6/11-6/17 Overview

In the verses and chapters of The Acts of the Apostles that we are reading this week Paul and Barnabas complete their missionary journey and return to Antioch, some believers go to Antioch teaching that to “be saved” a person must become circumcised, Paul and Barnabas dispute and debate the teachings, discernment and a decision about Gentiles and Jewish faith practices for Christians is sought out by Paul and Barnabas when then they go to Jerusalem to speak to the leaders there, clarification is provided by the Jerusalem council led by Jesus’ brother, James, Paul and Barnabas part ways because of a disagreement about John Mark, and Paul begins visiting the churches that were formed during his first missionary journey.

 

If you have not watched them yet, you are encouraged to WATCH the two Bible Project videos that summarize the book of Acts to understand it more clearly. The videos are available on YouTube:

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

 

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

 

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 (6/11)

READ Psalm 33:4-5 to set your focus on our God:

For the word of the LORD holds true,

and we can trust everything he does.

He loves whatever is just and good;

the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth. – Psalm 33:4-5 NLT

 

LISTEN to a hymn or worship song that reminds you that we are loved by God.

 

READ Jesus’ message from John 15:9-12. Try letting the message sink deeply into your heart, mind, and soul. How will you abide/remain in Jesus’ love today and throughout the week?

 

PRAY in response to the love of God, the grace of Jesus Christ, and the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit with and in you. Invite the Lord to form you and your life according to His will.

 

 

Monday (6/12)

READ Psalm 33:4-5 to begin your devotional time:

For the word of the LORD holds true,

and we can trust everything he does.

He loves whatever is just and good;

the unfailing love of the LORD fills the earth. – Psalm 33:4-5 NLT

 

READ Acts 14:21-28, the conclusion of Paul and Barnabas’ missionary journey. Consider using the suggestions and questions from the Overview portion of this devotional to guide your study time of these verses.

 

PRAY praising God for what He did through the earliest Christians, as well as for what He has done, and continues doing, in and through you and other believers you know.

 

 

Tuesday (6/13)

READ Psalm 33:4-5 to help you to center yourself in God.

 

READ Acts 15:1-21. The verses from Acts describe James, Jesus’ brother and the leader of the church in Jerusalem, using scripture (v. 16-18), the experiences of Peter as well as Paul and Barnabas (v. 12-14), and reasoning to help the church to make a decision about Gentiles as part of the growing Christian movement of the first century. How are we using scripture, God experiences, and reasoning to make decisions today as people of faith? What if we were intentional about removing obstacles for those who are turning to God so that they can become part of Jesus’ Church today?

 

PRESENCE – Who are the people that are not part of our church, but God wants us to be present with them? Who will go be with them if we don’t go?

 

PRAY through your day, including offering thanks for God’s presence with you throughout the day, as well as praying for the people you will be with or have been with.

 

 

Wednesday (6/14)

READ Psalm 33:4-5 to begin your devotional time.

 

READ Acts 15:22-35 and Galatians 2:1-10. The verses from Galatians are Paul’s version of what happened in Jerusalem in Acts 15. What details does Paul include in his letter to the Galatians that are not in Luke’s account in Acts? If you are using a Study Bible, you may find it helpful to read the study notes for these verses.

 

GIFTS – Where is God sending you today to use your time, resources, talents, and/or Spiritual gifts to bless others?

 

PRAY letting the Holy Spirit guide you to respond to the verses you read.

 

 

Thursday (6/15)

READ Psalm 33:4-5 to focus your heart and mind on the Lord.

 

READ Acts 15:36-41. These verses are a reminder that Christians don’t always see eye to eye and we don’t always get along with one another. Consider using the suggestions and questions from the Overview section of this devotional during your study time today.

 

SERVICE – Today, try to receive an act of service that someone does for you as a blessing from God. Look for an opportunity to express God’s love for a person who disagrees with you by serving them.

 

PRAY in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving (thank God)

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Friday (6/16)

READ Psalm 33:4-5 to begin your time with God.

 

READ Acts 16:1-5. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Lord using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

PRAY that the Holy Spirit helps 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, while spreading the Good News in our homes, workplaces, communities, and throughout the world. The virtues include: Humility, Compassion, Forgiveness, Love

 

WITNESS – How did you see, hear, or experience the presence of the Holy Spirit this past week? You are encouraged to either write your response or talk about it with someone. You could write in a journal, a notebook, or write/type a letter. You could discuss it with a close family member, friend, co-worker, neighbor, or perhaps even a stranger if the Holy Spirit guides you to share it with them.

 

 

Saturday (6/17)

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 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 Matthew 28:1-10 during the morning. As the two ladies encountered the resurrected Jesus the first Easter morning, Matthew wants us to know that when they saw Christ, “they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him” (Matt. 28:1, 9 NRSV). Our Sabbath theme for today is “WORSHIP.”

• How are you going to go to our resurrected Savior today and this weekend to be with him? Through prayer, solitude, and silence, being with the church, or some other way?

 

• How are you going to take hold of Jesus today and when you observe the Sabbath? Perhaps you could use a prayer cross as you pray, a pocket cross with you throughout the day, or something else that you can physically touch that reminds you of Christ.

 

• How are you going to intentionally worship Jesus today and this weekend? By singing to him, making a joyful noise, and thanking him? By bowing down or kneeling before him as you pray and praise Him?

 

• When you attend a worship service this weekend, look for Jesus within the faces and presence of the people of the church (the body of Christ). Also look for Jesus in the faces of the hungry, thirsty, strangers, those in need of clothing, the sick, and prisoners whenever you are with them (Matthew 25:34-40).

 

WORSHIP JESUS. You may find it helpful to listen to a hymn or praise song that you know so that you can sing along or play music and sing if you are a musician.

 

TIME for REFLECTION. If you did not do it yesterday, either write in a journal or notebook the ways you experienced the love, grace, and presence of God this past week, or discuss them with a close family member or friend.

 

PRAY offering thanks to the Lord for Jesus, His presence with us through the Holy Spirit, and the many blessings you have received. LIVE in response to Christ Jesus today.

 

 

READ Psalm 95:1-7 during the afternoon or evening as a reminder of ways we can worship King Jesus:

• sing to him
• make a joyful noise
• offer thanksgiving
• bow down
• kneel before him
• submit to him as Lord
• listen to him

 

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, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

PRAY in response to Christ. You may find it helpful to use the words from the psalm. Consider singing, making a joyful noise, offering thanks, bowing or kneeling as you pray, then submit to Jesus and listen for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit upon your heart and mind.

 

READ Romans 12:1-2 at the end of the day before going to sleep as a reminder to offer your body and life as a living sacrifice for God as an act of ongoing worship.