6/18-6/24 Overview

In the verses and chapters of The Acts of the Apostles that we are reading this week Paul and his companions visit the Christians in the towns and cities where he had gone on his first missionary journey, knew companions join the group, including Timothy and Luke, there are new conversions with more people becoming believers, refreshing hospitality is given to the missionaries by a convert named Lydia, Paul and Silas are imprisoned and miraculously set free, a jailer and his family place their trust in Jesus for salvation and convert to Christianity, as the traveling continues Paul experiences a growing opposition to the gospel message, Paul shares a powerful Spirit-led sermon to the Gentiles in Athens, and the apostle receives a special message from the Lord during the night.

 

If you have not watched them, 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 (6/18) Father’s Day

READ Psalm 116:1-2 to set your focus on loving God:

I love the LORD, because he has heard

my voice and my supplications.

Because he inclined his ear to me,

therefore I will call on him as long as I live. – Psalm 116:1-2 RSV

 

LISTEN to a hymn or worship song that helps you to express your love for God.

 

READ Jesus’ message from Luke 16:13. What does Jesus’ message reveal about love and what we serve?

 

PRAY praising our heavenly Father. Thank God for the men in your life who have blessed you, including your father, grandfathers, uncles, teachers, coaches, and mentors. Pray for God’s blessings and guidance for the men in your family who are fathers and grandfathers.

 

 

Monday (6/19) Juneteenth

READ Psalm 116:1-2 to begin your devotional time:

I love the LORD, because he has heard

my voice and my supplications.

Because he inclined his ear to me,

therefore I will call on him as long as I live. – Psalm 116:1-2 RSV

 

READ Acts 16:6-15. Verses 10 and 11 seem to indicate that Luke, the gospel writer, joins Paul, Silas, and Timothy on their journey. Consider using the suggestions and questions from the Overview portion of this devotional to guide your study time of these verses.

 

Just as Paul and his companions sought out “a place of prayer” along the river, go outside, if the weather cooperates, to pray today. Go somewhere you can in or near nature to be with God in the midst of His creation.

 

PRAY praising and worshiping the Lord as an expression of your love for God. Then spend a few minutes silently listening for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit.

 

 

Tuesday (6/20)

READ Psalm 116:1-2 to help you to center yourself in God.

 

READ Acts 16:16-40. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Holy Spirit using from the verses to speak to you today?

 

PRESENCE – As Paul and Silas were in prison, they were able to minister to the jailer and his family. Who is the person or whom are the people that have not yet placed their trust in Jesus, so God wants you to go be with them today or sometime this week?

 

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

 

 

Wednesday (6/21)

READ Psalm 116:1-2 to begin your devotional time.

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes alone with God sitting, kneeling, laying down, or walking. Let the words “I love the Lord” roll around in your mind. Knowing that God listens to you, spend a few minutes seeking to hear God’s message through the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit.

 

READ Acts 17:1-15. If you are using a Study Bible, you may find it helpful to read the study notes for these verses.

 

GIFTS – When the opportunities are available today or later this week, how will you use your material resources, including money, to bless others as a way of expressing your love for God?

 

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.

 

 

Thursday (6/22)

READ Psalm 116:1-2 to focus your heart and mind on loving the Lord.

 

READ Acts 17:16-34. Consider using the suggestions and questions from the Overview section of this devotional during your study time today.

 

SERVICE – Today, look for opportunities to use your time, talents, and Spiritual gifts to serve God by blessing people who are made in His image.

 

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 (6/23)

READ Psalm 116:1-2 to begin your time with God.

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend a few minutes alone with God sitting, kneeling, laying down, or walking. Let the words “I love the Lord” roll around in your mind. Knowing that God listens to you, spend a few minutes seeking to hear God’s message through the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit.

 

READ Acts 18:1-17. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Lord using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

WITNESS – The night that “the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision,” he was told to continue speaking, and to “not be silent” (Acts 18:9 NIV). Just as the Holy Spirit was with the apostle Paul, the Spirit of the Lord is with you and in you. Who is the person or people that God wants you to tell about Jesus? Why are you afraid to tell them?

 

PRAY for a holy boldness for yourself and other Christians to tell people about Jesus. Pray that we will not be afraid. Trust the Holy Spirit to provide you with the right words and message at the right time (Luke 12:12). Invite the Lord to help you and believers throughout the world to embody the message of Christ by living his virtues: Humility, Compassion, Forgiveness, Love

 

 

Saturday (6/24)

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 Psalm 37:3-4 during the morning. Our Sabbath theme for today is “DELIGHT.” You are encouraged to either spend some time using the following questions to guide you through a time of journaling, thinking through your responses, or use them for a discussion with a family member or friend:

• What is a way you can express your trust in the Lord today?

 

• What opportunities will you have to do good for others today either with your words or actions? Go enjoy being a blessing to others!

 

• What security and safety are you able to enjoy because of the Lord and where you live?

 

• Enjoy being with Jesus through the presence of the Holy Spirit, while being mindful about delighting in the life and blessings the Lord has given us.

 

PRAY allowing the verses you read to guide your prayer.

 

 

READ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 during the afternoon or evening.

 

WRITE a list of reasons to rejoice as well as a list of what you are thankful for.

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with God as you focus on the reasons you listed to rejoice and be thankful. You may find it helpful to sit on a comfortable chair, couch, or swing, lay down, or go for a walk.

 

PRAY offering praise and thanks to the God revealed through Christ Jesus.