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, 8/3/26 – 8/8/26
Faith UMC
Continue the conversation from Sunday:
MONDAY 8/3/26: 1 John 3:1-16, We will be like him
The Bible speaks about heaven and the next life mostly in symbols and metaphors. We don’t know what it will be like, except for this: we will be like him. The resurrected Jesus is the “first fruits” of the harvest of God’s future. How would you describe the resurrected Jesus? This is our hope.
TUESDAY 8/4/26: Luke 14:25-35, The costs of discipleship
What are some of the costs of following Jesus in our culture and contexts? In North America, the number of people affiliating as Christian continues to to shrink. What does it mean for you to be a disciple of Christ in the places where you spend most of your time? At home? At work? As it becomes increasingly difficult to be a disciple of Christ, we should ask: why should we follow Christ? Why should we be Christians?
WEDNESDAY 8/5/26: Psalm 85, Restore us again
The Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) was compiled and edited together in the time of exile and restoration. One of the explanations for the exile is consequence for sin. Our psalm today addresses this God who forgives and restores, even when we fail. What do you hear in this psalm today? Which words can you make your words today?
THURSDAY 8/6/26, 2 Samuel 18:1-33, The death of a son
Prince Absalom has taken Jerusalem. His father, King David, has retreated. In the wilderness, David gathers his loyalists for the final battle against his son. David has a request: “Protect my boy, Absalom.” Absalom has more than made himself David’s enemy, yet David still sees him as his boy. How do you see David’s love as a illustration of God’s love for us? What do you take away from the drama of David and Absalom?
FRIDAY 8/7/26: 1 Timothy 6:1-21, Caring for slaves and dangers of wealth
It can be difficult interpreting the letters of Paul. They often contain practical and concrete instructions for a particular person or community. In Paul’s treatment of slavery, modern readers are scandalized by his instructions of slaves to respect their masters. However, for the first readers, Paul’s instruction to treat slaves like brothers and sisters would have been radical. For us today, what are the principles that are guiding the actions of the early church and Paul? What is God doing through them, and what can we learn today?
SATURDAY 8/8/26: Luke 22:39-46, Mt. of Olives and the Suffering of Christ
The next mountain in the story of Jesus is the Mt. of Olives. Luke mentions this mountain twice: when Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (chpt. 19) and when Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem the night before his crucifixion. What does it mean for us that the Messiah, the chosen one who is to bring in God’s future, suffers and weeps? Join us in worship as we hear again of a God who does not reject suffering and grief, but enters it with us. You matter to God.
Faith UMC
Continue the conversation from Sunday:
- What “glimmers” or moments of hope sustain you?
- What is the heart of the Law and the Prophets?
- What does listening to Jesus mean for you today?
MONDAY 8/3/26: 1 John 3:1-16, We will be like him
The Bible speaks about heaven and the next life mostly in symbols and metaphors. We don’t know what it will be like, except for this: we will be like him. The resurrected Jesus is the “first fruits” of the harvest of God’s future. How would you describe the resurrected Jesus? This is our hope.
TUESDAY 8/4/26: Luke 14:25-35, The costs of discipleship
What are some of the costs of following Jesus in our culture and contexts? In North America, the number of people affiliating as Christian continues to to shrink. What does it mean for you to be a disciple of Christ in the places where you spend most of your time? At home? At work? As it becomes increasingly difficult to be a disciple of Christ, we should ask: why should we follow Christ? Why should we be Christians?
WEDNESDAY 8/5/26: Psalm 85, Restore us again
The Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) was compiled and edited together in the time of exile and restoration. One of the explanations for the exile is consequence for sin. Our psalm today addresses this God who forgives and restores, even when we fail. What do you hear in this psalm today? Which words can you make your words today?
THURSDAY 8/6/26, 2 Samuel 18:1-33, The death of a son
Prince Absalom has taken Jerusalem. His father, King David, has retreated. In the wilderness, David gathers his loyalists for the final battle against his son. David has a request: “Protect my boy, Absalom.” Absalom has more than made himself David’s enemy, yet David still sees him as his boy. How do you see David’s love as a illustration of God’s love for us? What do you take away from the drama of David and Absalom?
FRIDAY 8/7/26: 1 Timothy 6:1-21, Caring for slaves and dangers of wealth
It can be difficult interpreting the letters of Paul. They often contain practical and concrete instructions for a particular person or community. In Paul’s treatment of slavery, modern readers are scandalized by his instructions of slaves to respect their masters. However, for the first readers, Paul’s instruction to treat slaves like brothers and sisters would have been radical. For us today, what are the principles that are guiding the actions of the early church and Paul? What is God doing through them, and what can we learn today?
SATURDAY 8/8/26: Luke 22:39-46, Mt. of Olives and the Suffering of Christ
The next mountain in the story of Jesus is the Mt. of Olives. Luke mentions this mountain twice: when Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem on Palm Sunday (chpt. 19) and when Jesus prepares to enter Jerusalem the night before his crucifixion. What does it mean for us that the Messiah, the chosen one who is to bring in God’s future, suffers and weeps? Join us in worship as we hear again of a God who does not reject suffering and grief, but enters it with us. You matter to God.