5/28-6/3 Overview

During the earliest centuries of Christianity, Easter and the Day of Pentecost were the two most significant holy days of the Christian year. The celebration of Pentecost is a special and holy time for us as well! On May 28th we will celebrate the Day of Pentecost as a church family. The celebration will continue on June 4th. We will celebrate the gift of God’s presence with us through the Holy Spirit, the birth of the church in Jerusalem as described in Acts 2, and the ongoing transformational work of the Spirit within Christians, the Church, and the world.

 

In the verses and chapters of The Acts of the Apostles that we are reading this week Peter explains to the believers in Jerusalem what God has done in regards to the Gentiles in Cornelius’ household, Gentiles in Antioch turn to God through faith in Christ and join the church there, Barnabas recruits Saul of Tarsus to help him teach and lead the Christians in Antioch, the Holy Spirit enables some believers to have a prophetic spiritual gift, Christians financially support their brothers and sisters in Christ in need in other places, the first of the twelve apostles is martyred, and Simon Peter miraculously escapes from prison.

 

If you have not watched it yet, you are encouraged to WATCH the first of two Bible Project video summaries of the book of Acts to understand it more clearly. The video is available on YouTube:

Book of Acts Summary (Part 1) by the Bible Project:

 

Below are some suggestions and questions to help you as you read scripture this week:

1. Approach scripture with humility. Seek to receive what the Bible reveals without trying to make it say what you want it to say.

2. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak a message to you through the verses you read.

3. What do these verses reveal about God?

4. What do these verses reveal about humanity?

5. What do these verses teach me about myself?

6. How do you see yourself in the story when reading biblical narratives?

Which of these characters would I be?

In what ways is their story similar to my story?

7. Read, study, and discuss scripture with a small group or another person.

8. Use a Study Bible. A Study Bible is a very helpful tool that includes information shared by scholars about historical and cultural realities during the time depicted or the era of the document, the author, when the book might have been written, the intended audience of the document, themes and messages within a book or letter, and more. The NIV, NRSV, ESV, and NLT Study Bibles are worth considering if you do not own one. There are a few available from the AUMC Library in the back of the chapel. You can also purchase a Study Bible from ChristianBook.com, Cokesbury.com, or Amazon.com.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

Pentecost Sunday (5/28)

READ Psalm 104:24 to set your focus for today on the Lord and what He has made:

LORD, you have done so many things!

You made them all so wisely!

The earth is full of your creations! – Psalm 104:24 CEB

 

LISTEN to a hymn or worship song that helps you to praise the Lord and sing or pray the words.

READ Leviticus 19:18. Of the 613 commandments God gave the Israelites, which are recorded in the first five books of the Old Testament, this is one of the most important.

 

PRAY praising the Lord now and throughout the day for who He is and what He has done. Invite the Holy Spirit to help you and other believers to be able to perceive “the wonderful things God has done” (Acts 2:11b NLT). Ask the Spirit of the Lord to enable you to see people as God sees them, and to truly love others as you love yourself. Ask for forgiveness for the ways you have fallen short in loving yourself and loving your neighbor as God has commanded us.

 

 

Monday (5/29)

READ Psalm 104:24 to begin this devotional time:

LORD, you have done so many things!

You made them all so wisely!

The earth is full of your creations! – Psalm 104:24 CEB

 

READ Acts 11:1-18. Consider using the suggestions and questions from the Overview portion of this devotional to guide your study time of these verses.

 

PRAY praising and thanking God for the wonderful things He has done. Offer any concerns, confusion, burdens, or heartache you have to the Lord in prayer.

 

 

Tuesday (5/30)

READ Psalm 104:24 to set your focus on God and what He has made.

 

READ Acts 11:19-30. Notice in verse 26 that believers are called “Christians” for the first time in history in Antioch. “Christian” means “belonging to Christ.” Let the meaning of “Christian” sink deeply into your heart and mind.

 

PRESENCE – Who needs you to go be with them today or later this week? Try removing or ignoring potential distractions to be fully present with whoever you are with throughout the day and week. Love others by being with them as you remember that the Spirit of the Lord is with you.

 

PRAY through your day, including offering thanks for God’s presence with you throughout the day, as well as praying for the people you will be with or have been with.

 

 

Wednesday (5/31)

READ Psalm 104:24 to begin your devotional time.

