5/19 – 5/25

In 2022 this Living Faith Devotional guided us to begin our journey through the entire Bible. By reading the final chapters from Revelation this past week, we have finished our journey through God’s epic narrative of hope, the story of God. Congratulations to those who read Genesis through Revelation! This week we are turning our focus to the Day of Pentecost, the birth of the Church, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. For the earliest Christians celebrating Easter and the Day of Pentecost were the two most significant celebrations of the year. How will you celebrate the Day of Pentecost so that it is set apart from other days?

 

The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day. Below is a guide for the daily use of this devotional:

 

Each Day

– Read the Psalm

– Spend a few minutes in silence as you wait in the presence of the Lord

– Read The Bible verses for the day

– Answer the question(s) using a journal or notebook, talking to someone else about them,

or simply think about your responses

– Listen to and/or sing a worship song or hymn

– Pray

– Live guided by the Spirit of the Lord

 

DAILY PSALM:

READ PSALM 51:10-15 to begin your time set apart to be with, encounter, and worship the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

 

SILENCE & SOLITUDE:

You are encouraged to spend a few minutes quietly alone with the Triune God (Father, Son, & Holy Spirit) after reading the verses. You may find it helpful to sit, kneel, lay down, or walk as the message rolls around in your heart and mind.

 

DAILY BIBLE VERSES TO READ:

Pentecost Sunday – Acts 1:1-14 (When the Holy Spirit comes to you…)

 

Monday – Acts 2:1-21 (The Day of Pentecost)

 

Tuesday – Acts 2:22-41 (More of the Day of Pentecost)

 

Wednesday – Acts 2:42-47 (Life among the earliest believers)

 

Thursday – Acts 4:1-4, 23-35 (The Holy Spirit working in and through Peter, John, and the others)

 

Friday – Galatians 5:16-6:10 (the Fruit of the Holy Spirit)

 

Saturday – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; Psalm 37:3-4; Romans 15:13 (The Sabbath theme is “worship & delight.”)

 

VIDEOS TO WATCH:

To learn more about Pentecost, or to be reminded of things you already know, you are encouraged to watch the United Methodist Pentecost video using the link provided:

 

Pentecost by Chuck Knows Church

 

DAILY QUESTIONS:

You may find it helpful to read the verses a second time as you ask yourself these questions while pondering about God’s message within the verses. You may find it helpful to write your responses to the questions, or talk about them with a family member, friend, or your small group, or to simply think about them:

 

What is the biblical author revealing in these verses? You are encouraged to read the study notes from a Study Bible. If you don’t have a study Bible, you can borrow one from the AUMC library or find one online through www.BibleGateway.com or the Bible Gateway App.

 

What do the verses reveal about God, Jesus, or the Holy Spirit?

 

What do these verses reveal about people who are part of Jesus’ Church, as well as those who are not?

 

What is God’s message for me from what I read? Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal it as you prayerfully re-read the text.

 

How should I respond to the Lord’s message?

 

How will I prepare to observe a full or partial Sabbath day of worship and delight this weekend?

 

 

LISTEN to and/or SING a worship song or hymn to help you respond to God. You may find it helpful to use the same song each day, or a different one on some, or all, of the days because of what the Bible verses bring to mind.

 

 

PRAY:

You are encouraged to let the Bible verses you read guide your prayer. You may find it helpful to use the daily suggestions as well:

 

Sunday – Invite the Holy Spirit to fill us, form us, and guide the people of Jesus’ Church, including Avon UMC, congregations throughout Greater Hendricks County, as well as Christians throughout the world.

 

Monday – Pray for those who are closest to you, including family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

 

Tuesday – Pray through your day, including who you will be with, or have already been with, as well as what you will do or have already done. Then lift up leaders and those who point others towards God.

 

Wednesday – Pray that our congregation, as well as churches across the globe, will become more like the church described in Acts 2:42-47. Pray for all people, including those you know, who are not part of Jesus’ Church.

 

Thursday – Offer thanks to God for the many blessings you have been given and continue to receive. You may find it helpful to write them in a journal or somewhere you can read through the list again some other time.

 

Friday – Ask for the fruit of the Spirit to be in full bloom within the people of Jesus’ Church, including in you.

 

Saturday – Pray a prayer you have memorized, such as the Lord’s Prayer, or let the words of the psalmists guide you using Psalm 51:10-15.

 

 

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