Weekly Reflections

WEEK 3 - OCTOBER 4
JOSHUA, JUDGES, RUTH, & JOHN

Joshua tells how Israel enters and settles the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership, reminding them to remain faithful to God. Judges follows Joshua’s death and shows Israel repeatedly turning away from God. The judges were not courtroom judges, but leaders raised up by God to rescue Israel from oppression and call them back to faithfulness—though they were often deeply flawed themselves. The book grows darker, ending with, “Everyone did what was right in their own eyes.”(Judges 21:25) Ruth takes place during this chaotic time but tells a quieter story of faithfulness. Ruth, a Moabite widow, remains loyal to Naomi and to God, eventually marrying Boaz and becoming an ancestor of King David. 

Family Reflection:
In John 6:66 we read The Bread of Life Discourse. Some of the disciples leave because they could not believe the truth of the Eucharist. Peter says "To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life!" Do you have any questions about the faith you need answered? Are there any truths you struggle to understand? 

Family Challenge: 
God Is Stronger Than Our Weakness! Read Judges 6:11–16 and 7:2–7, where God calls Gideon even though he feels weak and afraid, and then gives him a much smaller army so that Israel will know God, not their own strength, is what saves them. This week, when you feel like you’re not good enough, strong enough, or capable enough, remember Gideon and pray, “God, I can’t do this on my own, but I trust You.” Share as a family one area where you need to trust God’s strength instead of relying only on your own.

WEEK 2 - SEPTEMBER 27
EXODUS, NUMBERS, DEUTERONOMY, & MATTHEW

Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy tell the story of God rescuing Israel from slavery, making a covenant with them, and teaching them how to live as His people, which relates to the Beattitudes in Matthew 5. Numbers follows Israel through the wilderness as they struggle to trust and obey God, while Deuteronomy looks back on their journey and calls the next generation to remain faithful to the covenant. Together, these books establish the themes of freedom, covenant, faithfulness, sin, mercy, and choosing God that continue throughout the rest of the Bible as God's people wait for the promised land and ultimately the fulfillment of God's promises in Christ. 

Family Reflection:
When I’m frustrated, hurt, or tempted to take the easy way out, what would it look like for me to choose God through the Beatitudes? 

Family Challenge:
Choose God! Read Numbers 21:4–9, where the Israelites learn to turn back to God instead of staying stuck in complaining, and Deuteronomy 30:15–20, where Moses challenges the people to choose life by loving and following God. This week, when you catch yourself complaining, frustrated, or tempted to choose the easy way out, pause and choose God instead. Read Matthew 5 as a family and talk about one Beatitude you want to practice this week. Then, at the end of the week, share one moment when you chose patience, mercy, kindness, peace, or faithfulness instead of the easier choice. 

WEEK 1 - SEPTEMBER 20
GENESIS

Genesis is the story of beginnings: creation, humanity's fall, God's covenants with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, and God's faithfulness even when people sin, struggle, and hurt one another. Joseph's story especially shows how God can bring good from something deeply painful, even when we cannot see what He is doing at the time. 

Family Reflection:
Where do I need to let go of bitterness and see how God might be working through a painful situation?

Family Challenge
This week, think of one hurt, disappointment, or conflict you've been holding onto. You don't have to pretend it didn't hurt, but ask God to help you release your bitterness and trust Him with the situation. Pray together the Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.