Taking Home Faith 9.27.26

SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST God instructs, guides, and protects us. DAILY BIBLE READINGS These passages are related to the Lectionary texts for this Sunday. Sunday Monday Matthew 21:23-32 Parable of the two sons Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 God’s ways are fair Tuesday Philippians 2:1-13 Wednesday Proverbs 4:20-27 Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Psalm 78:1-8 James 1:19-27 Psalm 25:1-9 Matthew 21:33-46 Christ shows us humility Keep to the right path What God has done Hearing and doing God’s word Prayer for guidance and help Parable of the vineyard tenants SCRIPTURE VERSE FOR THIS WEEK [W]ork out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:12b-13 (NRSV) PRAYERS AND BLESSING A Prayer for the Week: Dear God, teach us to know your ways and to do them with humility and compassion for all that you have created through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Psalm 25:4) Mealtime Prayer: Good and gracious God, we thank you for providing for our every need, including the gift of this food; we pray through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. A Blessing to Give: May God guide you to love and serve humbly. © 2025 Milestones Ministry, LLC. All rights reserved. SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 HYMN OF THE WEEK We All Are One in Mission 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:  Do you ask for help when making decisions? Why or why not?  How does reading the Bible and having caring conversations with other believers help guide your life? DEVOTIONS Read: Philippians 2:1-13. The Apostle Paul speaks to the church at Philippi and encourages the people to live with others with humility. He uses Christ as our model for this way of life as Christ Jesus took on our human existence and “humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death” (v. 8). With this as a guide, Paul exhorts believers to pursue the Christian life because it matters to others, to the world, and to God. Knowing how hard it is to live this life faithfully, he states, “work out your salvation in fear and trembling” (v. 12b). It is not fear, however, that prevents us from acting. It is a sense of awe and reverence that frees us to live and act because God is with us, behind, and in front of us in both our actions and our very desire to do the will of God. It can be overwhelming to wonder how to live as a Christian. Paul encourages us to go forth with humility to love others and trust God, knowing that God is present in our lives to shape our very thoughts and actions. Discuss: Who do you know that role models the Christian life of humility? What is an example you can give about the person? Pray: God of justice and mercy, guide our days and our deeds in the peace of Christ. 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 help someone who is struggling to choose the right thing to do? RITUALS AND TRADITIONS Lifting our hands is one way to show praise to God. In the Old Testament there are people (like Leah and Moses) who lift their hands in praise to God. This is an ancient pose of prayer and a motion used to open a person to receiving God’s blessing. Think or talk about when and how you pray (kneeling, folded hands, etc.). Then lift your hands and pray: “To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust.” Amen. (Psalm 25:1-2a) In addition to Taking Faith Home, celebrate milestones in your daily life as an effective faith formation tool. Go to: www.milestonesministry.org