January’s memory verse:

“...they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us, for ‘In him, we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring.’ '” — Acts 17:27-28

Acts Chapter 14:

Not much should surprise us anymore, but in chapter 14 you will be in awe again! Be ready to note the way the Lord is directing Paul and Barnabas and how with tenacity they continue to speak boldly for the Lord. Look for their devotion as you read this week, especially in the face of opposition.

In Lystra, we meet another man crippled from birth (remember Acts 3?). Unlike last time, when this crowd sees him jump up and walk, they begin to scream. Do they give God glory, do they even acknowledge his mighty hand? Check out the response of the crowds and be prepared for a throwback to your high school Ancient Greece class.

Fed up with the message that Paul continues to proclaim—that Jesus is the Messiah—Jews and the crowds, drag Paul out of the city and leave him for dead. If you were Paul, would you give up? Next to death, what would it take for you to back down or give up the mission God has required of you? Reading on, take note of how Paul ends his first missionary journey and the response of the church when they return back to Antioch.

Here are a few application questions from chapter 14 to ponder this week:

• Seeing the power of the miracles that the Holy Spirit enabled them to perform, the crowd started worshipping Paul and Barnabas as gods. How does Paul and Barnabas’ response differ from Herod’s response to the people’s worship in Acts 12:20-23?

• After Paul's stoning, he doesn't flee the city that stoned him, but instead, he returns to it. Through trial and tribulation, what can we learn from Paul's example?

If you need a quick synopsis of the events in the previous chapter, keep scrolling.

Summary of chapter 13:

• The Church in Antioch sets apart Barnabas and Saul for the work of the Ministry that the Lord has called them to.

• Barnabas and Saul sail to the island of Cyprus and Sergius Paulus, the intelligent proconsul, believes in Jesus, the Messiah.

• The crew sets sail for Paphos and then Perga, where they say goodbye to John Mark and press on to Antioch of Pisidia.

• In the synagogue on the Sabbath, the rulers invite the Brothers to speak a word of encouragement to the people and Paul preaches bold truth.

• Miraculously, many Jews are converted and many beg for Paul to continue to preach the next Sabbath.

• The crowds on the following Sabbath increase so that almost the entire city is present to hear the Word of God. The Jews grow jealous, and the Gentiles rejoice, for the light of salvation is for all who hear and believe, not just the Jews.

• The Jews attempt persecution, but Paul, Barnabas, and the disciples shake the dust off as Jesus demonstrated and continue on their mission, filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

December’s memory verse:

“For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'” — Acts 13:47

Acts Chapter 13:

Just when we thought the excitement had reached an all-time high in Chapter 12 with jailbreaks and man-eating worms, we meet a man named Bar-Jesus (Elymas) and learn of his devious ways. Pay attention to how the Holy Spirit intervenes and what happens to this man. Does it remind you of anyone? Seriously, I hope you are following along with this reading!

Paul's first missionary journey is off to a rousing start and his passion to share the gospel, and proclaim the word of God, is also growing. The second half of chapter thirteen demonstrates this passion as Paul speaks in the synagogues, you will have to read and find out if he is stoned and beaten or urged to continue.

Here are a few application questions from chapter 13 to ponder this week:

• What tactics did Paul use to identify with the people in the synagogue and share the Gospel with them?

• Some people were interested in Paul’s message and others were offended, rejected the Gospel, and drove Paul and Barnabas out of town.  How did Paul and Barnabas respond to this rejection?  Why?

Summary of chapter 12:

• Peter is placed in prison, but through earnest prayer by the church, He was rescued by the Angel of the Lord.

• In his freedom, Peter visits the house of Mary, the mother of John and shocks the servant Girl Rhoda as well as the rest of those gathered and then travels on to Cesarea.

• There was a great disturbance among the soldiers over what had happened to Peter. Herod demands a search.

• Herod, delivers a speech and the people declare that this is the voice of a god and not of man. Because Herod doesn't correct them to give God glory, he is struck down and eaten by worms.

• Despite all that has happened, the GOSPEL still goes forward and the word of God increases and is multiplied.

December’s memory verse:

“For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'” — Acts 13:47

Acts Chapter 12:

Chapter 12 is such an exciting chapter! You don't want to miss it! It opens up with Herod seeking to destroy those who belong to the church, but it ends with the Lord destroying those who refuse to seek Him. I am telling you, some seriously bad stuff goes down, but the church just keeps growing! They've got the king after them in a fury, but God gets the last word over that king. I just have to leave you in suspense so that you GO READ IT for yourself. Martyrs, jail, crazy rescue, delirious joy, elevated kings, and death by worms...READ IT FOR YOURSELF and then share it with someone else.

