New Testament Readings Week 8 (17th – 23rd October)
Monday 17thOctober
Read: Acts 17 In Athens Paul used what he’d learned from wandering round the city as the basis for how he presented the Gospel. The Athenians were concerned that they had missed a god and so hadset up an Altar to the ‘Unknown God.’Paul explained to them what God was like in a way that was relevant to them and even quoted Greek poetry to do so. He focussed on key aspects of God’s nature as Creator and a Being who is all sufficient,near and accessible, and offended by sin andidolatry. He introduced Jesus as the One by whom all will be judged.His message produced a mixed response; some became believers, others remained unconvinced, especially about the concept of the resurrection of the dead.
What aspects of God’s nature should we be focussing on in our culture as we attempt to share the gospel? It can be difficult to introduce Jesus into conversations with people. How might Paul’s approach help you?
Tuesday 18thOctober
Read: Acts 18 In Corinth Paul metAquila and Priscilla who were tent makers like him. Paul preached really effectively to the Jews until the opposition increased. He was probably discouraged (see 1 Cor 2:3) and considering moving on when God intervened through a vision and encouraged him to keep preaching. When he eventually left Corinth to go back to Antioch,Priscilla and Aquila accompanied him as far as Ephesus. There they met Apollos who was an enthusiastic disciple, but knew only the basics of the gospel. Aquila and Priscilla spotted gaps in his understanding, but rather than dismiss himfor his ignorance, they showed him hospitality, at the same time improving his understanding.
How has God intervened in your life and encouraged you in something you were doing for him? Who is there that you can meet with and help grow in understanding about Jesus, this week?
Wednesday 19th October
Read: Acts 19 Paul returned to Ephesus after a previous rushed visit (18:19-21), and preached in the synagogue for 3 months. When that was no longer available he rented a lecture theatre (probably the first “public” church building) and stayed a further 2 years. Healings and exorcisms occurred regularly and people became familiar with them, resulting in others seeking to imitate Paul, without his spiritual power. The sons of Sceva suffered the consequences and this resulted in the name of Jesus being highly honoured. Those who repented of their past magic and occult activity burned their expensive scrolls. Such breakthroughs were also accompanied with opposition and brought confrontation with the silversmiths which blew up into a confused riot.
New Testament Readings Week 8 (17th – 23rd October)
Monday 17th October
Read: Acts 17 In Athens Paul used what he’d learned from wandering round the city as the basis for how he presented the Gospel. The Athenians were concerned that they had missed a god and so had set up an Altar to the ‘Unknown God.’ Paul explained to them what God was like in a way that was relevant to them and even quoted Greek poetry to do so. He focussed on key aspects of God’s nature as Creator and a Being who is all sufficient, near and accessible, and offended by sin and idolatry. He introduced Jesus as the One by whom all will be judged. His message produced a mixed response, some became believers; others remained unconvinced, especially about the concept of the resurrection of the dead.
What aspects of God’s nature should we be focussing on in our culture as we attempt to share the gospel? It can be difficult to introduce Jesus into conversations with people. How might Paul’s approach help you?
Tuesday 18th October
Read: Acts 18 In Corinth Paul met Aquila and Priscilla who were tent makers like him. Paul preached really effectively to the Jews until the opposition increased. He was probably discouraged (see 1 Cor 2:3) and considering moving on when God intervened through a vision and encouraged him to keep preaching. When he eventually left Corinth to go back to Antioch, Priscilla and Aquila accompanied him as far as Ephesus. There they met Apollos who was an enthusiastic disciple, but knew only the basics of the gospel. Aquila and Priscilla spotted gaps in his understanding,but rather than dismiss him for his ignorance, they showed him hospitality, at the same time improving his understanding.
How has God intervened in your life and encouraged you in something you were doing for him? Who is there that you can meet with and help grow in understanding about Jesus, this week?
Wednesday 19th October
Read: Acts 19 Paul returned to Ephesus after a previous rushed visit (18:19-21), and preached in the synagogue for 3 months. When that was no longer available he rented a lecture theatre (probably the first “public” church building) and stayed a further 2 years. Healings and exorcisms occurred regularly and people became familiar with them, resulting in others seeking to imitate Paul, without his spiritual power. The sons of Sceva suffered the consequences and this resulted in the name of Jesus being highly honoured. Those who repented of their past magic and occult activity burned their expensive scrolls. Such breakthroughs were also accompanied with opposition and brought confrontation with the silversmiths which blew up into a confused riot.
