6/23 – 6/29

Acts 15:36-41 describes the beginning of the season when Barnabas and Saul had a falling out and were no longer doing ministry together as missionaries. Before Acts 15 they spent a year together preaching, teaching, and leading the church in Antioch, as well as another year in partnership traveling through various parts of the Roman Empire evangelizing, planting churches, and doing ministry. Although we don’t know how the two of them felt after they parted ways, it is reasonable to assume that there was mourning that took place because of the change in their relationship. Who comes to mind when you think about a falling out or parting ways regarding a relationship you have or had? Someone from the congregation? A friend? A family member?

 

After Acts 15 Barnabas is not mentioned again in the book of Acts. Did he and Paul ever experience reconciliation? The New Testament documents don’t provide an answer. Often in life we have opportunities to learn from mistakes, failures, and hardships. Perhaps the apostle Paul wrote, “do all that you can to live in peace with everyone,” as he thought about his relationship with Barnabas, wishing that he had done more to seek reconciliation with his brother in Christ (Romans 12:18 NLT). What do you need to do this week to seek reconciliation with the person or people God brought to mind?

 

As we continue through the Blinding Light: Lessons from the Life of the Apostle Paul sermon series, this week the Living Faith Devotional will guide us to read and study verses written by Paul about loving our neighbors, the ministry of reconciliation, and ways to love one another as we follow Jesus’ example. 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 Daily Reminder
• 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 REMINDER:

READ Romans 12:18 to begin your time set apart to be with, encounter, and worship the living God.

 

 

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:

Sunday – Leviticus 19:9-18 (love your neighbor)

 

Monday – Acts 15:36-41 (Paul and Barnabas separate after their missionary journey)

 

Tuesday – 2 Corinthians 5:11-21 (the ministry of reconciliation)

 

Wednesday – Romans 12:3-8 (new life in Christ)

 

Thursday – Romans 12:9-21 (marks of the true Christian)

 

Friday – Romans 13:8-10 (love for one another)

 

Saturday – Psalm 116:1-9 (The Sabbath theme is “stop & rest.”)

 

 

VIDEO TO WATCH:

To learn more about Saul/Paul’s conversion, the earliest years of Christianity, and Paul’s missionary journeys you are encouraged to watch the videos using the links provided:

 

The Apostle Paul: Acts 8-12 by The Bible Project

 

Paul’s Missionary Journeys Acts 13-20 by The Bible Project

 

 

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 the verses reveal about our relationships with people?

 

What do these verses reveal about people who were part of Jesus’ Church, as well as those who were 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 to stop and rest 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 help the people of Jesus’ Church locally and globally to love our neighbors, including one another.

 

Monday – Pray for anyone that comes to mind when you think of parting ways with members of AUMC, a friend, and/or a family member.

 

Tuesday – Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide Christians to live our ministry of reconciliation.

 

Wednesday – Invite the Holy Spirit to intercede for the needs of the world, our nation, this community, your family, and you.

 

Thursday – Offer thanks to God for the many blessings you have been given and continue to receive from the Lord. Then invite the Holy Spirit to guide all Christians, including you, to live as true apprentices of Christ as described in Romans 12.

 

Friday – Ask the Lord to guide our church, and churches throughout the world, to forgive as we have been forgiven by our heavenly Father, and to love one another as Jesus has loved us.

 

Saturday – Let the words of the psalmist guide you.

 

*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.