Family Worship Guide

Call to Worship: Psalm 9:11–12

Sing praises to the LORD, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds! For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted. (ESV)

Hymn:‍ Not What These Hands Have Done

Prayer of Adoration & Lord’s Prayer:

Our God and Father, you deserve all honor, praise and glory. Your wonderful deeds are known by your people which brings much comfort. Lord, it is not what your people’s hands have done but yours. You are the faithful one of Israel, of your church. You hear the cries of your people and you answer according to your will and in your time. May your name be honored throughout the world on this day. AMEN. Father hear us as we pray together . . . Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen

Response: The Gloria Patri

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end, Amen, amen.

Confession of Faith: Westminster Confession of Faith

Let’s continue our study of the Westminster Confession Larger Catechism

Question #149

Q. Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God?

A. No man is able, either of himself, or by any grace received in this life, perfectly to keep the commandments of God; but doth daily break them in thought, word, and deed.

Question #150

Q. Are all transgressions of the law of God equally heinous in themselves, and in the sight of God?

A. All transgressions of the law of God are not equally heinous; but some sins in themselves, and by reason of several aggravations, are more heinous in the sight of God than others.

Question #151

Q. What are those aggravations that make some sins more heinous than others?

A. Sins receive their aggravations,

1. From the persons offending: if they be of riper age, greater experience or grace, eminent for profession, gifts, place, office, guides to others, and whose example is likely to be followed by others.

2. From the parties offended: if immediately against God, his attributes, and worship; against Christ, and his grace; the Holy Spirit, his witness, and workings; against superiors, men of eminency, and such as we stand especially related and engaged unto; against any of the saints, particularly weak brethren, the souls of them or any other, and the common good of all or many.

3. From the nature and quality of the offence: if it be against the express letter of the law, break many commandments, contain in it many sins: if not only conceived in the heart, but break forth in words and actions, scandalize others, and admit of no reparation: if against means, mercies, judgments, light of nature, conviction of conscience, public or private admonition, censures of the church, civil punishments; and our prayers, purposes, promises, vows, covenants, and engagements to God or men: if done deliberately, wilfully, presumptuously, impudently, boastingly, maliciously, frequently, obstinately, with delight, continuance, or relapsing after repentance.

4. From circumstances of time and place: if on the Lord’s day, or other times of divine worship; or immediately before or after these, or other helps to prevent or remedy such miscarriages: if in public, or in the presence of others, who are thereby likely to be provoked or defiled.

Reading of the Law: Proverbs 3:1–4

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. (ESV)

Silent Confession of Sin/Confession of Sin:

Sovereign Lord Jesus Christ, O Word of God, who freely offered Yourself as a blameless sacrifice upon the cross to God, you are the coal of double nature, that touched the lips of the prophet with the tongs, and took away his sins. Touch also the hearts of us sinners, and purify us from every stain, and present us holy beside Your holy altar, that we may offer You a sacrifice of praise: and accept from us this incense as an odour of a sweet smell, and make fragrant the evil odour of our soul and body, and purify us with the sanctifying power of Your all-holy Spirit: for You alone are holy, who sanctifies, and are communicated to the faithful; and glory becomes You, with Your eternal Father, and Your all-holy, and good, and quickening Spirit, now and ever, and to all eternity. We pray in Jesus’ name Amen.

Assurance of Pardon: 2 Corinthians 5:17–19

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (ESV)

Scripture lesson: Mark 6:45-56

Jesus Walks On The Water

Questions to think about as you read the passage:

1. Why were the disciples afraid when they saw Jesus walking on the water, and what does this teach us about how we respond when we don’t understand what God is doing?

2. Jesus told the disciples, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” How can remembering who Jesus is help us when we face something frightening or difficult?

3. Mark tells us that the disciples did not understand what the miracle of the loaves taught them about Jesus. Why is it important not only to see what Jesus does but also to understand what his works teach us about who he is?

