Opening: Have you ever experienced a turning point in your
life, a moment when your life completely changed direction? What was it like in
the moment? How are you different now because of it?
Scripture: Read Acts 9:1-19a.
Insights:
- Saul’s (Paul) letter from the high priest gave him authority wherever there were Jews. He heard that some Christians had escaped to Damascus when persecution broke out (see Acts 8:1), so he went to extradite them back to Jerusalem. The journey was about 140 miles from Jerusalem to Damascus. Saul’s only companions were the officers of the Sanhedrin, a kind of police force. Because he was a Pharisee, he could have nothing to do with them; so he was alone with his thoughts.
- Saul stayed in the house of Judas on Straight Street, which was called that because (are you ready) it was straight.
- In his letters, Paul refers to this experience on the Damascus Road as the start of his new life in Christ (see 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:8; Galatians 1:15,16). At the center of this wonderful experience was Jesus Christ. Paul did not see a vision; he saw the risen Christ himself (see Acts 9:17). Paul acknowledged Jesus as Lord, confessed his own sin, surrendered his life to Christ, and resolved to obey him.
Life Questions:
- Some people wish they had a “Damascus Road” type of conversion experience. You know, a kind of conversion with a blinding light, get knocked off your horse, and hear a voice. But God works in all kinds of ways. The important thing is that you have made a conscious decision to turn your life over to God.
- Ananias was told by God to do something that he thought was crazy! “Go to Saul, the persecutor of the church. Are you sure, God?” Has God ever asked you to do something that seemed crazy? How did it go?
- God told Ananias, “And I will show [Saul] how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.” We want to think that faith in Christ brings great blessings, and it does. But it often brings great suffering too. Paul would suffer for his faith (see 2 Corinthians 11:23-27). God calls us to commitment, not to comfort. Let that sink in for a moment! Yet, no matter what we go through, He will be with us.
- What does Ananias call Saul in verse 17? Though he had some doubts about coming to Saul, he greeted him lovingly. Jesus said, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.” We are called to love even those who we think might persecute us.
Prayer Focus: That our turning points would bring us closer
to Christ, and that we would be willing to do whatever “crazy” thing God calls
us to do.
