 12/5/25: Galatians 3:25-4:7, Adopted children
Adoption is a powerful metaphor for salvation. As Paul speaks to people who have only ever heard that they are not God’s choice people, Paul can proclaim that through Christ we have been brought into God’s family. We are children of God. What does this mean for your life? What rights and responsibilities do children of God have?
SATURDAY 12/6/25: Luke 1:26-38, Peace & Unease
Tomorrow, we hear again the story of the angel coming to announce the pregnancy to Mary. Suffice it to say, it’s a pregnancy announcement like none other. While it is good news, there is understandable concern, even unease, at the announcement. What will this mean for Mary? Does this kid even have a chance? Can we find peace even in the discomfort? Join us as we continue our path to Christmas! You matter to God.