7/7 – 7/13

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 Acts 15 and 16. 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 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 142 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 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 – Psalm 59 (receive God’s unfailing love)

 

Monday – Acts 15:1-21 (the council at Jerusalem)

 

Tuesday – Acts 15:22-35 (the letter for Gentile believers)

 

Wednesday – Acts 15:36-16:5 (Paul’s second missionary journey begins)

 

Thursday – Acts 16:6-15 (Paul and Silas travel to Philippi)

 

Friday – Acts 16:16-40 (Paul and Silas in prison)

 

Saturday – Hebrews 4:1-11 (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 the earliest Christians?

 

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?

 

 

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 all people, including Jesus’ Church, to receive and respond to God’s unfailing love.

 

Monday – Pray for church leaders.

 

Tuesday – Pray for God to help churches throughout the world to remove obstacles or idols that prevent people from becoming believers and active members of congregations.

 

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

 

Thursday – Throughout the day offer thanks to God for the many blessings you have been given and continue to receive from the Lord.

 

Friday – Ask the Holy Spirit to help Christians to praise God in the midst of suffering, as well as to remind us that the Lord can use our hardships for the benefit of others.

 

Saturday – Let the verses from Hebrews 4 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.