Family Worship (Feb 22)

Have you ever been at the beach and felt the strong pull of the water? You start playing right in front of your family. But after a few minutes, you look up and realize you’ve drifted far down the shore. You didn’t mean to move. The current just slowly carried you away.

That’s how our hearts can be sometimes. We don’t usually decide to run away from God. Instead, we slowly drift. We forget to pray. We stop listening carefully to God’s Word. We get distracted by school, sports, work, or screens. Before we know it, we feel far from where we started.

In Hebrews, God tells us that we need something strong to keep us steady. He says we have hope in Jesus that is like an anchor for a boat. An anchor keeps a ship from drifting in a storm. Jesus keeps our hearts steady when life feels confusing, hard, or scary.

Hebrews 6:17–20
Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of his purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.

Discussion

1. What does an anchor do for a boat? Why do you think God says our hope in Jesus is like an anchor?
2. The passage says it is impossible for God to lie. How does that make you feel about his promises?
3. What are some ways we might slowly drift away from paying attention to Jesus? What can we do to stay close to him?

Activity: Make a “Hope Anchor.”
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and tape.

Draw a large anchor on a piece of paper. Inside the anchor, write the words: “Jesus is my hope.” Around the anchor, write or draw promises from God that help you feel steady (for example: “God is with us,” “Jesus forgives,” “God keeps his promises,” “Jesus prays for us”).

Tape the anchor somewhere your family will see it this week—on the fridge, a bedroom door, or near your Bible. Each time you see it, say together: “Jesus is our anchor.”

Talk about how you can “drop anchor” during the week by praying, reading the Bible, or reminding each other of God’s promises.

Prayer
Father, thank you for loving us and giving us hope that never moves. When we feel distracted or far from you, pull us back. Help us not to drift. Thank you for sending Jesus to be our forever priest and our anchor. Teach our family to trust your promises and stay close to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.


Memory Work

New City Catechism
7. What does the law of God require?
That we love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; and love our neighbor as ourselves.

Memory Verse
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.