What aspects of your old non-Christian lives do you still need to deal with? Blessings and difficulties seem to come together often, and are normal! Pray for someone who is facing difficulties, and praise God also for the blessings they enjoy.
Thursday 20thOctober
Read: Acts 20 Paul went back to Macedonia and Greece and then started heading back the way he’d come. When the ship docked at Miletus he was keen to meet up with the elders of the Ephesian church so they came down to see him. From what he said to them he knew he would not see them again but wanted to go back to Jerusalemand was willing to let go of his life to fulfil the purposes of Jesus. He encouraged them to guard the flock and their own hearts, warning them that even leadership disagreements and Church splits were to be expected.
What are you willing to lay downin order to fulfil God’s purposes in your life? Paul formed strong friendships at Ephesus. Send a note or a text, or do something else today to encourage 5 or 6 of your closest friends.
Friday 21stOctober
Read: Acts 21 On the way back to Jerusalem Paul heard prophetic words from the Church at Tyresimilar to what he had heard earlier (Acts 20:23). Nevertheless he ignored the urging not to return to Jerusalem, because he felt “compelled by the Spirit” (Acts 20:22). Agabus gives him a prophecy at Caesarea,but uses spiritual gifts in a more mature manner than some of the others, in that he tells Paul what the Spirit said would happen to him, but does not try to tell him what to do in response. He knew that prophetic words and spiritual gifts given to us by others should not direct us. Spiritual gifts may confirm God’s will or encourage us in a course of action, but we always ought to hear God’s voice for ourselves and make our own decisions. The prophecies given were accurate, as Paul is arrested later in the chapter, but the principal is clear: We are responsible for our own decisions and for the consequences also. Others can only advise, encourage and warn us, but should not direct or command what we do.
What will you do to grow and mature in your use of spiritual gifts in the next few weeks? What can you learn from the ministry of Paul and Agabus that you can share with a Christian friend today?
For further study
1.Read Isaiah 8:11-22. In verses 19-22, there is some very clear teaching about occult activity and spiritualism, which give an Old Testament background and understanding to the events of Acts 19.
2. Read Amos 3:1-14 to find two or three things that give further insights into some of the Bible’s teaching regarding prophecy.
What aspects of your old non-Christian lives do you still need to deal with? Blessings and difficulties seem to come together often, and are normal! Pray for someone who is facing difficulties, and praise God also for the blessings they enjoy.
Thursday 20th October
Read: Acts 20 Paul went back to Macedonia and Greece and then started heading back the way he’d come. When the ship docked at Miletus he was keen to meet up with the elders of the Ephesian church so they came down to see him. From what he said to them he knew he would not see them again but wanted to go back to Jerusalemand was willing to let go of his life to fulfil the purposes of Jesus. He encouraged them to guard the flock and their own hearts, warning them that even leadership disagreements and Church splits were to be expected.
What are you willing to lay downin order to fulfil God’s purposes in your life? Paul formed strong friendships at Ephesus. Send a note or a text, or do something else today to encourage 5 or 6 of your closest friends.
Friday 21st October
Read: Acts 21 On the way back to Jerusalem Paul heard prophetic words from the Church at Tyre similar to what he had heard earlier (Acts 20:23). Nevertheless he ignored the urging not to return to Jerusalem, because he felt “compelled by the Spirit” (Acts 20:22). Agabus gives him a prophecy at Caesarea, but uses spiritual gifts in a more mature manner than some of the others, in that he tells Paul what the Spirit said would happen to him, but does not try to tell him what to do in response. He knew that prophetic words and spiritual gifts given to us by others should not direct us. Spiritual gifts may confirm God’s will or encourage us in a course of action, but we always ought to hear God’s voice for ourselves and make our own decisions. The prophecies given were accurate, as Paul is arrested later in the chapter, but the principal is clear: We are responsible for our own decisions and for the consequences also. Others can only advise, encourage and warn us, but should not direct or command what we do.
What will you do to grow and mature in your use of spiritual gifts in the next few weeks? What can you learn from the ministry of Paul and Agabus that you can share with a Christian friend today?
For further study
1. Read Isaiah 8:11-22. In verses 19-22, there is some very clear teaching about occult activity and spiritualism, which give an Old Testament background and understanding to the events of Acts 19.
2. Read Amos 3:1-14 to find two or three things that give further insights into some of the Bible’s teaching regarding prophecy.