 

READ Acts 12:1-5. Imagine what it must have been like to be a Christian during this season in history.

 

BE SILENT for a few minutes as you think about Christ and Christians throughout history who have died as martyrs. You may find it helpful to sit, kneel, or walk during this time. Listen for the internal whisper of the Holy Spirit as a word, phrase, idea, image, or message that comes to mind.

 

GIFTS – Think about the Christians who have had a significant impact upon your life. How did they, and how do they, use their time, talents, and resources to bless you and others?

 

PRAY letting the Holy Spirit guide you to respond to the verses you read, your time of silence, and God’s work within the lives of the Christians who have significantly impacted your life. Pray for Christians who are being persecuted now, as well as for those who are mourning from the loss of our martyred sisters and brothers in Christ.

 

 

Thursday (6/1)

READ Psalm 104:24 to focus your heart and mind on God.

 

READ Acts 12:6-19. The “James” mentioned in verse 17 is Jesus’ brother. He was a leader within the church in Jerusalem. Consider using the suggestions and questions from the Overview section of this devotional during your study time today.

 

SERVICE – Serving is an expression of love. You can serve family members, friends, neighbors, members of the congregation, co-workers, or even strangers. Look for opportunities throughout the day to serve others as an expression of loving your neighbor.

 

PRAY in response to God using the ACTS acronym as a guide:

Adoration (praise the Lord)

Confession

Thanksgiving (thank God)

Supplication (share your needs & the needs of others)

 

 

Friday (6/2)

READ Psalm 104:24.

 

READ Acts 12:19-25. The man named “John Mark” in verse 25 is believed to be the one who eventually wrote The Gospel According to Mark. Which word, phrase, or verse is the Lord using to speak to you today from what you read?

 

PRAY that the Lord helps you and our congregation to live the AUMC virtues revealed in Jesus as we represent him, live as his apprentices, and spread the Good News in our homes, workplaces, communities, and throughout the world. The virtues include: Humility, Compassion, Forgiveness, Love

 

WITNESS – John Mark, Luke, and other first century Christians wrote accounts of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. In Acts we have written versions of what some of the earliest Christians said as they shared Jesus’ story with Jews, Samaritans, and eventually even Gentiles. Write out a brief version of Jesus’ story or some of the ways God has worked in your life doing wonderful things. You could write in a journal, a notebook, type it using a computer to store it as a digital file, or write it as part of a letter that you will send to someone who needs to receive it.

 

 

Saturday (6/3)

How are you going to remember and observe the Sabbath this weekend? The Sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to stop, rest, worship, and delight in the Lord and what he has given us. Because of our very busy culture and over-scheduled lives you may need to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each week beginning with an hour, then increasing it to multiple hours or part of a day the next weekend, and eventually designating an entire day for remembering and observing the Sabbath.

 

LIGHT a candle and LISTEN to a worship song or hymn before reading the verses for today as a way to prepare your heart, mind, body, and soul for observing the Sabbath.

 

READ Psalm 46:10 and Psalm 37:7 during the morning. These verses are a reminder to stop and “be still” in God’s presence. Our Sabbath theme for this weekend is “STOP.”

 

• How does stopping and “being still” help you to remember that Jesus is our king?

 

• What are the things you need to stop worrying about today and during this season that you can offer to God in prayer?

 

• What work do you need to set aside for another day so that you can stop and focus on the Lord as you observe the Sabbath?

 

• How are you going to help others to stop working for at least a few hours this weekend?

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with God seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and rest, consider laying down, kneeling, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

PRAY however the Holy Spirit guides you to pray.

 

 

READ Matthew 12:1-13 during the afternoon or evening. The man in the synagogue in these verses was restored by Jesus on the Sabbath day. Christ can restore your heart, mind, and relationships. Jesus is described as the “author of life” in Acts 3:15. In addition to being our Creator, Christ is our Healer. His life reveals that the God who made us wants to be with us. What do you need to STOP doing today, or this weekend, so that you can be present with Jesus and receive the healing power of Christ?

 

• What part of your life needs the healing touch of Christ? Your body? Your soul? Your heart? Your mind? A relationship?

 

• How are you going to set the Sabbath apart this weekend from other days of the week?

 

PRAY and live in response to the Lord of the Sabbath. You may find it helpful to use the words from the verses you read today as a guide for your prayer.