7/30-8/5 Overview

This week we will briefly return to the book of Acts to read more of the account of Paul’s third missionary journey when he left Ephesus to continue towards Jerusalem. Some scholars believe that during this time of Paul’s third missionary journey he wrote additional letters to the Christians in Corinth. After writing his first letter to the Christians in Corinth, Paul went there for a “painful visit” to confront them in person (2 Corinthians 2:1 NIV). As a follow up to the “painful visit” Paul wrote a letter that “caused the Corinthians sorrow” (2 Corinthians 7:8 NIV). After writing and sending the letter that caused them sorrow, Paul wrote the document in the Bible known as 2 Corinthians in pursuit of reconciliation with them, to encourage the Corinthian believers to collect an offering for the Christians in need in Jerusalem, as well as challenging those within the church who rejected Paul’s authority as an apostle. This week we will read Acts 20 and portions of 2 Corinthians. The following week we will transition to devotionals that are part of The Art of Neighboring all-church series during August and September. Reading through the book of Acts and portions of Paul’s letters will continue after the neighboring series.

 

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 (7/30)

READ part of Psalm 105 to set your focus on God:

“O give thanks to the LORD,

call on his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples!

Sing to him, sing praises to him,

tell of all his wonderful works!

Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!”

– Psalm 105:1-3 RSV

 

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

 

READ Matthew 22:36-40, Jesus’ answer when asked, “Which is the greatest commandment?”

 

PRAY now and throughout the day letting the words of Psalm 105 and Matthew 22:36-40 guide your prayer.

 

WITNESS – Today you can share Christ and be his witness through your words and deeds as an expression of loving God and loving your neighbors. Let others experience the humility, compassion, forgiveness, and love of Jesus in and through you. Trust the Holy Spirit to provide the words you need at the right time and boldly share them (Luke 12:11-12).

 

 

Monday (7/31)

READ a portion of Psalm 105 to begin your devotional time:

“O give thanks to the LORD,

call on his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples!

Sing to him, sing praises to him,

tell of all his wonderful works!

Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!”

– Psalm 105:1-3 RSV

 

READ Acts 20:1-12, Paul’s transition away from Ephesus, after spending years there, to continue his missionary journey. If you are using a Study Bible you may find it helpful to read the study notes.

 

WITNESS – You are encouraged to practice sharing a brief summary of Jesus’ story and the Good News about God’s kingdom with other believers, so that you will be ready to share the message with those who do not believe. You may find it helpful to use the following verses as a reminder and guide for how Jesus, the gospel writers, and the

apostle Paul concisely shared summaries of Christ’s story and the Good News. Consider writing your statements to help you to clarify your thoughts.

Matthew 4:17 (Jesus’ very brief message about God’s Kingdom)

Matthew 4:23-24 (Matthew’s summary of Jesus’ ministry)

Mark 10:45 (Jesus refers to himself as “the Son of Man”)

Luke 19:10 (Jesus refers to himself as “the Son of Man”)

John 3:16-17 (Jesus’ message)

1 Corinthians 15:1-7 (The Apostle Paul’s summary of the Gospel)

 

PRAY letting the Holy Spirit guide you. The Spirit may lead you to pray in response to the verses you read or in response to your desire to love God and others today as a witness for the Lord.

 

 

Tuesday (8/1)

READ Psalm 105:1-3 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 20:13-38, Paul’s farewell to the church leaders from Ephesus. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Holy Spirit emphasizing for you for today?

 

WITNESS – Consider sending a text message or card, writing a letter, or posting message on social media to encourage others on their faith journey and to share the good news about Jesus as a witness of Christ.

 

PRAY for:

• Those Who Are Closest to You (family members & friends)
• Those Who Point Others Towards God (parents, grandparents, pastors, teachers, professors, coaches, musicians, authors,

filmmakers, influencers, churches, etc.)

