THE BOOK OF ACTS: Week 5 – June 30-July 6

Acts 9-10   Who is converted from what to what?

These two chapters tell us of several dramatic conversions. Both the people and what the church learns in these conversions have a dramatic impact on the church.

  1. Acts 9:1-9 Saul meets Jesus
  2. Acts 9:10-19 Ananias meets Saul
  3. Acts 9:20-30 Saul escapes in Damascus & Jerusalem
  4. Acts 9:31-42 Peter’s ministry in Lydda & Joppa
  5. Acts 10:1-16 Cornelius & Peter have visions
  6. Acts 10:17-29 The Spirit calls and Peter announces what God has shown him
  7. Acts 10:30-48   Cornelius’s reply leads Peter to understand

 

Chapter 9: New Visions and New Directions

The main actor in this chapter is God-Jesus-the Holy Spirit. What did God orchestrate in this chapter?

The Church took risks in this chapter. For example, Peter stayed in the home of Simon the Tanner and tanning was an unclean, unkosher business. What risk was that for Peter? What risks did Ananias (a different one from chapter 5), Barnabas, and the Jerusalem church take in order to follow God’s direction?

What was the church doing in the community that drew people to faith in Christ?

Action Plan: Be a detective. At the beginning of the day ask God to show you what God is up to today. Then when the day is over reflect over your day. Looking back, where did you notice God working? Were you involved in some of God’s activity—maybe even without planning it?

 

Chapter 10: The Spirit Falls on Gentiles

Gentile means non-Jewish. Most of us are not Jews but gentiles. What is surprising for the Jewish followers of Jesus in this chapter? What do you think was surprising for Cornelius and his gentile friends and family?

When have you in your life had to make a surprising change in order to follow Christ?

Action Plan: Make a list of things that surprise you about God.