Commentary

Immediately after feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends his disciples ahead by boat toward Bethsaida while he dismisses the crowd. He then goes up the mountain to pray. As evening comes, the disciples are in the middle of the sea, struggling against a strong wind, while Jesus is alone on land. Mark tells us that Jesus sees their difficulty and comes to them during the fourth watch of the night, between approximately 3 and 6 a.m. Though physically separated from his disciples, Jesus is aware of their distress.

Jesus approaches them, walking on the sea. Mark says that he “meant to pass by them” (v. 48). This puzzling statement may echo Old Testament accounts in which God reveals his glory by passing before his servants (Exodus 33:19–23; 34:5–8). The connection is not explicitly explained by Mark, but it fits the passage’s emphasis on Jesus’ divine identity. Scripture also describes God as the one who treads upon the waves of the sea (Job 9:8). Jesus is not merely rescuing his disciples from danger; his actions reveal an authority belonging to God.

The disciples mistake Jesus for a ghost and cry out in fear. He immediately reassures them: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (v. 50). The words “It is I” can simply identify Jesus, though in this setting they may carry a deeper significance. Jesus enters the boat, and the wind ceases. The disciples are utterly astonished because they have not understood the significance of the feeding of the five thousand. Mark explains that their hearts were hardened. Despite witnessing Jesus’ miraculous works, they still fail to grasp fully who he is.

When they cross over, they land at Gennesaret rather than Bethsaida, the destination named earlier. The text does not explain the precise reason for this difference, though the contrary wind may have affected their course. The people recognize Jesus and bring the sick to him from throughout the surrounding region. Wherever he goes, people plead to touch even the fringe of his garment, and all who touch it are healed. Jesus continues to demonstrate his compassion and divine authority.

his people’s distress. When fear unsettles us, we should return to what Scripture reveals about him and learn to trust the Savior who has authority over the storm.

Discuss these questions from above

1. Why were the disciples afraid when they saw Jesus walking on the water, and what does this teach us about how we respond when we don’t understand what God is doing?

2. Jesus told the disciples, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” How can remembering who Jesus is help us when we face something frightening or difficult?

3. Mark tells us that the disciples did not understand what the miracle of the loaves taught them about Jesus. Why is it important not only to see what Jesus does but also to understand what his works teach us about who he is?

Closing Application

The disciples’ experience warns us that witnessing God’s works does not automatically produce a heart that understands and trusts him. We, too, can know God’s promises yet struggle with fear when circumstances become difficult. The answer is not to place confidence in the strength of our faith, but to look again to Christ, whose power and compassion do not change with our circumstances. The Lord does not promise that his people will never face troubling winds, but this passage reminds us that Christ is sovereign over creation and is not unaware of his people’s distress. When fear unsettles us, we should return to what Scripture reveals about him and learn to trust the Savior who has authority over the storm.

The Doxology

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below; Praise him above, ye heav’nly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

Prayer of Thanksgiving/Supplication:

Our Father and our God, we are thankful for all the blessings you bestow upon us because of your perfect steadfast love. We acknowledge that deep in our very being we know we do not deserve any blessings but because of what Christ has done for us you now show us much grace and mercy and we are grateful for that. Thank you Lord that we have been adopted into your family and have peace with you. Father, we come before you asking for mercy on those who are suffering, help for those in need of comfort and to give companionship to those who are lonely. Be with our expectant mothers and their babies. May the little one be growing normally in their mother’s womb and may the deliveries be as pain free as possible. We pray for these things in your Son’s name. Amen

Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 9

Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table. She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” To him who lacks sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways, and live, and walk in the way of insight.” Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury. Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it. The woman Folly is loud; she is seductive and knows nothing. She sits at the door of her house; she takes a seat on the highest places of the town, calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way, “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says, “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.” But he does not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol. (ESV)

Closing Scripture: Psalm 121:1–2

I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (ESV)