FRIDAY, JUNE 10

Friday, June 10, 2022

Take Up Your Cross

Matthew 16: 24 (NLT)

    Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

Jesus wanted His disciples that following Him would lead to suffering. 

READ: John 15: 18 – 21  Consider how His words would have prepared and strengthened them to take up their cross. 

What do these words mean to you?

What does taking up YOUR cross require in your life?

In what way(s) might you be avoiding taking up your cross?

What kind of things (goals, secret thoughts, fears, etc.) hinder you from taking up your cross?

How badly do you really want to be like Jesus?

What are the consequences if you try to follow Him but are unwilling to take up your cross?

Ask God to open your heart and mind so you can hear and receive his call to “take you your cross and follow.”

Ask Him for the grace and passion to be like Jesus no matter what the cost.

THURSDAY, JUNE 9

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Hope in the Midst of Suffering

Hebrews 11: 37 & 38 (NLT)

    Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. 38 They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.

Read the 1 Peter passages below, keeping in mind that Peter wort these words to encourage believers who faced, were facing, or could soon face persecution and suffering.  Look for every source of hope and consider what it would mean to people who were personally acquainted with persecution.

1 Peter 1: 1 – 7

Message of Hope: 

Meaning for Those who Suffer:

1 Peter 2: 11 & 12;   20 - 23

Message of Hope: 

Meaning for Those who Suffer:

1 Peter 3: 14 – 17

Message of Hope: 

Meaning for Those who Suffer:

1 Peter 5: 8 – 11

Message of Hope: 

Meaning for Those who Suffer:

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8

Wednesday, June 8, 2022

The Fruit of Suffering

2 Timothy 3: 12 (NLT) 

        …everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Although it’s painful to suffer for walking as Jesus walked, suffering can be instrumental in our spiritual development. Read the following passages, taking note of the writers’ perspectives on suffering, the promise of benefits in suffering, and the enduring hope of suffering.

Colossians 1; 24 – 29 How did Paul view suffer?

1 Peter 1: 3 – 9 In what eternal things can we hope when we suffer?

What is some of the fruit of our suffering?

1 peter 4; 12 – 16 What is the joy of suffering for Christ?

How does God view our suffering for Him?

Matthew 5; 10 – 12 For what reasons can we be glad when we suffer for Jesus’ sake?

Romans 5: 1 – 5 What is the fruit of suffering?

What is the hope of suffering?

James 1: 1 – 4 What do trials develop in the believer, and what should be our attitude toward them?

How would you describe the attitude of the early Christians toward suffering? How does their attitude differ from yours? From that of other believers you know?

TUESDAY, JUNE 7

Tuesday, June 7, 2022

Persecution

John 15: 20 & 21 (NLT)

        Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. 

Sometimes Jewish authorities persecuted early Christians. This usually occurred on a local level and consisted primarily of beatings, expulsion from synagogues, and shunning within the Jewish community. Occasionally these persecutions related in death.  As you read about a few of these events, not what the concerns or issues were, how Jesus’ followers suffered, how they used the opportunity to teach about Jesus, and what impact their example had on others.

Acts 4: 1 -21; 5: 12 – 42

Acts 6: 8 – 15; 7: 54 – 58

Acts 17: 1 -13

Acts 21: 27 – 22:1; Acts 22: 22 – 25

In the following accounts, note what was behind the persecutions, what the officials were trying to accomplish, and the impact on the local community and the community of believers.

Acts 12: 1 – 19

Acts 16: 16 – 40

 Acts 19: 23 – 41

MONDAY, JUNE 6

Monday, June 6, 2022

Take Up Your Cross

Matthew 16: 24 (NLT)

    Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.

1. READ: Luke 6: 40 & John 12: 26 To what extent did Jesus expect His disciples to follow Him and BE like Him?

1. READ: John 8: 31; 13: 12 – 17; 1 Peter 2:4 – 6; 1 John 2: 4 – 6

Make a list of the things that people who want to belike Jesus more than anything else will do.

1. READ: John 3: 14 – 17; 10: 14 – 18; 15: 13; 19: 17 7 18

What is the most amazing things Jesus did for us?

