• FOR CHILDREN: Philippians 1:27a, “Be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ” (ICB)
• FOR TEENS/ADULTS: Philippians 1:27a, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.” (NIV)

• Before you do your Scripture reading for the day, set a timer for 3 to 5 minutes and sit before the Lord in silence. One way to keep your mind from wandering and to relax your body is to do a breathing exercise. Simply breathe in your nose for five seconds, hold your breath for five seconds, exhale through your mouth for five seconds, then hold your breath again for five seconds. As you breathe in and out, remind yourself of the privilege and power that comes from being in God’s presence. Do this until the timer goes off. Families with small children can simply ask them to think about who God is (examples include that He is: strong, with us, loving, smart) and take a deep breath together, exhale together, and do this 4 or 5 times before moving on to the Scripture reading. Depending on the children’s age, silence may be optional!

• Now, pray that the Spirit of God would help you focus on the Scripture reading and to hear what He wants to say to you today. Then read the selected passage and answer the following questions:

• Thursday, April 30 — Philippians 1:1-6
• Friday, May 1 — Philippians 1:7-11
• Saturday, May 2 — Philippians 1:12-14
• Sunday, May 3 — Philippians 1:15-18
• Monday, May 4 — Philippians 1:19-30
• Tuesday, May 5 — Philippians 1:1-30
• Wednesday, May 6 — Catch up on any readings you may have missed and tune in for the Facebook Live chat at 6:30 p.m.!

• Lastly, take a moment to work through the A.C.T.S. prayer. Begin with the things you Adore about Him (His creativity, unfailing love, saving works, etc.). Then Confess any sins that the Spirit has made you aware of. And Thank God for the specific blessings He has given you. Close by asking God to Supply what you need.

• FOR CHILDREN: Philippians 2:3, “When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble and give more honor to others than yourselves.” (ICB)
• FOR TEENS/ADULTS: Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,” (NIV)

• Before you do your Scripture reading for the day, set a timer for 3 to 5 minutes and sit before the Lord in silence. One way to keep your mind from wandering and to relax your body is to do a breathing exercise. For a couple minutes, focus on breathing IN and think about all the blessings God has brought into your life. For another couple of minutes, focus on breathing OUT and think about letting go of things that are weighing heavily on your heart. Families with children can shorten the time frame by focusing on breathing in three times and thinking about three things that they are thankful to God for and then focus on breathing out three times and think about three things they are worried about. Depending on the children’s age, silence may be optional!

• Now, pray that the Spirit of God would help you focus on the Scripture reading and to hear what He wants to say to you today. Then read the selected passage and answer the following questions:

3. How can you apply what you have learned from the passage?

DAILY READING PLAN

• Thursday, May 7 — Philippians 2:1-4
• Friday, May 8 — Philippians 2:5-11
• Saturday, May 9 — Philippians 2:12-13
• Sunday, May 10 — Philippians 2:14-18
• Monday, May 11 — Philippians 2:19-30
• Tuesday, May 12 — Philippians 2:1-30
• Wednesday, May 13 — Catch up on any readings you may have missed and tune in for the Facebook Live chat at 6:30 p.m.!

DAILY CLOSING PRAYER EXERCISE

• Lastly, take a moment to recite the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. You can focus on one idea from the prayer each day. Consider the following breakdown: 1.) Our Father in heaven, we pray that your name will always be kept holy. 2.) We pray that your kingdom will come. We pray that what you want will be done, here on earth as it is in heaven. 3.) Give us the food we need for each day. 4.) Forgive the sins we have done, just as we have forgiven those who did wrong to us. 5.) And do not cause us to be tested; 6.) but save us from the Evil One. 7.) The kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours forever. Amen.

• FOR CHILDREN: Philippians 3:14, “I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize. That prize is mine because God called me through Christ to the life above.” (ICB)
• FOR TEENS/ADULTS: Philippians 3:14, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward Christ Jesus.” (NIV)

• Before you do your Scripture reading for the day, set a timer for 3 to 5 minutes and sit before the Lord in silence. One way to keep your mind from wandering and to relax your body is to do a breathing exercise. As you breathe in and out slowly and deeply, recite the Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” taken from Luke 18:13) until the timer runs out. Families with children could simply silently recite the prayer 3 to 5 times rather than 3 to 5 minutes. Depending on the children’s age, silence may be optional!
  

• Now, pray that the Spirit of God would help you focus on the Scripture reading and to hear what He wants to say to you today. Then read the selected passage and answer the following questions:

• Lastly, close with the P.A.P.A. prayer. First, Present yourself to God as you truly are, letting God know what’s on your mind and what is weighing on your heart. Then Give Attention to how you are thinking of God (are you thinking of Him as distant and unconcerned with your life, as a heavenly vending machine from which you are hoping to receive exactly what you want, etc.) Now, Put away anything that might be getting in the way of you and God (selfishness, unforgiveness, anxious thoughts, etc.). Finally, Approach God as the first thing in your life. 

• FOR CHILDREN: Philippians 4:13,“I can do all things through Christ because He gives me strength.” (ICB)
• FOR TEENS/ADULTS: Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (NIV)

• Before you do your Scripture reading for the day, set a timer for 3 to 5 minutes and sit before the Lord in silence. One way to keep your mind from wandering and to relax your body is to do a breathing exercise. For this final week we will try “centering prayer” where we will focus on one word that remind us of God (grace, redemption, love, etc.). Repeat the word over and again, while breathing deeply, until the time runs out. Families with children can adapt this by shortening the time frame to a minute or two. Depending on the children’s age, silence may be optional!

• Now, pray that the Spirit of God would help you focus on the Scripture reading and to hear what He wants to say to you today. Then read the selected passage and answer the following questions:

• Lastly, close with the “hand” prayer. Begin by getting yourself into a comfortable position with your hands placed palm down on your knees. As you take a few deep breathes say a prayer of release to God, letting go of anything that is putting distance between you and Him. Then turn your palms up and offer a prayer of reception where you receive the promises of God found in His Word (consider 2 Corinthians 9:8, Philippians 4:19, Isaiah 64:4, Romans 8:32, Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 25:8-9, Romans 14:8, Hebrews 13:5). Close with raising your hands up toward God in thanksgiving, giving gratitude to Him who has given us so many good things.