Pray & Ponder

I wonder if you've ever waited for something that didn't quite turn out the way you thought it would? Join us as we read  these scriptures  and wonder together about the things the prophet Isaiah and even Jesus told His friends would happen to Him -- things they didn't really expect to happen.  Come!  Let's pray and  ponder . Together. Head over to our website  for more information about  Restorat...

I wonder what you know about courage? I wonder if there has been a time you have had to be courageous? In today's story, we get to see Jesus being courageous when "knowing everything that would happen to Him" He steps into the very thing He was meant to do. Join us as we read these scriptures and stand in awe of Jesus' great courage and love for us. Come! Let's pray and ponder. Together. Head over...

I wonder what you learn about someone simply by watching them or listening to what they say? I wonder how overhearing a conversation they have with someone else teaches you about who they are? In today's story, we overhear Jesus talking to God in prayer. Join us as we read  these scriptures  and notice more about the relationship Jesus has with the Father and how He longs for us to have that same...

I wonder if you have chores that you do to help others in your household? I wonder if there are chores you like or if there are chores you don't like? In today's story, Jesus took on the chore that no one liked and He did it all out of love -- just so He could show His friends what kind of life He came to live for our sake. Join us as we read  these scriptures  and notice how Jesus' actions reveal...

I wonder how you plan for a trip? What do you think about? What do you do to get ready? How do you wait? In today's story, we begin the journey with Jesus as He prepares to go to the cross as our rescuer King. Join us as we read  these scriptures  and notice how Jesus continues to prepare us for this trip.  Come!  Let's pray and ponder. Together.   Head over to our  website  for more information a...

I wonder what you know about how grapes grow, attached to a vine that's attached to a branch? But I wonder if you've noticed what happens when a bunch of grapes is cut from the vine or the vine is cut from the branch? Join us as we read  these scriptures  and hear Jesus say that He is the true vine and what it means for us to stay close to Him.  Come!  Let's pray and  ponder . Together. Head over...

I wonder if you have ever lost your way? I wonder how you felt when you were lost? I wonder how you got back on track? Join us as we read  these scriptures  and hear that Jesus is the way and the truth and the life. He is the One who shows us the way -- who keeps us from getting lost -- as we trust in and follow Him.  Come! Let's pray and ponder. Together. Head over to  restorationarlington.org  f...

I wonder if you have ever seen something that looked dead come back to life?  Read along with   these scriptures  as you not only hear Jesus say that He is the resurrection and the life, but where we see, too, that Jesus brings life and hope in places where there is none. Come!  Let's pray and  ponder . Together. Head over to  restorationarlington.org  for more information on  Restoration  and  Pr...

I wonder if you remember a time when someone you love spoke your name in a way that sounded like love to you? Jesus -- our Good Shepherd -- is the One who loves us, His sheep. And He speaks to us in love.  Read along with   these scriptures  as you listen for God's gentle voice through His good words to us. Come!  Let's pray and  ponder . Together. Head over to  restorationarlington.org  for more...

I wonder if you have ever been up so early in the morning that you got to watch the sunrise? I wonder what you noticed about how the light changed the dark sky?  In today's story, we'll see how Jesus -- who tells us that He is the light of the world -- brings light to dark places as He transforms people's hearts and minds and even their eyes. Read along with   these scriptures  as you see who Jesu...

I wonder what you think is the difference between a snack and a meal? I wonder what makes for a good snack or a good meal? In today's story, we'll take a look at how Jesus is both more than a snack or a meal -- that He is the bread of life. Read along with   these scriptures  as you nibble and noodle on God's good words to us. Come!  Let's pray and ponder. Together. Head over to  restorationarling...

I wonder about a time when someone introduced him or herself to you? I wonder what you learned about who they are because of the words they used? I wonder how you introduce yourself to others? I wonder if you say, "My name is . . ." or "I am . . . "? Today we are introducing the way Jesus introduces himself throughout the gospel of John. Over the next several weeks we'll be looking at those introd...