If those who follow Jesus are to become like Him in all things, do you think this means we must be willing to lay down our lives as well?  Why or why not?

1. READ: Matthew 10: 37 – 39; 16: 24 & 25; Luke 14: 26 & 27

What does scripture tell us about following Jesus in every way – even if it means suffering or death? How strongly did Jesus state this?

FRIDAY, JUNE 3

Friday, June 3, 2022

An Unlikely Disciple

1 Timothy 1: 2 (NLT)

        I am writing to Timothy, my true son in the faith.

Timothy was an unlikely man for Paul to choose as a disciple. Paul had  impeccable Hebrew heritage and training. Timothy was a nobody, who grew up in a small pagan town in the wilderness. Timothy was an outsider who most likely was unable to participate in the Jewish community.

1. READ: Deuteronomy 23: 2 What did God command regarding the children of forbidden marriage?

1. READ: Acts 16; 1 – 3 What do we know about Timothy’s family?

When Scripture refers to someone as “a Greek” rather than “a God-fearing Greek’ it is a strong indication that the person is a nonbeliever. The reference to the faith of Timothy’s mother further supports the idea that his father was a nonbeliever.

God often chooses most unlikely candidates to accomplish great things for Him.

1. What does it mean to you to realize that even when you may not appear to :measure up,” God can still use you in a special way to further the proclamation of the gospel?

1. How do you think Timothy felt when Paul chose him to be a disciple and learn to walk as Jesus walked?

1. Considering the Timothy’s father was most likely a non-believing Greek, what effect do you think being considered Paul’s “son” had on Timothy?

1. Why do you think it’s important for us to remember that God often use unlikely people to fulfill His will…To remember that God is ALWAYS looking for people who know the Bible, are filled with His Spirit, and will passionately obey Jesus?

THURSDAY, JUNE 2

Thursday, June 2, 2022

Paul Makes Disciples

Just  as Lystra marked a turning point in Paul’s ministry, Corinth marked a turning point as well. READ Acts 18: 1 – 11 and consider the events that happened there.

1. With whom did Paul stay in Corinth and why? Do you think Paul was making disciples at this point? (Acts 18: 1 – 3)

1. What role do you think Timothy and Silas played in Paul’s ministry?

(Acts 18: 5)

1. In what ways was Paul’s ministry in Corinth just as it had always been? Who did he speak to first, where, and why? What change did he make when great opposition arose? (Acts 18: 4 – 8)

1. What did God enable Paul to do in Corinth that had not been possible anywhere else? What insight does this give you into why making disciples as Jesus had done was not Paul’s emphasis prior to this time? (Acts 18: 9 – 11)

Aquila and Priscilla had a long-term relationship with Paul:  (Acts 18: 18 – 21)

1. Do you think Aquila, and Priscilla were part of the reason Paul felt he could leave Ephesus even when the Jews asked him to stay longer? Why or why not?

1. What indicates that Aquila and Priscilla continued to make disciples as Paul had apparently taught them?

READ: Acts 18: 24 – 28;   Romans 16: 3 = 5;   1 Corinthians 16: 19

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1

Wednesday, June 1, 2022

Teaching God’s Message in a Fresh Way

READ Acts 14: 19 & 20 and answer the following questions:

1. What happened to Paul in Lystra soon after he finished talking about the living God?

1. After this, what did Paul do? What do you think this action communicated to the people of Lystra?

1. How do we know that Paul’s efforts in Lystra bore spiritual fruit?

READ:  Acts 14: 20 – 23;   16: 1 – 3

Reflecting on Paul’s messages in Antioch Pisidia and Lystra. Consider what Paul did to communicate God’s truth in ways people understood – whether or not they agreed with him.  

1. What do you learn from Paul’s example that will help you communicate God’s message to people in your sphere of influence?

1. What do you learn about God’s willingness to create opportunities for us to share the gospel in the “language” of the people we encounter?

1. How did Paul respond to the Lycaonians after they stoned him? What did this reveal about his passion for God and for carrying out the mission God had given him?

Early church records indicate that Lystra had its own bishop for five hundred years after Paul’s ministry there. Paul may not have seen much spiritual fruit, but clearly, God blessed the ministry there.

