10/22-10/28 Overview

This week we are returning to the book of Acts. If you have not read the previous chapters with us, you are invited to WATCH the Bible Project videos that summarizes Acts. If you have been reading Acts this year, you may find it helpful to watch the Part 2 Summary video as a reminder of what you have read and where the story goes as we continue reading. Below are the links for the summary videos available on YouTube:

A Book of Acts Summary (Part 1) by the Bible Project:

 

A Book of Acts Summary (Part 2) by the Bible Project:

 

This week we will read Acts 25 & 26, the account of Paul on trial in Caesarea among the Roman leaders, his testimonial that he shared with Agrippa, the king of the region near the Sea of Galilee, and the beginning of his journey to Rome to await a trial from his accusers in the presence of Caesar.

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

3. What do these verses reveal about God?

4. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

5. What do these verses teach me about myself?

6. How do you see yourself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

7. Read, study, and discuss scripture with a small group or another person.

8. Use a Study Bible. A Study Bible is a very helpful tool that includes information shared by scholars about historical and cultural realities during the time depicted or the era of the document, the author, when the book might have been written, the intended audience of the document, themes and messages within a book or letter, and more. The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the Chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

Sunday (10/22)

READ part of Psalm 99:1-2 to set your focus on our God:

“The LORD is king!

Let the nations tremble!

He sits on his throne between the cherubim.

Let the whole earth quake!

The LORD sits in majesty in Jerusalem,

exalted above all the nations.” – Psalm 99:1-2 NLT

 

LISTEN to a hymn or worship song that helps you to worship the Lord.

 

READ Leviticus 19:18, God’s commandment to love your neighbor. Today and throughout this week our focus will be on loving our neighbors.

 

PRAY now and throughout the day letting the words of Leviticus 19:18 guide you. Pray for our sisters and brothers in Christ who are part of Avon UMC, as well as for fellow believers in Greater Hendricks County, and Christians throughout the world.

 

WITNESS – Use your words to bless others today as an expression of loving your neighbors. Use your words as a way to build others up as a witness of the One who is love.

 

 

Monday (10/23)

READ Psalm 99:1-2 to begin your devotional time:

“The LORD is king!

Let the nations tremble!

He sits on his throne between the cherubim.

Let the whole earth quake!

The LORD sits in majesty in Jerusalem,

exalted above all the nations.” – Psalm 99:1-2 NLT

 

LISTEN to and/or SING to a hymn or worship song that helps you to worship our King.

 

READ Acts 25:1-12. Consider using the questions and suggestions from the Overview portion of this devotional during this study time.

 

PRAY through your day, including offering thanks for the presence of the Spirit of Christ with us, as well as praying for the people you will be with or have been with.

 

WITNESS – How have you seen God working in the lives of people who have endured hardships? Look for opportunities to share what you witnessed in and through them with others.

 

 

Tuesday (10/24)

READ Psalm 99:1-2 to help you to center yourself in God.

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes alone with God sitting, kneeling, laying down, or walking. Spend these minutes letting the message of the psalm roll around in your heart and mind. Let it fill your thoughts.

 

READ Acts 25:13-27. Consider using a question or suggestion from the Overview portion of this devotional during this study time.

 

PRAY for those who are being falsely accused or persecuted because of their faith in Christ Jesus.

 

WITNESS – If you were on trial simply because you are a Christian, what would you say to your accusers? Who needs to hear your message today?

 

 

Wednesday (10/25)

READ Psalm 99:1-2 to begin your devotional time.

 

LISTEN to and/or SING a hymn or worship song that helps you to worship God.

 

READ Acts 26:1-11. Use a question or suggestion from the Overview portion of this devotional as you reflect upon what you read.

 

PRAY for those who are persecuting others because of their faith/beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, or nationality. Ask God to help them to see those they are persecuting as God sees them. Pray that their hearts and minds will be transformed by the grace of God.

 

WITNESS – What was your life like before you became a Christian or a committed follower of Christ? Who needs to hear that part of your story or the beginning part of Paul’s story? Trust the Holy Spirit to share it with others through you.

 

 

Thursday (10/26)

READ Psalm 99:1-2 to focus your heart and mind on the Lord.

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes alone with God sitting, kneeling, laying down, or walking. Spend these minutes seeking to simply be with the Lord.

 

READ Acts 26:12-32. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Holy Spirit using from the text to speak to you today? If you are not sure, slowly read it again inviting the Spirit to reveal God’s message for you for today as you read.

 

PRAY for those who are not Christians and for the Holy Spirit to guide believers to boldly share our stories with those who will listen. Give thanks to God for all that the Lord has done for you, as well as what He continues to do.

 

WITNESS – Practice sharing the story of your faith journey with a family member, friend, or someone you know who is a Christian. If the opportunity arises, trust the Spirit of Christ to share your story with someone who is not a Christian when the timing is right.

 

 

Friday (10/27)

READ Psalm 99:1-2 to begin your time with God.

 

LISTEN to a hymn or worship song that helps you to worship the Lord.

 

READ Acts 27:1-12. You are encouraged to use a question or suggestion from the Overview portion of this devotional as you reflect upon what you read.

 

PRAY offering yourself to the One who offered his life on the cross for us. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you, our congregation, and Christians throughout the world to live as Jesus’ representatives and apprentices, growing more like Christ by living His virtues and God’s values. The virtues include Humility, Compassion, Forgiveness, and Love.

 

WITNESS – Use your words to bless others today as an expression of loving your neighbors. Use your words as a way to build others up as a witness of the One who is love. If you did not practice sharing the story of your faith journey yesterday, try sharing it today or later this weekend with another believer.

 

 

Saturday (10/28)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The Sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to stop, rest, worship, and delight in the Lord and what he has given us.

 

LIGHT a candle and LISTEN to or SING a worship song or hymn before reading the verses for today as a way to prepare your heart, mind, body, and soul for observing the Sabbath.

 

READ Deuteronomy 5:12-15 during the morning. The verses are part of Moses’ retelling of the Ten Commandments to the Israelites who were about to enter the Promised Land after their people had been wandering for forty years. Imagine the “delight” the Israelites must have felt knowing that they were about to experience the fulfillment of God’s promise by entering the land of Canaan. The Sabbath theme for us this weekend is “DELIGHT.”

 

• In what ways has God set you free?

 

• What is preventing you from experiencing the freedom and deliverance that God is offering through Christ?

 

• How will you set the Sabbath apart this weekend from other days of the week?

 

• What work will you set aside for another day so that you can rest and focus on the Lord today or this weekend?

 

• How will you help your family members and those who work for you in some way to experience rest and delight on the Sabbath?

 

• One of the best ways to thank someone for their gift is to use it and enjoy it. By observing and thoroughly enjoying the Sabbath you will send a message to God that you appreciate the gift He has given us.

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with God seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and rest, consider laying down, kneeling, sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat or going for a slow walk. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

PRAY praising the Lord our God and offering him thanks for what he has given you.

 

TIME for REFLECTION. Either write in a journal or notebook the ways you saw and experienced God working in your life this past week, or discuss them with a close family member or friend. Include the things that brought you delight and the ways you were intentional about loving others.

 

 

READ Psalm 37:3-4 during the afternoon or evening. Seek to set aside time today or tomorrow to stop, rest, worship God, and “delight yourself in the LORD.”

 

• What is something you enjoy doing that helps you connect with God and focus on Him? Do that as you observe the Sabbath.

 

• Trust in the Lord that He is God and you are not. Trust in the Lord that six days are enough for working during a week. Share the desires of your heart with God, then seek their fulfillment in and through Him.

 

PRAY and LIVE in response to the Lord.