Devotion: Use this resource at home to guide your household’s daily devotions. You can do this alone, as a couple, as a family; in the morning, during the day, or at night. Find a routine that works best for you.

Pray: Light a candle and open your devotion time with a prayer.
God of mercy, you have transformed us by your promises of deliverance time and time again. Teach us to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with you, God, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Reflect: Reflect on the key verse from Sunday’s reading.
He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Micah 6:8
Study: Study the reading and consider the background.

At the time of Micah, the kingdom of Israel was divided. Some lived in the Northern Kingdom, Israel, with its capital of Samaria. Others lived in the Southern Kingdom, Judah, with its capital of Jerusalem.
Micah spoke to Israel shortly before Samaria was conquered by Assyria, which effectively ended the kingdom of Israel (the Northern Kingdom). A few hundred years later, Babylon would conquer both Assyria and Judah, putting God’s people in exile.
God’s promise through Micah proclaimed that out of Bethlehem in Judah one would come to save the people from exile and ruin. Through Micah’s words, God reminded the people that God did not desire burnt offerings or sacrifices. Instead, God desired the people to live with justice, kindness, and humility.

Read: Read the following daily readings to deepen your understanding of Sunday’s text. After the reading, ask the follow-up questions.
Follow the book of Micah, as the prophet proclaims both judgment and the promise of restoration.

Sunday, Micah 5:2-4; 6:6-8, Micah

Monday, Micah 1, Judgment and Doom

Tuesday, Micah 2, Social Evils Denounced

Wednesday, Micah 3, Wicked Rulers

Thursday, Micah 4, Peace and Promise

Friday, Micah 5:1, 5-15; 6:1-5, 9-16, God’s Challenge

Saturday, Micah 7, Prophecy of Restoration

What was God doing here? How were the people’s actions punished or rewarded?

Connect: Connect in conversation with others in your household. Discuss the following questions, or simply check in with “Highs” and “Lows.”

• What was a high point of your day? What was a low point?
• How are the actions of your community/culture punished or rewarded? How can you influence your community’s behaviors so that they more closely match those God’s ways?
• How do you act with justice, kindness, and humility? What can you do this week to make improvements in those areas of your life?

Do: By acting on what we learn, we make God’s word come alive. Do the following activity this week.

Perform an act of justice, kindness, or humility for a stranger at least once each day this week. Make a note of how your behavior shapes your attitude.

Bless: Close your devotion with a blessing.

God on high, inspire justice, kindness and humility in all who hear your word this day. Amen.

Copyright © 2014 Clergy Stuff.. Used and adapted with Permission. Find more at www.ClergyStuff.com. Blessing written by Pr. Chip Borgstadt. Scripture quotations from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used with permission. All rights reserved.