Here are a few application questions from chapter 12 to ponder this week:

• In the beginning of Chapter 12, what helped Peter? Have you seen God answer the earnest prayers of believers who are united for one purpose? How did this increase your faith?

• Early believers were often imprisoned for sharing the Gospel. Read 2 Timothy 2:9-10 and consider how Paul’s statement “the word of God is not bound” empowered the apostles to keep sharing the Good News in spite of persecution and imprisonment. How does Acts 12:24 support this?

Summary of chapter 10:

• We meet Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, who prays continually, gives generously, and fears God.

• Cornelius sees a vision and is sent by an angel to Peter.

• Peter is staying with a tanner, an occupation considered unclean by the Jews.

• Before the message arrives, Peter has a vision.

• The Lord commands Peter to "rise...kill and eat" and to not call common what God has made clean.

• Peter agrees to meet with Cornelius and many of his close relatives and friends (Gentiles—do not call common what God makes clean).

• Cornelius shares his vision with Peter.

• Peter shares the Gospel with Cornelius, highlighting the cross of Christ and the resurrection. The good news is for ALL who believe.

• The Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles who heard the word, believed and they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Summary of chapter 11:

• Peter returns to Jerusalem with some fantastic news!

• Peter is criticized by the circumcised Jews for going to uncircumcised men and eating with them.

• Peter explains, in order, his vision and the events following.

• The critics fall silent and glorify God, declaring that God has granted eternal life to the Gentiles too!

• Back in Antioch, we hear of many Hellenists also coming to believe and repent.

• We see Barnabas again and, encouraged by the growth in Antioch, he finds Saul and they both spend time with the new believers, called Christians.

• A prophet named Agabus foretold of a famine to come, so the disciples send relief to those living in Judea.

November’s memory verse:

“And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” — Acts 10:42–43

Acts Chapter 10 & 11:

Chapter 10 is one of the most important chapters of Acts! This chapter brings to our attention an extremely important point in God's redemptive plan! It is at this very point that we move from the old way of doing things to a new way! When Christ began the new covenant, the barrier between Jews and Gentiles was broken and hope was extended to all who believe! In the home of a devout man who feared God hope for us was revealed. You see, Peter's vision is not about food or animals, it is about people. It is about you and me! In Acts 10 and more into 11, Luke shows us why God repealed the dietary laws. He shows us how the unclean are gathered together and made clean by Christ. Though we all start life unclean, with Christ, no man can call unclean what God has declared clean by the blood of his Son Jesus! "What God has cleansed you must not call common."

Here are a few application questions from chapter 11 to ponder this week:

• When he entered to eat at the Centurion's Gentile home, Peter was quickly criticized by other believers for not following Jewish custom. Have you ever been criticized by others for doing something God was leading you to do?

• In Chapter 11:16-17, why do you think the Holy Spirit brought Jesus' words to Peter’s mind in regards to the baptism of the Holy Spirit? How did this help expand the apostles’ understanding of who "repentance that leads to life" was for?

Summary of chapter 10:

• We meet Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, who prays continually, gives generously, and fears God.

• Cornelius sees a vision and is sent by an angel to Peter.

• Peter is staying with a tanner, an occupation considered unclean by the Jews.

• Before the message arrives, Peter has a vision.

• The Lord commands Peter to "rise...kill and eat" and to not call common what God has made clean.

• Peter agrees to meet with Cornelius and many of his close relatives and friends (Gentiles—do not call common what God makes clean).

• Cornelius shares his vision with Peter.

• Peter shares the Gospel with Cornelius, highlighting the cross of Christ and the resurrection. The good news is for ALL who believe.

• The Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles who heard the word, believed and they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.

Summary of chapter 11:

• Peter returns to Jerusalem with some fantastic news!

• Peter is criticized by the circumcised Jews for going to uncircumcised men and eating with them.

• Peter explains, in order, his vision and the events following.

• The critics fall silent and glorify God, declaring that God has granted eternal life to the Gentiles too!

• Back in Antioch, we hear of many Hellenists also coming to believe and repent.

• We see Barnabas again and, encouraged by the growth in Antioch, he finds Saul and they both spend time with the new believers, called Christians.

• A prophet named Agabus foretold of a famine to come, so the disciples send relief to those living in Judea.