1. How willing re you to passionately live out and share the gospel in your sphere of influence even if you don’t see the results you would like?

TUESDAY, MAY 31

Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Teaching God’s Message in a Fresh Way

Acts 14: 15 (NLT)

    “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.

As Paul grew in his understanding of scripture as it relates to Jesus, he made powerful connections with a variety of audiences that had never heard of Jesus. His ministry in Antioch Pisidia and Lystra are examples of how he effectively communicated the gospel to diverse audiences.

READ Acts 13: 16 – 41  and take note of the following details:

1. Where and to whom did Paul speak?

1. On what did he base his message? To what extent would his audience have known and believed what he was saying?

1. Through what context did Paul weave in the news of Jesus? In what ways would this have helped his audience understand his message?

1. What is the evidence that the people heard and understood Paul’s message, regardless of whether or not they agreed with it?

READ Acts 13: 42 – 52

Now READ Acts 14: 8 – 18 abut Paul teaching in Lystra and answer the following questions:

1. In what type of place does it appear Paul spoke?

1. As he spoke, what did Paul notice about one of his listeners?

What did Paul do in response?

1. Was it hard for Paul to convince the people that it was God who was at work? Did he succeed?

1. Based on their response, what were the spiritual beliefs of the people? Do you think they were devout in their religion? Why?

MONDAY, MAY 30

Monday, May 30, 2022

Becoming More Like  Jesus

Romans 1: 16 (NLT) 

     For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

We rightly admire Paul for all he accomplished for the cause of Christ. Yet, we often don’t recognize that he had to learn to FOLLOW and OBEY Jesus.

1. READ: 1 Timothy 1: 15 & 16 How do we know Paul had to learn some things along the way on his journey of faith?

1. READ Acts 13: 44 – 46 What did Paul and Barnabas say to jealous Jews in Antioch?

1. READ Acts 14: 1 In light of that bold condemnation, what’s significant about where Paul and Barnabas first spoke in Iconium?

READ Acts 14: 1 – 7  The story of Paul & Barnabas preaching in Iconium.

1. What situation resulted from teaching?

1. Why might God have intervened miraculously in the way and time?

1. How is Paul and Barnabas’ situation in Iconium similar to situations Jesus faced? READ: Mark 3: 1 – 8; Luke 19: 47 & 48

1. Paul had one consuming passion during his life. What was it, and how might it explain why, early in his ministry, he visited so many places but never stayed in each place for very long?

READ:  Acts 26: 15 – 18;   Romans 15: 18 – 21  

FRIDAY, MAY 27

Friday, May 27, 2022

God Never Forgot the Gentiles

Acts 15: 8 – 11 (NLT)

    God knows people’s hearts, and he confirmed that he accepts Gentiles by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as he did to us. 9 He made no distinction between us and them, for he cleansed their hearts through faith. 10 So why are you now challenging God by burdening the Gentile believers with a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors were able to bear? 11 We believe that we are all saved the same way, by the undeserved grace of the Lord Jesus.”

1. According to Genesis 12: 1 – 3, what was God’s purpose for calling Abraham to follow him?

1. How were the Israelites to treat their gentile (alien) neighbors and why? How might this relate to Israel being a blessing to the world? (Exodus 20: 10, 22: 21; Deuteronomy 10: 17-19; 24: 14, 17-21; 26:12)

1. Who were to be God’s witnesses, and were they effective?

READ: Isaiah 43: 1, 10 – 12

1. What did the prophets say would happen to the pagans who lived around Israel?

READ:  Isaiah 66: 18 – 20;   Micah 4: 1 - 3;   Zechariah 8: 23

1. What role are Jesus’ followers to have in completing God’s witness to the ends of the earth? READ: Acts 1: 1 – 8

1. Why do you think God’s acceptance of Gentiles was difficult for some Jews to accept? Is this why Paul’s teachings angered some of the Jews in Antioch Pisidia?

THURSDAY, MAY 26

Thursday, May 26, 2022

Saul Becomes a Disciple of Jesus

1 Corinthians 11: 1 & 2

    And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.  2 I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you.

