Rhythm: The Second Week in January

Rhythm Booklet

What is Rhythm?

Rhythm is a weekly lectionary reflection guide designed with students in mind! Each week you'll find lectionary readings from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and Gospels, along with different types of questions and readings to reflect on. Rhythm will help students connect with God and each week’s readings in various ways, challenging students to put what they’re hearing into practice throughout the week. 

Rhythm is broken up into five sections, each with a unique purpose. In We Read, students are guided in reflecting on an initial reading of the week’s passages. In We Think… students are encouraged to engage scripture on a deeper level by asking questions about the text. We Feel invites students to engage their emotions, bringing their feelings into conversation with God’s word.  In We Believe, students are invited to connect what they’ve read in scripture to the larger Wesleyan theological heritage. Finally, We Practice guides students in discovering the practices they might use to help develop a rhythm of life shaped by scripture and the community of faith to which they belong.  

Rhythm: A Weekly Reflection Guide for Students can be used in a small group setting, as a guide for youth group time, or even with adults! We hope you find Rhythm as something that leads you and your students into a deeper faith.

The  Second Week in January

Genesis 1:1-5

1 When God began to create the heavens and the earth—2 the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters—3 God said, “Let there be light.” And so light appeared. 4 God saw how good the light was. God separated the light from the darkness. 5 God named the light Day and the darkness Night. There was evening and there was morning: the first day.

Psalm 29

1 You, divine beings! Give to the Lord— give to the Lord glory and power! 2 Give to the Lord the glory due his name! Bow down to the Lord in holy splendor! 3 The Lord’s voice is over the waters; the glorious God thunders; the Lord is over the mighty waters. 4 The Lord’s voice is strong; the Lord’s voice is majestic. 5 The Lord’s voice breaks cedar trees— yes, the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He makes Lebanon jump around like a young bull, makes Sirion jump around like a young wild ox. 7 The Lord’s voice unleashes fiery flames; 8 the Lord’s voice shakes the wilderness— yes, the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The Lord’s voice convulses the oaks, strips the forests bare, but in his temple everyone shouts, “Glory!” 10 The Lord sits enthroned over the floodwaters; the Lord sits enthroned—king forever! 11 Let the Lord give strength to his people! Let the Lord bless his people with peace!

Acts 19:1-7

1 While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul took a route through the interior and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. 2 He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you came to believe?” They replied, “We’ve not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” 3 Then he said, “What baptism did you receive, then?” They answered, “John’s baptism.” 4 Paul explained, “John baptized with a baptism by which people showed they were changing their hearts and lives. It was a baptism that told people about the one who was coming after him. This is the one in whom they were to believe. This one is Jesus.” 5 After they listened to Paul, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in other languages and prophesying. 7 Altogether, there were about twelve people.

Mark 1:4-11

4 John the Baptist was in the wilderness calling for people to be baptized to show that they were changing their hearts and lives and wanted God to forgive their sins. 5 Everyone in Judea and all the people of Jerusalem went out to the Jordan River and were being baptized by John as they confessed their sins. 6 John wore clothes made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. 7 He announced, “One stronger than I am is coming after me. I’m not even worthy to bend over and loosen the strap of his sandals. 8 I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” 9 About that time, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and John baptized him in the Jordan River. 10 While he was coming up out of the water, Jesus saw heaven splitting open and the Spirit, like a dove, coming down on him. 11 And there was a voice from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I dearly love; in you I find happiness.”

We read… 

We believe in God’s mighty power and work in creation, but it is okay not to have all of the answers on how this actually happened. These verses that show God’s presence in creation and the power of God’s voice are trying to teach us more about the strength and intimacy of God. 

• God created the world out of nothing; what can we understand about God in knowing this? 
  

• Yet God also cares enough to speak and walk with us. What can we understand about God in knowing this?

While some believe that some greater being created the earth and left us alone, we believe in the all-powerful and all-loving God of creation. God cares enough about us to walk with us in our lives through the presence of the Holy Spirit. 

• As John baptizes Jesus, what do we see? God the Father, the Spirit, and the Son are all present at the same time. God isn’t asleep or far away; God is here with us when we ask to receive God’s presence in our lives. 

• How does this change the way we live?

We think…

• What stands out to you in these verses?
  

• Does anything confuse you or not make sense?
  

• How do these verses compare to your own experience in life or the church? 
  

• What are you considering? What questions come to mind?

We feel… 

• What emotions are you experiencing today? How are you making space for these feelings?
  

• Where have you seen God today or this week? What is pointing you to God (maybe it is something in creation, maybe a friend or adult that cares for you)?
  

• What has God made new in your life? In your heart? 

• Where have you experienced God's presence in your life?
  

• How have you felt the Holy Spirit talk to you, or when has the Spirit taught you through someone/something?

We believe…

A huge part of our Wesleyan heritage is understanding the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We believe the Holy Spirit actively guides us and leads us into holy, Christlike lives. We can become more like Jesus because of the Spirit’s work in our hearts. This closeness of God is seen throughout Scripture, as we’ve read in Genesis and Psalms all the way to the New Testament. The Spirit is poured out on all who ask, and the Spirit empowers us to live in new ways. 

We practice…

Take a few minutes each day to connect with God through listening. You can do this in many different ways, like taking a silent walk outside or playing your favorite worship song and reflecting on the words. 

• God’s Spirit is real and is with us, but how often do we slow down to listen to what God has to say? 

• Make space to be in God’s presence without any distractions today. Find a friend to check in with daily so you know you are supported in this practice.