I wonder about a time when you had really good news to share? What was that good news? How did you share it?  Today we hear the story of some really, really good news that God promised long ago. Follow along with  these scriptures  from the Gospel of Luke where we, too, get to hear that good news of God's promise coming true. You may want to  listen  and sing along to one rendition of how we might...

I wonder if you have ever heard something so extraordinary that you could barely believe it? I wonder if after hearing that extraordinary, hard to believe news, you saw something that helped you to believe the unbelievable? Today we hear the story of how Mary became the mother of Jesus through the extraordinary work of the Holy Spirit. Follow along with  these scriptures  from the Gospel of Luke w...

I wonder if you've ever been so surprised by something you didn't have any words to say? Where maybe all that came out was a "Gasp! . . .  uuuumm . . . uh . . . oh . . . er . . . "?  Today we hear the story of Zechariah who responded just like that. Follow along with  these scriptures  from the Gospel of Luke where we, too, are amazed by how God is keeping His promise. You may want to listen to th...

I wonder if you've ever played hide and seek? I wonder if you prefer to be the "hider" or the "seeker"? Follow along with  these scriptures  from the story Esther as we seek and find God all throughout the story. I wonder how looking for God in the story of Esther can help you see God in your own life, too?  Come! Let's pray and ponder. Together. Head over to  restorationarlington.org  for more in...

I wonder about a time when you tried to fix something that was broken? Why was it important to you to fix it?  Follow along with  these scriptures  as we notice what God -- the best kind of fixer -- is up to as He works through Nehemiah and Ezra to reveal His heart for His people. Come! Let's pray and ponder. Together. Head over to  restorationarlington.org  for more information on  Restoration  a...

I wonder if you have ever seen God do something miraculous or unexpected?  I wonder if you're wanting Him to do something like that in your life right now? Follow along with  these scriptures  as we notice how God is with Daniel and how those around Daniel notice how God is at work in and through him. Come! Let's pray and ponder. Together. Head over to  restorationarlington.org  for more informati...

I wonder if you have ever been asked to think or do or say something that was different from what you believed? How did you respond? What did you do? In today's story, we see three friends who loved the Lord who were asked to do something that went against what they believed.  I wonder what you'll notice about how God was with these friends as you follow along in  the scriptures  from the book of...

I wonder if you know a friend who is a really good buddy to you? One  who just likes to be with you no matter what you are doing and no matter how you are feeling? Today's story is about a friendship like that, but it's also a story that has glimmers of the kind of friend that Jesus is to us. I wonder what you'll notice as you listen and follow along with  these scriptures  from the book of Ruth? ...

I wonder if you've ever tried to do the exact same thing as someone else? Or perhaps you have tried to draw a picture just like a picture you've seen? God's Ten Commandments are a reflection of who He is. They are meant to help us imitate Him; to live like Him as His beloved children created in His image. Come! Follow along with  these scriptures  as we  pray  and  ponder . Together. Head over to ...

I wonder what you know about the best way to do something? Why is it the best way? How does doing something the best way help form you into a better do-er of that something you do? How do the best ways shape what it means to be a do-er of that something? Follow along with  these scriptures  as we tell the story about some of God's best ways that show us more about who He is and what He is like. Co...

I wonder about a story that is so important you tell it over and over again? God's people tell and retell the story of God's great rescue of them through the parting of the Red Sea. Follow along with  these scriptures  as we tell the story that has shaped the hearts of God's people, a story about God's power and protection. Come! Let's pray and ponder. Together. Head over to  restorationarlington....

I wonder about a time when you were told "no"? I wonder why someone told you "no"? God, who knows and loves us best, tells his people "no" to protect them -- especially when their hearts are turned away from Him. In today's story, you'll see God telling some people "no". Follow along with these scriptures as we read from  Genesis 11:1-9 , a story about God's love and protection in saying "no". Com...

Do you ever think about all the things that God made? I wonder if you have a favorite thing that he created? Join us as we wonder together about the ways God made the world and everything in it and what that tells us about who God is! Follow along with these scriptures as we read from  Genesis 1:1-2:3  and begin at the beginning to tell God's BIG story of his BIG love for his people. Come! Let's p...