READ: Acts 9: 1 – 22 and Acts 22: 1 – 11  These passages provide valuable insight into was in which Paul’s encounter with Jesus did and did not change him.

1. How did Saul’s life, particularly in response to the growing Christian community, change as a result of meeting Jesus? Do you think Saul believed he had changed religions? Why or why not?

1. After his encounter with Jesus, where did Saul go and why did he go there? Would he have gone there if he no longer considered himself Jewish? Why or why not?

1. Decades after he met Jesus, how did Paul address the Jews in Jerusalem? What does this indicate about his identity as a Jew? (Acts 22: 1 – 5)

1. READ: Acts 9: 26 – 28 When Saul first went to Jerusalem after meeting Jesus, who did he want to meet?

a.     What problem did Saul encounter and who took responsibility for him?

b.    Did this become a discipling relationship? READ: Acts 11: 22 – 26

WEDNESDAY, MAY 25

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Called to Be a Disciple

Acts 9: 15 (NLT)

        … the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.

1. Write what the following passages reveal about young Saul so that you can begin seeing the many ways God prepared him for his future ministry:

a.     Acts 22: 3, 25 – 29;   23: 6

b.    2 Corinthians 11: 22

c.     Philippians 3: 4 – 6

1. Read the following examples of Paul’s teaching and compare them to the Hebrew text:

a.     Romans 12: 19 and Deuteronomy 32: 35

b.    Romans 12: 20 and Proverbs 25: 21 & 22

c.     2 Corinthians 8: 15 and Exodus 16: 18

d.    Galatians 4: 27 and Isaiah 54: 1

1. What does Paul’s knowledge of the Bible reveal about our need to know the Bible?

TUESDAY, MAY 24

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Challenging the Lordship of Caesar

Ephesians 6: 19 & 20 (NLT)

        …pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 20 I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

1. When Paul ministered in Antioch Pisidia, he was probably within sight of Caesar’s temple. Yet he did not sugarcoat his message to placate the Romans. READ Acts 13: 23, 27, 30 – 34, 46 & 47. What portions of Paul’s message might the Romans considered to be treasonous?

1. Paul never compromised the gospel wherever he ministered in the Roman Empire. Read each passage below and note how Paul denied the emperor’s deity and lordship:

a.     Romans 1: 1 – 4  Who did Paul say Jesus was? 

                             Who is Jesus to Paul?

b.    Romans 15: 7 – 13  Who would glorify God and why?

     Who would they praise as ruler over the nations and why?

c.     Philippians 3: 20 & 21  To whose kingdom do believers belong?

Who is the Savior and what will he do for His people?

d.     1 Corinthians 8: 4 – 6  How many gods are there?

1. READ Acts 13: 16 – 31 What kind of passion and conviction compelled Paul to share the gospel that deeply offended Nero?

a.     How willing are you to share the gospel with people who may be offended by it?

MONDAY, MAY 23

Monday, May 23, 2022

Why Antioch Pisidia?

Romans 1: 13 – 15 (NLT)

    I want you to know, dear brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to visit you, but I was prevented until now. I want to work among you and see spiritual fruit, just as I have seen among other Gentiles. 14 For I have a great sense of obligation to people in both the civilized world and the rest of the world, to the educated and uneducated alike. 15 So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News.

1. Why was Paul so eager to minister in Rome? READ Romans 1: 8–15

1. What kinds of people were in Paul’s audience and heard his message when he spoke in Antioch Pisidia? READ Acts 13: 16, 26, 43 & 44, 48

1. Who showed up to hear Paul and Barnabas minister on their second Shabbat in Antioch Pisidia? What kind of excitement and interest do you think this generated throughout the community?

READ Acts 13: 44 - 50

1. READ Acts 13: 46 – 51. Write down all the ways you see Paul saying and doing what Jesus would say and do.

1. What impact did the gospel have on the people of Antioch Pisidia?

1. What does Paul’s obedience to only go to Rome when God permits it say to you about his commitment to become like Jesus?

1. How willing are you to follow God’s path and walk like Jesus walked even when you passionately desire to take another path?