• Leaders (locally, nationally, & globally)
• Those Who Are Vulnerable & In Need (children, orphans, widows & widowers, the hungry & homeless, refugees, sick & diseased persons, prisoners, etc.)
• Yourself (tell God your thoughts, feelings, and desires)

 

 

Wednesday (8/2)

READ Psalm 105:1-3 to begin your devotional time.

 

WATCH the Bible Project video that summarizes 2 Corinthians so that you can understand it more clearly or to be reminded of what you already know. The video is available on YouTube:

Book of 2 Corinthians Summary by the Bible Project:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lfPK2vfC54

 

READ 2 Corinthians 5:1-6:2. Consider reading the section titles for chapters 1 through 4 before beginning to read the verses for today from Paul’s letter to the Christians in Corinth. If you are using a Study Bible, you may find it helpful to read the Introduction section for this book, as well as the study notes.

 

WITNESS – In Acts we have written versions of what some of the earliest Christians said as they shared Jesus’ story with Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles. Write out a brief version of Jesus’ story or some of the ways God has worked in your life. You could

write in a journal, a notebook, type it using a computer to store it as a digital file, or write it as part of a letter that you will send to someone who needs to receive it.

 

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.

 

 

Thursday (8/3)

READ Psalm 105:1-3 to focus your heart and mind on our Creator.

 

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 2 Corinthians 11. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Lord using to speak to you today from what you read? Consider using the questions and suggestions from the Overview portion of this devotional.

 

PRAY thanking and praising God for men and women like the apostle Paul who have risked their lives to share the good news about Jesus.

 

WITNESS – Today you can use your words to bless, encourage, and guide others. You can share Christ and be his witness through your words and deeds. Look for opportunities to tell others what you have seen, heard, and experienced in regards to God working within your life and in the world in the past and now. Remember that the Holy Spirit will provide the words you need at the right time (Luke 12:11-12).

 

 

Friday (8/4)

READ Psalm 105:1-3 to begin your time with God.

 

READ 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, the final chapter we will read from this letter from Paul. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Holy Spirit using to speak to you today on behalf of the Lord. If you are unsure, slowly read the verses again inviting the Spirit to reveal the message God has for you for today.

 

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 (8/5)

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. You may need to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each week beginning with an hour, then increasing it to multiple hours or part of a day the next weekend or month, and eventually designating an entire day for remembering and observing the Sabbath.

 

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 46:10 and Psalm 37:7 during the morning. These verses are a reminder to stop and “be still” in God’s presence. Our Sabbath theme for this weekend is “STOP.”

 

• How does stopping and “being still” help you to remember that Jesus is our king?

 

• What are the things you need to stop worrying about today and during this season that you can offer to God in prayer?

 

• What work do you need to set aside for another day so that you can stop and focus on the Lord as you observe the Sabbath?

 

• How are you going to help others to stop working for at least a few hours this weekend?

 

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 however the Holy Spirit guides you to pray.

 

TIME for REFLECTION. Either write in a journal or notebook the ways you were intentional about loving God and others this past week, or discuss them with a close family member or friend. It may be helpful to write or talk about what you need to stop doing to be able to observe the Sabbath for an entire day and live a healthier pace and

rhythm for your life.

 

 

READ Matthew 12:1-13 during the afternoon or evening. The man in the synagogue in these verses was restored by Jesus on the Sabbath day. Christ can restore your heart, mind, and relationships. Jesus is described as the “author of life” in Acts 3:15. In addition

to being our Creator, Christ is our Healer. His life reveals that the God who made us wants to be with us. What do you need to STOP doing today, or this weekend, so that you can be present with Jesus and receive the healing power of Christ?

 

• What part of your life needs the healing touch of Christ? Your body? Your soul? Your heart? Your mind? A relationship?

 

• How are you going to set the Sabbath apart this weekend from other days of the week?

 

PRAY and live in response to the Lord of the Sabbath. You may find it helpful to use the words from the verses you read today as a guide for your prayer.