Taking Home Faith

NOVEMBER 1, 2026 TWENTY-THIRD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST Greatness comes through serving others. DAILY BIBLE READINGS These passages are related to the Lectionary texts for this Sunday. Sunday Monday Tuesday Matthew 23:1-12 Micah 3:5-12 Humble yourselves Wicked rulers and prophets 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13 Leading a life worthy of God Wednesday Philippians 2:1-11 Imitating Christ’s humility Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday James 3:13-18 James 4:1-10 Psalm 43 Matthew 25:1-13 Two kinds of wisdom Friendship with the world A prayer for protection A parable of the ten bridesmaids SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK The greatest among you will be your servant. All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12 (NRSV) PRAYERS AND BLESSING A Prayer for the Week: Almighty God, we thank you for the power and grace of humble service; help us to bear the fruit of justice and mercy through Christ our Lord. Amen. Mealtime Prayer: Dear God, we thank you for the gift of this food, a sign of your constant love for us through Christ our Teacher and Lord. Amen. A Blessing to Give: May God bless you with the heart of a servant. © 2025 Milestones Ministry, LLC. All rights reserved. NOVEMBER 1, 2026 HYMN OF THE WEEK Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service WEEKLY MILESTONES Take a moment to tell or think about a recent mountain high and/or valley low in your life. CARING CONVERSATIONS Discuss in your home, small group, or use for personal reflections:  Who do you consider to be a great leader and what makes that person great?  Jesus saw a world where people with religious power took advantage of their positions. How does any misuse of that power affect the witness of the church in the world today ? DEVOTIONS Read: Micah 3:5-12 and Matthew 23:1-12. You may have heard it said, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Jesus made a similar point when he accused scribes and Pharisees of not living up to the standards they set for others. Micah 3:5-12 accused Israel’s false prophets of being self-serving, prophesying to others whatever benefited themselves. One of the challenges of the church today is coming to terms with the corruptibility of clergy and other church leaders who abuse children, and the institutional leaders who protect them. More generally, there continues to be evidence today of religious leaders who do not practice what they preach. Jesus rejects the prestige of religious titles that put some above others like scribe, Pharisee, rabbi, teacher, or instructor. The true power of the kingdom is to serve others in love, not to flaunt one’s power and authority over others. Christians are on the same level, not one above another. They are able to bless and serve others in a way that reflects the power of love, grace, and service. As Jesus said, “The greatest among you will be your servant” (Matthew 23:11). Discuss: How do Jesus’ teachings free you to speak and serve equally with all other disciples of Christ? Pray: Almighty God, you alone rule over your church with absolute grace and truth. Help us to humbly receive your power of love and serve others through Christ our Lord. Amen. SERVICE Jesus calls us to serve our neighbor in love. Based on the Daily Bible Readings and theme for this week, how can you honor, recognize, and thank someone you know who serves others humbly? RITUALS AND TRADITIONS Psalm 43 is a prayer for protection. Go on a night walk using a flashlight to guide you. Afterward, think or talk about what it means to be dependent on light to see your way clearly and to guide your path safely. Think or talk about how God leads, guides, and protects us every day. Pray: “O send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you with the harp, O God, my God.” Amen. (Psalm 43:3-4) In addition to Taking Faith Home, celebrate milestones in your daily life as an effective faith formation tool. Go to: www.milestonesministry.org