Opening: Think back to when you started on your new path
(remember yesterday?). Maybe it was a new job in your career field, or when
your new baby came home. Maybe it was when you accepted Jesus as your Savior.
Were you excited? Did you give it everything you had?
Scripture: Read Acts 9:19b-31.
Insights:
- Saul becomes a powerful witness and apologist (defender) for movement and message of Jesus. And why not? He was a learned Pharisee; he knew the Scriptures. He had to wonder on his way to Damascus how good people would risk their lives on what he considered a lie. Now he knows why, and he is willing to risk it all for this new faith.
- Two plots to kill Saul. Wow. The Jews considered him a dangerous man.
- At the same time, the believers thought Saul’s conversion was a ruse, a way to get on the inside, and then rat everyone out. They were afraid to meet with him. It was Barnabas who vouches for this new believer. According to Galatians 1:18-19, Paul was in Jerusalem only 15 days and that he met only with Peter and James.
Life Questions:
- Saul goes back to his hometown to tell them that he is a changed man and that the one who changed him is Jesus Christ. If you have always lived in your hometown, what would people say about your Christian example? If you live away from your hometown, what would people say when you went back for a visit or reunion?
- Verse 31 is another one of Luke’s summary/recap statements. He indicates that first, the church grew strong as the believers “lived in the fear of the Lord.” Second, the church grew in numbers through the encouragement of the Holy Spirit. What does this mean for our church?
Prayer Focus: That we would be powerful and effective
witnesses for Jesus.
