10/8-10/14 Overview

This week we are continuing to read part of 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 the conclusion of Paul’s time in Jerusalem, as well as what led to his time in prison for two years in Caesarea.

 

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 (10/8)

READ part of Psalm 19 to set your focus on our God:

“As I am Your servant, protect me from my bent toward pride,

and keep sin from ruling my life…” – Psalm 19:13a, The Voice

 

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

 

READ Jeremiah 31:3, God’s message to the Israelites. Now read it again imagining God speaking this message to you today. You are invited to receive God’s love as you appreciate the many gifts and blessing he has given you, as well as what he continues pouring into your life.

 

PRAY now and throughout the day letting the words of Jeremiah 31:3 guide you as you respond to God’s grace and love. 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.

 

GIFTS – From all that you have been given by God, what will you offer to the Lord as an expression of worship?

 

 

Monday (10/9)

READ Psalm 19:13a to begin your devotional time:

“As I am Your servant, protect me from my bent toward pride,

and keep sin from ruling my life.” – Psalm 19:13a, The Voice

 

LISTEN to a hymn or worship song that helps you to worship our Lord and Savior.

 

READ Acts 22:30-23:11. Paul’s experience with the high priest, Sadducees and Pharisees were similar to what Jesus experienced in Luke 22:63-64 and Luke 20:27-39.

 

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.

 

GIFTS – You are encouraged to bless someone who has mistreated you, a family member, or friend either today or later this week using your time, talents, spiritual gifts, or your material resources that may include money. Think of it as loving the neighbor who hasn’t been good or kind to you or those you know.

 

 

Tuesday (10/10)

READ Psalm 19:13a 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 23:12-22. Consider using the questions and suggestions from the Overview portion of this devotional during this study time.

 

PRAY, thanking God for those who have intervened on your behalf to help and protect you. Ask the Lord to reveal if there is someone who needs you to intervene on their behalf to help or save them.

 

GIFTS – Use your resources to help, support, and bless a family member or friend today.

 

 

Wednesday (10/11)

READ Psalm 19:13a to begin your devotional time.

 

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

 

READ Acts 23:23-35. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Holy Spirit using from the verses to speak to you today?

 

PRAY for those who need to be rescued because their lives are in danger. This could include people in waring countries, including the Ukraine and Russia, babies in the womb, orphans and other vulnerable children, teens and young adults enslaved in human trafficking, addicts trapped in a cycle of substance abuse, elderly people being mistreated by caretakers, etc.

 

GIFTS – Your are encouraged to use your time, talents, spiritual gifts, or your material resources that may include money to bless others today.

 

 

Thursday (10/12)

READ Psalm 19:13a 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 24:1-21. Consider using the questions and suggestions from the Overview portion of this devotional during this study time.

 

PRAY for people within the legal system of our country including lawyers, judges, juries, corrections officers, prisoners, plaintiffs, defendants, etc. Ask the Lord for his justice to prevail. And ask the Lord to reveal the person or people in need you can help today.

 

GIFTS – Look for an opportunity to use your time, talents, spiritual gifts, or money to bless someone in need today.

 

 

Friday (10/13)

READ Psalm 19:13a to begin your time with God.

 

LISTEN to a hymn or worship song that helps you to worship the Lord in the midst of waiting.

 

READ Acts 24:22-27. Notice that Paul spent two years in prison at Caesarea waiting (v. 27).

 

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.

 

GIFTS – Your are encouraged to use what God has given you to bless others today and this weekend by giving as an expression of love.

 

 

Saturday (10/14)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? 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, 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 Exodus 16 during the morning, giving special attention to what the verses reveal about the Sabbath and rest. Notice that the Israelites “gathered twice as much food” the day before the Sabbath (Exodus 16:22 NRSV). To observe a day of rest you will probably need to plan ahead and use the day or days before it as preparation. “REST” is the Sabbath theme for this weekend. What is God’s message to you from this biblical text?

 

What is your body revealing to you about what you need? Do you need a nap?

Do you need more sleep each night during the other days of the week?

 

Are you willing to trust God to enable you to do whatever needs to be done during the other six days of the week so that you can rest in the Lord an entire day?

 

Do you need to take things off of your to-do-list and set a more sustainable pace so that you are prioritizing resting?

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, thirty minutes or more 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 and live in response to our God. You may find it helpful to use the words from the verses you read from Exodus 16 as a guide for your prayer.

 

 

READ Leviticus 23:3 during the afternoon or evening. Seek to do what the Lord commands in this verse, including stopping, resting, dedicating an entire day to God, and assembling with others to worship our Creator and Sustainer of life.

 

PRAY and seek to live in response to God’s commandment in Leviticus 23:3.