Family Worship Guide

Call to Worship: Psalm 147:12–15

Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion! For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you. He makes peace in your borders; he fills you with the finest of the wheat. He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly. (ESV)

Hymn:‍ God Moves In A Mysterious Way

Prayer of Adoration & Lord’s Prayer:

Our Father and our God, all your wonderful works deserve praise. You certainly do work in mysterious ways, ways that transcend all understanding. You will be glorified in all that you do. From creation to consummation, it is your work. Even the salvation of your people is your doing from beginning to end. You are our rock, our refuge, and our redeemer. May our triune God be blessed now and forevermore. We pray in your Son’s name, 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 as we look at the eighth commandment which reads: Thou shalt not steal..

Question #140

Q. Which is the eighth commandment?

A. The eighth commandment is, Thou shalt not steal.

Question #141

Q. What are the duties required in the eighth commandment?

A. The duties required in the eighth commandment are, truth, faithfulness, and justice in contracts and commerce between man and man; rendering to every one his due; restitution of goods unlawfully detained from the right owners thereof; giving and lending freely, according to our abilities, and the necessities of others; moderation of our judgments, wills, and affections, concerning worldly goods; a provident care and study to get, keep, use, and dispose of those things which are necessary and convenient for the sustentation of our nature, and suitable to our condition; a lawful calling, and diligence in it; frugality; avoiding unnecessary law-suits, and suretyship, or other like engagements; and an endeavor, by all just and lawful means, to procure, preserve, and further the wealth and outward estate of others, as well as our own.

Question #142

Q. What are the sins forbidden in the eighth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the eighth commandment, besides the neglect of the duties required, are, theft, robbery, man-stealing, and receiving any thing that is stolen; fraudulent dealing; false weights and measures; removing landmarks; injustice and unfaithfulness in contracts between man and man, or in matters of trust; oppression; extortion; usury; bribery; vexatious lawsuits; unjust inclosures and depopulations; engrossing commodities to enhance the price, unlawful callings, and all other unjust or sinful ways of taking or withholding from our neighbor what belongs to him, or of enriching ourselves; covetousness; inordinate prizing and affecting worldly goods; distrustful and distracting cares and studies in getting, keeping, and using them; envying at the prosperity of others; as likewise idleness, prodigality, wasteful gaming; and all others ways whereby we do unduly prejudice our own outward estate, and defrauding ourselves of the due use and comfort of that estate which God hath given us.

Reading of the Law: James 2:8–11

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. (ESV)

Silent Confession of Sin/Confession of Sin:

"O Lord my God, I have sinned against You in thought, word, and deed. I have wounded my soul and grieved Your Holy Spirit. Have mercy on me, O Lord, according to Your great goodness. Blot out my transgressions, wash me from my iniquities, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. You alone have I offended, and done evil in Your sight. But You are the God of those who repent. Show me Your mercy, O Lord, and cleanse me from all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your free Spirit. Amen.”

Assurance of Pardon: Titus 2:11–14

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (ESV)

Scripture lesson: Mark 6:7-13

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

Questions to think about as you read the passage:

Jesus sent the disciples out to serve and tell others about Him. What opportunities do you have to serve Christ and share what you believe with others?

Jesus told the disciples to depend on Him rather than taking extra things for themselves. What are some things you tend to depend on instead of trusting God?

Jesus warned the disciples that some people would welcome them while others would reject them. How can knowing that help you when someone doesn’t respond positively to your faith?

Commentary

Jesus now sends the twelve out to continue the ministry they have seen Him perform. He gives them authority over unclean spirits and sends them out in pairs, making clear that their ministry is not their own work but an extension of His. They go with His authority, proclaiming repentance, casting out demons, and healing the sick. The message is central: people are called to turn from sin and return to God. The miracles confirm the message, but the proclamation of repentance remains at the heart of their mission.

Jesus also gives the disciples surprisingly simple instructions for their journey. They are to take little with them—no bread, bag, money, or extra clothing—and are to depend upon the hospitality God provides through others. This is not a command that Christian workers must always live without possessions, but it teaches a fundamental principle of ministry: the servants of Christ must depend upon their Master. Their effectiveness does not come from impressive resources, careful preparation, or personal ability. Christ sends them with what He has given them, and that is sufficient.

The command to remain in one house rather than moving from place to place also teaches contentment and integrity. They are not to treat ministry as an opportunity for personal advantage. Their concern is to faithfully deliver the message entrusted to them. Likewise, Jesus prepares them for rejection. If a place refuses to receive them or listen, they are to leave and shake off the dust from their feet as a testimony against them. The disciples are responsible for faithful proclamation, but they are not responsible for producing faith in those who hear.

There is an important encouragement here for every Christian who seeks to serve Christ. The disciples are sent with authority, but they are also sent with dependence. They are given a message, but they cannot control the response. They are called to faithfulness rather than worldly success. Even rejection does not mean the mission has failed. The responsibility of Christ’s servants is to speak His truth clearly, live faithfully, and leave the results in His hands.

This passage also points beyond the twelve to the continuing work of Christ through His church. The church does not invent its own message or mission. Christ is the One who sends, Christ supplies what His servants need, and Christ remains responsible for the fruit. The strength of gospel ministry therefore rests ultimately not in the messenger, but in the Lord who sends him.

Now that you have heard the commentary, how would you answer these questions?

Jesus sent the disciples out to serve and tell others about Him. What opportunities do you have to serve Christ and share what you believe with others?

Jesus told the disciples to depend on Him rather than taking extra things for themselves. What are some things you tend to depend on instead of trusting God?

Jesus warned the disciples that some people would welcome them while others would reject them. How can knowing that help you when someone doesn’t respond positively to your faith?

Closing Thought On Scripture Lesson

There is something freeing about knowing that Christ does not ask us to control the outcome of our faithfulness. We can serve, speak, encourage, and pray without carrying the burden of making everything turn out as we hope. Some will listen, some will not, and some may even reject what we say. Our calling is simply to remain faithful to the One who sent us. When we feel inadequate or discouraged, we can remember that Christ's work has never depended upon the strength of His servants. He delights to use ordinary people who trust an extraordinary Savior.

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:

Gracious Father, we thank You for the privilege of being called to serve Christ and for the gospel You have entrusted to Your people. Thank You that Christ does not send His people in their own strength, but provides what is needed to accomplish the work You give them. We thank You for those who faithfully proclaim Your Word and for the ways You have allowed us to serve one another. As we give thanks for Your provision and faithfulness, we bring our needs before You. Give us courage to speak Your truth, humility to depend upon You, and faithfulness when the work is difficult or the response is discouraging. Provide for those who serve Christ, strengthen those who are weary, and give wisdom to those entrusted with leading and teaching Your people. Help us to trust You with the results, knowing that the work belongs to You. May our lives and service point others to Christ and bring glory to Your name. Amen.

Old Testament Reading: Proverbs 8:1–11

Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I will speak noble things,

and from my lips will come what is right, for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. (ESV)

Closing Scripture: Jude 24–25

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. (ESV)