7/14 – 7/20

 

Saul of Tarsus, better known as the apostle Paul, traveled throughout the Roman Empire during his missionary journeys proclaiming the Good News about Jesus and inviting hearers to respond to God’s grace through faith in Christ. He and his traveling companions introduced countless people to the Savior of the world by sharing the gospel message wherever they went. As part of their ministry, they also strengthened and encouraged believers, planted new churches, as well as appointed and trained leaders. Paul is credited with either writing, dictating, or significantly influencing 13 of the letters in the New Testament of the Bible. His story is shared within 17 of the 24 chapters in the book of Acts. For nearly 2,000 years the disciples of Christ and people of other faith traditions throughout the world have been influenced by the life, ministry, teachings, and Spirit-inspired letters of the persecutor of Jesus’ church who became the most influential Christian to ever live.

 

Just as Paul knew about the issues, challenges, joys, and concerns of the Jesus followers during the middle of the first century in Colossae, Corinth, Ephesus, Galatia, Philippi, Rome, Thessalonica, and elsewhere, imagine if Paul knew our struggles and opportunities in Avon and Greater Hendricks County too. What if Paul wrote a letter to us, the Christians here in Avon, Brownsburg, Danville, Plainfield, and the west side of Indianapolis? What messages would the apostle include within his letter to us?

 

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 in some of his letter as if he wrote them directly to the people of Avon UMC and the churches of Greater Hendricks County. The format of this plan is designed for you to use as much or little as you have time to use each day, but you are encouraged to read all of the Bible verses by the end of the week. 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 Ephesians 5:1-2 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 – Ephesians 1:1-11 (Imagine “Avon and Greater Hendricks County” in place of the word “Ephesus” in verse 1.)

 

Monday – Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 Corinthians 1:10

 

Tuesday – Philippians 2:1-18

 

Wednesday – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; 10:31-33; 9:19-23

 

Thursday – 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 1 Corinthians 12:22-27; Ephesians 4:1-16

 

Friday – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Ephesians 5:21-6:4; Ephesians 5:1-14

 

Saturday – Philippians 4:4-9; 1 Corinthians 16:23-24 (You may find it helpful to read all of the previous verses before reading the verses for today as a way to read Paul’s entire letter to us.)

 

 

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 God revealing through the verses I read?

 

How does God’s message to us through Paul apply to me? Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal it as you prayerfully re-read the text.

 

How should we respond?

 

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.

 

*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.