The religious leaders kept Peter and John in jail overnight. The next day they questioned them about what the two disciples had been saying and doing, including healing the man unable to walk since birth, as well as proclaiming forgiveness of sins and the resurrection of the death through faith in Jesus. Although they were warned not to speak in Jesus’ name, the two replied, “we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20 NIV). When they were released, Peter and John went to their friends to share what the religious leaders said (Acts 4:23). The response of the group was to lift “their voices together in prayer to God” (Acts 4:24 NIV). It is surprising that instead of praying for protection and safety, the believers prayed for “great boldness” in speaking God’s word (Acts 4:29). Have you ever prayed for “great boldness” to speak God’s message and Good News? The disciples also prayed, “stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus” (Acts 4:30 NLT). Perhaps you have prayed for God’s healing power to help someone you love or even for yourself, but have you prayed for the Lord to do “miraculous signs and wonders” in Jesus’ name? If you have not, are you willing to start?

 

You can download the Worship Guide from the Avon UMC website: www.AvonUMC.com

 

The Your Faith Journey Bible verses for this week are listed below:

 

Sunday (7/5)

Today I’m going to offering God _____________________________________________________.

 

During the worship service God revealed ______________________________________________________________________________________________________.

 

Monday (7/6)

Read 1 John 1:1-10 and pray in response to the verses. Then look for an opportunity to share your faith with a family members, friend, co-worker, or neighbor. Prayerfully consider sharing what you have personally “seen and heard” in regards to God working in your life or in the lives of those you know.

 

Tuesday (7/7)

Read 2 Peter 1:1-11 and pray in response to what you read. Look for an opportunity to share a brief summary of what you know about Jesus with another believer. Perhaps you could ask them, “What do you know about Jesus?” After they share, then you could tell them a brief summary of what you know.

 

Wednesday (7/8)

Read John 17:20-23, part of Jesus’ prayer, and notice what Jesus prays about. Now pray that Jesus’ followers throughout the world, all who believe, “will be brought to complete unity.”

 

Thursday (7/9)

Read Acts 4:32-37 and look to see if it is a fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer from John 17. Now pray in response to what you read.

 

Friday (7/10)

Read 1 John 4:16-24 and pray in response to what you read.

 

Saturday (7/11)

Reflect upon the past week, and re-read verses or phrases that stood out to you. The following questions may be helpful as you reflect:

How did you see, hear, or encounter God during this past week?

 

Who needs to hear about your experience sometime in the coming days?

 

*To download the entire Worship Guide, which includes the extended version of the Your Faith Journey Guide, go to www.AvonUMC.com.