Intro to the Summer Devotional:
No Other Name - A Study on the Book of Acts
What Happened After the Resurrection of Jesus?
Have you ever heard a song that just stuck with you? Something that just hit you in the heart?
The song that I feel that way about is “King of Kings” by Hillsong. We sing it often in our Modern Worship at Centenary. You could even consider the song both a Christmas and Easter song. The songwriters of “King of Kings” brings us from the beginning of Jesus’ life, to his death and resurrection then to this:
And the Church of Christ was born
Then the Spirit lit the flame
Now this Gospel truth of old
Shall not kneel shall not faint
“King of Kings” written by Ligertwood, Ingram, & Ligertwood
When I hear this verse “And the Church of Christ was born”, I think “that’s me!” I am part of the Church of Christ. Jesus’ resurrection occurred and the Holy Spirit lit the flame that spread the gospel through Jesus’ followers. Though this was thousands of years ago, that gospel eventually reached me and many of you reading this today.
In this summer’s Bible study, we are going to read through the Book of Acts and take a look at how that message was spread after Jesus’ resurrection.
-Let’s look at how it transformed the life of Peter who denied Jesus 3 times on the night of his arrest.
-Let’s look at Saul, who persecuted Christians but had an encounter with Jesus & soon became a follower. He endured beatings, persecution, prison, shipwreck and continued to persevere in sharing Jesus.
-We are also going to hear about many folks that simply heard the message and believed.
-Let’s look at how it transformed the life of Peter who denied Jesus 3 times on the night of his arrest.
-Let’s look at Saul, who persecuted Christians but had an encounter with Jesus & soon became a follower. He endured beatings, persecution, prison, shipwreck and continued to persevere in sharing Jesus.
-We are also going to hear about many folks that simply heard the message and believed.
For each daily devotional, there will be a daily “helpful background & questions” about the passage. This is provided by Brian Ralston, one of my favorite Bible commentaries “The Tyndale Concise Bible Commentary,” and other contributors. Brian Ralston did a study with Spirit Salon on Acts and if you would like a deeper and more extensive study on various sections of Acts, check it out on his website at BrianRalston.net. (Huge thank you to Brian for letting me incorporate his well-researched study on Acts!)
This message did not stop in Acts. It spread. As we see in Acts, God uses his followers to share about Jesus. Which leads me to the question: Who shared the message with you?
In this study, we invited brothers and sisters in Christ at Centenary to share their stories of “who was instrumental in their lives in meeting and following Jesus?” Thank you to everyone who was able to contribute! Take a few moments to answer that question for yourself (see below). As we read these stories & as you share your story, ask God how this summer He could use you to be instrumental in someone else meeting or following Jesus.
In this study, we invited brothers and sisters in Christ at Centenary to share their stories of “who was instrumental in their lives in meeting and following Jesus?” Thank you to everyone who was able to contribute! Take a few moments to answer that question for yourself (see below). As we read these stories & as you share your story, ask God how this summer He could use you to be instrumental in someone else meeting or following Jesus.
If you are not yet a follower of Jesus but know that you want to make that decision today, you can say this prayer to God. Remember prayer is like talking to a friend.
Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for dying on the cross for my sin. Please forgive me. Come into my life. I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Now, help me to live for you the rest of this life. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, tell a trusted Christian friend or let us know! Contact Pastor Tim at (209) 527-5441 or email him at centenary@centenarychurch.net. If you are not ready to make the decision yet, please still join us in this study. This is a great opportunity to learn about Jesus!
Have a great summer! Come join the journey through the Book of Acts!
Lindy Collins
Centenary Communication Coordinator -
centenary@centenarychurch.net
P.S. In this study, you will be encouraged daily to write out your thoughts about the passage. This is also an opportunity to include questions or a prayer response you may have to the daily Bible reading. If you have a journal, use it for the reflection questions!
My prayer is that as we study how Jesus’ message was spread in Acts & reflect on how you & others in our church family heard the gospel, we will all go to God and say: How can you use me today to share the love of Jesus with someone? Thank you for sending that person in my life that shared it with me.
Grab a journal and write this response:
Who was instrumental in your life in helping you to meet and/or follow Jesus?
Haven't heard "King of Kings" before? Check it out!
|
|
|
