Beyond the Weekend: Parables
The stories Jesus told and what they mean for your life today.
Why did Jesus teach in stories? Because the deepest truths about God are often found in the ordinary moments of life.
In the parables, Jesus takes everyday things, a lost sheep, a dinner party, a farmer planting seeds and uses them to show us what God is really like and what it means to follow him.
This summer, we’re spending seven weeks in the parables from Luke’s gospel. Whether you’ve heard these stories a hundred times or this is your first time, you’re invited to come and hear them fresh.
June 27/28–August 8/9
David’s Prayer of Worship
This year in Beyond the Weekend, journey through different biblical models of prayer—one each month. July’s focus is Worship.
Read: 1 Chronicles 29:6–20 | Listen: 1 Chronicles 29
But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 1 Chronicles 29:14
As King David’s reign over Israel comes to an end, he gathers materials for the temple that his son Solomon will eventually build. Willing and joyful generosity mark this time of collecting. Seeing the wholehearted devotion of their leaders, the people rejoice, and David breaks out in a prayer of praise to God. He worships God for his faithfulness, provision, and rightful rule over the kingdom. He acknowledges God as the giver of all things and humbly recognizes that it is God who stirs up his people’s devotion. Evident by their generosity, the Israelites’ hearts are fully oriented toward God. This culminates in joy, praise, and worship for the entire nation.
While we find ourselves in different circumstances from the Israelites, our God has not changed. He still elicits our focus and awe. As we worship him for his generosity, faithfulness, and love, our lives, too, can be marked by joy. His generosity toward us prompts us to give of our time, attention, and resources. The opposite is also true. When we worship things other than God, we strive to generate our own happiness and fulfillment. We live exhausted and grow complacent toward what is important. Only by worshiping God and investing in his kingdom can we experience true joy and contentment.
TODAY: Take an honest inventory of your life. Is it characterized by worship that results in joy and generosity? Are you worshiping something other than God? Write a prayer of worship, reflecting on God’s character and generosity toward you, asking him to give you a heart more devoted to him.
